A DESIGN OF A DYNAMIC SITE TO INTEGRATE WEB 2.0 TOOLS IN ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

Language learning through the corner methodology is something that the newly created Parc del Saladar School wishes to promote. One of the four corners incorporated into this methodology is learning through interactive means. In order to fulfill this objective there was a necessity to create a tool that would support the English language learning of students in the interactive corner. This was the principal motive behind this research project. This research looks to find a way of improving the competence of English teaching, and thus English learning, in primary education. The research proposes the use of a Web 2.0 tool, a Google Sites that has been designed in order to take into account the needs of both the classroom environment and the curriculum. The Google Sites, if used to its full potential, should provide the teacher with a tool that not only helps self-organisation in the classroom but also provides a means of interaction with the students. This tool will give the students the opportunity to improve their communication skills in the English language. The creation of the Google Sites required access to a means of organising the existing Web 2.0 resources currently on the school network. Furthermore, the tool had to be capable of incorporating and making use of differing formats, files and resources. This was essential because the existing resources are a vital part of the day-to-day running of the Parc del Saladar School. The day-to-day running of the classroom requires not only that differing formats and files can be used but also that any resources used can cater for and adjust to the differing types of intelligences amongst the students (Gardener). Having used Information and Communications Technology every day as a teacher, I knew it was crucial to design a dynamic site where the various sections and resources are readily available to the user. In my opinion, it is vital that in our classrooms we can adapt the available resources to each individual's requirements and characteristics.