ICT Òcan doÓ lists for teachers of
foreign languages
compiled by
Graham Davies
for
the ICT4LT website

 

This document is designed for:

 

    i.      ICT trainers, to enable them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of teachers of foreign languages undergoing training in ICT;

   ii.      teachers of foreign languages, to enable them to assess the development of their own ICT skills, experience and understanding while they are undergoing training in ICT.

 

Teachers of foreign languages who wish to integrate ICT into their teaching need to be familiar with the Windows operating system and a range of different software applications. The following list includes selected generic applications and software applications specific to teaching and learning foreign languages. Under the heading for each application there is a range of essential tasks that the teacher should be able to carry out in order to feel comfortable working with the software – a so-called Òcan doÓ list. The applications and the tasks have been selected according to their usefulness for teaching foreign languages and are by no means exhaustive – all the software applications listed here offer much more.

 

How to use the lists:

 

  1. Indicate your level of knowledge under each heading on a scale of 1 to 3.
  2. Indicate what you can do under each heading: place a tick in the box in the right hand column if you can do something; leave blank if you donÕt know how to do it.
  3. In addition, there are a number of essential ÒI understandÓ statements under selected applications. Please check these too.

 

Level of knowledge scale:

 

1 = Basic

2 = Intermediate

3 = Advanced

 

This version of the document is dated 24 June 2007. Comments welcomed: use the Feedback Form at the ICT4LT website: http://www.ict4lt.org


Table of contents

Windows................................................................................................................................... 3

Word......................................................................................................................................... 4

Browsers................................................................................................................................... 5

Email software.......................................................................................................................... 6

PowerPoint................................................................................................................................ 7

Excel.......................................................................................................................................... 8

Anti-virus and security software............................................................................................ 9

Web authoring software........................................................................................................ 10

CALL authoring software.................................................................................................... 11

Text reconstruction software................................................................................................ 12

CD-ROMs and DVDs........................................................................................................... 13

CD-Audio discs...................................................................................................................... 14

DVD-Video discs.................................................................................................................... 15

Image editing software.......................................................................................................... 16

Audio recording and editing software................................................................................. 17

Video recording and editing software.................................................................................. 18

Reference tools: electronic dictionaries and encyclopaedias............................................... 19

Concordancers....................................................................................................................... 20

Translation software.............................................................................................................. 21

Copyright................................................................................................................................ 21


Windows

 

Familiarity with the Microsoft Windows operating system is essential for all users of personal computers. There are different versions of Windows: Win95, Win98, WinME, Win2000, WinXP, WinNT. The following list is valid for most versions of Windows from Win95 onwards.

 

I would describe my ability to use Windows as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Use a mouse and I know when to right-click or left-click

 

Open a Windows application – i.e. start a computer program under Windows

 

Close a Windows application – i.e. terminate a computer program under Windows

 

Use a Windows Menu Bar

 

Maximise a window

 

Minimise a window

 

Restore a window

 

Use scroll bars

 

Open two or more Windows applications at the same time

 

Use the Windows Task Bar to toggle between applications

 

Use Windows Explorer to examine the contents of a disk and of different folders

 

Use Windows My Computer to examine the contents of a disk and of different folders

 

Move or copy a file from one folder to another

 

Move or copy a file from one disk to another

 

Find a file that I have mislaid

 

Rename a file or folder

 

Create a new folder

 

Open Notepad and create and save a text file

 

Format a floppy disk

 

Format a CD-ROM

 

 


Word

 

All teachers of Modern Foreign Languages should be familiar with a word processor. Microsoft Word is the commonest word processor for personal computers. The following list relates to Word 6.0 and later versions but all the tasks can be carried out using other types of word processors. For ideas on using word processors in the foreign languages classroom, see ICT4LT Module 1.3: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod1-3.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use a word processor as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Start Word

 

Exit Word

 

Open a new document

 

Type at a reasonable speed

 

Set paper size (e.g. A4) and margins

 

Set paper orientation to portrait or landscape

 

Change view from Normal to Page Layout and zoom in and out

 

Insert page numbers into a document

 

Insert headers and footers into a document

 

Save a document that I have typed

 

