Summary+of+Activity

__**Summary of Activity**__

First and foremost, the use of technology greatly assisted in maintaining the target language (Spanish) during the lesson. This can be quite difficult with some grammatical aspects of a L2 classroom. Comprehensible input was very effective and what otherwise might have required the use of English, technology helped keep the use of Spanish optimum. The primary goal of the L2 classroom is to develop proficiency in the target language. Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) definitely helped. In addition, the L2 environment can be quite intimidating for some students. The affective filter of students raises in the adolescent years; it was witnessed that more engagement took place and students were able to take more risks without being on stage via the podcasting. This seems to at least level the playing field a bit; students who may be more outgoing are more comfortable in an L2 environment and with CALL, the more soft-spoken students had a new pathway to success which was not so perhaps frightening from a speaking standpoint.

As with any use of technology, there can exist some things that do not go as planned. A few students were not comfortable with the use of different applications such as Garage Band and Voicethread; thus, instructional time had to used to teach these skills albeit as briefly as it took. My self-recommendation would be to teach these skill more towards the beginning of the year.

In years past, posterboard, scissors, and cassette tapes were used to complete this same project. This previous method almost seems cumbersome now. With the use of technology, most importantly instructional time is saved and more efficient instruction can transpire. What is the benefit to students? No doubt, more effective instruction that is differentiated and timely.