Heberth J. Hernández English Language Teacher

Virtual education, or e-learning, is a phenomenon that is setting the way to be followed by the new generation of educators; all of us involved or working on the field of teaching, either in the classrooms or out of them (i. e. managing the educational process) are inevitably taken to step on this path, sooner or later.

This new kind of teaching (let’s say interacting) with our students offers both parties to be in touch with each other, no matter the time, the place or the distance in between. In my particular case, there is something I exploit with both my students of English and Spanish as Foreign Languages: it is called m-learning (mobile learning, Dudeney and Holicky, 2007), and consists in taking advantage of the technological boom that has taken place in the last five years: nowadays it is virtually impossible to find a person (especially a college student!) with no exposure to, knowledge of, or even some degree of command of new technologies, like cell phones, MP3 or MP4 (even MP5!) devices, iPod’s, iPaq’s, handhelds, Palms, and all sort of gadgets young people have all around them, all of which offers us, the people working on the field of teaching (languages), the possibilities to reach our students almost any time we want or need. Following this, we teachers become deliverers of the instruction, presented in the way of a message or some information that is to be consumed, although not in a casual way, like other kinds of information, but assimilated and then practiced to be made into real knowledge that leads the trainees to the mastery of the subject been dealt with. In short words, by using any technology means to get in touch with the pupils, as frequently as possible (noticeably more frequently than in the traditional teaching practice), I expand the exposure opportunities of my students to the target language, and my options to get successful in helping them learn it the best way, which is, in the end, my major concern when tackling my passionate activity of teaching languages.

Of course, e-learning represents challenges, like changes of mind on the part of everybody directly or indirectly involved in teaching, and assumption of new attitudes, habits and practices, no naming the important investment of resources (time and money) in technological updates (computerized equipment, like interactive whiteboards and software, for instance). UTBVirtual is a good example of some pioneering work in our local society on the field of virtual learning, process directed by professionals committed to develop innovative ways to help people learn, and supported by SAVIO department.

Virtual education: a step on the evolution path that is definitely worth it!