Technology in the Classroom

Name : Nurasiah Hilmi

NPM : 06211210284

Class : IV/B

Subject : Media Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris

Technology in the Classroom

v Technology in language teaching

Computer-based materials for language teaching, often referred to as CALL (computer Assisted Language Learning), appeared in the early 1980s. Early CALL programs typically required learners to respond to stimuli on the computer screen and to carry out tasks such as filling in gapped texts, matching sentence halves and doing multiple choice activities. The CALL approach is one that is still found on many published CD-ROMs for language teaching.

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

Although the use of ICT by language teachers is still not widespread, the use of technology in the classroom is becoming increasingly important, and it will become a normal part of EL practice in the coming years.

v Attitudes to technology

A large part of the negative attitudes teachers have towards technology is usually 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. It is also often the case that teachers may not be fully in control of their work situations. A teacher may want to use more technology in their teaching, but the school may not have the facilities or on the other hand, a teacher may be instructed to start using technology for which they feel unprepared or untrained.

v Implementing ICT in the classroom

If there is only one computer in the classroom, you will need to use the Internet to download and print out materials to use offline with classes. Technology-based activities you can do by printing off materials include: using websites, Internet-based project work, Email keypal project using the teacher's email account, a class blog, etc.

If the learners have very low Information Technology (IT) experience and skill, you need to first find out about your learners' IT skills and degrees of experience, and then start off by using the simplest technologies in the classroom. For learners with zero or very low IT skills, or literacy issues, a good place to start is with simple word processing tasks.

v Skills and equipment for getting started

By reading this book, and trying out the activities suggested with your learners (with plenty of step by step help provided in the tutorials on the CD-ROM if you feel you need it), you should be able to greatly increase your ICT skills set, and to feel a 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, an Internet connection, a printer, an audio card in the computer, and a headset for every computer, basic software.