After reading more about different resources for online learning, I was truly intrigued with the variaion of options that teachers have available to choose from. However, when going through these options, I noticed that there were online experiences that I felt possessed more quality characteristics then given credit for. For an example, I believe that Web Quests, Educational Blogs and Podcasts/Videos all possess the quality collaboration. When most teachers assign Web Quest, they usually assign parts of it to be completed individually and with a group. When completing the Web Quest in a group, most students share ideas and exchange their information and personal experiences, this to me sounds like collaboration. Educational Blogs and Podcasts/Videos both have an option where anyone can leave comments. Comments could be anything from criticism to suggestions, where multiple users have the ability to give insight to each other. Therefore, I believe that collaboration is a main characteristics in these online learning tools.
I believe that Web Quests are a perfect tool for foreign language teachers. They give these teachers the opportunity to show their students the language of other countries by taking them on a virtual adventure. Web Quests could definitely help me teach the Spanish language and culture in many different ways. Some pedagogical strategies I would use with my Web Quest is cooperative learning groups and a KWL chart. I think it would be nice to have a class discussion and create a KWL chart about Spain before beginning their Web Quests. Students could share their personal input and then discover the many things they will know after. In addition, cooperative learning groups is also a great way to get students to brainstorm. In one of my Web Quests I created, I had students explore what life is like for a student their age in Spain. By having cooperative learning groups, students get the chance to collaborate and share their own thoughts and experiences.
I think a technology resource that would be difficult for me to use is Educational Blogs. Most World Language teachers like to make students use the language as much as they can and some students may not have enough content knowledge to write a blog. The only way I can see this being useful in Beginner Level courses is if the students wrote a reflection during a culture unit and posted it to a blog and commented on each others. Other than that, I think an Educational Blog would be better for students in Advanced Placement classes.
