Reflections on Language Learning and Technology 3

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Literacies and Technology Tools/Trends
Bob Godwin-JonesVirginia Commonwealth University

Summary:

READING

The electronic resources instructors provide many opportunities to the students in order that they can understand the texts easily. Optimized formats for screen reading, and glosses are well-known. But, many texts on the web are not optimized for either screen reading or print. Some CD-ROOM programs make use of multimedia to help text comprehension; for example Cyberbuch makes use of video and graphics in order to help the comprehension of texts. Other programs , for example annotext and GALT work with second language texts.Some web sites are presenting texts Web-formatted versions and in PDF, order that people can read on paper.

WRITING

Networks have provided opportunities for collaboration, mutual proofing, and shared writing. E-mail is one of the most used forms of CMC. In addition, the teachers are using e-mail to communicate with students ,and students are using it too in order to interact with language learners or native speakers. A project to facilitate the use of e-mail exchanges in language learning is called The Tandem Network .Other forms of CMC are Web-based bulletin boards or discussion forums, one example of forum is Web Crossing .The chat rooms are also popular and they can be effective in small groups, they are used to connect language learners and native speakers to talk about concrete topics.

ELECTRONIC LITERACY

The students are able to use the computers to learn how to use e-mail, word processing, and the Web.
The students are very familiar in the use of multimedia use/creation owing to MP3.Nowadays , the access to all forms of Internet-delivered audio and video has become much easier . In fact, in the case of softwares, installation of players and browser-linked helper applications is easy too.
The trend in the software industry has been the use of PDF or HTML formats.


OUTLOOK: STANDARDS AND UNIFORMITY?

One of the problems of computer literacy is the lack of accepted standards in many areas. For example, Microsoft’s new electronic book format is not compatible with Palm hand-held. The same thing occurs with “Instant Messenger” that can not interact with other instant messaging system, for example yahoo or Microsoft.

Reflection:

Technology everyday surprises us, in this occasion we have learned the use of electronic resources instructors ,they are good way to improve reading skills. Apart from that, we have known the use of CMC (forum, chat room ,and e-mail) to develop writing skills. But, the problem is that one thing is having technology for teaching and another thing very different is knowing how to use technology for teaching; in other words, Is the integration of technology in the classroom enough to provide learning in reading and writing skills? From my point of view , I do not think so because it is a process that depends on the teacher and the students ; the curriculum has to change.