resume buku "how to teach english with technology" chapter 1

Judul buku: how to teach english with technology
Penulis      : Gavin Dudeney & Nicky Hockly

1. Technology in the classroom

Technology in Language Teaching

Computer-based material for language teaching, often referred to as CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), appeared in the early 1980s, Early CALL program typically required learners to respond to stimuli on the computer screen and to carry out tasks such as filling in gapped text, macthing sentence halves and doing multiple-choice activities.

As acccess to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become mor widespread, so CALL has moved beyond the use of computer programs to embrace the use of Internet and web-based tools. The term TELL (Technology Enhanced Language Learning) appeared in the 1990s, in response to the growing possibilities offered by Internet and communication technology.

The contexts in which teachers are working with technology can vary widely, and the access that teacher have to computers – the so-called digital devide – will affect what we can do with our classes in term of implementing technology. A general lack of ICT training for teachers also means that we still have some way to go until the  normalisation of technology in language teaching. Where the use of technology in teaching becomes as natural as the use of the books or pens and paper.

Attitudes to technology

The term digital native has been coined to refer to someone who grows up using technology, and who thus comfortable and confident with it – typically today’s children. Their parents, on the other hand, tend to be digital immigrants, who have come late to the world of technology, if at all. In many cases, teachers are the digital immigrants and our younger students are the digital native.

A large part of the negastive attitudes teachers have towards technology is ussualy the result of a lack of confidence, a lack of facilities or a lack of training, resulting in an inability to see the benefit of using technologies in the classroom. A teacher may want use more technology in their teaching, but the school may not have the facilities, or, on the other hand, a teacher may be intructed to start using technology for which they feel un prepared or untrained.

Implementing ICT in the Classroom

You can use the Internet mainly as a resource with your learners, accessing the Internet to download and print out materials to use offline classes.

For learners with zero or very low IT skills, or literacy issues, a good place to start is with simple word processing tasks. Once learners are comfortable with this, basic email or searching the internet can be introduced.

Large class with more than 30 students, can be divided into two groups – while one group is doing online computer room work, the other group is doing paper – based work. The two groups then change over.

If you don’t have much experience of ICT, we would suggest starting with simple tools and project in class, such as using websites, or using ready – made materials for language learners, such as webquest.

There may be times when learners are scheduled to work alone on computers in a self – access centre. Typically CD – ROMs are provided for those occasions. Insome schools students can be access content placed on a central school server via Internet.

Skills and eguipment for getting strarted

The basic skills you do need to have in place before you start reading this book are how to use a simple word processing program, how to use email and how to access and use the Internet. By reading this book, and trying out the activities suggested with your learners, you should be able to greatly increaseyour ICT skills set, and to feel lot more confident about using technology in the classroom.

You will also need some essential equipment in order to get the most out of this book, and to start to implement technology with your learners:

• At least one computer (preferably one per two students).
• An Internet connection
• A printer
•  An audio card in the computer, and a headset (audio and microphone) for every computer.
• Basic software (a word processing program, a web browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Mozila, and an email program).