Computer as teacher
Computers have made a triumphal entry into education in the past decade, and only a dyed-in-the wool Luddite would deny that they have brought significant benefits to teachers and students alike. However, an uncritical use of computers can be just as disadvantageous to students as a refusal to have anything to do with them. In this article I discuss some of the ways that computers can be used in English language teaching, with a view to helping colleagues make the most of the opportunities they offer to ESL students. Peer
It is helpful to think of the computer as having the following main roles in the language classroom:
• teacher - the computer teaches students new language
• tester - the computer tests students on language already learned
• tool - the computer assists students to do certain tasks
• data source - the computer provides students with the information they need to perform a particular task
• communication facilitator - the computer allows students to communicate with others in different locations
Computer as teacher. In the early days of computers and programmed learning, some students sat at a terminal for extended periods following an individualized learning program. Although we have come a long way from the rather naïve thought, held by some at that time, that the computer could eventually come to replace the teacher, there has been a return to a much more sophisticated kind of computerized teaching using multimedia CD ROMS. In such programs, students can listen to dialogues or watch video clips. They can click on pictures to call up the names of the objects they see. They can speak into the microphone and immediately hear a recording of what they have said. The program can keep a record of their progress, e.g. the vocabulary learned, and offer remedial help if necessary. Many of these CD ROM programs are offered as complete language courses. They require students to spend hours on their own in front of the computer screen, usually
It is helpful to think of the computer as having the following main roles in the language classroom:
• teacher - the computer teaches students new language
• tester - the computer tests students on language already learned
• tool - the computer assists students to do certain tasks
• data source - the computer provides students with the information they need to perform a particular task
• communication facilitator - the computer allows students to communicate with others in different locations
Computer as teacher. In the early days of computers and programmed learning, some students sat at a terminal for extended periods following an individualized learning program. Although we have come a long way from the rather naïve thought, held by some at that time, that the computer could eventually come to replace the teacher, there has been a return to a much more sophisticated kind of computerized teaching using multimedia CD ROMS. In such programs, students can listen to dialogues or watch video clips. They can click on pictures to call up the names of the objects they see. They can speak into the microphone and immediately hear a recording of what they have said. The program can keep a record of their progress, e.g. the vocabulary learned, and offer remedial help if necessary. Many of these CD ROM programs are offered as complete language courses. They require students to spend hours on their own in front of the computer screen, usually
References: • The Internet and ELT Eastment, D. 1999 The British Council This is a brief but useful overview of the issues concerning the use of the Internet in English language teaching. • CALL Environments Egbert, J & Hanson-Smith, E (eds.) 1999 TESOL, Va. Despite the unpromising title, this is a good and very comprehensive account of the use of computers in language teaching. It contains detailed discussions of the pedagogical value of the entire spectrum of computer-based language activities. • Dave Sperling 's Internet Guide Sperling, D. 1998 Prentice Hall, New Jersey This is a comprehensive listing of Internet sites for English language learners and teachers. Sperling also runs a very good ESL website called Dave 's ESL Café at http://www.eslcafe.com.