Print a document

 

Open a document that I have previously saved

 

Amend/add to a document that I have previously saved

 

Save a document that I have amended or added to

 

Insert new text

 

Delete existing text

 

Amend existing text

 

Toggle the Insert key

 

Toggle the Num Lock key

 

Select text (i.e. highlight text)

 

Copy and paste selected text within a document

 

Cut and paste selected text within a document

 

Search for text in a document

 

Align text to the left, right or centre

 

Change the font, size or colour of text

 

Make text bold, italic or underlined

 

Type non-standard characters: e.g. Ž, Ÿ, §, –, î

 

Create a bulleted or numbered list

 

Set and use tabs

 

Create a table within a document

 

Convert existing text to a table

 

Convert a table to text

 

Make hidden formatting characters visible or invisible

 

Insert a picture into a document

 

Insert an audio file into a document

 

Copy and paste from another application, e.g. text from a Web browser, a table from a spreadsheet, a picture from image editing software

 

Do a spell check

 

Do a grammar check

 

Use the thesaurus

 

Use the Word Outliner

 

Set and use stylesheets

 


Browsers

 

If you wish to use the World Wide Web you must be familiar with a browser. The following list relates mainly to Microsoft Internet Explorer, but all the tasks can be carried out using other browsers. See the following ICT4LT modules:

Module 1.5: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod1-5.htm

Module 2.3: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-3.htm

Module 3.3: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod3-3.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use a browser as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Start a browser

 

Exit a browser

 

Find a website by typing in its URL, e.g. http://www.ict4lt.org

 

Bookmark a website

 

Return to a website that I have bookmarked

 

Navigate forwards and backwards within a website

 

Jump to a new website via an active link

 

Get back to a website from which a link was made

 

Get back to a previously located website

 

Copy a selection of text from a Web page into another application, e.g. Word, and save it

 

Save a graphic or picture as a file on my computer

 

Copy a graphic or picture into another application, e.g. Adobe Photoshop, and save it

 

Print a Web page

 

Save a Web page as a file on my computer

 

Play an audio sequence stored at a website

 

Save an audio sequence as a file on my computer

 

Play a video sequence stored at a website

 

Save a video sequence as a file on my computer

 

Use a search engine to locate materials stored on the Web

 

Delete temporary Internet files from my computer

 

Download a document file (DOC or RTF) from a website

 

Download a PDF file from a website

 

Download an EXE file from a website

 

Download a ZIP file from a website

 

Unzip a downloaded ZIP file

 

Remove ÒWeb clutterÓ from my computer, e.g. using a package such as Window Washer

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand that a new window sometimes opens when I link from one website to another

 

I understand how frame-based websites work

 

I understand that ÒcookiesÓ need to be activated while I am browsing certain websites

 

I understand that plug-ins, e.g. Media Player, Flash, Acrobat, are needed to access materials stored at certain websites

 

I understand the advantages and limitations of the World Wide Web as a medium for delivering language courses

 

I understand that computer viruses can be transmitted via hostile websites and that up-to-date anti-virus software is essential while I am browsing the Web

 

I understand that my computer can be ÒhackedÓ while I am browsing the Web and that a firewall is essential

 

I understand the implications of copyright and plagiarism when using materials downloaded from the Web

 


Email software

 

If you wish to send and receive email you must be familiar with email software. There are a number of different applications available, e.g. Microsoft Outlook or Eudora, and some Internet Service Providers, e.g. CompuServe or AOL, provide their own email software. Email applications differ considerably in the way in which tasks are carried out, but you should be able to carry out the following tasks with most email applications. See ICT4LT Module 1.5: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod1-5.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use email software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Start an email software application

 

Exit an email software application

 

Set up a filing system for storing messages that I send and receive

 

Set up my email software to send only plain text

 

Compose and send a new message online, including the name and email address of the intended recipient, and a meaningful subject line

 

Check for an incoming message

 

Read an incoming message

 

File a received message

 

Delete an unwanted incoming message

 

Print a received message

 

Reply to a received message, including pasting of parts of the received message

 

Compose a new message offline, including the name and email address of the intended recipient, and a meaningful subject line

 

