Technology in the Classroom

Technology in the Classroom

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has a huge range of functions in education such as communication, learning  tools, information sources and distance learning. It attracts students and can succeed in engage and motivate them where other more traditional medias, such as books, may fail.

The use of ICT provides opportunities for students to create and produce their own material. Moreover, offers possibilities for communication and publication in a way that is both personalized and shared such as the case of Blogs  and Wikis, which provide both teachers and students with an  attractive way of presenting materials. Besides, it increases motivation and allows students to express their creativity.

What is more, actually the use of email provides a forum for children to commmunicate  with other and with the teacher.Email can also be used if you set up a partnership  exchange with other classes or schools. There are a number of organizations and websites which facilitate this. Setting up a partnership with other classes or schools can be particularly rewarding way of encouraging children to exchange personal information and develop an interest in other countries and cultures.

On the other hand, there are a lot of materials available for working at primary and secondary level. These  include interactive whiteboard (IWB) materials, CD-ROMs, DVDs and other websites materials, either specifically produced for children learning english as a second or foreign language or L1.This provide instant access to interactive games, stories, songs and other activities. The main issue is to find time to research and track down suitable websites and activities or materials for the age and level of the children you teach and the especific purpose you have in mind. Often the best way to start is to put a suitable search term into an internet search engine such as Google, fo example if you put a phrase such as “stories for young students” you will immediately have a range of suitable sites to visit for what you want.

To conclude, I think that technology is an important tool and teachers have to use it in the classroom because it permits to catch the students attention, to increase motivation  engage them and also make them learn faster and easier. Moreover, if we wish to improve our students reading, writing, speaking or listening we have to use it because it offers a wide variety of materials that we can download and see  any time. A part from that, it encourages students to feel comfortable and thus share opinions, ideas and experiences by using blogs or wikis . Through the Multimedia subject, I have  learnt that it is  beneficial for me and my students because it makes classes more interesting and motivating. So I think that I will always use it in my classroom!.