Educational Technologies: What computers are for ?
Although computer use is still restricted to a fraction of the world’s population,the use of computers and the Internet in education generally,and in the teaching of English in particular,continues to increase at an extraordinary speed.As with any technological advance,the proper place for the various riches which computers have to offer is still under discussion.All we know is that at any moment there are exciting new developments just around the corner.Currently,the main uses for computers in language teaching include the following:
#Reference:
One of the chief uses of computers,either through the Internet ord CD/DVD-ROMS, is as a reference tool.This can be connected to teaching,the English language or general facts about the world.There are already a number of populer encylopedias and all sorts of other information is also available,whether it is about plant life,animals,aircraft design,astronomy,music or history etc.One of the great advantages of computers is that with the right equipment,we can do all this research at home or self-access centres or at internet cafes.The availability of research material such as this means that we can send students to the computer to prepare for all sorts of task and project work,following up references in coursebooks,or findings out about topics they are interested in.Many of the programs have excellent visuals and sound which make the material very attractive.
There are now huge numbers of ELT dictionaries available both on CD/DVD and at the Internet which offer,apart from definitions,spoken pronounciation of words and practice exercises and activities.Increasingly,publishers are also making dictionaries available online such as Encyclopedia and TheFreeDictionary and through the Internet,students can now access language corpora to search for facts about English.When we encourage students to use search engines to find information on the Web,we should prepare the ground beforehand-by suggesting search methods or narrowing down the focus of the enquiry-so that students do not waste a whole class period searching.However,if these drawbacks are taken into account,the Internet is an extraordinary resource which has changed the face of information gathering both in and outside the classroom.
#Teaching and Testing Programs:
Language teaching software packages,often supplied on CD-ROM,offers students chance to study coversations and texts,to do grammar and vocabulary exercises,and even to listen to texts and record their own voices.Although some teachers have criticized computer-based programs of this kind as being only dressed-up workbook exercises,it would be unwise to underestimate their usefulness for variety and motivation.Students who have been sitting behind their desks for hours might well find going over to a computer to ‘play’ with some language exercises o welcome relief. Such programs now include extensive reference resources as well.Also,there are some websites where students can sign up for complete self-study courses,which will include all the regular features of a coursebook together with the possibility of sending work to a tutor who will monitor progress.They can also click on words in the text for a quick definition.A number of language tests have gone or are in the process of going electronic as well.Students can send their answers straight from the computer screen to the examinations centre
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#Websites :
Nearly all of the websites have potential for students of English.They can go and visit a virtual museum for a project on history or science.They can go to a website which offers information and song lyrics from their favourite pop group and they can access timetables,geographical information,and whether facts.There are also a number of sites designed specially for students of English as a foreign language where they can exchange e-mails,do exercises,and browse around diffirent texts,playing games,or doing exercises.One of the real advantages of the Internet is that now,teachers and students have access to ‘authentic’ English wherever they happen to be working.There is reading material available and,increasingly,there are audio and video sites too where music,news and film can be listened to or watched to,though the downloading or classroom use of any such material will depend upon copyright restrictions attached to it.
The widespread use of the computer-indeed the digital revolution generally-changed late twentieth century life as same as the industrial revolution impacted on the world over a century before.In language teaching,too,things will never be the same again with computer-based materials finding their way into coursebook packages,self-access centres,and classrooms everywhere.Such developments will be of inestimable value.
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