Send a message that I have composed offline

 

Paste a previously composed word-processed text into a message that I am about to send

 

Send a message to multiple recipients

 

Forward a message to one or more recipients

 

Open an incoming attachment and I know where it is filed on my computer

 

Send an attachment to a message: a word-processed document, a picture, an HTML document, a sound file, etc

 

Set up a signature to be attached to messages that I compose

 

Set up and maintain my email address book

 

Set up and send group messages

 

Join a discussion list

 

Leave a discussion list

 

Temporarily suspend mail sent to me via a discussion list (e.g. while on holiday)

 

Resume receiving mail from a discussion list

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand basic ÒNetiquetteÓ

 

I understand why I should never open an unidentified attachment

 

I understand that computer viruses can be transmitted via email and that up-to-date anti-virus software is essential while I am receiving and sending messages

 

I understand that my computer can be ÒhackedÓ while I am online and that a firewall is essential

 

I understand the implications of copyright and plagiarism when using materials contained in other peopleÕs emails

 

 


PowerPoint

 

Presentation software is playing an increasing important role in the foreign languages classroom, e.g. for presenting points of grammar, vocabulary etc, often in conjunction with interactive whiteboards. Microsoft PowerPoint is the most widely used presentation software application. See ICT4LT Module 1.3: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod1-3.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use PowerPoint as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Start PowerPoint

 

Exit PowerPoint

 

Start creating a new (blank) presentation

 

Create a title slide for a presentation

 

Add new slides to a presentation

 

Change the colour scheme (background, text, etc) of a presentation

 

Add, delete and amend text in a slide

 

Change the font, size or colour of text in a slide

 

Make text in a slide italic or bold

 

Align text to the left, right or centre of a slide

 

Add a date, footer and slide numbers to a presentation

 

Apply a new presentation design

 

Save a presentation that I have created

 

Edit a presentation that I have previously created

 

Save a presentation that I have previously created

 

Run a presentation

 

Print a presentation in different formats

 

Add transition and animation effects to a presentation

 

Remove transition and animation effects from a presentation

 

Sort the slides of a presentation into a different order

 

Insert a picture into a slide

 

Insert a sound file into a slide

 

Insert a video file into a slide

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand that certain colour combinations in slides must be avoided in order to make slides legible: e.g. avoid red/green.

 

I understand that fonts must be of a certain size in order to be legible – at least 24-point.

 

 


Excel

 

Spreadsheets are mainly the province of accountants, but language teachers often find them useful for recording marks and comments, generating and sorting class lists, adding up marks and calculating averages, percentages etc. The following list relates to Microsoft Excel, but all the tasks can be carried out using other spreadsheet software. See ICT4LT Module 4.1: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod4-1.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use Excel as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for "yes", leave blank for "no". I can:

 

Start Excel

 

Exit Excel

 

Open a new spreadsheet

 

Set paper size (e.g. A4) and margins

 

Set paper orientation to portrait or landscape

 

Insert page numbers into a spreadsheet

 

Insert headers and footers into a spreadsheet

 

Save a spreadsheet that I have created

 

Print a spreadsheet

 

Print a selected area of a spreadsheet

 

Open a spreadsheet that I have previously saved

 

Amend/add to a spreadsheet that I have previously saved

 

Save a spreadsheet that I have amended or added to

 

Insert new text or figures into blank cells

 

Amend the contents of completed cells

 

Insert new columns and rows

 

Insert new cells into a set of completed cells

 

Delete the contents of completed cells

 

Select cells within a spreadsheet

 

Delete selected cells

 

Delete columns and rows

 

Copy and paste selected cells within a spreadsheet

 

Cut and paste selected cells within a spreadsheet

 

Format cells (number of decimal places, percentage, etc.)

