Plus and minus of integrating technology into the English Classroom

EIT is English Instructional Technology. It is one of tools that are used by many people to achieve a teaching more productive in teaching and learning process. And method that uses technology is one. Many people are thought that using technology in classroom will increase student’s interesting in studying in order to them are not so bored. And it had already proved so that Technology is very advantages in the English Classroom but not only its plus but also technology has minus of integrating technology into the English Classroom. Okay well. First I will tell you about its plus:

 I.      To cultivate students’ Interest in study

    Era of globalization almost of all activities uses technology, so that students prefer to using technology in their daily. So that, education support to using technology and it is hoped it can give a sense of reality and functions very well that support students’ Interest and motivation in study and their involvement in class activities because the learning environment is more enjoyable

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II.      To promote student’s Communication Capacity

Using technology can help student to practice communication, them invited to positive thinking, creative, and give many chances to student to show their communication skills among students or between student and teacher such as a discussion, debate etc.

III.      To widen students’ knowledge to gain an Insightful understand to western Culture.

By technology students will get many information not only focus on one resource (books) but they will increase their knowledge about western culture by technology. And by knowledge and sharing, it will make them actively discussion with knowledge that they have.

IV.      To improve teaching effect

Multimedia teachings make the best of class time, and class efficiency. Allocation of time that is impossible to discuss all content so that Multimedia teachings are solution to solve it. It goes beyond time and space, creates more vivid, visual, authentic environment for English learning, stimulates students’ initiatives and economizes class time meanwhile increases class information.

V.      To improve interaction between teacher and student.

Multimedia teachings can be closely between teacher and student and it can also help student to practice communication so that it can develop their communication competence.

VI.      Creates a context for Language Teaching

Multimedia teachings will make the class lively, the learning environment is more enjoyable, more interesting and also rise students motivation in learning English.

VII.      To provide flexibility to course content

Multimedia teaching is also flexible. Because we can’t only created inside but outside of classroom. So that, it make it more simple.

But not only above technology also has plus namely :

1.     .    Using of technology can improve student outcomes. And it can help to improve students’ performance on achievement tests
2.  technology can equip students to independently organize their learning process. 
3. Technology can form students’ skills in technology. so that when they finish their graduate they also have a technology skill.
4. technology can support key practices of student-centered learning, Technology can equip teachers to assess an individual student’s strengths and needs.
5.  The use of technology in EFL teaching can motivate students because the learning environment is more enjoyable.
6. The use of computer technology in EFL classroom can help students to understand the complex concepts more easily
7.  Using different kind texts, graphics. videos, pictures
8.  Having online lessons, students can use authentic language
9.  storing materials for future use
10.  having fun and variation

Specific technology literacy skills that the National Educational Technology Standards (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007) encourage teachers to incorporate across content areas include:

1. using technology to demonstrate creative thinking and to develop innovative products,
2.  using technology to communicate and work collaboratively,
3. applying digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information,
4. using critical thinking and problem solving to make informed decisions regarding appropriate digital tools and resources,
5. understanding human cultural and societal issues related to technology and practicing legal and ethical behavior,
6. Understanding technology operations and concepts.

The minus of integrating technology into the English Classroom:

1)      Major means replaced by the assisting one

There is not confident of teacher to handle it so that the teacher and student only focus on  the screen that’s why There is no eye contact between teacher and student. So that it doesn’t appear effective class.

2)      Loss of speaking Communication

It is effect loss of speaking communication between teacher and student because teachers sound instead of multimedia sound. So that student also made viewers rather than the participants of class activities.

3)      The restriction of students ‘thinking potential.

There is no invited to student thinking to solve the problem, to manage their skill and do feedback. Because it is only focus on multimedia.

4)      Abstract thinking replaced by imaginable thinking

Loss abstract thinking and it is instead of imaginable think.

5)      There could appear technical problems

6)      lack of IT skills both teachers and students

7)      Mixed ability- some students are advanced and some are slow

8)      Classroom management-teacher could find it difficult to draw students' attention

9)      Slow Internet connection

Conclusion:

Technology can support key practices of student-centered learning, and attract the student’s interest, motivation and etc.

References:

Integrating technology with student centered learning. Pdf

The Use of Computer Technology in EFL Classroom: Advantages and Implications. Pdf

 “Use of technology in English Language Teaching and Learning” an Analysis: Solanki D. Shyamlee. Pdf

 Source: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/gozalutem/advantages-disadvantages using-technology-classroom