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New technologies in the classroomAs the world continues to change rapidly and create new, exciting technology for both entertainment and work, we begin to see many of these new technologies enter the classroom setting. Both wanted and unwanted, the new and exciting computerized world is having a big impact in the classroom. Teachers have access to tools that would have been unimaginable twenty years ago. Things like smart-boards, ELMO (overheads), computers and laptops, tablets and cell phones have become common place in many classrooms throughout the world. These tools can help a teacher and improve learning when used correctly. Many schools purchase these expensive pieces of equipment and expect learning or test scores to immediately improve. The technology is great but it is becoming over-relied on and seen as a foolproof method to improve learning. Teachers are the biggest factor in classroom and it is how the teacher uses the tools they have that is important. Technology should be viewed carefully and only as a tool for a teacher. Purchasing large computers or tools for the classroom should be viewed only as an aide or tool for the teacher and not as a solution to a problem in education. These new pieces of technology can help teachers connect classrooms with the rest of the world. Now students learning a language can have an online conversation with another class across the world! It can help make the information more relevant and motivate students. The main investment should always be the teacher. Teachers also should not be relying only on technology. Students may gravitate towards the smart-boards and computers, but should also have the knowledge to do the work without them. Teachers should always have a back up plan and realize technology can and will fail. Students also need to be aware of this. Many times schools want students to learn a second language, but spend money on technology because it is seen as cheaper and better than hiring a teacher. From personal experience, my high school eliminated the teacher and bought a TV distance learning system to watch a teacher at another school teach via the TV. It was ineffective. The teacher did not know any of the students and there was little motivation to succeed or pay any attention. Other skills like writing, penmanship and spelling are all becoming nonexistent and being pushed from curriculums to make way for new skills in technology. Students who turn to technology to learn languages can get some great resources with CDs, books, online tutors and classes that can help. Many will argue, though, that it fails in comparison to having a real teacher. The information online also may not always be accurate or proper language. Slang, improper phrases or abbreviation are good to know to understand a language, but only if you have a foundation of proper grammar and vocabulary. Writing the language instead of typing is also important, especially if a student is going from a language with the Roman alphabet to one with Korean characters or vice versa. It takes work to develop the fine motor skills to be successful in a new language that is so different from your own. Technology in the classroom can have both positive and negative consequences. It is up to teachers and administrators to see it for what it is: a tool to help teachers. Technology can help in education and lead students to information that was not accessible before. Basic skills, however, still need to be taught because as great as these tools are they are only as good as the user.
