XXVII VenTESOL ANNUAL CONVENTION:
“BUILDING BRIDGES IN ELT”
May 29-30, 2009
Digital Literacy: What a 21st Century
EFL Teacher Should Know
Evelyn Izquierdo
Escuela de Educación
Universidad Central de Venezuela
izquierdo_evelyn@yahoo.com

The 21st Century Society
ICT Computer Assisted Analysis skills
Communication
Kn
Social networks Solving-problem skills
e
ow
nc
Virtual Communities Digital networks
led
ge
lli
ge
Knowledge construction Intelligence tele-distributed
te
In
Group Vs Individual XXI Brecha digital
Century Society Digital divide
Flexibility and versatility Dynamism
Gl
ob
ng
No time or space limit Foreign languages
ali
ni
ar
za
Creativity and interactivity Inter-cultural environment/diversity
Le
tio
Continuous challenges A huge amount of
n
Virtual relations and information at a high speed
Conexiones y relaciones
connections
virtuales
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

What is digital literacy?
Digital literacy is the ability to locate,
organize, understand, evaluate, and
create information using digital
technology (Wikipedia, 2009). It also
involves cognitive skills such as: reading,
writing, numeracy, critical thinking and
problem-solving skills. Without this
abilities there is no digital literacy (ETS,
2002).
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Digital Literacy: Competencies
According to UNESCO’s ICT Competency Standards
for Teachers (2008) to live, learn, and work
successfully in an increasingly complex,
information-rich and knowledge-based society,
students and teachers must utilize technology
effectively. Within a sound educational setting,
technology can enable students to become:
• Capable information technology users
• Information seekers, analyzers, and evaluators
• Problem solvers and decision makers
• Creative and effective users of productivity tools
• Communicators, collaborators, publishers, and
producers
• Informed, responsible, and contributing citizens
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Reading
Discrimination and Information comprehension of oral
appropriate selection of process and written texts
information needed
Web search Critical
thinking
Digital Literacy
Competencies
Writing skills
Internet and Web
tools use
Shared knowledge Collaborative work Social networks
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

