Learning technologies:

• Computer aided language learning (CALL) software
• Office applications (Word, PowerPoint etc)
• The Internet
• CD-ROMs that come with course books
• Interactive whiteboards
• DVD players
• Mobile phones
• Basically, anything electronic that can help someone learn.

 Advantages and disadvantages of learning technologies

The following is a list of just some of the advantages and disadvantages of using learning technologies in class.

Advantages

Interactive – it can give feedback and evaluation and, unlike the teacher, never tires of giving feedback repeatedly

Multimedia – it provides a combination of media (text, graphics, sound, and video) in one place

IT skills acquired – students learn IT skills

Student paced – students can work through the material at their own speed

Variety = Fun! – novel and entertaining, and can add variety to courses

Presentation quality – work on the computer is often neat

Authentic – content of CD-ROMs and the Internet is often written by native speakers

Real communication – lots of ‘community’ functions on the Internet such as forums, email etc.

Storage – you can save work for future access and sharing

Promotes independent learning – many Web-based activities can be done at home

Disadvantages

Technical issues – if technical support is not easily available, teachers may need more training, or be confident enough to ask their learners if they know how to solve the problem

IT skills required – for software and the Internet

Mixed ability and degrees of comfort with technology – both learners and teachers

Student objections – students may have had bad learning experiences in the past, they may use computers too much in other subjects

Can seduce teachers – “I’ll get a coffee while they get on with it”, “I haven’t had time to plan a lesson – I’ll take them into the computer room” etc. Need to be careful about technology leading pedagogy, and using technology as an easy option

Integration problems – teachers don’t use the equipment and software available

Classroom management – teachers may have to change their classroom management techniques

Accuracy of language and appropriacy of content on the Internet may not always be suitable

Distraction – many Internet sites have a lot of distracting advertisements, and it’s easy for learners to get lost

Tiredness - remember students may access the Internet considerably at home and if you’re teaching adult students, they may use computers all day at work.