 

Search for text or figures in a spreadsheet

 

Align text or figures to the left, right and centre of cells

 

Change the font, size or colour of text or figures

 

Make text or figures bold, italic or underlined

 

Sort a column into order, e.g. numerical or alphabetical

 

Sort a set of cells into order, based on a selected column

 

Add up a column or row of figures

 

Calculate an average of a column or row of figures

 

Convert a set of figures into a graph or chart

 

Copy and paste data from another application into a spreadsheet

 

Copy and paste a set of cells from Excel into a word processor

 

 


Anti-virus and security software

 

Everyone who uses a computer should install anti-virus software on their system and update it regularly. It is also essential to install security software on your system. If you access the Internet via a computer in a public or commercial organisation your ICT services department has probably installed anti-virus software and other security software, but if you use a computer at home then you must install the software yourself. See http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/bugs.htm, which contains further information about viruses and virus threats and the software packages mentioned in the table below.

 

I would describe my ability to use anti-virus and security software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for "yes", leave blank for "no". I can:

Install anti-virus software on my computer, e.g. Norton Anti-Virus

 

Configure my anti-virus software

 

Update my anti-virus data files

 

Carry out a system check to ensure that there are no viruses on my computer

 

Access an anti-virus website to find information about known viruses and new virus threats

 

Install a firewall on my computer, e.g. ZoneAlarm Pro

 

Configure my firewall software

 

Install email filtering software on my computer, e.g. MailWasher Pro

 

Configure my email filtering software

 

Install anti-adware/spyware software on my computer, e.g. SpyBot or Spy Sweeper

 

Configure my anti-adware/spyware software

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand that it is essential to update my anti-virus files regularly

 

I understand the term Òhoax virusÓ, and I know how to avoid being tricked by people who send me information about hoax viruses

 

I understand that computer viruses can be transmitted via hostile websites and that up-to-date anti-virus software is essential while I am browsing the Web

 

I understand that my computer can be ÒhackedÓ while I am browsing the Web and that a firewall is essential

 

I understand the term ÒspamÓ, and I know how to avoid being ÒspammedÓ

 

I understand the term ÒadwareÓ, and I know how to remove it from my computer

 

I understand the term ÒspywareÓ, and I know how to remove it from my computer

 

I understand that my computer stores lots of unnecessary files (temporary Internet files, cookies, etc) while I am browsing the Web, and I know how to remove such files, e.g. using a package such as Window Washer

 

 


Web authoring software

 

Web authoring packages such as Dreamweaver or Microsoft Front Page are used to create Web pages at publicly accessible websites, or offline for use on a local server or intranet. See ICT4LT Module 3.3: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod3-3.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use a Web authoring package as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Set up a new Web page using a Web authoring package

 

Set the background colour for the page

 

Set font sizes and colours

 

Set up a hyperlink in a Web page

 

Set up a link to an email address in a Web page

 

Insert a picture into a Web page

 

Insert a sound file into a Web page

 

Insert a video file into a Web page

 

Save a Web page onto my computerÕs hard disk

 

Upload a Web page that I have created to my website

 

Write and edit a page written in HTML using an HTML text editor

 

Create an interactive exercise on a Web page

 

Write and edit a CGI script (advanced learners only!)

 

Essential things that I understand:

I know what the abbreviation URL stands for and I understand the function of a URL

 

I know what the abbreviation HTML stands for

 

I know what a hosting service is

 

I know how to register a domain name for a personal website

 

I understand the concepts of client and server

 

I know what the abbreviation FTP stands for and I understand the function of an FTP facility

 

 


CALL authoring software

 

There are numerous CALL authoring packages, some of which are designed for creating interactive exercises in an offline environment and some of which are designed for creating interactive exercises in an online Web environment. See the following ICT4LT modules:

Module 2.5: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-5.htm

Module 3.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod3-2.htm

Module 4.1: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod4-1.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use CALL authoring software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Create a true/false exercise

 

Create a multiple-choice exercise in which only one of the distractors is correct

 

Create a multiple-choice exercise in which more than one distractor is correct

 

Create a gap-filling exercise with whole words or phrases blanked out

 

Create a gap-filling exercise with parts of words blanked out

 

Create a Cloze exercise with every nth word blanked out

 

Create a Òtotal ClozeÓ text reconstruction exercise

 

Create a Pelmanism (memory) exercise

 

Create a matching exercise: antonyms, synonyms, translations, or two halves of sentences

 

Create a drag-and-drop exercise

 

Insert a picture (clipart, photo, etc) into an exercise

 

