Using Technology in the Spanish Classroom

Modern teachers need to be able to use technology resources to enhance student learning or risk student boredom and low levels of student engagement. In my own personal experience, using PowerPoint to introduce a new grammar concept or vocabulary to my Spanish II classes has proved very effective. In her article over integrating PowerPoint into the classroom, Linda Starr gives several ideas about using PowerPoint such as presenting information or instruction to the entire class, creating information and instruction that is enhanced with graphics, creating tutorials, reviews and quizzes for individual students, and displaying student work or teacher presentations during events such as open house (Starr, 2000).

Here are some suggestions for using PowerPoint in the classroom.

When introducing new Spanish vocabulary to my classes, PowerPoint allows me to use color, animations and sounds to help students to remember the Spanish words. For example, when I teach the students the Spanish vocabulary words that have to do with members of the family I use a PowerPoint presentation that includes pictures of my family members labeled “hermana” for sister, “primo” for cousin, etc. This helps students to learn the vocabulary by associating the word “hermana” with a picture of my sister.

Here is an example of how to use PowerPoint to teach vocabulary:

La familia

View more presentations from farmills.

I also use PowerPoint to give notes over new grammar concepts. I prefer using this tool rather than write notes on the board because I can go back to revisit previous slides in case students missed information. I can also insert instructional videos or practice quizzes when giving these notes. Moreover, students use PowerPoint in my class to present projects they have done. In the past, I have had students do research projects over Spanish-speaking celebrities. They present their research over a celebrity to their peers using PowerPoint and are able to give biographical facts, show pictures of the celebrities and even videos. All in all, PowerPoint is a great resource to introduce information to the contemporary secondary student and for students to showcase their work.

Using the program Skype to communicate can also be used in a variety of lesson plans. In my classroom, I could use it to have students build a relationship with students in a Spanish speaking country, thus giving them the opportunity to practice speaking Spanish. A Social Studies teacher could use Skpe to have students chat with a diplomat or politician. A Science teacher could use it to have students chat with a technician as NASA. There are a variety of ways that the secondary teacher could use real-world examples with Skype to enhance student learning. However, teachers must check their district’s policy on using Skype. Some districts have Skype blocked and may have policies against using websites such as this in the classroom.
We, as twenty-first century teachers, are very fortunate to have technological tools at our disposal. Tools such as Smartboards and laptop computers and websites such as Google and Teachertube enable us to enhance student learning by providing visual and auditory aids and real world information. Overall, knowledge of technology will help teachers reach the twenty-first century learner.


Check out this video over conjugating Spanish verbs in the present tense!







Resources
Delisio, Ellen R. (2010). Technology Closes Distance Between Kids, Schools. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin606.shtml

Johnson, Douglas. (2009). Seven Brilliant Things Teachers Do with Technology. Education World
Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson033.shtml

Starr, Linda. (2000) Powerpoint-Creating Classroom Presentations. Education World
Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech013.shtml