Online Course: Integrating Technology in the Adult Education Classroom

What two technology tools did Cynthia try to implement with her students in the classroom?

Cynthia wanted to encourage her students to write more so she tried two online platforms.

What were the observed benefits of using one tool over another?

The first tool was not in the students' wheelhouse. By using FB, she used a tool 85% of her class already had some level of familiarity with. This was easier for them to use since there were using FB already. Polling her students helped her to capitalize on their commonalities.

What are some limitations of both tools?

Both platforms are limited to the students' buy-in. While FB was better than the initial platform, still 100% of the students was hard to capture. Also, students who do not spell or write well may be discouraged.

How did Nell’s use of Pinterest in the lesson on autobiographies enhance and extend student learning?

First she learned the platform herself, then she encouraged her students to use it for their autobiographies.All completed the assignment. Many did more than the assignment required. They were also able to create save a page that would be invaluable for other foreigners who were coming to America. What a wonderful story!

Hello all, I teach digital literacy and English to adult refugees at a nonprofit. My students have smartphones, and some of them have laptops. They use their devices to take and view photos, message and videoconference with their families and friends, and send and receive emails. Some of them use a maps app on their phone to navigate around Lansing, Michigan, either with public transportation or by car.

We could integrate technology into the final activity for Let's Become Chefs! by having students using Google Docs to write their recipes. The teacher could post the assignment on Google Classroom, adding a copy of a Google Doc for each student that contains the directions. Each student would open their copy of the Google Doc and read the directions, then type their recipe underneath it. Since the Google suite is very popular right now, students will benefit from learning how to use Google Docs and Google Classroom to view and complete their assignment.

My students are in prison, so it is hard for us to integrate technology into the classroom. That being said we are always looking for new ways to do so. We have tablets that connect to an internal server, so students can work on Acellus classes without having access to the internet. Some students like it, but obviously it would be nice to give them access to more technology, since technology is such a big part of our world now.

I teach English to nearly 100 adults exclusively online using WhatsApp groups and a variety of websites. The students are mostly from Latin America, and a few from India and Egypt. There is no fee.

For beginners, I use pumarosa, my online texts and YouTube videos, especially songs with subtitles. I encourage everyone to read out loud at home and then record their voices to post to the group. Some do and others don't at first.

For more advanced students I post many articles and stories to read. Also songs with subtitles. In this group there is more participation and a lot of questions!

After teaching like this for about 5 years, on and off, I have come to the conclusion that it is possible to offer this kind of ESFL instruction to everyone. Those who cannot attend classes,of course, would greatly benefit.

At least this kind of approach should become an integral part of a Blended Learning class.

I have taught in both high school and at the college level using several tech tools.  Now I will be teaching more online and really like Google Jamboard.  I have used it similar as a straightforward slide show and as an interactive tool.  I love the repositionable textbox and sticky note features.  I can insert an image I want my ESL students to talk about and share the link so they can annotate on the board as well.  It's great for exercises where I can scan readings from my textbooks or other activities and place them in the slide for students to use breakout rooms (I usually use Zoom) and they can work together.  The possibilities are endless and the students often come up with interesting approaches that I've never even thought of.

One good thing that came out of COVID is that I was forced to improve my tech skills and knowledge, and I am making the most of them now.  I love reading others' ideas, preferred tools, and how they use them to help their learners.

My students mainly use technology for social media and communication purposes.  They are learning new tech skills as they progress through class as I help them learn how to use the tools I am using/introducing.  All my students have either personal laptops and/or mobile devices, or if not, have access to them.  A couple of them are more proficient with technology than I, so we learn from each other.  They have learned Zoom, Jamboard, and Flipgrid and in turn have taught me about social media.  All of us have learned how much we enjoy trading tech knowledge and I think both the tech and the interaction surrounding it have been a positive enhancement to the class.

My students mainly use technology for social media and communication purposes.  They are learning new tech skills as they progress through class as I help them learn how to use the tools I am using/introducing.  All my students have either personal laptops and/or mobile devices, or if not, have access to them.  A couple of them are more proficient with technology than I, so we learn from each other.  They have learned Zoom, Jamboard, and Flipgrid and in turn have taught me about social media.  All of us have learned how much we enjoy trading tech knowledge and I think both the tech and the interaction surrounding it have been a positive enhancement to the class.

I have a tendency to assume my younger students have more developed tech skills than my older students, which is not always the case.  Also, what devices my students have access to is something, in the past, that I've neglected to verify until after the fact and I realize they either 1) don't have access to the tool/resource I'm referring or 2) have access but no experience.  I have definitely learned it is better in the beginning to find out as much as I can about my students, including their level of comfort and proficiency with technology.

I would definitely like to try Evernote.  I am not familiar with it and am always looking for more collaborative writing tools.  I love any tool that allows students to create, collaborate, and annotate in real time.  They are great for initial think-alouds to the step-by-step writing process, to the final product.

The teacher's use of technology to scaffold learning and create a culminating activity was well done.  Students took what might seem like separate components, which may have been presented with various tech tools (or with none at all) and used this knowledge to create an email that integrated both new skills and knowledge, using their new language.  When students see how learning builds and how using their acquired information and skills can help them expand, this increases their motivation.

I use both Zoom and Microsoft Teams in my online teaching.  I also use Google Jamboard and often use YouTube videos and reference social media sites.  I access online interactive teaching tools, and I am excited to have the list of technology resources provided in this training as I see new ones with which I know I can create some great activities for my adult ESL students.

