Using a computer room

Computers are an everyday tool now,               
students expect to use computers in other areas
 of life - work, socialising - so why not
 in language learning?

Word processors
Advantages	Disadvantages
Easy to edit Can keep electronic copies for future reference Saves paper Produces a clean copy. Paper-based version is messy Can compare original with final saved version Develops keyboarding/word-processing skills Teacher can keep a copy, a permanent record of progress and common errors Children like doing it Writing on computers is now a natural way to write Grammar and spell check provides instant feedback Can use tracking changes for peer editing and process writing	Reading/processing text on screen may not be comfortable Ordering sentences/paragraphs can be easier on paper Texts can be too long for onscreen viewing Word skills can get in the way of the language task Students may be using computers all day and don’t want to use them when studying a language Most exams are still handwritten so hand writing is still a necessary skill Need to be careful with instructions – staged and simple – what instructions can be given in class and what are given on the document?
Presentation software
Advantages	Disadvantages
Looks good Easy to combine pictures and text Helps promote IT fluency Students like it Can be saved and distribute Can be used for language activities, not just presentations	Can take time to produce a good looking presentation Can require a lot of planning time Students can spend more time playing with images and animation than producing language PowerPoint presentations can be very boring