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  • Essay / Using Technology in Language Classrooms

    This article titled “Using Technology in Language Classrooms” considers the major role that technology plays in helping the manual teacher deliver lessons both in information and entertainment. The importance of English language and the different techniques adopted for effective teaching along with the advantages and limitations are briefly discussed in this article. At the end of this article, the reader will have a clear vision of the benefits of using information and communication technologies in language classrooms. English is called link language, global language and also called Lingua Franca. In the Indian context, it is also considered as ESL (English as a Second Language). English not only helps to learn but also to earn money. The ways of teaching and learning English are very traditional, less interesting and ineffective. it becomes necessary to use modern ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) approaches and tools to develop better understanding and acquisition of basic skills i.e. LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) of the English language. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayICT has contributed in many ways to the teaching-learning community by improving its vocabulary and English skills. Some of these approaches, facilities and tools are CAL (Computer-Assisted Learning), CALA (Computer-Assisted Language Assessment), CALI (Computer-Assisted Language Teaching), CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning), MALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning), Language Learning), TELL (Technology Enhanced Language Learning), blogs, wiki, email, digital libraries, multimedia, mobile learning, free and open source software and social media, MOOC, virtual classes, documentaries, storytelling digital, mobile apps, i-Pads, digital Laptops, tablets, smart phones, recorded audio-video material, online spoken tutorials, digital pronunciation dictionaries, etc. But this is not the complete list of digital learning tools, you can check our complete guide “Useful tools for virtual and distance learning”. which includes a long list of digital tools for students that I use today. These facilities have facilitated the learning process and paved the way for freedom of learning according to the needs and convenience of the learner. Appropriate measures to inculcate ICT in the field of ELT would ensure that students acquire English language skills. Great scholars say that history often runs in a circle. Several decades ago, there were discussions 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 attached to some device. There is a computer in almost every classroom. Yet many teachers, even in well-equipped modern schools, never use ICT in their lessons. There is nothing negative in traditional means of teaching and learning. After all, when the power goes out, the only “tool” to use is the teacher. For example, a teacher recounts how her fifth grade students had to memorize a lot of information about cardiovascular diseases, a balanced diet and the problems of aging. . the teacher simply wrote down the important words, thenframed various exercises that recycle the new vocabulary, new conversation games using these words were taken from the Internet and a two-minute cartoon clip. students were invited to prepare small monologues, dialogues and sketches in groups and to make small presentations on the subject using images online from home. Students returned to school with PPTs that they completed at home, probably with those of their parents. help. Everyone had 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 texts; others found fun images and soundtracks to accompany their Ppt. These new classroom technologies could facilitate the teaching and learning process for students and teachers. ICTs have been presented as potentially powerful tools for educational change and reform. Computers play an important role in the learning process, especially in language learning. As Hartoyo (2008) stated in his book, a computer is a tool and medium that facilitates language learning. The need for technological innovation has led to a revolution in communication and rapid development of technological applications in teaching and learning. Each school used ICT to enable the teacher to teach students in the classroom. Many types of apps they use in class have improved and made the lesson better. The integration of ICT in the field of language learning is inevitably known, because ICT and language learning are two aspects that support each other like two sides of an inseparable coin. (Hartoyo, 2010). Fortunately, the use of computer-assisted learning language (CALL) has increased significantly among English teachers. Computer-assisted language learning involves using a computer. This tool is flexible, rich and interactive. It is flexible in terms of time and location. This is due to the computer's ability to present material in more diverse ways than a book or video does. Additionally, CALL is capable of generating interactions and improving communicative skills, including providing authentic material to the class or self-study. The method focuses on using the computer to enhance language learning. The use of ICT in education is absolutely necessary. ICT is also used to find learning material from the original source. By finding articles in international journals, students can obtain them simply by sitting in front of computers connected to the Internet network. The learning materials that have been obtained, copied and transferred to USB, can also be printed directly for use. as learning material. In recent times, teaching and learning are facilitated by computers. According to Kent, “ICT in education refers to “information and communication technologies (ICT) such as computers, communication facilities and functionalities that support teaching, learning in various ways ". and a range of activities in education (QCA Schemes of Work for ICT in Kent County Council. 2004). Additionally, the term information and communications technologies includes technologies in which the computer plays a central role, namely computer-assisted language learning (CALL), the Internet and various generic computer applications(Fitzparick and Davies, 2002). The development of information technology, the Internet, directs the history of educational technology in a new direction. Online services may consist of different stages of the educational programs process such as registration, test entry, payment, learning, case assignments, case discussions, exams, assessments, discussions and announcements. Electronic BooksElectronic book or electronic book is one that uses computer technology to provide multimedia information. In an "e-book", prints can be integrated: sound, graphics, images, animations and a "movie" so that the information presented is richer than conventional books. The simplest type of e-book is a simple transfer of conventional books into electronic form displayed by the computer. With this technology, hundreds of books can be stored on a single piece of solid disc/CD or "compact disc (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). More complex designs and require more rigorous designs such as Encyclopedia Britannica and Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia which is in multimedia format. The multimedia format allows the e-book to provide not only written information but also sound, images, movies and other multimedia items. A description of the type of music, for example, can be accompanied by images of the sound of the music so that the user can clearly understand what the renderer means. •E-learningVarious definitions can be found for “e-learning”. Victoria L. Tinio, for example, asserts that "e-learning" includes learning at all levels, formal and informal, which uses a computer network (intranet and extranet) for the delivery of educational materials, interaction and/or facilitation. Most of the learning process that takes place using the Internet is often referred to as online learning. According to the broader definition proposed in the SEAMOLEC working paper, e-learning refers to learning through electronic services. Online learning is learning using electronic technology as a means of presenting and distributing information. The definition of educational television and radio broadcasts includes some form of online learning. Although teaching through radio and television is a form of online learning, it is generally accepted that online learning reaches its peak after being synergized with Internet technology. Internet learning or web-based learning in its simplest form is “website”. present learning materials. This method allows learners 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, which serves as a discussion forum. “Comprehensive” online learning facility provided by special software called learning management software or LMS (learning management system). Current Internet technology based on LMS, so that it can be accessed from anywhere through available access to the Internet. The facilities provided include student or learner management, learning materials management, learning management including learning assessment management and communication management between learners and facilitators. This installation allowslearning activities to be managed in the absence of face-to-face meetings between the parties involved (administrators, facilitators, learners or learners). “Presence”: the parties involved are represented by email, chat or video conference. In today's era, where information and communication technologies are rapidly developing and becoming a way of life for individuals of all ages and places, their literacy has undoubtedly become a necessity primordial. The sensitivity of technology helps to accomplish a greater task and achieve better results in the field of education, professional career and social relations for which its literacy is a major condition. ICT, which stands for Information, Communication and Technology, is developed as follows.a. ICTICT covers any product that allows information to be stored, retrieved, manipulated, transmitted or received electronically in digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots. ICT therefore concerns the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or reception of digital data. It is important to also note how these different uses can work with each other.InformationInformation means data processed into a meaningful and useful form according to Shore in Hartoyo (2012:2)CommunicationAccording to Potts, communication is defined as a process because we assign and convey meaning in order to create shared understanding. Brown (2011) stated that communication is a transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it engenders trust. But the information transferred must be understandable to the recipient.TechnologyTechnology derived from the word “techno” which means technique, art or skill, and “logos” which means science. Therefore, technology can be defined as scientific knowledge of an art or skill. Based on the definitions of the three components, ICT as a whole can be described as the utility of technology in supporting the effort of transmitting information and communication, especially in the field of education. Technology includes digital technologies, mainly electronic information processing technologies, such as computers, Internet, mobile phones, networks, broadband, etc. The advantages of ICT in generalICT proves advantageous in several respects, 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 gives people the ability to communicate with the outside world; (4) technology enables a learner-centered approach; (5) technology develops learner autonomy. ICT helps people obtain information and communicate with each other more broadly.c. ICT tools in the linguistic contextThere are certain 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 comprising combinations of text electronics, graphics, moving images and sound, in a structured digital computer environment that allows people to interact with the data for appropriate purposes. The digital environment may include the Internet, telecommunications and interactive digital television. (Finney, 2011: 2) Computer The computer can be used with other multimedia learning devices orit can stand alone (a standard PC) and still fulfill its fundamental purpose as an electronic language learning medium. (Hartoyo, 2012: 29). Computer is an electronic device capable of receiving information (data) and performing a sequence of logical operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to produce results in the form of information or of signals based on the Oxford Dictionary. It is made up of a processor, a monitor, a keyboard and a few other devices. Audio devices Audio devices can be used with other media to form interactive multimedia. However, it can also be used separately as an independent tool. Audio devices include speaker, headphones, CD, etc. Internet The Internet can be used as a medium for language learning through email, www (World Wide Web), text, audio and video conferencing. Television According to the Oxford Dictionary, television is a system for 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 language teaching due to the poor quality of analog transmissions. However, there is a new invention of digital quality and lower connection cost that offers potential for conference calls. Mobile Gadget Mobile gadgets such as cell phone and smartphone are equipped with programs like a computer, which enable it to function as a mini personal computer. Using this gadget and its internet connection, anyone could chat, browse and chat with more people. Advances in science and technology are making the size and price of these gadgets cheaper and more accessible. Social Interface This media provides a facility or example that allows interaction between human and computer. People are interacting with the computer more intuitively with less effort through writing, voice, touch, eye movements, and other gestures. (Hartoyo, 2012: 34) This technology constitutes an important step in the recent development of interactive multimedia, audio-graphic computer teleconferencing and interactive satellite television (National Broadband of Employment, Education, and Training, 1993: 5) . The interactive whiteboard or IWB is a large interactive display (such as a touchscreen monitor) connected to a computer and a projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board surface, where users control the computer using a stylus, finger, or other devices.d. Current application of ICT in the teaching and learning of English. ICT is defined as a technology whose function is to support the process of transmitting information and communication. The means of transmitting information does not necessarily have to be carried out directly between the communicator and the communicator. The development of ICT makes it possible to easily transmit the communication process between the communicator and the communicator. They can communicate by telephone, Internet, email, satellite, television, videoconferencing, etc. The process of these communications applies to language learning. In language learning, there is communication between the teacher and the student. The learning process does not always happen by directly subjecting the teacher and students to a certain room or location. For example, the teacher can use the Internet as a means to