How
can we use computers and Internet appropriately?
Anyone
who has searched the Internet for any reason knows how easy
it is to waste hours of their time on unsuccessful and largely
inappropriate tasks. Just because there's a lot of information
out there it doesn't necessarily mean it's all good information
- or that it's easy to find.
It's
the same for teachers and students. Using computers and
the Internet requires thought, experience and preparation
if it is not to be time wasting and ultimately frustrating.
If we take a decision to use computers and the Internet,
there are some things we should take into consideration
first.
Know what we want our students to do with it so that we
can explain the tasks to them in a way that they will
understand.
Know how to do what we want our students to do so that
we can help them to get where they want to go and, as
a result, achieve what we want them to achieve.
Select computer and Internet tasks because they are best
done on the computer - rather than just duplicating tasks
that could be done perfectly well with books, pens and
paper.
Restrict the size of the tasks so that they are achievable
and don't get students ensnared in endless and wasteful
searches and activities.
Use our good teacher common sense - which means evaluating
computer tasks and materials with the same rigour as we
would any other teaching aid or materials.
If
all this sounds too teacher-centred it is important to say
that student-led computer use is of course highly desirable
(so that the teacher does not always dominate). But we do
need to be satisfied that such use is purposeful, promoting
language learning rather than just expending time.
The
Development Pack with this
module offers different opinions about what computers and
the Internet are good for, and how we should view them,
together with examples of good Internet-based activities.
The
pack includes articles by Dede Teeler, Andrew Foley and
myself. Click here to find out
more about subscribing to access the Development Packs -
and to join in the online discussions.
Hope
to see you in the next live chat session in The
Forum!
Jeremy
