Why can't the students use their own iPods in French class? What's the problem with that if it benefits their learning? Of course, we are not talking about Angry Birds or 4 Pics 1 Word! There are rules to follow and it's our job to make sure that they are followed, and once the students use these tools responsibly, it can open up a new world of opportunities for their learning of a second language.
Half of my students walk into the classroom every day with their iPods. I even have a student who brings two, in case the first one dies! Talk about a back up plan! Also available are my iPhone, iPad and laptop for those students who don't have an iPod. However, I am lucky enough to have very kind students who always share their belongings with others, even their techy stuff!
Technology is an important part of our days in French class. They are used for many different things, bust first and foremost for translating. Now before anyone panics, I spent the first couple of months in the fall ensuring that everyone had mastered the skill of using the dictionary. The dictionary is still used in the classroom, but the "i" equipment is also an option.
The iTranslate app has been especially useful for some of my students who are experiencing some difficulties with learning French vocabulary in both oral communication and writing. All they need to do when they are writing is to input the word in English (like they would in the dictionary) and they will get the French word below. For those students who know how to use the dictionary, but take a very long time searching a word, this is very helpful. If it weren't for the iTranslate app, they would rarely finish a writing assignment! The other benefit of iTranslate is that there is an option to listen to the French word once they have looked it up. This has helped one (the others too, of course!) of my students who is currently learning I believe his third or even fourth language. Oral communication is a little tough for this guy, but having the opportunity to listen to the words over and over again and learning the proper intonation, pronunciation, etc. has allowed him to expand his vocabulary in French.
The one thing we spent a long time on when I first introduced the iTranslate app is the ability to judge whether or not the word given is actually the right word to use. This is a very difficulty skill to master. We know that those translate sites and apps can sometimes be misleading or wrong, so I really want the students to think about their word choice, use the strategies taught and judge whether or not their sentences make sense after they have used the translating apps. They have to be accountable to their work! This skill is still a work in progress, but reading the sentences outloud with the students when I am conferencing with them helps them hear the errors.
I have been told recently: "If you use the translate app, the students aren't learning." My response to that is that the apps are the same as the dictionary, just more "up with the times". We have to keep up with these kids who walk around every day with iPods, iPhones, Nintendo DSs... I ensure that everyone knows HOW to use the dictionary, since that is a skill that everyone should know how to do, but this iTranslate app offers you something that the dictionary doesn't. Not only do you get your translation, but you have the opportunity to listen to the words. Isn't that important since we are quickly moving towards a curriculum and approach that this much, much more focused on oral communication? So what if a student has to check the word "with" in French 15 times before they remember that it's "avec" in French? The more they see and hear the word the more likely they will remember it in the future. And this way they can look it up more often since it's not as time consuming to look up!
So, those students of mine who could barely ever finish writing assignments because they constantly had their noses in the dictionary are now able to complete their written work much quicker.
I think that teaching the students the skill of using technology to assist them with their learning AND giving them the responsibility of revising their word choice is crucial. They WILL use technology throughout their lives to help them with many, many different tasks... Why not teach them to use it responsibly and to their advantage, all the while still giving them some boundaries?
Stay tuned for more apps!!!! I've got loads!
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