Vol. 4 Issue 39 – Research Paper: ‘The Impact of Technology on English Language Teaching’ by R.S.A.Susikaran

ELTWeekly Vol. 4 Issue#39 | September 24, 2012 | ISSN 0975-3036

This paper is submitted by Mr.R.S.A.Susikaran, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Oxford Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, South India – 620 009.

Abstract

English, the universal language has acquired its status since it is widely used in the communication through internet across countries. This is truer in the context of teaching English in the pan Indian, multilingual, pluralistic context, which has assumed a larger role in the context of globalization and thus it has become the language for intranational and international communication. The impact and influence of technology on society and education technology that are used in different stages or levels to aid the teachers’ presentation as well as to assist learners in their exploration. Thus from dawn to dusk, man is using technology in various aspects for all his works and henceforth we cannot deny that in short the world will be driven by technology, literally we can articulate that technology is the vehicle to get access with this modernized world. Thus, the emerging new technologies make teaching and learning English a profitable and enjoyable exercise to the community.

Introduction

21st century is the age of globalization that one important instrument is to grasp one or various foreign languages and English language comes first. With the rapid development of science and technology, the emerging and developing of multimedia technology and its application to teaching, multimedia technology featuring audio, visual, animation effects comes into full play in English class teaching and sets a favorable platform for reform and exploration on English teaching model in the new era. It’s proved that multimedia technology plays a positive role in promoting activities and initiatives of student and teaching effect in English class.

Technological Gadgets in Language Teaching

Technical skills are no substitute for language skills. The world is leading towards the era of technology and gadget which has brought about many revolutionary changes especially in the teaching and learning different subjects. Rapid advancement of technology has profoundly affected teachers’ ways of teaching and learners’ way of learning. Technology can be used in different stages or levels to aid the teachers’ presentation as well as to assist learners in their exploration. “There is an explosion interest in using computers for language teaching and learning” (Warschauer & Healey 1998)

Educational technology is most simply and comfortably defined as an array of tools that might prove helpful in advancing student learning. It relies on a broad definition of the word “technology“. Newer tools such as “Smart phones’ and games (both online and offline) are beginning to draw serious attention for their learning potential. Those who employ educational technologies to explore ideas and communicate meaning are learners or teachers.

Laptops, iPod, mobile phone, phone, are gadgets are taking the place of textbooks and libraries. The internet connectivity has brought in a revolution in the minds of even babies. Education has taken a significant overhauling with technological advances being widely used in effective teaching and mentoring. Teachers have had to undergo a sea change in updating their online skills so as to reach their students. A lot of the conferencing and webinar tools really help with the growth of e learning. Another good one to add to the list is RHUB (http://www.rhubcom.com). It can be used for interactive learning sessions and the sessions can be recording for reference later.

Online social networking sites such as Orkut, Facebook keep students engaged for hours. So, it is only imperative that we use online tools and gadgets to teach and get them interested in aiming for higher grades. Visual learning is extremely effective in learning.

Technology in Classroom for Effective Communication

There are many kinds of computer and non-computer technologies currently in use in traditional classrooms. Among these are:

Computer in the Classroom

Having a computer in the classroom is an asset, teachers are able to demonstrate a new lesson, present new material, illustrate how to use new programs, communicative functions and show new websites.

Class Website

It is a better way to display student’s work, once a web page is designed, teachers can post homework assignments, student work, famous quotes, trivia games, and so much more. In current day society, children know how to use the computer and navigate their way through a website, where by practice they can be a published author.

Class Blogs and Wikis

These are some of a variety of Web 2.0 tools that can be implemented in the classroom. Blogs allow for students to maintain a running dialogue, like a journal, of thoughts, ideas, and assignments that also provide for student comment and reiterative reflection. Wikis are more group focused to allow multiple members of the group to edit a single document and create a truly collaborative and carefully edited finished product.

Wireless Classroom Microphones

Noisy classrooms are a daily occurrence, and with the help of microphones, students are able to hear their teachers clearer. Children learn better when they hear the teacher clearly. The benefit for teachers is that they no longer lose their voices at the end of the day.

