Boumalne Dades - The Advantages of Using ICT in the EFL classroom
Boumalne Dades – The Advantages of Using ICT in the EFL classroom
Information and Communication Technology, or ICT as it is widely known, is an elongation of the more commonly used Information Technology (IT) acronym. ICT is focused on Tele-communication devices such as the Internet, smart-phones and so on. Basically, it is an umbrella concept that stands for every technological device that stores, receives or transfers information. Due to the fact that people nowadays, especially Digital natives, are very familiar with technology, teachers, and educational systems all over the world began incorporating ICT into their classes, which has greatly impacted the world of teaching and learning.
The integration of technology into the academic world carries both benefits and disadvantages. Besides making the students motivated and willing to learn, technology provides them with opportunities to use the language they study meaningfully by means of authentic materials and contexts, such as videos, online websites, interviews, and so on. This is a more engaging and authentic way to learn, less abstracted from the real world.
Additionally, Information and Communication Technology in the classroom encourages students to collaborate and cooperate with one another. Via ICT, Students can keep in touch with each other even outside of the classroom. They can prepare multimedia projects together using Skype, for example. The use of ICT, with its variegated forms of media, is also better suited to meet the various learning needs of students. Some students are visual learners, for whom videos are perfect. Others are auditory learners, who can benefit from radio broadcasts and lectures, others are oral learners who learn by speaking, etc. This variety in adapting materials creates an engaging in-class experience, and provides students with a stress-free environment.
Furthermore, learners get used to becoming independent and responsible for their own learning. They can even do many Web-based activities at home. Finally, for all these mentioned benefits, and according to many studies done about the integrating of ICT in EFL classrooms, it is believed that the use of ICT can enhance foreign and second language learning. Also, both teachers and students feel at ease with using technology in class instead of the chalk and board that are getting relatively outdated. However, the use of technology in EFL class is increasing gradually. This is a good step that will let schools use the materials we use in the real life in order to have a stress-free environment where learning can occur.
Edited by Ilona Alexandra. To read the part 1
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