Topic > Using Technology in Language Classrooms

This document titled “Using Technology in Language Classrooms” envisions the major role that technology plays in helping the manual teacher deliver lessons with both information and entertainment. In this article, the importance of English language and different techniques adopted for effective teaching along with their advantages and limitations are briefly discussed. By the end of this article, the reader will have a clear understanding of the benefits of using information and communication technologies in language classrooms. English is called a link language, a global language and also called a lingua franca. In the Indian context it is also considered ESL (English as a Second Language). English not only helps in learning but also in earning. The means of teaching and learning English are very traditional, less interesting and ineffective. the need arises to use modern ICT (information and communication technologies) approaches and tools to develop a better understanding and acquisition of basic skills, for example LSRW (listening, speaking, reading and writing) of the English language. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay ICT has contributed in numerous ways to the teaching-learning community for enriching their vocabulary and improving English language skills. Some of these approaches, frameworks and tools are CAL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), CALA (Computer Assisted Language Assessment), CALI (Computer Assisted Language Instruction), CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), MALL (Mobile Assisted Language Learning), TELL (Computer-assisted language learning). Technology Enhanced Language Learning), blogs, wikis, email capabilities, digital libraries, multimedia, mobile learning, free and open source software and social media, MOOCs, virtual classrooms, documentaries, digital storytelling, mobile applications, iPad, digital content Notebooks, Tablets, Smart Phones, Recorded audio-video materials, Online spoken tutorials, Digital pronunciation dictionaries etc. But this is not the complete list of digital learning tools, you can check out our complete guide "Useful tools for virtual and distance learning" which includes a large list of digital tools for students that I use nowadays. These structures enabled the learning process and opened a path for freedom of learning based on the student's needs and convenience. Adequate measures to inculcate ICT in the field of ELT would ensure that students acquire English language skills. Great scholars say that history often works in circles. Many decades ago there was discussion about the need to introduce computers and the Internet into schools. For today's children the Internet is not an option, they are born with it. They appear to be permanently connected to a device of some kind. There is a computer in almost every classroom. Yet many teachers, even in modern, well-equipped schools, never use ICT in their lessons. There is nothing negative about traditional means of teaching and learning. After all, if the power goes out, the only “tool” to use is the teacher. One teacher, for example, talks about how her fifth graders had to memorize lots of facts about cardiovascular disease, balanced diets, and aging issues. the teacher simply wrote down the important words and then framed various exercises that recycled the new vocabulary, new conversation games using these words taken from the internet and a cartoon of twominutes. students were asked to prepare small monologues, dialogues and sketches in groups and to make small presentations on the topic with the help of online images from home. Students returned to school with PPTs made at home, probably with the help of their parents. Everyone was given the chance to show their work to the class and the teacher was surprised to see that their images were much more colorful and inventive. Some used all the colors of the rainbow in their short lyrics; others found fun images and soundtracks to go with their Ppt. These new technologies in the classroom could facilitate students and teachers in the teaching and learning process. ICT has been touted as potentially powerful enabling tools for educational change and reform. Computers play a significant role in the learning process, especially in language learning. As stated by Hartoyo (2008) in his book, a computer is a tool and medium that facilitates people in learning a language. The need for technological innovation has led to the communication revolution and the rapid development of technological application in teaching and learning. Each school used ICT to facilitate the teacher in teaching students in the classroom. Many types of applications using in the classroom have improved and enhanced the lesson better. From the integration of ICT into the field of language learning it is inevitably known that ICT and language learning are two aspects that support each other as two inseparable sides of the coin (Hartoyo, 2010). Fortunately, the use of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has increased dramatically by English teachers. Computer-assisted language learning consideration involves the use of a computer. This tool is flexible, rich and interactive. It is flexible in terms of time and place. This is due to the computer's ability to present material in more diverse ways than books or videos. Furthermore, CALL can generate interaction and improve communicative competence, including providing authentic material to the class or self-learning. The method focuses on using computers to enhance language learning. The use of ICT in education is absolutely necessary. ICT is also used to source learning materials from the original source. By finding articles from international journals, students can obtain them simply by sitting in front of computers connected to the Internet. Learning materials obtained, copied and transferred to USB, can also be printed directly so that they can be used as teaching materials. In recent times teaching and learning are facilitated by computers has been the demand. According to Kent "ICT from an education perspective refers to" information and communication technologies (ICT) such as computers, communication facilities and functionality that variously support teaching, learning and a range of activities in education (QCA Schemes of Work for ICT in Kent County Council. 