Mobile devices

Mobile devices such as clickers or smartphone can be used to enhance the experience in the classroom by providing the possibility and get feedback immediately.

Smart Boards

An interactive whiteboard that provides touch control of computer applications.

Online Media

Streamed video websites can be utilized to enhance a classroom lesson (e.g. United Streaming, Teacher Tube, etc.) There are many other tools being utilized which may include: digital cameras, video cameras, interactive whiteboard tools, document cameras, or LCD projectors.

Integrating Technology into the Language Classroom

It may seem to some that the primary foci of English classrooms, communicating through reading and writing, are not conducive to technology integration. In fact, just the opposite is true. There are numerous ways language teachers can integrate technology into classroom instruction. They can use the Internet, digital media tools, and common software applications to enhance student learning more effectively. Technology can help to

Create visual aids for teaching
Improve access to resources, such as online literature libraries
Review and comment on student work more efficiently
Integrate video clips into presentations
Broaden choices for students to demonstrate learning

Assign Digital Presentations—Students can demonstrate their learning in a digital presentation. They can create a Web site or use a hypermedia tool, such as Hyperstudio, to create a stand-alone presentation. It is also important to teach them the importance of gaining permission to use copyrighted material, such as images and music.

Connect to Books Online—Historically, supplemental reading materials were limited to the holdings on the English bookroom shelf. Technology now provides access to thousands of books online. The Online Books Page offers more than 20,000 titles in its free digital library.

Use WebQuests—This popular Web activity is well-suited to language arts and literature exploration. A WebQuest is a detailed set of questions and tasks that lead students to the Internet to research topics. The WebQuest can result in a product as simple as a one-page document or as complex as a multi-faceted project. For example, teachers have written WebQuests that require students to explore themes presented in literature, to review and analyze the bias in newspaper writing, or write pieces of historical fiction. Log in to WebQuest Portal to read more about it.

Grammar Instruction—Individualized instruction is increasingly important. While written comments or one-on-one conferences provide effective venues for individualization, technology can provide another. One way to individualize instruction is by directing students to interactive Web sites. Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ provides interactive grammar and writing instruction; it also provides ready-made downloads for teachers to print and use.

PowerPoint Presentations—PowerPointis used to provide visual interest and guidance. The presentation program can also be used to enhance instruction in the language classroom. Students can be encouraged to use PowerPoint presentations when they are required to present to the class. The design options encourage self-expression and creativity.

Word Processing Software—Writing projects that involve multiple drafts are well-suited to using word processing programs. Drafts are easily revised and formatted using these tools. The feature can be used for teachers or peers to interject annotations or comments, line by line, on student work. One can also track changes to evaluate how students used peer review comments to improve or change their work.

Benefits of using Technology in the classroom.

Easy-to-access course materials.

Instructors can post the course material or important information on a course website, where the students, can study at a time and location they prefer and can obtain the study material very quickly.

Student motivation.

Computer-based instruction can give instant feedback to students and explain correct answers. Moreover, a computer is patient and non-judgmental, which can give the student motivation to continue learning.

Wide participation

Learning material can be used for long distance learning and are accessible to a wider audience.

Improved student writing

It is convenient for students to edit their written work on word processors, which can, in turn, improve the quality of their writing. According to some studies, the students are better at critiquing and editing written work that is exchanged over a computer network with students they know.

Subjects made easier to learn

Many different types of educational software are designed and developed to help children or teenagers to learn specific subjects. Examples include pre-school software, computer simulators, graphics software and many others.

A structure that is more amenable to measurement and improvement of outcomes. With proper structuring it can become easier to monitor and maintain student work while also quickly gauging modifications to the instruction necessary to enhance student learning.

According to James Kulik, – the effectiveness of computers used for instruction, students usually learn more in less time when receiving computer-based instruction and they like classes more and develop more positive attitudes toward computers in computer-based classes.

Learned societies concerned with educational technology include:

Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Association for Educational Communications and Technology
Association for Learning Technology
International Society for Technology in Education – (ISTE)
Northwest Council for Computer Education.

