Computer and Video Games 

In this post I am going to speak about computer and video games. It is not a secret that nowadays computer games are very popular among young learners, and they can be more than just a form of entertainment. However, in one of our readings I faced with the idea that games are "play", and thus the opposite of "work". However, I do not agree with the author of the article. Furthermore, I would like to say that I found computer games very interesting and motivating. I think computer/video games have many advantages and can stimulate and encourage students to learn. To be honest, I personally enjoy playing video and computer games and I do play them a lot. Here are some benefits of video games.

• They are   motivating and challenging
• Games provide language practice in the various skills- speaking, listening, reading and writing
• They create a meaningful context for language use

Now I would like to speak about the third advantage mentioned above, which is about a meaningful context. I think this is really very important. As Richard Van Eck says games are effective because the learning takes place within a meaningful context. What students learn is directly related to the environment in which you learn and demonstrate, and in my opinion this is very true, because learning that occurs in meaningful and relevant context is more effective that occurs outside the context. There was a very good example about the Lions that they do not learn to hunt through direct instruction, but through modeling and play.

However, I want to mention that not all games are effective, and there is a risk that games may have very bad effects on learners. This is especially true when children/adults play violent video games, which do have harmful effects. Those who play these kinds of games tend to be more aggressive and may engage in fights with their peers. Furthermore, the frequent use of computer and video games may bring to physical and social isolation, which I guess, again is a big problem.

To sum up my reflection about the video and computer games, I would like to say that even computer and video games have some negative effects, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Moreover, playing these kinds of games will help children to improve typing, reading, and writing skills, and why not, the analytical thinking as well. Besides, as I mentioned above, they are engaging and very motivating.

The Sources: http://www.google.am/imgres?hl=hy&tbm=isch&tbnid=5ZUKaP25Obsq_M:&imgrefurl=http://compdiary.blogspot.com/2012/02/video-games-in-learning-and-gender.html&docid=fPFOFYoN

VZnscM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT8Qxaig3CNz1yEY_uKs2rz7-Fcq840ZpTY4crupAiYsTQ1KMJY_o3IAlsC3ZUstE_e8rXzR4QTqBC1SU57kgr8tPtdjZx7f2bERtDonSbW44347sAc1_o9cCwN4EoJPxGh6nbKSf28g/s1600/17_5_orig.jpg&w=413&h=310&ei=1DqQUJvCC8zBswbg6YHgCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=436&vpy=302&dur=2374&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=155&ty=147&sig=111153760880240863882&page=4&tbnh=151&tbnw=192&start=69&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,i:279&biw=1366&bih=

http://www.google.am/imgres?hl=hy&tbm=isch&tbnid=xpECJUNvrbMraM:&imgrefurl=http://fun.recreationxleisure.com/fun-online-computer-playing-games-kids/&docid=T2dyvxK3j72h0M&imgurl=http://recreationxleisure.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Playing-Games-For-Kids.jpg&w=1280&h=1024&ei=1DqQUJvCC8zBswbg6YHgCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=83&vpy=149&dur=65&hovh=201&hovw=251&tx=151&ty=95&sig=111153760880240863882&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=136&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,i:61&biw=1366&bih=588

http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.html

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/October/violent-video-games-and-young-people

http://moodle.aua.am/file.php/28/Course_Materials/Gaming/COTS_VanEck_2006.pdf

Anderson C.,  Sakamoto A., Gentile D., Ihori N., Shibuya A., Yukawa S.,   Naito M., Kobayashi K. Longitudinal Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggression in Japan and the United States.

                            Digital story-telling and video production in EFL
                                             classes in Armenia

In this post, I will speak about Digital storey- telling and video production in EFL classes. So, what is a Digital storey-telling? Actually, it refers to using digital tools so that ordinary people can tell their own real-life stories.