What should a 21st century EFL teacher
know?
A 21st century EFL teacher should know:
 ICTs. That means having knowledge
about high technology and understand
how it can be used inside and outside the
classroom. He or she must know how to
use a computer, Web tools, mobile phone
and other electronic devices.
 The importance of making connections
through online social networks and being
part of them
 The usefulness of online communities of
practice to promote collaboration,
interaction, and group activities in order
to learn together and share knowledge.
CoPs are excellent for professional
development.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web tools
What do you know about them?
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 1.0
Web 1.0 are personal or institutional
sites based on ‘http’ (Hyper Text
Transfer Protocol) to publish
information. They are static Web
pages designed with frames and ‘gif’
buttons, and with a reduced need of
being updated. These sites are very
useful to issue information; however,
there is no direct contact between the
user and the site owner. That is, the
user cannot participate in the creation
of the site. There is only a very
limited contact with a ‘Webmaster’.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 1.0 sample
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0
Web 2.0 facilitates communication,
information exchange and collaboration
under a dynamic environment where users
participate in the design and production of
the site.
Web 2.0 sites allow the use of multiple
artifacts, being able to generate and share
information, organize social networks,
exchange videos photos, wikis, blogs,
podcasts, and folksonomies among other
advantages. (Wikipedia, 2009).
Image by http://hinchcliffe.org/img/web1vsweb2.png
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0 tools:
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: Blogs
A blog is defined as a dynamic
Web 2.0 site with dated entries,
usually by a single author, often
accompanied by links to other
blogs that the site’s editor visits
on a regular basis. Think of a
blog as one person’s public
diary or suggestion list.
(http://www.learningcircuits.org/2
002/apr2002/cross.html)
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: Blog sample
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: Wikis
A Wiki is a type of dynamic website
with pages that anyone can edit and
contribute to, including text, photos,
videos, polls, and more. They offer
multiple advantages:
•Customizable page
templates
•Font and colors
•Contributors can edit pages
•Moderator decides who can
edit
•Discussion threads
•Attachments
•Gadgets/widgets
•Videos
•Embedded codes
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: Wiki sample
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: Podcasts
A podcast is a series of digital
media files, usually either digital
audio or video, that is made
available for download via web
syndication. It is generally in mp3
o AAC format. Podcasts,
videocasts or vodcasts can be
downloaded and retrieved later by
the user in a computer or portable
audio device. (Wikipedia, 2009)
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: Audio and video
Audio tools like: Skype, Voicethread ,
Snapvine, and video tools like:
You Tube o Google Video, among
others, have also become highly
demanded and dynamic teaching
resources. They are very friendly and
easy to use. They can be embedded in
Wikis, Blogs and any other Web 2.0
site.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 3.0: Virtual worlds, digital games
and M-learning
Virtual worlds and digital games are:
•Very dynamic
•Facilitate interaction through an avatar
•Provide audio and text chat (VW)
•Simulate real life environments
•Develop creativity and imagination
•Excellent for language teaching
M-learning:
Uses mobile phones and Internet connection
for instruction.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Virtual worlds and digital games:
Second Life
Second Life, OpenSim,
Sun Microsystems MPK20, World of Warcraft
, Eve Online, Club Penguin, WhyVille, Gaia,
WebKinz, Neopets, HabboHotel, There,
Kaneva, Stardoll, PixieHollow, Virtual MTV,
BarbieGirls, Small worlds, Lego, Vizwoz,
Twinity, Active Worlds, Meez y HiPiHi,
among others, are the most known virtual
worlds lately. The most famous is
Second Life.
Second Life is an online, totally free, 3D
virtual world that offers its users
opportunities to create, interact, having fun
and learn through an avatar. It is a net of
networks that allows users to organize in
groups and communities of practice.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Web 2.0: VLE
A Virtual learning environment (VLE) is a software
system designed to facilitate teachers and
students a virtual environment to develop online
courses. Both teachers and students can
administrate and control the system giving them
the opportunity to create, modify, delete, upload,
download, chat, store, etc. To run the software
an Internet server is needed.
Some VLE providers like Elluminate and WiZiQ
offer synchronous videoconference tools, and
others like Moodle offers both, synchronous and
asynchronous tools.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Social networks
It is a term mainly used for communication and
information technology (ICT). In our context a network
is a public or private node of Web-based sites that allow
individuals to build a community in order to keep
members connected, share information or common
interests, exchange ideas and thoughts with their peers,
and work collaboratively. A network can be run by
owners, administrators or co-moderators. Members can
join the community by invitation or directly by the Web
site. Nowadays, most networks are developed by using a
Web 2.0 (Izquierdo, 2008).
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Some popular social networks are…
 Web providers: Yahoo, Google y MSN. They offer a wide variety of options
within their platforms to create networks and connections with other providers.
 Social networks to reach a high amount of contacts: Facebook, MySpace, Sonico
, Hi5, Tagged, Orkut, Bebo, Ning
 Sites to storage and share audio, create podcasts, leave audio messages or make
phone calls: Snapvine, Podbeam, Skype, etc.
 Photos: Flickr, Bubbleshare, Picassa, Photobucket etc.
 Videos: You Tube, TeacherTube, Bliptv, Metacafe, etc.
 Blogs (blogs): Blogger, Wordpress, etc.
 Microblogging: Twitter, Crowdstatus, etc.
 Wikis: Wikipedia, Wikieducator, Wetpaint, Wikispaces, PBwiki
 Social bookmarking: Del.icio.us, Diigo
 Doc and PPT storage sites: Thinkfree, Box.net, Google docs, Slideshare
 Learning environments, platforms or virtual rooms: Learning Times, Tapped in,
Elluminate, WiZiQ, Moodle
 Virtual worlds: Second Life and others already mentioned
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Communities of Practice (CoPs)
A CoP is a group of individuals
participating in communal activity,
and experiencing/continuously
creating their shared identity
through engaging in and
contributing to the practices of
their communities.
Online Cops usually use Web 2.0
tools and social networks to keep
connected.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Benefits of joining a CoP
Among others, CoPs are excellent for:
•Developing thinking skills
•Improving writing and reading skills
•Keeping the listening and speaking skills alive
•Increasing vocabulary
•Discussing relevant topics related to the ELT
field
•Learning about new trends in the field
•Keeping updated
•Making new contacts
•Strengthening peer interaction
•Promoting cooperative learning
•Promoting collaborative projects
•Doing research
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Some communities of practice to join are:
•Webheads in Action
•Learning with Computers
•Venelt
•ELTnet
•Avealmec
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Communities of practice:
Webheads in Action (WIA)
Webheads in Action: Online community of
practice created in 1997-8 by Vance Stevens, in
Abu Dhabi, Maggi Doty in Germany, and Michael
Coghlan, in Australia, for ESL learners and
facilitators as a student-teacher community
Currently 808 members, mostly language teachers
who use ICT in ELT.
•It has a completely horizontal organization
•Experts and newbies share at the same level
•Each member develops a unique sense of
belonging
•Promotion and daily practice of Web tools and
teaching resources
•Continuous feedback
•Collaborative and multi-cultural projects
•Sharing spirit, cooperation, respect and
appreciation, friendship and fraternity,
voluntarism and much more…
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Communities of practice:
Learning with Computers
• LWC: Learning with Computers: A hands-on international community
created in 2005, 458 members, aimed at English teachers interested in
integrating Web tools into their classes
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Communities of practice:
VENELT
•VENELT: Venezuelan English Teachers: A nation-wide network
created in 2006, 140 members, aimed at English teachers in Venezuela,
all educational levels
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Communities of practice:
ELTnet
•ELTnet: English Language Teachers' Network • A young emergent
national network sponsored by the British Council in Venezuela, created in
2008, 290 members, aimed at secondary school teachers
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Communities of practice:
AVEALMEC: Venezuelan CALL Association
AVEALMEC: Asociación Venezolana para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje de
Lenguas Mediados por el Computador
A young national association created in 2007 by teachers from different national
universities, 25 very active members and other teachers under training, aimed at
language teachers interested in ICT, a subscription fee is required
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Conclusions:
• Teachers should use different digital resources to ease a productive
teaching and learning process.
• Teachers are responsible for the education of a new society, so we
cannot be behind the ICT development. We are supposed to teach
the current and future net generation, and not the other way
around.
• We have to reinforce the cognitive and social skills in our students,
successful keys in the 21st century society. It is not the common
literacy anymore. It has to do with a new society based on group
work more than individuals.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Conclusions:
 Students should: a) be aware of their environment, b) be willing
to learn with different formats, c) be flexible enough to face
new challenges, d) understand diversity, and e) be open to a
continuous learning.
 Educators should cooperate in order to guarantee new spaces
for technology access to more and more people in the world
and under the same conditions.
 Technology provides us with new resources and opportunities
to teach in a different way, but it is not a panacea per se.
Teachers must use ICTs appropriately to make them productive,
effective and encouraging.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

