Let us get this Blog started.

My youngest daughter started a blog a few years ago with the start of her first pregnancy. http://www.dnledwards.blogspot.com/

She has just had her second boy and I have had fun watching on her blog site. I do not think I had really considered my own site before this EME 2040 class! Here I am.

My next entry will be about chapter 1. Course directions indicate that we should write 200 words directly related to the chapters discussed in class. I am fairly certain that we mentioned the text and that there are possible differences between the 5th and 6th editions but there was limited substantive discussion regarding the 1st chapter of the text so I may have to fill in the gap a bit. I will try to relate technology aquisition to language aqcuisition (briefly). Everything we do creates memory connections. The more frequently we do something, the more likely we will create memory pathways. Norm (Chomsky) indicates that a language acquisition device exists in all of us that allows us to learn language, sort of a universal grammar. Is there an intuitive grammar to computer technology? Stephen (Krashen) spoke of acquisition vs learning. Is there a predictable order to acquire technology? I can think of about a dozen affective filter issues! His Input Hypothesis sounds like it was made for the computer. Unfortunately we often teach technology using the Audio Lingualism approach. Drill and memorize! Develop habits. Vygotsky thought there was a gap between the current level of a learner and the potential level of a learner and that to be most effective you need to teach in the Gap. I believe he came upon this theory while at a conference in London. He was riding the subway and was intrigued by the constant reminder to "Mind the gap". (You have to have been there!!) Michael (Long) felt that comprehensive input is the result of modified interaction... mime, ask questions, clarify, etc.. I suppose his Interaction Hypothesis could have merit to technology acquisition. I think I will stick with the Input hypothesis, i + 1 Theory, for now. It may cause fewer problems with my affective filter...

Hope to see you in class

jan