2004). Furthermore, the term information and communication technologies includes technologies in which the computer plays a central role, for example computer-assisted language learning (CALL), the Internet and a variety of general computing applications (Fitzparick and Davies, 2002) . Internet, directs the history of educational technology into the new pace. Online services can be composed of various stages of the educational program process such as registration, test registration, payment, learning, case assignment, case discussions, exams, assessments,discussions and announcements. Electronic books The electronic book or e-book is a book that uses computer technology to provide multimedia information. Impressions, sounds, graphics, images, animations and "movies" can be integrated into an "e-book" so that the information presented is richer than in conventional books. The simplest type e-book is a simple transfer of conventional books into an electronic format viewed by the computer. With this technology, hundreds of books can be stored in a single piece of "solid disc/CD" or "compact disk" (capacity of approximately 700 MB), DVD or "Digital Versatile Disc" (capacity of 4.7 to 8, 5 GB) and "flash" (capacity currently available up to 16 GB). An encyclopedia that is more complex and requires more rigorous projects such as the Encyclopedia Britannica and the Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia which is in multimedia format. The multimedia format allows the e-book to provide not only written information but also sounds, images, videos and other multimedia elements. A description of the type of music, for example, can be accompanied by shots of the sound of the music so that the user can clearly understand what is meant by renderer. •E-learningYou can find different definitions for “e-learning”. Victoria L. Tinio, for example, states that “e-learning” includes learning at all levels, formal and informal, that uses a computer network (intranet and extranet) for the provision of learning materials, interaction and/or facilitation . Most of the learning process that takes place with the help of the Internet is often referred to as online learning. According to the broader definition proposed in the SEAMOLEC working document, e-learning is learning through electronic services. E-learning is learning using electronic technology as a means of presenting and distributing information. A form of e-learning is included in the definition of educational television and radio broadcasts. Although radio and television education is a form of e-learning, it is generally accepted that e-learning reaches its peak form after synergy with Internet technology. Internet-based learning is used or web-based learning in its simplest form is the "website". present educational materials. This method allows students to access learning resources provided by speakers or facilitators whenever they want. If necessary, a mailing list specific to the learning website can also be provided to serve as a discussion forum. “Complete” e-learning structure provided by special software called LMS (learning management system) learning management software. Internet technology currently running based on LMS so that it can be accessed from anywhere via available access to the Internet. The facilities provided include management of students or learners, management of learning materials, management of learning, including management of learning assessment and management of communication between students and facilitators. This structure allows learning activities to be managed in the absence of face-to-face meetings between the parties involved (administrators, facilitators, learners or learners). 'Presence' of the parties involved is represented via email, chat channel or via video conference. In today's era, where information and communication technology is developing rapidly and proving to be a way of life for people of all times and places, its literacy has undoubtedly become a priority necessity. The sensitivity of technology helps to perform a more important task and achieve higher results in the area of ​​\u200b\u200beducation, professional career and social relationships in whichliteracy is an important requirement. ICT, which stands for Information, Communication and Technology, is elaborated as follows.a. ITICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in digital format. For example, personal computers, digital television, electronic mail, robots. So ICT deals with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or reception of digital data. Importantly, it also addresses how these different uses can interact with each other. Information Information refers to data processed in a meaningful and targeted form according to Shore in Hartoyo (2012:2). Communication According to Potts, communication is defined as a process through which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create a shared understanding. Brown (2011) states that communication is a transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it elicits trust. But the information transferred must be understandable to the recipient. Technology Technology which comes from the word 'techno' meaning technique, art or skill, and 'logos' meaning science. Therefore, technology can be defined as a scientific