Article review 3

Review 3


Computer-based technology in foreign Lang education by Scott Windham

This article is based on an experimental research which is done by the writer and he begins the article with his own experience about the lack of time and enough resources for conducting a scientific assessment of learning outcomes, but three pieces of evidence lead him to conclude that the use of internet-based resources represents a true innovation in lg instruction. First many of these resources correspond more closely than traditional resources to the theories that inform his teaching practice. in fact students learn best when they engage the target lg in aculturally rich and culturally significant contex.he notes that students responses to the new resources, as measured by informal (verbal) in-class surveys and formal(written) course assessments, have been enthusiastic; for the most part, students note in their evaluations that these resources aid their learning. Additionally, student skills in at least two of the four critical areas, listening and reading have improved as measured by comprehension exercise conducted as homework or in class for Windham, the writer of this article ,improved access to an ever-expanding list of teaching and learning resources represents the greatest advantage of internet. As he mentions, he regularly assigned TV and radio broadcast and newspaper articles as homework in his last semester of teaching. Something virtually unthinkable only 10 years ago. The number of available resources continues to grow, making possible activities had not been even imagined before.

He continues that online technology can help us about the materials that had a tendency to get lost or deteriorate in the sometimes haphazard storage system of individual instructors.

At the next section of this article he states that there have been obstacles to integrating Web-based materials to curriculum. While many teaching fellows embrace the new technologies, other resist their integration into the shared syllabi, out of fear that new materials will require more preparation time than standard materials from a text book. He continues that beyond that, both insufficient funding for the development and maintenance of web-based materials and a lack of institutional support for a dedicated computer-technology teaching fellow in some universities force a few teaching fellows to maintain the site on their own.

At the end he notes that this problem notwithstanding, the internet has revolutionized the way Lang is taught simply by providing more and better resources-and better access than were previously available. The last 15 years have been a period of tremendous change in using this new technology in teaching English. As resources and institutional support continue to expand, students and instructors a like are sure to realize even greater benefits.

Critique:

This article aims at insisting on the importance of the use of technology aids, especially those related to computers. In fact the writer believes that it has to be a common feature of the classroom. There is no doubt that computer-based instruction will occupy a more central role in the second Lang classroom in the future. In this article the writer gives us some key points about the importance of this new technology and these are so close to Jones and Sato's(1998) suggestion:

•computer-based communication technologies facilitate the attainment of course goals.

•The teachers require to train and work with new technology.

•It serves the needs of teachers and students.

•it helps teachers make more efficient use of class time.

At the end this article and its insistence on the use of computer-based technology in foreign Lang education is according to rapid development of technologies during the recent years.

As the conclusion I should include that a paper of this length can not completely cover the topic of computer-based technology in foreign Lang teaching. I like to add to these notes that each teacher will have to find her own way, based on the goals of the teacher and the program, the needs of the students and the materials and technology available. A good and up to date teacher has to attempt to optimally combine her own goal, her students' needs and the power of technology-enhanced classroom.

References:

1)Beld,T.(2004).The technology enhanced lg classroom:

Pedagogically informed technology for second lg acquisition

2)Baily,M et al(2004).Technology-based lg and culture projects at the university Texas.

3)Richards,J.AND Rodger,T(1986).A brief history of language teaching.

4)Met,m(2004).Teaching culture:what and how:

Emerging technologies for teaching foreign languages and culture.