Computers and learning

Young learners can learn from computers and with computers.

A class of young learners might share just a few computers. When these students work on an English lesson together at the computer, they have the opportunity to help each other in English. They may clarify or model the English instructions for one another, or give feedback on their partners’ work.

Software designed for students learning English emphasizes vocabulary learning, phonetic awareness, and basic literacy skills. The teacher considers how well the software addresses children’s sensory learning styles (visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic) and multiple intelligences; whether the software provides opportunities for individual, pair, and group work; whether it provides opportunities to repeat and recycle concepts; whether it provides opportunities to use different learning strategies; whether it provides feedback on performance; and whether it contains features that appeal to children, such as colorful visuals, music, animation, and game-like activities, all of which play a part in student motivation.

It is also important to consider the degree of user-friendliness of the software, and the degree to which children can use different functions and operations on their own, without constant help from the teacher.

The use the Internet with young learners

There are many good reasons to use the Internet by students:

-Authentic Language
The Internet is an excellent source of authentic English which is available at the touch of a button. In many countries it may be difficult or expensive to get hold of English language magazines or newspapers. The Internet can substitute for these.

-Reference Materials
The Internet is the fastest growing and most comprehensive encyclopedia in the world, with information on everything.

-Communication Tools
With email and chat, the Internet is one of the cheapest and most popular ways to keep in touch, giving a new slant to the idea of pen pals.

Some ideas for using the Internet are:

-Class Twinning

The teacher contacts a teacher in another school, maybe even in another country, and pairs each of his students with a student in that teacher's class. He can then set his students homework tasks for which they have to co-operate using email.
-Listening

The Internet is a rich source of listening material.

The mobile phone

For testing reading students may be asked to read a passage from the text and it can be recorded by using the mobile phone. The recorded sound clipping can be replayed to the student and asked to identify the errors made by him in reading the text. The student becomes excited to listen to his own voice on the mobile phone and he corrects the mistakes in reading.

The voice recorder can be used to practice oral skills. The students can be asked to record the conversation and replay it. Teacher can record or download audio clippings from Internet or movies and play them in the classroom. Students listen to them and answer the teacher’s questions.

Another important tool on the mobile phone is video recorder. Video clippings about different events, scenes from the plays and movies can be taken from the internet and played for the students. It is used as a useful resource for organizing and expressing students thoughts and ideas in simple language. Teacher corrects the mistakes at the end f each presentations.

Camera is also an important tool. Beautiful pictures taken by the students can be used for group discussion. Teacher can make the students speak about their personal experience by using them.

Mobile dictionary is used to find out the meaning of unknown words

Advantages of mobile phones for learning and teaching:

-motivation is increased

-4 skills are developed

-English is used for communicating

Disadvantages:

-Not all students have mobile phones

-Activities such as browsing the Internet, sending messages cost money

-The students attention may be diverted to unnecessary web sites