I feel as though e-learning has the potential to revolutionize how teachers teach and how students learn. E-learning is essentially defined as the use of computers and technology as a means for "knowledge exchange within teaching and learning." This is an amazingly simple definition for such a very complex concept. Due to the fact that technology has become such an integral part of our culture, it is imperative that education follows the trends and reflects the world that we live in. As a high school French teacher I have seen first-hand the amazing possibilities that come with e-learning. One of the most successful methods of content delivery I have implemented as a teacher is the flipped classroom. I have learned with a flipped classroom that students are able to use technology to learn on their own terms. As attention spans are getting shorter because of the instantaneous access to information that students have, e-learning permits me to put skills into action in the classroom instead of spending time transferring the knowledge.

 

Online learning has so many implications in the foreign language classroom. As a French teacher I take advantage of all the myriad resources that exist on the internet that aide in learning. The internet enables students to find authentic content in the target language. I use French online newspapers to read about current events that the students are already aware of. Having previous knowledge of the content takes away some of the apprehension felt when faced with the foreign words. There are also thousands of examples of authentic French audio resources. The internet permits students to watch foreign television broadcasts, listen to radio interviews and even listen to music in the language that is being learned. Online learning needs to be a staple in the foreign lanaguage classroom becuase it allows the students travel around the world while sitting in the classroom.

 

More than anything, my desire is to encourage students to develop a love of learning so much so that they remain lifelong learners. One of my biggest goals is to be a part of molding students into the person that they will become and help them enter the real world as a productive member of society.