Applied Technology in Language Teaching

 APPLIED TECHNOLOGY IN LANGUAGE TEACHING

There are many things that can be used by educators to the role of information and communication technologies to support the learning process such as: the use of E-Learning, E-Book, E-Dictionary, E-Mail, E-Library, E-Magazine, TV-Education, English News on TV / radio, Education Interactive Games, Interactive Education CD, English Song, English Movie, Blog and website utilization, for illustration animation software, presentation software, English Spelling Check, English Translator, Blended Learning, CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning), Video Teleconference, flash cards using ICT, Discussion Forum Such as using social media: Twitter, Facebook, Skype, etc.

1.      E-learning

E-learning or online learning is learning through the implementation of technology supported by services such as telephone, audio, videotape, satellite transmissions, or computer. As with media education courses or distance learning (distance learning) and the cyber classroom. There are three Internet-based learning system in E-learning.

a.       Web Course

Is the use of the internet for the purposes of learning where teaching materials, discussion, consultation, assignments, exercises and exams via Internet or no face to face in the process of learning as the process of distance education (distance Education); virtual university.

b.      Web Centric Course

Unlike the Web Course, Web Centric Course which emphasizes learning materials, discussion, consultation, assignment, and exercises over the internet. Exams, and some consultations, discussions and exercises in person face to face that made the percentage of the smaller learning process. Like the university off campus.

c.       Web Enhanced Course

Is the use of the Internet for learning purposes only where the internet to support learning activities in person, or the percentage of face to face is done in a larger learning process.

2.      E-Library
An online library containing 800 billion information about science, etc..

3.      Virtual University

An application of the process of distance education, virtual university which is one of the convenience provided internet services for learners who have difficulties in terms of time face to face, and certainly in the process does not diminish the quality of education.

                                A.        EdukasiNet
An internet-based learning sites; article, the design of teaching, teaching materials, education projects, curriculum, tutoring, distribution centers and publishing, discussion forums, school magazine Interactive, a video teleconference (group discussion centered on the Global School Network, CU-SeeMe-schools @ gsn.org), TV Education, and search engines. Other forms of internet development in media education Online Lab (Virtual Laboratory), Data base material that was updated, RealtimeWeb sharing and discussion.

                              B.           Jardiknas

Jardiknas is a Wide Area Network (WAN) of National Education Jardiknas scale consists of four zones of the network, include: (1) Jardiknas Office / institution (DiknasNet), (2) Jardiknas Higher Education (Inherent), (3) Jardiknas School (SchoolNet) , and (5) Jardiknas Teachers and Students (TeacherNet and StudentNet). Jardiknas benefits generally include:

                                              1.          Increasing the speed of an integral information services, interactive, complete, accurate and easily obtainable.

                                              2.          Providing data and information in an integrated education.

                                              3.          Create a culture of transparent and accountable.

                                              4.          It is a reliable media education campaign.

                                              5.          Improve communication and interaction both locally and internationally.

                                              6.          Access a variety of teaching materials from around the world, and

                                              7.          Increase the efficiency of various educational activities.

Synchronous and asynchronous communication tools are used to facilitate collaboration between individuals and groups of people, and are particularly useful for e-learning environments. Synchronous communication occurs in real time and can take place face-to-face, and as technology has evolved, can take place irrespective of distance (ex. telephone conversations and instant messaging). Asynchronous communication is not immediately received or responded to by those involved (ex. emails and message board forums which allow people to communicate on different schedules). To enhance collaboration between people, many software applications offer a blend of synchronous and asynchronous technology. The focus of this wiki is an examination of synchronous and asynchronous communication tools for e-learning and collaboration.

Historically, synchronous communication was only available either in person with spoken word or within line of sight using signals. The telegraph and later the telephone extended synchronous communication beyond line of sight. Radio communication began to remove the restrictions of place by allowing people to communicate from wherever they had the appropriate equipment to send and receive signals. Today, synchronous communication includes satellite, cell phone, and internet technologies and allows people to work together instantaneously regardless of their location.

Asynchronous communication first developed when people were able to scratch out small pictographs. This type of communication was refined with the creation of written language. Until recently, communicating across great distances was only possible asynchronously, as messages were written and then carried to their recipients. Response time for this communication was dependant on the distance that needed to be traveled and the conditions faced by the couriers. Furthermore, the messages could be easily lost or intercepted. The creation of modern postal systems greatly improved the reliability of asynchronous communication. The Internet, and new developments in storage media, remote access, and cloud technology, has revolutionized asynchronous communication. Groups of people are now able to utilize asynchronous communication to work collaboratively on projects with no time or place barriers.

Synchronous communication tools

Advantages

• Real-time collaboration.
• Immediate response and feedback.
• Many low-cost and free solutions.
• Most useful for 1 to 1 communication.
• Video/web conferencing allow for body language and tone of voice.

Disadvantages

• Interactions can be focussed on task-related issues (Park and Bonk, 2007).
• Lack of reflection between collaborators.
• Instant messaging does not allow for tone of voice or body language.
• If technology fails the collaboration session not possible.
• Large time commitment for collaborators.
• Difficult for one to many communication.
• Lacks documentation.

Asynchronous communication tools

Advantages

• Available anytime.
• Available anyplace.
• Can incorporate a variety of media (LMS, Google Wave, Elluminate).
• Documentation of collaboration process (cloud technology).
• Can be used for one to one communication and one to many communication.

Disadvantages

• No immediate feedback.
• Difficult to keep track of collaboration (email overload).
• Technology can be costly.
• Information must be organized and searchable or it is lost.