E-Learning

E-Learning is defined as all forms of electronic supported learning and teaching, which are procedural in character and aim to effect the construction of knowledge with reference to individual experience, practice and knowledge of the learner. Information and communication systems, whether networked or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process. Consulting, content, technologies, services and support being identified as the five key sectors of the e-learning industry

E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. It can be self paced or instructor led and includes media in the form of text, image, animation, streaming video and audio.

Acronyms like CBT (Computer-Based Training), IBT (Internet-Based Training) or WBT (Web-Based Training) have been used as synonyms to E-Learning. Today one can still find these terms being used, along with variations of e-learning such as elearning, Elearning, and eLearning.

Benefits of E-learning

Improved performance: A 12-year meta-analysis of research by the U.S. Department of Education found that higher education students in online learning generally performed better than those in face-to-face courses.

Increased access: Instructors of the highest calibre can share their knowledge across borders, allowing students to attend courses across physical, political, and economic boundaries. Recognized experts have the opportunity of making information available internationally, to anyone interested at minimum costs.( For example, the MIT Open Courseware program has made substantial portions of that university’s curriculum and lectures available for free online. )

Convenience and flexibility to learners: in many contexts, eLearning is self-paced and the learning sessions are available 24×7. High technology is not necessary for all online courses. Basic internet access, audio, and video capabilities are common requirements.

To develop the skills and competencies needed in the 21st century, in particular to ensure that learners have the digital literacy skills required in their discipline, profession or career Bates (2009) states that e-learning has major implications for course design and the assessment of learners.

M-Learning /Mobile learning

One definition of mobile learning is- Any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies. In other words mobile learning decreases limitation of learning location with the mobility of general portable devices.

The value of mobile learning

M-learning focuses on the mobility of the learner, interacting with portable technologies, and learning that reflects a focus on how society and its institutions can accommodate and support an increasingly mobile population.

M-learning is convenient in that it is accessible from virtually anywhere.
M-Learning, is also collaborative; sharing is almost instantaneous among everyone using the same content, which leads to the reception of instant feedback and tips.
It is simple to utilize mobile learning for a more effective and entertaining experience.
Mobile learning could be utilized as part of a learning approach which uses different types of activities (or a blended learning approach).
Mobile learning can be used as a ‘hook’ to re-engage disaffected youth.
Smartphones are one of the platforms used for mobile learning. The survey showed that in 2008, 71% of children had their own mobile phone.

Podcasting

Podcasting consists of listening to audio recordings of lectures, and can be used to review live lectures and to provide opportunities for students to rehearse oral presentations. Podcasts may also provide supplemental information to enhance traditional lectures. Psychological research suggests that university students who download podcast lectures achieve substantially higher exam results than those who attend the lecture in person, but only in cases in which students take notes.

Wi-Fi gives access to instructors and resources via internet.

Conclusion

The use of technological advances revolutionized the processes of communication. Students today find it easy to pick up any new electronic device and learn how to communicate with it. When students can express themselves through a variety of media, they should be motivated and engaged. They experience the world through multimedia and want to communicate in the same way. Through means of technology we can practice them to communicate effectively by teaching them the whole communication process from planning the message all the way to testing for usability. As Chapelle (2001:2) says “Any one concerned with second language teaching and learning in the 21st century needs to grasp the nature of the unique technology. Mediated tasks learners can engage in for language acquisition and how such tasks can be used for assessment”. With these emerging technologies the role of the language teachers has been changed and they transform themselves to meet the challenges at the global level and technology is as good as the use we make of it.

References

AISI Technology Projects Research Review

Using Technology to Enhance the Classroom Environment. www.thejournal.com/articles/15769

Technology and Education. http://www.firstmonday

Insight Knowledge base for new technology and education. http://insight.eun.org/

The Impact of Technology on Language Learning and Teaching www.relc.org.sg/home/images/stories/forms/sb78.pdf

Use of Technology in English Language Teaching and Learning www.ipedr.com/vol33/030-ICLMC2012-L10042.pdf