Media in the Classroom

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of media didactics in Foreign Language Teaching?

To provide an extensive database for teachers

To promote cultural learning through authentic texts

To develop digital competencies in teachers

To utilize media as tools for teaching and learning purposes (correct)

What is an example of an offline, audio-visual medium?

Audiobooks

Podcasts

Feature films (correct)

What is a limitation of digital media use in ELT, according to the content?

Equipment of schools is not a concern

Lack of cultural learning opportunities

Technical difficulties are not time-consuming

Inequality in access to digital media or the internet (correct)

What is an example of a multi-codal medium, according to Schmidt and Strasser (2018)?

YouTube clip with text and audio Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of digital media use in ELT, according to the content?

It provides authentic texts and many perspectives Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an online, interactive format on the internet?

Email Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration when using media in ELT, according to the content?

To have clear learning objectives while using media Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of using digital media in ELT, in the context of the Covid-19 crisis?

Schools are more likely to be equipped with digital media Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Media Education?

To enable individuals to reflect critically on their use of media. Signup and view all the answers

What is Media Literacy (Medienkompetenz) mainly concerned with?

Perceiving, recognizing, analyzing, reflecting, using, and producing media content. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Substitution and Augmentation in the SAMR Model?

Substitution has no functional change, while Augmentation has functional improvement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of the Modification stage in the SAMR Model?

Technology allows for a significant task redesign. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of the Redefinition stage in the SAMR Model?

Technology allows for the creation of new tasks previously inconceivable. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Media Literacy (Medienkompetenz) important in FLT?

To enable individuals to reflect critically on their use of media. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of using media in FLT?

To use media as a teaching/learning tool, communication tool, and subject of reflection. Signup and view all the answers

What does the setting of foreign language learning and teaching refer to?

The overall context and framework of foreign language learning and teaching Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of working with media in class?

Working with media in class does not mean that students can use tools competently. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the four dimensions of the setting?

The role of the teacher Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using the target language in out-of-school sites?

To understand the real-life purpose of what is learned at school Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the physical environment of the classroom that allows for activity and movement?

Rich learning environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the interpersonal aspect of the classroom?

Interpersonal meeting place Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using out-of-school sites for language learning?

To provide a more authentic language learning experience Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the online English language resources and online communication in the English language?

The role of the internet Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of personal decoration in the classroom?

To provide a sense of ownership Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the places that are not specifically designed for language learning but can be used for this purpose?

Secondary-out-of-school sites Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Media in the Classroom

Offline media can be categorized into three types: visual (e.g., black/white boards, worksheets, books, pictures), auditory (e.g., music, podcasts, audiobooks, radio), and audio-visual (e.g., feature films, YouTube clips, TV shows, documentaries).
Online media includes interactive formats on the internet, such as (hyper)texts, email, social media, films, and clips.

Dimensions of Media

Schmidt/Strasser (2018) identify three dimensions of media:
- The technological medium in-use (e.g., book, DVD, smartphone)
- Coding forms for information in different symbol systems (e.g., mono-codal, multi-codal)
- Required sensory modalities (e.g., mono-codal, multi-codal)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Media Use in ELT

Advantages

The internet serves as an extensive database for teachers
Authentic texts and multiple perspectives can be incorporated
Cultural learning can be included
Digital media brings variety to the classroom
Media use can be motivating for students
Students can be activated through visual and audio materials
Explanations can be facilitated through pictures and videos
Schools may be better equipped due to the Covid-19 crisis

Disadvantages

Students may work under different conditions (inequality, access to digital media or internet)
Digital competences of teachers may vary
Equipment of schools may be limited
Technical difficulties can be time-consuming
Students may get distracted when using their own devices
Media use should not be for its own sake; learning objectives should be established

Aims of Media in the Classroom

Media Didactics: Media as tools for the purpose of Foreign Language Teaching (FLT)
Media Education: Using media to educate students to consume media critically
Media Literacy (Medienkompetenz): To perceive, recognize, analyze, and reflect on media; to use and produce media

SAMR Model for FLT

Enhancement:
- Substitution: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute with no functional change
- Augmentation: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute with functional improvement
Transformation:
- Modification: Technology allows for significant task redesign
- Redefinition: Technology allows for the creation of new tasks previously inconceivable

Settings for FLT

Definition: Setting refers to the overall context and framework of foreign language learning and teaching
Four dimensions of settings:
- Political framework: School system, curricula, educational reforms
- Approach to teaching foreign languages: Communicative, task-based, or structure-based
- English language classroom:
  - Physical space: Providing a comfortable and safe environment, reducing noise levels, and encouraging physical activity
  - Interpersonal meeting place: Learners become agents of their own learning process, taking decisions, negotiating meanings
  - Out-of-school site: Extracurricular learning or out-of-school learning, using the target language for authentic communication
- Role of the internet: Online English language resources or online communication in the English language