Using the Internet in teaching literacy skills

1. Using the Internet in teaching literacy skills Dr. James Kohn, Professor Emeritus San Francisco State University

2. Many uses of the computer in language teaching As a storehouse of teaching material: folders and files for language lessons As a projection system for classroom teaching As a communication medium to contact students and colleagues, e.g., e-mail, texting, and file sharing As an information source for fact-gathering and fact-checking As a source for authentic language, both in writing and speaking As an extension of classroom teaching

3. Using e-mail to contact students 1. Setting up an e-mail distribution list 2. Including attached files for students 3. Encouraging student-to-student interaction 4. Responding to student inquiries

4. Finding information on the Internet 1. Using search engines 2. Using library resources 3. Using teacher-supplied websites 4.Web quest assignments

5. Let’s practice! Instructions; With your group, choose three keywords for use in a search, on one of the following topics: Global warming and pollution Inequality of income distribution Health services for people in rural communities New opportunities for employment You choose the topic!

6. Evaluating web sites

7. Evaluating websites, continued Criteria 6 points 4 points 0 points

8. Making instructional web pages 1. School-generated shell programs, e.g. Ilearn 2. Social networking programs, e.g., Facebook 3. Teacher-designed instructional web sites

9. Planning for interaction on the website 1. Online bulletin boards 2. Comment lines on webpages 3. Online file sharing for commentary, cooperation 4. Skype an the Voice over Internet protocols.

10. Using audio and video files 1. Making audio files: it’s easy with your cellphone 2. Using a digital recorder for audio files 3. Up-loading audio files to e-mail or websites

11. Using videos and making your own videos 1. Finding videos on-line 2. Editing videos for use in the classroom 3. Recording videos of your students

12. Let’s try it! Instructions: With your group, write a short skit about one of these situations: a) Making an appointment to talk with your teacher b) Returning a purchase to a department store c) Asking a classmate for help with an assignment d) Asking stranger for directions in a foreign city. Your skit should be no longer than ten lines of dialogue. 2. When your group is ready, you will perform the skit in front of our class. The skit will be recorded on video, and then uploaded to a website for everyone to see.