The adult students that I see coming into my workplace almost always have a cellphone. They use the computers at the center but if they ever needed to check on progress/grades/ask a question, they can use the phone to email or text. It is important to have a variety of teaching methods so all can have a chance to learn in their style. Integrating technology also helps with career readiness in today's world because it is used so much on a global scale. 

I am a GED teacher. I am working on building my technology toolbox. I have been teaching via zoom ever since the pandemic. Any suggestions on some cool tech tools I could use to help add to my teaching via zoom?

The voice clip of the teacher said she used an online platform and a facebook group to get the students practice writing and reading others' essays. When the teacher noticed most did not want to do it the online platform way, she changed it to facebook and they seemed to write more and be more involved in reading and commenting on others' papers. 

The teacher used pinterest as a way to get students more comfortable using technology. They had to find images and post to their class pinterst for an assignment.

I have had to use technology in my line of work and had to teach some parents of the children in my class how to do Google classroom. I actually had to learn it with them since I had not used that before. For some parents it went way easier. Some were not good with technology or had internet issues. So there were definately some drawbacks. However, it gave us a way to post videos and assignments as well as a chance for families to make comments. They could send it to all families or privately. 

I have taught partly as a sub in public schools and with infants and toddlers where I work a lot with the families. We have had to deal with technology when Covid hit and students were virtual. I am now a part time adult ed instructor and learning more about that program and working with adult students. 

I have worked with technology with students or parents, using the multimodal and collaborative writing tools. We have used google classroom, posting and sharing videos from youtube or our own. We have used google documents to share information. I have not used the 1:1 mobile sharing tools yet. I am not sure if I have been in a situation where that would be ideal, but it would be something interesting to learn more about. 

one of the instructors used the 1:1 mobile learning tools. She shortened a long internet link so it was easier to use and type or remember and she used a qr code to be able to get to the info she wanted to share. Students were able to easily get to that info and watch a video that calculated differences in renting and buying a home instead of just doing the math themselves on paper. 

Hi, my name is Elaine Anderson and I teach ESL English classes for adults. This is my firts time teaching this type of course. All of my students have a smartphone and they have access to all the course material through an app. At the begining of the course, I introduced my students to this application and helped them to navigate it. I find that implementing technology in the adult education is very helpful and help them to learn more efficiently.

Cynthia tried in the past an online platform as a place for students to interact outside of class but she found that students didn't use it. After learning about the POST Method and helped to integrate technology to her class. She created Facebook groups and found that all of her students completed the minimum posting requirement. Using the POST Method helped Cynthia to integrate technology in a more successful way, thinking about who her students were first. All of her students completed with the course requirements, and she gave feedback to them. A limitation of Facebook is its policies. 

I like Cynthia and Neils lesson ideas and how they implemented them in their lessons. I teach my courses using technology, through the Burlington English App. All of my students have a smart phone and they were given an account so they can go over every lesson and practice as much as they can or want. My challenge has been keeping my students motivated to use the app during their free time. A couple of them feel like they cann't retain new info and find challenging navigating through the app.

My students are beginner level ESL students. Their goals include learning basic English vocabulary, learning to communicate in English at work and supporting their families with the kwoneldge that they acquire. All students have smartphones but have limited knowledge about accessing and navigating the internet. I currently teach my lessons using the Burlingotn English App and all students have an account and access to the app. At the beginning of the course, about 1/2 of them were nervous about using this app. Currently, only two students still have some issues navigating the app. Sometimes, I start my class playing a game using Kahoot. This such a great platform for getting students engage in the lesson. I create a game/lesson or choose one already created and display on the smart boar the Q-R code. They all love using it.

I haven't really focused on integrating technology in my ESOL classes yet. I will definitely find ways to do that now though. I have enjoyed this course and learning the POST method. It is inspiring. I want to do what is best for my students. 

My students all have cellphones they may use in class to help with understanding words. Each student has a chromebook in class to do their student lesson on as i walk around the room and guide through their lesson. We also have the computer projected on the whiteboard to use during the whole class lesson.

Based on Cynthia's reflections, I would attempt to implement technology by surveying students about their access and existing knowledge. To meet students where they are, you have to ask them where they are.

I think writing on a platform that students are familiar with made the assignment more relevent.

Hello everyone!  I am an English as a Second Language instructor for the City Colleges of Chicago.  I enjoy using technology in my classes.  Presently, I use the Zoom application to teach my students online.  In addtion, the college has a learning managment system called Brightspace.  The students have activities and tests on Brightspace that they complete during the week when not meeting online.  Technology enhances learning and teaches adults how to complete forms online, how to prepare for technical tasks, such as taking a driving exam on a computer.  Students need technology skills for everyday life.  

This course was very effective for me.  I especially learned about the POST method.  

My class meets online via Zoom, so that is the first thing my students have mastered is Zoom. And they all have computers or their smartphone because that is how they attend class. It is so hard for my students to setup new accounts or basically log into anything I ask them too. Integrating technology into my class is going to be a huge challenge, but one I am ready to face.

I teach very Basic ESL students. We use the Burlington English program. We will be talking about weather in a couple of weeks. I am simply going to integrate tech by giving them a chance to each do an internet search and find the forecast for their town. It will undoubtedly take us an entire class period but will be successful in the end.