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Seemingly confused and completely overwhelmed, but always moving forward

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The determination to learn more is necessary to keep up with the fast-paced evolution of technology and its applications. In reflecting on my prior limited technological advances, it occurred to me that I only stopped progressing because I stopped trying each time I found something that I was comfortable with. I ended my technology journey each time I reached a milestone. As with many things, it is harder to to stop and restart than it is to keep going once you have momentum. Therefore, in order to make progress, one has to keep moving forward. I am inspired by my partner's willingness to try new things, hence why I am attempting to create my first padlet for this multimedia assemblage. Interestingly, I like the change from a Slide Presentation or PDF, and it's not as overwhelming as anticipated. But unlike previous learnings, I now see the importance of being determined to continue to learn beyond this accomplishment. Otherwise, it will be that much more difficult to catch up when I decide to try again, given how quickly technology evolves.

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The first wondering is if you have time to learn new technology; the second wondering is how you ever had time to work without it. 

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I have always loved learning and teaching languages because there is more or less a logical sequence and an end goal. Language is relatively static, unlike technology which always evolves. So once you achieve fluency in language, it is easy to maintain with consistent practice. Technology, however, does not have an end goal; it just keeps changing. Therefore, I have often felt resentful for the time it takes to learn something I may never feel accomplished in, when that time could be better spent reaching a final goal in a language. The same mentality applied to my teaching language to my students. However, the research on VR indicated that language could be acquired more quickly through the use of technology. That speed is therefore a mechanism to more opportunities for learning new languages or other things with the time unspent on that first and finite language goal.

Similarly, generative AI can produce ideas and material much faster than I can alone. Instead of being intimidated by it, I should welcome it for the return on the investment: time. Without AI, I don't believe that our website would have evolved as it did because it would have taken longer to complete each part. We were able to do more because of its speed. Therefore, I should also embrace technology for language learning as it makes it more effective and efficient.

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Learning the language of technology is like learning a new language. It is spoken fluently by some and not at all by others. Prior to this course, I believed myself to be sufficiently fluent in technology speak to the (minimal) degree that I felt technology was necessary for SLE. However, the more I explored technology, the less proficient I found myself to be. Therefore, in addition to learning about language learning, I had to adjust to a steep learning curve for technology with unknown vocabulary or meaning: padlets, spiderscribe, powtoons, and voicethread. Additionally, there is the language of AI which was completely unknown to me before. How do I communicate effectively with an AI teammate in ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Canva AI without something getting lost in technological translation?

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Better and more logical decisions result from more information. 

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At the same time as this course, I studied a course on decision-making. I learned a lot about the importance of information for making decisions with bounded rationality. Admittedly, before this course, I was very emotional when it came to technology: it was difficult, frustrating, and usually a negative experience. Therefore, why would I willingly want to incorporate it more into the language learning and teaching that I love? However, the research provided me with the information I needed to think less emotionally about the use of technology for language learning. Beyond my own discomforts, people were finding success with it. Therefore, it is only logical that something that is so beneficial to other people can be beneficial to me, as well as my staff and students. It would go against logical decision-making to continue in the same traditional way when the evidence indicates a better way. In terms of generative AI, it is also something that should not be feared. My own experience now informs me that there are different ways that it can be used: the way that it presents logical ideas resonated with me, not to mention the generated material. It would be further illogical to not utilize it again.

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Each "aha" moment is a revelation at how one existed so completely and for so long in the dark. 

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There is a world beyond PDFs and Powerpoint presentations. That I have lingered in that world for so long reflects my hesitation to attempt new things. For me, the transition from Microsoft to Google Apps was significant, and I probably would have been satisfied to stay technologically unsavvy had it not been for my project partner. However, seeing her willingness to explore and learn new technologies was very inspiring, even if I felt like I was lightyears behind where I should be at this point in my professional life. After all, I have always believed in having a growth mindset, yet in terms of technology, I was stagnate. This presentation is a reflection of that growth through observation of her skills and my attempts to at least learn a few new things along the way. After all, if I'm not willing to challenge myself (ex. technology), how can I relate to the struggles or hesitancies of my staff and students?

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Like any difficult journey, the pride and accomplishment at having reached the destination is worth the effort to get there. 

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Although it was often overwhelming, there are two things to be proud of: our informational and accessible website for educators and learners looking to enhance language learning through the use of VR; and the knowledge of how to effectively use technology, including generative AI, to improve my own work. These two takeaways are well worth the effort it took to accomplish them.

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Taking the first brave step means acknowledging there are steps to be taken away from where you currently are. 

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Second language education (SLE), particularly French second language (FSL), is a longstanding focus of my career, both as an educator and administrator. I have prided myself on teaching and supporting FSL Core and Immersion programs through traditional teaching methods with some technology to keep it fun for students. However, with many students struggling to become proficient, losing interest in the language, or becoming discouraged, I have often wondered if there is a better way to increase engagement, enthusiasm, and achievement. This begs the uncomfortable question: "what am I / are we doing wrong?" In order to move forward, we must first dare to be uncomfortable and acknowledge our shortcomings as language educators and instructional leaders. Personally, this means admitting that there is more that can and should be done by way of technology to engage and educate our second language learners.

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When daring to learn or try something new, be prepared to be overwhelmed by the possibilities... but don't let it sink your goals. 

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From the onset of the Prototype project through to its culmination, I was overwhelmed at the volume of information I did not know: what technology is currently available for language learning, what the research supports, how to make it accessible for others, and more. I had so many questions that it was hard to know where to begin: "What needs to be improved upon?", "What already exists or does not, but should?", "How do you create something technological (ex. website, app)?". As someone who has shied away from technology, the idea of making it a focal point of this project was very intimidating, not to mention the inclusion of AI as a teammate.

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The more you learn, the more you have to tear away from old ways of doing, shedding outer layers to make room for more growth. 

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Embracing our project goals meant disrupting my prior notions of three things: the role and importance of technology in SLE; the use of VR as more than a video game; the use of generative AI as a positive tool instead of something to be avoided or feared. The evidence in support of technology, particularly VR, to enhance language learning was surprisingly and overwhelmingly positive. More than just a way to see things, VR helps learners to experience language in authentic ways, both receptive and expressive. The quantitative and qualitative data of the abundant research was consistent across all fields: there is a place for VR in language learning! Similarly, generative AI has its place too, in many ways that I would eventually discover, but especially in generating ideas and material.

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Looking to learn more about VR for language learning? Check out our website for research, information, and ideas for the classroom: a starting point for evolution in tech-based language teaching!

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Improve Oral Communication Skills with VR The Power of VR in FSL Education Explore Our Latest Articles Technologyforeducators is your ultimate resource hub for insights on research studies related to VR technology, reviews and guides on using VR technology for improving oral communication skills in FSL education.

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... a more technologically savvy version of me!

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... a more technologically savvy version of me!

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Thanks for the opportunity to learn in a very different way!