final test

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER IN TEACHING ENGLISH

THE ICT – LANGUAGE LEARNING FINAL TEST

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER IN TEACHING ENGLISH

1. INTRODUCTION.

The increasing of science and technology in communication grow rapidly. Especially in teaching language in the classroom in order to make the students get a better result. The new method of teaching is not only based on the conventional way of teaching such as by using white board,  marker, paper, chart, picture  etc, but also using a modern tools like Computer as a multi media with its various program. Computer-assisted -Language Learning (CALL), often known simply as computer language learning is a form of computer-based assisted learning. The first thing to be said is that is not a method, but a tool to facilitate learning under whatever method is being used. Perhaps one of the most useful things about computer language learning is that it is student-centered and allows each user to progress at their own speed. Moreover, it can be programmed to be interactive and, as a result, individualized. Finally, it can form a stand-alone course, and be used on its own, or it can be used as a reinforcement of class learning. Where computer language learning is used in the latter role, as learning reinforcement, it has often led to a revision of both the teacher’s and student’s role in the language learning process. For example, when it is used as a major component of a foreign language course, the teacher must get used to the fact that they are no longer simply the provider of knowledge, but must now guide the students in their interaction with the computer. The students, for their part, must become accustomed to taking on greater responsibility for their own learning. The using of computer as a multi media can make the teaching learning process effective to help the learners to improve their skills in language learning, such as illustrate a picture,  reinforce a reading skill, give the idea, create an opinion,  and the using of computer as a multi media can reduce anxiety, laziness,  boredom in studying.  The development of information Technology (IT) has permeated the application of computers in the learning process, or as Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). A Computer as a medium is used for the sake of facilitating people in learning language. However a computer is only a tool and a medium. Hence, it is powerless and is totally dependent on the users. In this case, the computer is an intermediary; it is useful to interact with the students and as a teaching aid or tool for the teachers, and facilitators in teaching. It doesn’t entirely eliminate the need for an instructor, facilitator, or teacher, but many people believe that computer is the best teaching aid especially in language learning.

1. OBJECTIVE.

The aim of this writing is to give the answer of the question why computer is the best aid in teaching English.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of computer in teaching English, and how to solve the problem?

The computer is known as the best aid in teaching English because the design of ICT – supported material. It is of importance to consider at least three fundamentals facets in order to avoid untimely obsolescence; the technology cycle; linguistic content and assistance to learning( McCarthy 2002). Information Technology(IT) as defined by the information Technology Association of America(ITTA), is study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. In short, IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information, securely. Computer is more interactive aid compared with others, such as charts,  a tape recorder, film projectors,  such common equipment- marker and white board. Hartoyo (2005,p.12

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE.

Information Technology (IT) as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. In short , IT deals with the use of electronic computer and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information, securely. IT origins and development trace back to the 1960’s ( Delcloque 2000). Since the early days CALL has developed into a symbiotic relationship between the development of pedagogy. Computer is  a more interactive aid compared with others, such as tape recorder, film projectors, and such common equipment like marker and white board. Hartoyo (2005,p.12) quotes Terry Roberts( 2004 ) Computer language learning can create a much more stimulating environment than a classroom, although some students learn better in a classic teaching setting with instructor and peers, others may find it intimidating. Nelson, et al (1976)states that the unique property of the computer as a medium for education is its ability to interact with the student. The computer can be a partner for the learner to  play educational games with, or, less glamorously. It can be used to generate example, to illustrate certain operations, or to stimulate conversation. Hartoyo ( 2005,p.20). In addition to above statement, Hartoyo (2005, p.22) quotes Warschauer, et al, (1996) Computers have been used for language teaching ever since the 1960s. This 40-year period can be divided into three main stages: behaviorist, communicative, and interrogative. Each stage corresponds to a certain level of technology and certain pedagogical theories. The reason of using Computer Assisted Language Learning include: experimental learning, motivation, enhance student achievement, authentic materials for study, greater interaction, individualization, independence from a single source of information, and global understanding.

