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New technology in the classroomNew technology will be perceived differently depending on who you are and where you?re from. A 65 year old english teacher might see the internet as new. A 20 year old tech-head might see the latest smart phone or gaming device as new while a child from a third world country might see any electrical device as the latest and greatest thing. When teaching in any subject, technology has its advantages and disadvantages. First I will discuss advantages and disadvantages of personal computers which I will refer to as PCs. PCs can help speed up a lot of the work done in a class. Presentations can be pre-prepared and displayed on a big screen while the teacher lectures the class. An added advantage is that the students can review the presentation on their own computer for review or watch it at home in case they missed the class. Mistakes made on computers can be easily fixed without a waste of additional resources. Most of the Internet is written in english, and most people will find themselves wanting to look up some information online at some point in time, and being able to read most of it, instead of just the information in their own language will be a great advantage for them. An advantage of having internet access is that students get access to many dictionaries and online translations and pictures to help them understand something that might have taken quite a while to explain. Another advantage of computers is games and learning exercises. There are many games available online, many free, that would benefit a student of the english language. Some games are multiplayer and will help students compete, have fun and establish rapport with each other. Learning programs such as grammar and spelling can be easily learned and practiced using programs. It is best that the student get taught by a teacher first and then carries out the exercises afterwards or in their free time. Online tutoring is also an advantage of new technology in the class room, students can watch from home and participate in an open conversation with other home students and the lecturer, but it?s often very sterile and lacks the personal feel, fun and rapport that comes with meeting and working with real people in real life. A disadvantage of using technology is that some schools or students may not be able to afford it. Although many IT companies are lowering the price more and more, the price still maybe unavailable for entire classes of students. Some schools or homes may have only slow computers that are not compatible with the software or too slow and hinder the use and learning of the student. Another disadvantage of computers is that work needs to be backed up if not printed; otherwise the student may lose all record of what they have achieved. The biggest disadvantage of using only modern technology is that students won?t get any writing practice and very limited reading of handwriting practice, although tablets are available for computers, the text rarely looks like what you intended to write and 99% of people will never use one in the real world. These are just some advantages and disadvantages for just one piece of modern technology. In summary, technology plays an important role in learning and teaching english, since most books and information on computers is in english. But technology is only a small part in a balanced lesson plan, and it should not be used to replace any particular part of learning entirely. Computers do not offer the support and friendship of other people that is often made in schools and the classroom.