A final question…
Do you have the digital competencies to teach the
21st century net generation?
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

References
• American Association for Higher Education (October, 1999) and the Council of Independent
Colleges (February, 2004). Information Literacy Competency Standards of Higher Education. [Online]
Available at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/standards.pdf Retrieved April 15,
2009.
• Downes, S. (2007) What connectivism is. [En línea] Blog: Half an hour. [Online] Available at: http://
halfanhour.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-connectivism-is.html Retrieved November 23, 2008
• Educational Testing Service, International ICT Literacy Panel (2002). Digital transformation: A
framework for ICT literacy (A report of the International ICT Literacy Panel). Princeton, NJ: Educational
Testing Service. [Online] Disponible en: http://www.ets.org/Media/Research/pdf/ictreport.pdf
Retrieved March 18, 2009
• Izquierdo, E. (2008). Networking - Redes de apoyo para profesores de inglés. Presentation at Lenguas y
Contemporaneidad. Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, May 30-31, 2008. [Online] Available at:
http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dgbxs8sn_200gg24mdc4
• Izquierdo, E. y Verschoor, J. (2009). Social Bookmarks. Integrating Technology for Instruction and
Learning. [Online] Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/EvelynIzquierdo
/social-bookmarking-1293488 Retrieved April 3, 2009
• Jones, C. (2003). What is a Community of Practice? [Online]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evonline2002_webheads/files/2003/colloquium/CoP.ppt
Retrieved August 14, 2005.
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

References
 Marquès, P. (2000,). Nueva cultura, nuevas competencias para los ciudadanos. [Online] Updated in
2007 and 2009. Available at: http://dewey.uab.es/PMARQUES/competen.htm Retrieved
November 22, 2004
 Rheingold, H. (1993). “The Virtual Community”,. Reading, MA, Addison-Wesley.
 Siemmens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. [Online] Available at
http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm Retrieved March 12, 2009
 UNESCO (2008, en Eduteka). ICT Competency Standards for Teachers[Online, Eduteka
Website] Available at http://www.eduteka.org/EstandaresDocentesUnesco.php Retrieved
January 18, 2009
 Webopedia (2009). History of Blogging. [Online] Available at: http://
www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/history_of_blogging.asp Retrieved July 29, 2008
 Wikipedia (2009). Virtual online environments. [Online encyclopedia]. Available at http://
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambiente_Educativo_Virtual Retrieved April 16, 2009.
 Wikipedia (2009). Podcast. [Online encyclopedia]. Available at http://
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting Retrieved April 18, 2009.
 Wikipedia (2009). Tim Berners-Lee. [Online encyclopedia]. Available at http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_berners-lee Retrieved April 16, 2009.
 Wikipedia (2009). Web 2.0. [Online encyclopedia]. Available at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0. Retrieved April 14, 2009
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention

Thank you very much for your attention!
Evelyn Izquierdo
Escuela de Educación
Universidad Central de Venezuelaizquierdo_evelyn@yahoo.com
Izquierdo, E. (2009) VenTesol Annual Convention