Task 1

The 4 C's and Technology in ELT

The world is changing everyday a little bit more and the things that seems to work before are not longer useful or at least not enough. In the 21st century, due to the globalization, demands are high and challenging. In order to “survive” the current era, students and people in general, have to develop various skills that allow them to get along with the world. For that reason, it is important that teachers  include the 4 C's in language learning classes so that students can develop the necessary skills to meet the challenges and demands of the world as well as to help them to become successful citizens and active leaders in different aspects of their lives. Critical thinking, Creative thinking, Collaboration and Communication have many benefits and are key elements that can make a huge difference in terms of the learning process. For instance, if they are develop, students will be able to communicate and articulate their ideas effectively in a variety of context; analyse, reason and create their own judgement and point of view from different perspectives. Besides, they could create original and innovative ideas to solve problems and situations as well as work effectively and respectfully with their peers and people of different backgrounds.   

The 4 C’s are closely connected to the use of technology in the language learning process due to both can be use to help and improve language learning as well as develop thinking skills. They also let students to be the center of their own education, connecting the topics with themes that are related or important to them, increasing in this way motivation and autonomy to learn a foreign language.

As a prospective teacher, I would like to create projects that require students invent something new to solve problems, design original solutions or integrate art to the english class and also to others. Besides, I would like to create learning experiences, such as debates, scientific investigations, interpreting events in literature and mock trials so they can think critically and work in groups. A good idea too would be to bring “real world people” to the class, such as authors and adult experts so that they can answer students questions about work, education, or certain issues that may be happen in the world. I would like also make good use of technology and resources such as computers, tablets, phones, audiovisual aids and videos. I would use platforms, apps or websites such as, classroom, wix, wooclap, menti, blogs, and photoshop. For instance, I would use online forums and blogging in order to encourage students to express themselves in a more comfortable, enjoyable and  friendly way. With these kind of activities students would be able to write freely, edit, publish their work as well as comment in their classmates blogs and give them feedback.