Insert an audio file into an exercise

 

Insert a video file into an exercise

 

Create a listen / respond / playback exercise (e.g. a language lab or role-play exercise). See Section 5.3 of Module 3.2

 

Create a sentence reordering exercise

 

Create a word unjumbling exercise

 

Create a line reordering or dialogue reordering exercise

 

Create a crossword puzzle

 

Create a free text entry exercise (see Section 5.9 of Module 3.2)

 

Create a wordsearch exercise

 

Create a branching dialogue exercise (see Section 5.10 of Module 3.2)

 

Use a text manipulation authoring package

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand the difference between a gap-filling exercise and a Cloze exercise

 

I understand the essential differences between authoring for the Web and authoring for use offline

 

I understand the importance of good feedback in interactive exercises

 

I understand the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic feedback

 

 


Text reconstruction software

 

Text reconstruction software, also referred to as text manipulation software, has been popular with language teachers for many years. Wida SoftwareÕs Storyboard (part of The Authoring Suite) and CamsoftÕs Fun with Texts both fall into the category of text reconstruction software. See Section 8 of ICT4LT Module 1.4: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod1-4.htm

 

I would describe my ability to use text reconstruction software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Use an authoring package for creating text reconstruction exercises

 

Create a new text with a text reconstruction authoring package

 

Paste a text from another sources (e.g. a word-processor or the Web) into a text reconstruction authoring package

 

Insert a picture (clipart, photo, etc) into an exercise

 

Insert an audio file into an exercise

 

Insert a video file into an exercise

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand that text manipulation software is designed to enable the creation of a number of different activities from one text

 

 

 

 


CD-ROMs and DVDs

 

See ICT4LT Module 2.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-2.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my familiarity with using CD-ROMs and DVDs as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive

 

Start a program direct from a CD-ROM drive

 

Install a program from a CD-ROM onto the hard disk of my computer

 

Insert a DVD-ROM into the DVD-ROM drive

 

Start a program direct from a DVD-ROM drive

 

Install a program from a DVD-ROM onto the hard disk of my computer

 

Insert and run a DVD-Video disc

 

Copy files and folders from my computerÕs hard drive to CD-ROM or DVD-ROM

 

Copy files and folders from CD-ROM or DVD-ROM to my computerÕs hard drive

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand the differences between a CD-ROM disc, a CD-Audio disc, a DVD-ROM disc and a DVD-Video disc

 

 

 

 


CD-Audio discs

 

Standard CD-Audio discs can be played on modern multimedia computer systems in the same way as they can be played on hifi systems. It is also possible to convert sound files that have been downloaded from the Web in MP3 format into CD-Audio format and to store them on an audio CD that can be played on standard hifi systems. See ICT4LT Module 2.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-2.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my familiarity with using CD-Audio discs on computers as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Insert an audio CD into my computer and play it

 

Copy a track from an audio CD onto my computerÕs hard disk and store it in MP3 format

 

Create an audio CD from a set of MP3 files stored on my computerÕs hard disk

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

 

I understand the differences between a CD-ROM disc, a CD-Audio disc, a DVD-ROM disc and a DVD-Video disc

 

 

 

 


DVD-Video discs

 

DVD-Video discs can be played on modern multimedia computer systems in the same way as they can be played on standard DVD playback systems, i.e. the kind that you normally connect to a TV set. See ICT4LT Module 2.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-2.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my familiarity with using DVD-Video discs on computers as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Insert a DVD-Video (DVD-Movie) disc into my computer and play it

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

 

I understand the differences between a CD-ROM disc, a CD-Audio disc, a DVD-ROM disc and a DVD-Video disc

 

 

 

 


Image editing software

 

See ICT4LT Module 2.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-2.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my ability to use image editing software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Scan a photograph and paste it into an image editing package

 

Download an image from the Web and paste it into an image editing package

 

Resize an image and save it

 

Change the brightness of an image and save it

 

Change the contrast of an image and save it

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand the differences between the following image formats: JPG/JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF, BMP

 

 

 

 


Audio recording and editing software

 

See ICT4LT Module 2.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-2.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my ability to use audio editing software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Make a sound recording using audio editing software and save it to disk

