The+Power+of+Technology+in+the+World+Language+Classroom

Session Description:
Technology has radically transformed the process of teaching and learning a world language over the last fifteen years. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the power of technology. They will be introduced to a variety of tools and activities which recognize the importance of how communication has evolved in the 21st century, which consider the importance of equipping students linguistically and culturally in order to communicate more successfully in their global communities, which take into account the importance of collaboration for improved relations amongst our world citizens and which allow opportunities for improved proficiency as a speaker of a second language. Tools used will include: wikis, DyKnow, voice boards, Moodle, Wimba and Dimdim classrooms, and Learnocity.

Presenter Bio: Rene Ashman, St. Louis, MO
Rene Ashman’s interest in the power of technology was sparked in the mid 1990s, in the Dominican Republic, where she was conducting her Fulbright research on Educational programs targeting rural communities, and had the opportunity to explore the work of an organization that educated children who did not have access to schools via radio broadcasts.

Upon returning to the States, she completed her graduate work in Latin American Studies at Tulane University, and then began her teaching career. As our country was quickly learning the power of the World Wide Web, Rene began providing opportunities for her students to access the sounds of Spanish from their homes through the internet. Since that time, she has become an advocate of the power of technology in enriching the experience of second language learners, and has shared its power at conferences in Saint Louis, New Orleans and, later this summer in Guadalajara, Mexico. In addition to teaching full time at MICDS during the last nine years, she has authored and reviewed several courses for University of Missouri’s Center for Distance and Independent Study.