EGBERT Ch. 9. Limitations, Caveats, and Challenge
Which of the limitations, caveats, and challenges with regards to computer assisted language learning apply to your current (or future) classrooms? How could these be overcome?
It is refreshing that Egbert balances his text with examples of how technology can be counterproductive. It seems that rather than focusing on the goal: LEARNING--too many excuses are given as to how handwriting or spelling problems can be ameliorated or excused because of the computer. What about the day when the lights and batteries go out, and someone has to add numbers without a calculator or write by hand? Perhaps it is the generational difference, but at one time in the educational system you just had to learn even what you didn't want to, or fail. BTW, that meant getting a "D" or "F" with no excuses. And learning the language in France meant French! Again, no excuses!
Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful to have all the technological
advantages in the world, but it does not replace a teacher who knows how to communicate the subject material.
Last night, I saw one of our own, Joleen, stand up in front of a class for 20 minutes and teach a grammar point (the use of the "fantasy" conditional sentence with the "IF" clause; e.g., If I were rich, I would take us all to Pico de Gallo. No use of computer, blackboard, and just a few hand outs. She knew it, and knows how to teach it. She called on people by name to respond, and helped them out with hints until they got it right. So, taking a teacher like this: technology can be used for homework assignments on the blog or to reinforce via a website, but it is easiest to learn the materia from no other medium but LIVE.
Thanks Joleen!
in the first place. Kidspiration helped us older kids plan the interview and think about what we wanted to say. So just using the outline, we had a great interview hoping that we could inspire learners to tell us WHY they wanted to learn English.
