Advantages and Disadvantages in Using ICT as a Primary Educational Tool for Foreign Languages
ICT, otherwise known as Information Communication Technology is widely spreading around the globe as integral parts, not only of teaching, but in other aspects of human life as well. According to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards,
“Information and communications technology (ICT) is the hardware and software that enables data to be digitally processed, stored and communicated. ICT can be used to access, process, manage and present information; model and control events; construct new understanding; and communicate with others. “
In the context of learning, ICT may be referred to as a necessary tool for any student who desires further learning. The following aims may be attributed to the learning context of ICT,
Ø “develop new thinking and learning skills that produce creative and innovative insights
Ø develop more productive ways of working and solving problems individually and collaboratively
Ø create information products that demonstrate their understanding of concepts, issues, relationships and processes
Ø express themselves in contemporary and socially relevant ways
Ø communicate locally and globally to solve problems and to share knowledge
Ø Understand the implications of the use of ICT and their social and ethical responsibilities as users of ICT. “ ()
Many advantages have been attributed to the use of ICT in learning. The focus of the paper shall be the advantages and disadvantages of the usage of ICT in the learning and teaching of foreign languages.
Discussion
Advantages in the use of ICT are quite numerous to date. We shall discuss the advantages individually. According to the BECTA ICT research, the following benefits can be achieved both in teaching and learning foreign languages with the use of ICT.
Ø Digital resources enable students to maximize learning though their own pace (2004). Due to the fact that ICT involves software and hardware for maximization of learning, it would be relatively easy for students to read and reread the information relayed by the software.
Ø Digital and virtual resources can be slowed down to enable further understanding. Since it is difficult to be learning languages which one may not be familiar to, it would be ideal to slow down or to repeat the lesson to be fully grasped by the student. ICT answers that dilemma by helping the student to take in the lesson slowly, or at the pace of the student.
Ø Communication worldwide, via video conferencing with native speakers can bring real and rich experience (). Through the advent of video conferencing, it would be relatively easier for the learner to employ the use of video conferencing in order to gain further knowledge as to how the language that one is learning be spoken properly. Also, it ay also fuel further interest in the part of the student as to learning, not only the language of the country but the culture and the people as well.
Ø Email correspondence with “e-pals” can have positive impact on grammar, vocabulary and tenses. This can help further the language and grammar acquisition skills of the student. By continually corresponding with native speakers, students would be exposed to the proper usage and placement of words, as well as spelling and grammar (2001).
Ø Individual learners needs can be supported (2004). It is virtually impossible for a teacher to support each and every need of a learner. But through the use of ICT, each of the student’s individual needs is addressed.
Ø Multimedia resources enable teachers to utilize a variety of visual, audio and text experiences in the target language providing MFL teaching and learning through a range of learning styles.
Also, there are many disadvantages that may be associated with the use of ICT.
Ø Disappearance of files. Unlike hardcopy files, softcopy files are easily deleted, and at times could not be accounted for. Through virus, corruptions and other software related mishaps, education with the usage of ICT can be interrupted.
Ø Electricity. Since ICT is located in a hardware that employs the usage of electricity, it may be one of the factors that may lead to the interruption of teaching and learning of foreign languages. Blackouts, power breaks may lead to interruption of learning.
Ø Some net windows may not open. There may be instances when a certain window could not be opened, maybe due to the internet related causes. These occurrences can ultimately lead to interruption of teaching and learning.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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