From my point of view, Digital storey-telling is very important in EFL classrooms, as it allows teachers to engage the students in their own language learning process. Furthermore, by using Digital storey-telling, teachers can help students to develop the skills which they need to be successful in our technology -rich world. Secondly, as we know, there are lazy students, reluctant learners, or students who become bored very quickly during the classes and they do not want to follow the teacher’s instructions or learn something new. So, how to deal with this problem? The solution is that the teachers can overcome these obstacles by using Digital storey-telling, which helps to inspire students and motivate them to learn. Thus, from the facts mentioned above, it is evident that Digital story-telling has many advantages and can be very beneficial in EFL classroom.  To sum up, telling Digital storey-telling

•        Encourages research
•          Fosters critical thinking skills
•          Encourages students to write and to work at becoming better writers
•          Gives students a voice
•          Helps students to retain knowledge longer
•          Promote Digital literacy

   

In the continuation, I will speak about video making in EFL classrooms. It is not secret that we live in a networked 

world where technology has become an essential part of teaching and learning. It provides us with a number of teaching/learning tools which we can use in an EFL classroom.  So, one of this tools is video making. In my opinion, student-produced videos can be an excellent EFL/ESL learning activity. This activity differs from the other ones because the learner participates in video making process in variety of ways. 

Nowadays, when we have relatively advanced digital video technology, EFL learners have many opportunities to create their own videos on a specific topic given by the teacher or the topic which they are interested in as we did in our class. Furthermore, I liked this new innovation and as a future teacher, I think, I will use the video making in my classrooms. Additionally, I can say that it makes the learning process more vivid and student-oriented. I think learning and "having fun" simultaneously is one of the best ways for students to learn.

Wikis

                                                                      Wikis

My today’s post is about wikis. So, what is a wiki? Actually, it is a Web page that can be viewed by anybody with a Web browser and access to the internet. It's easy, efficient, and intuitive to use. Every user gets a voice and everyone's contribution is seen, heard, and can be commented upon. In other words, Wikis are dynamic and here readers become authors and editors.

Firstly, I would like to say that I like wikis very much and I consider them to be very effective, especially in the English classroom, as it allows students to work cooperatively and collaboratively. In the classroom students may not have time to read each other’s work, but now due to wiki they can continue it even at home, in collaborative online environment. Students work together, share knowledge and learn from each others.

Secondly, advanced technology skills are not required for editing wiki pages, and students who do not have perfect computer skills can still use wiki pages. However, from my point of view, there can be some cases where students will encounter some difficulties while using wikis for their home assignments.

On the other hand, wikis may have some drawbacks as well. For example, participants can accidentally or intentionally delete someone’s contributions as happened with Tamar.

To sum up, even wikis have some drawbacks, advantaged outweigh disadvantages. They make the learning process more effective. They are easy to learn, simple, efficient, and most wikis are free.

Using Podcast in EFL/ESL classroom

                                            Using Podcast in EFL/ESL classrooms

In this reflection I will speak about Podcast and its effect on EFL/ESL classroom. Firstly, what is a Podcast? Actually, it is a digital media file, or a series of such files, that is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and personal computers.

Firstly, I would like to say, that for those language learners whose first language is not English, they find it very difficult to improve their listening and speaking skills. However, with today’s technology it becomes easier and faster to improve, and one of this innovation is a Podcast.

Podcasting allows students to use their technology-based entertainment systems (iPods, MP3 players) for educational experiences. Because students are already familiar with the underlying technology, podcasting broadens educational options in a nonthreatening and easily accessible manner. For example, podcasting allows lectures or other course content to be made available to students if they miss class. Beyond missed lectures, podcasting can provide access to experts through interviews. Podcasting is not limited to content delivered to the student, however; students can create their own podcasts—as a record of activities, a way to collect notes, or a reflection on what they have learnt.

Secondly, it sounds to me, that using podcast in EFL/ESL classroom is a fun, and more interesting way compared with traditional textbooks. Students are not reluctant to do activities and they do it with great pleasure. Furthermore, using podcast in the EFL/ESL classroom could improve writing skills, as students can write reflection after listening to the podcast. To sum up, it seems to me that using podcast in EFL/ESL classrooms could be very beneficial, as it can be used creatively to encourage students to practice language outside of the classroom.