 

Download a sound recording from the Web and edit it in an audio editing package

 

Create an audio CD made up of different sound recordings that I have made or edited

 

Create a CD-ROM made up of different sound recordings that I have made or edited

 

Transfer a recording on audiocassette to my computer

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand the differences between the following audio file formats: WAV, MP3 and RM

 

I understand the concept of streaming audio

 

I know what a podcast is

 

I know what the abbreviation Hz means and why this is important for making high-quality audio recordings

 

 

 

 


Video recording and editing software

 

See ICT4LT Module 2.2: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-2.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my ability to use video editing software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Use a camcorder to make a video recording

 

Upload a video recording from a camcorder to a video editing software package

 

Use a video editing package, e.g. Movie Maker, Ulead or Premier

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand the differences between the following video file formats: MPG/MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, RM

 

I understand the concept of streaming video

 

 

 

 


Reference tools: electronic dictionaries and encyclopaedias

 

Electronic dictionaries are useful mainly as memory-joggers and should be used in conjunction with a concordancer (see below) or a context dictionary. Encyclopaedias are not only useful for checking facts but also as corpora. The search facilities provided by most encyclopaedias enable examples of words in context to be found very quickly.

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my ability to use electronic reference tools as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Use an electronic dictionary on CD-ROM

 

Find an electronic dictionary on the Web

 

Look up a word in an electronic dictionary

 

Paste the definition of a word that I have looked up into another application, e.g. Word

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

 

 

 


Concordancers

 

Concordancers are extremely valuable tools for the teacher of reign languages. The teacher can use a concordancer to find examples of authentic usage to (a) demonstrate a point of grammar, typical collocations, etc, (b) generate exercises based on authentic texts. Students can use concordancers to work out rules of grammar and usage for themselves by searching for key words in context. Concordancers are also used extensively for creating glossaries and dictionaries – a useful task for learners of foreign languages. See ICT4LT Module 2.4 and Module 3.4:

http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod2-4.htm

http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod3-4.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my ability to use a concordancer as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Search a corpus for a single word

 

Search a corpus for a phrase

 

Search a corpus for a word used in combination with another word

 

Produce a student handout from the results obtained from a search in a corpus

 

Create a gap-filling exercise on a specific point of grammar or vocabulary from the results obtained from a search in a corpus

 

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand the concept of a concordancing program or concordancer

 

I understand the concept of a corpus

 

I understand the concept of a KWIC (Key Word In Context) search

 

 

 

 


Translation software

 

Teachers of foreign languages tend not to be aware of the opportunities offered to students wishing to follow a career in translating, and they are even less aware of how ICT has revolutionised the translation industry. Unfortunately, ÒtranslationÓ has become a dirty word in recent years, but translating – alongside interpreting – is one of the most demanded skills in the language professions. Some types of translation software attempt to do the whole job, e.g. Babel Fish: http://babelfish.altavista.com

Babel Fish can be handy for extracting the gist of a text in an unfamiliar language and it can be used with students to (a) demonstrate the limitations of translation software; (b) make students more linguistically aware, e.g. of the relationship between grammar and semantics. Other types of translation software, e.g. translation memory packages, are mainly used as tools by professional translators to enable them to work more quickly. See ICT4LT Module 3.5: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/en_mod3-5.htm

 

Table under construction.

 

I would describe my ability to use translation software as (1-3)

 

Now indicate what you can do: tick for ÒyesÓ, leave blank for ÒnoÓ. I can:

Copy and paste a text into an online translation package (e.g. Babel Fish) and then copy and paste the translated text into another document (e.g. Word)

 

 

Essential things that I understand:

I understand that translation software cannot be relied upon to produce a completely accurate translation

 

 

 

 

Copyright

 

Please cite this document as:

Davies G. (2007) ICT Òcan doÓ lists for teachers of foreign languages. In Davies G. (ed.) Information and Communications Technology for Language Teachers (ICT4LT), Slough, Thames Valley University [Online]. Available from: http://www.ict4lt.org/en/ICT_Can_Do_Lists.doc [Accessed DD Month YYYY].

 

© Graham Davies 2007 under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales Licence.