CALL in the Language Classroom
Over the last 10-15 years the relationship between language learning and computers has come a long way.
More and more technology is becoming a part of our lives both at work and play. Not only are they a central part in how we operate in our daily life, but they are increasingly become a critical part of education.
As our students' lives are becoming more and more entwined with computer based technologies, the importance of integrating computers with langauge learning is growing. Alongside this growing integration of technology and learning younger students are displaying a disturbing lack of familiarity, comfort with, and knowledge of non-technology based information sources - like books, libraries, and most frightening, direct human to human interaction.
I often get asked by teachers (usually new teachers, or those who are new to using computer technology in their classes), about how they can connect a language lesson and computer technology.
Like so many questions of this kind there is no easy answer except a vague - "it depends on what you want to accomplish". I know what I do. I make use of computers in my classes in situations where I see an overall benefit for my students. I don't when I can't see the benefit.
Basically there are three 'types' of lessons or activities that you can run if you are looking to include computers in your lessons.
1) Computer Technology is simply a by-product or a tool of the activity or lesson
In this case the role of computers and related technologies (e.g. sound recorders, video cameras etc.) is secondary to the main part of the lesson which focuses on the language. It is simply used as a tool to let you work on other things (e.g. recording a voice for pronunciation practice).
2) Meta-awareness of Technology
With meta awareness style activities you are working on the language and use of the technology itself as a topic. In essense you are teaching language students the language related to computers and software.
3) Using computers for language use/practice
In many cases when you start using computers and digital technologies as a means of language practice a certain amount of meta-awareness teaching is involved. With this however you are using the computer to specifically work on a language skill - e.g. grammar.
In the end whether you choose to use computers in your language classroom or not is something you will need to think about carefully. After weighing your options, and perhaps giving things a try or two, you can come to a better understanding of if and how you can use computers in your teaching.
The purpose of this blog is to help you along your way.