4. ANALYSIS

The development of Information Technology (IT) has influenced the application of computers as a teaching aid in the learning process. A computer is used for the sake of facilitating students in learning such as learning language which is called Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). There are many advantages of using the computer as a teaching aid in teaching and learning English. They are;

1. The computer is more interesting and interactive aid for the students compared with other aids such as books, charts, marker and white board, film projectors, and tape recorder.
2. The use of technology tends to make learning enjoyable, it can change the teacher’s and tutor’s duty, providing various material, personalizing information, by integrating the student’s name or familiar contexts within the instruction, and can promote motivation,
3. The computer is  more flexible as a language teaching aid.

Computer is a more interactive and flexible aid compared with others such as books, charts, marker and white board, film projectors, and tape recorder. All of these aids can guide and leads the students about the rules and the right solutions, but they cannot give the specifics analyzing of the mistakes which has been made by the students. Computer is an interactive instruction technique whereby a computer is used to present the instructional material and monitoring the learning activities. By using computer as the aid of teaching the students can interact each other, and have a freedom to choose any topic, it also can promote students’ motivation  by personalizing information, for example by integrating the student’s name or familiar contexts as part of the program or task, others include having animate objects on the screen, providing practice activities that incorporate challenges and curiosity and providing a context (real-world or fantasy) that is not directly language-oriented. Being involve in the process of distance education can make the students to be active all the time, they forced to do the exercises, comment certain ideas, find the reliable topic or text and they must be discipline to take their turn because there is no information such as the ringing of the bell or the announcement from the teacher that the time of the lesson is up. As an assistive technology it can help the handicapped person that ho or she might use the computer to communicate verbally. In spite of the fact that the handicapped individual may not be able to speak or wrote, they can still communicate with the public and also they can do the activity in the classroom, By having a high information technology in the classroom can help many physically disabled person would be able to be part in all of teachers program to explore the Internet or web tasks online.

Another function of the computer is not only as an aid of teaching, but also act as a teacher or tutor for the students, providing material, giving information or explanation, and guiding the students how to learn the topic well. The computer can be an entertainer for the learner by playing an educational games related to the topic, such as: vocabulary, structure, or reading. It can be used to illustrate certain program, stimulate conversation, or to increase the listening skill. The CALL in class can help the students who cannot come to school because of the illness or others that make them to be absent from classes, they still get the education at home, or the home schooling students can access the materials from the internet on line.