knowledge of an art or skill. Based on the definitions of Considering the three components, ICT as a whole can be described as the utility of technology to support the effort of transmitting information and communication, particularly in the education sector. The technique includes digital technologies, mainly electronic information processing technologies, such as computers, the Internet, mobile phones, networks, broadband and so on.b. Benefits of ICT in General ICT proves beneficial in several ways, as mentioned by Herington (2002), (1) technology facilitates exposure to authentic language; (2) technology provides access to broader sources of information and varieties of language; (3) technology provides the opportunity for people to communicate with the outside world; (4) technology enables a student-centered approach; (5) technology develops student autonomy. ICT helps people to obtain information and communicate with each other in a wider scope.c. ICT tools in the linguistic context There are some types of technologies classified under information and communication technologies commonly used in the linguistic context, such as: Interactive multimedia Interactive media is the integration of digital media including combinations of electronic text, graphics, images in movement and sound, in a linguistic context. structured digital computing environment that allows people to interact with data for appropriate purposes. The digital environment can include the Internet, telecommunications and interactive digital television. (Finney, 2011:2)ComputerThe computer can be used with other multimedia devices for learning or it can be used alone (a standard PC) and continues to serve its basic purpose as an electronic medium for language learning. (Hartoyo, 2012:29). Computer is an electronic device capable of receiving information (data) and performing a sequence of logical operations according to a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to produce results in the form of information or signals based on the Oxford dictionary. It consists of CPU, monitor, keyboard and other equipment. Audio Devices Audio devices can be used with other media to form interactive multimedia content. However, it can also be used separately as a standalone tool. Audio devices include a speaker, earphone, CD, etc. Internet Internet can beused as a medium for language learning via email, www (world wide web), text, audio and video conferencing. Television According to the Oxford Dictionary, television is a system of converting visual images (with sound) into electrical signals, transmitting them by radio or other means, and displaying them electronically on a screen.TelephoneThis telephone medium has not been widely used for teaching languages ​​due to the poor quality of analog broadcasts. However, there is a new invention of digital quality and lower connection costs that offer the potential for conference calls. Mobile Gadgets Mobile gadgets such as cell phones and smartphones come with programs like a computer, allowing it to function like a mini personal computer. By using this gadget and its internet connection, everyone can enjoy chatting, browsing and discussing with each other with a wider range. The progress of science and technology means that the size and price of these gadgets become increasingly cheaper and more attainable. Social interface: These media provide structures or examples that allow for interaction between humans and computers. People engage in greater interaction with computers more intuitively and with less effort, through writing, speaking, touching, eye movements, and other gestures. (Hartoyo,2012:34) This technology forms the cornerstone of the recent development of interactive multimedia content, audio-graphic computer teleconferencing and interactive satellite television (National Broadband for Employment, Education and Training, 1993:5 ). An interactive whiteboard or IWB is a large interactive display (like a touchscreen monitor) connected to a computer and a projector. A projector projects the computer desktop onto the board surface, where users control the computer using a pen, finger, or other devices.d. Current application of ICT in teaching and learning the English language. ICT is defined as a technology whose function is to support the process of information transmission and communication. The methods of transmission of information must not be implemented directly between the communicator and the communicant. The development of ICT means that the communication process between the communicator and the communicator can be conveyed in simple ways. They can communicate via telephone, internet, email, satellite, television, video conferencing and so on. The process of such communications applies to language learning. In language learning there is communication between teacher and student. The learning process is not always carried out by placing the teacher and students directly in a certain room or in a certain place. For example, the teacher can use the Internet as a means to impart lessons, assignments or other information to their students. In the context of language learning, ICT has an important role as a "media" that connects and enables the learning process, or direct communication between students and teacher even if they are not present in the same room or place at a certain time. You can create language learning programs to allow students to learn lessons with guidance, instructions, information, or further explanations. ICT in language learning used as a reference book. The computer can store unlimited lessons or references, which can be accessed anytime, anywhere and accurately. Fitzpatrick and Davies (2002) in Hartoyo (2012) define the seven ways in which ICT is used in language learning: a) PresentationSome language learning materials such as textual, audio-video materials need to be