In teaching grammar using computers play more relevant role, it is only used to give common exercises a new format, but it directly help to enhance acquisition by means of many resources they offer and thanks to their motivating power. Not many people think to the fact that a written novel will never be replaced by novel displayed on the computer screen. The pleasure of reading on an armchair comfortably, turning pages quietly forwards to check some idea previously read is not one that can be equally attained through a screen. The preference of the printed page is a matter of habit, and it is quite probable that the day will arrive when laptop computers, or modern artifacts, will become so widespread as to substitute books. By using computer people will be able to read as comfortably as they choose out side the room, computer activities which involve rebuilding or rearranging texts have proved their value, not to mention the act of reading the instructions that includes CD game or program so they know how to do with the CD effectively, and even more effective in learning intensive reading when the text massages sent by the characters of an interactive computer program. The enormous amount of specific software that has been created for learning English includes the possibility of teaching and training the skill of speaking and listening. The problem is that this program not only make the teaching interactive but also improving the students skill of listening and speaking and the students have the opportunity to practice their dialogues mainly based on drills and do question – answer type with characters belonging to the program, but these are indeed closed dialogues so the students can do as whatever they want but they have to limit themselves on the given text, this experience has been proved to be highly motivating, since many graphic environments of the program offer turn out to be quite realistic. Thus, if the students or learners concentrate on this activity, they may feel up to a certain extent just as if they were really speaking to foreigners or a native speaker, out of the above interactive programs, there are many other programs which offer a possibility of listening to English, mainly with a British or American accent in the case of the majority of games or program, include many encyclopedias too. In grammar any language item is used to be potential of the language target, and this obviously includes, for example, the instructions are written in English, if the programs that must be installed by the students are the latest version of a game or simply one that they really like and can imagine the interest and going to put in order to understand the instruction for the installation quickly. The other advantages of using computer as a teaching aid are; the computer is flexible for the students so they can work at their own speed, and it is good for them. In the case of writing on the computer, especially for the primary students are familiar in using keyboard. So the process of writing is not problem for them, and teachers can get the advantage of enjoyment that the students find in manipulating computers. On the other hand writing essay on paper has not the same attractiveness for the students with writing on a computer and mistakes can be corrected much more easily, and the students do not have to give much importance to the order in which they write their ideas, since they can change the text, and rearrange the ideas, easily according to their need. This way can be used to correcting the grammar and spelling errors or mistakes which has been made by the students, and help the teacher checking or trying to guess the correct option. This system is programmed to adapt to the student’s individual needs. It acquires information about the students current knowledge of a subject and their goals in learning the subject and creates a user profile based on their knowledge. Information Technology based instruction is unique for the students or instructors can communicate with each other anywhere in the world within second via internet for the specific activities of distance learning such as: meeting, chatting, conferencing, or other activity on line task. This program can make the ordinary classes more interesting, give the students opportunity to learn and practice in a different way, for example the teacher are involved in distance education will change the ordinary classes ; the tutors shouldn’t teach an explain the material to much, but they must guide the students to find the rules and explain the instruction. Besides allowing the students and teachers more flexibility as far as time and place are concerned in distance education when the teaching learning process using computers, internet or web tools, a great amount of information can be stored, updated, multiplied, transferred quickly, Besides the advantages there are also some disadvantages in teaching English using computer as a teaching aid. They are;

1. The computer program need to own or have access to a computer with the necessary RAM and operating system
2. This program has a bad effect to our health such as; physical syndrome,  eye disorders which is caused by sitting in front of the computer screen for long periods of time without any blinking)
3. Another bad effect of using computer as teaching aid is a high  cost of education software, and the lack of human interaction in the learning process.

5.SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION

Now days a lot of teachers still depend on the conventional teaching by using marker, white board, charts or book. But over the years, many technical inventions have shaped the educational aids with teachers around themselves. It is the time for teacher to have a reformation in teaching by using computer in order to make our teaching technique more effective and efficient, based on my experience as an English teacher whatever they live, teacher voice always become  doubts, wish, and problems. So teachers are deeply concerned about keeping the best idea, modern methods of teaching, modern teaching aids, and modern program. As teachers we  shall try to prove that we can fulfill students’ expectation by using computers as teaching aids and it can be done even in a countries or villages, where the computer are relative rare in the teaching process. The computer can be a friend or partner for the students or learners to play educational games, or it can be used to illustrate certain operations or programs, to stimulate conversation, and to increase the listening skill by using a computer language laboratory where the students tend to form groups of four or in pairs with a single computer, even by using a single computer individually. Finally, computer language learning gives the student the ability to control not only the pace of their learning, but also, in many cases, the actual content. This because they can choose what to learn, in what order, they can omit lesson they are unnecessary and do extra work-or devote more time to their perceived problem areas. This makes them feel more competent in their learning. Moreover, students tend to prefer the type of exercise where they can control the content and the direction of their learning, such as branching stories, puzzles, logic problems or adventures. All in all we can say that a computer can analyze the specific mistakes of the students made and react in a different way from the usual teacher and not only leads the students self correction, but also to understand the principles behind correct solution. If you are not too worried about not being able to learn in classroom environment, with permanent access to an instructor, computer language learning could be just the thing you are looking for to bring greater motivation to your language learning experience.

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