Technology and TEFL - Helpful or Hindrance?
It seems that today’s smartphone generation can’t go two minutes without checking their phone. TikTok, Instagram, Twitter… the entire internet is one tap away. As we move through the Information Age, the use of technology in the classroom is becoming increasingly popular. Online learning platforms, Virtual Reality and ever growing app stores - some would say the growth in technology is an asset to education, while some would argue it’s nothing but a hindrance. Should we embrace a technology filled TEFL classroom, or should we do as the French do and ban it on entry?
Technology has many benefits to education. There are some studies, such as one published by Cambridge University Press, that argue that the use of technology in the classroom speeds up language learning. As long as the technology you choose to use is embedded properly within your syllabus, it can have a hugely positive impact on your students. The technology you choose to use doesn’t need to be expensive or the most hi-tech. Some teachers choose to take advantage of free apps such as Whatsapp to keep an eye on student motivation levels, provide students with learning materials and aid group work. Using free apps that students are already familiar with means they are easy to integrate within the learning environment.
The Information Age that we’re in now isn’t going anywhere, and technology is becoming more frequent in our daily lives. An advantage to incorporating it into your teaching is that your students become more comfortable and confident using technology, and this will benefit them in their future careers. Almost all jobs today involve at least some form of technology, so more exposure to it can only be a benefit.
Reliability is a common argument against technology in the classroom. Disruption in a lesson disrupts students, which in turn disrupts learning. If your students are spending half the lesson simply trying to get the technology to work, there’s less time for learning. The integration of technology needs to be seamless and if it isn’t, the whole focus of the lesson is shifted. The nature of EFL teaching means you might find yourself in remote parts of the world with little to no technological resources, and Wi-Fi networks that are commonly weak and unreliable. In this instance, pen and paper would be a much more favourable resource to minimise disruption in the lesson.
Some argue that technology creates a barrier between students. Once upon a time, you would find students engaged in conversation before a lesson began. Even during a lesson (although often discouraged) students would conversate between each other, sharing thoughts and opinions. A more familiar sight nowadays is to walk into a classroom to see students with all eyes glued to their phones. Discussion between ESL students, especially in a mulit-lingual class, increases exposure to the English language. This is a key part of creating successful learning - the more your students can be exposed to the English language, the better and easier they’ll pick it up. Phones have the potential to be a great distraction in the classroom. When a student shifts their attention to their phone, they lose the flow of the lesson and become distracted. A distracted student is a disengaged student, and we know that engagement is the key to successful learning.
Having said that, phones in the classroom can have an educational benefit. If your students want to do some quick independent research, or even look up a word in the dictionary, they can do so without having to get up or leave the room. They don’t need to go to a computer suite, log on, and wait for the programmes to load. They can do a quick Google search in a matter of seconds. Phones are also a great resource for pronunciation practice. Get students to film themselves or their peers (with permission) to watch their own pronunciation back.
Technology in the classroom can be a great tool for getting your students engaged. Your ability to present information is improved when you introduce technology. Using quizzing technologies, or incorporating work on smart whiteboards are great examples of creating interactive learning experiences. You are likely to see more active learning from your students when you incorporate technology into your lessons. There’s far more opportunity for your students to collaborate with each other using technology and the more collaboration you can include, the more engaged your students become.
No matter your stance on the argument, it is a matter of fact that the students of today live in a vastly digital world. For a lot of teachers, embracing all technology has to offer is part of creating a positive learning environment in which students can thrive. If you want to enhance the use of technology in your own classroom, there are so many resources you might want to look into. Some of our favourites include BBC Learning English, UsingEnglish, Kahoot and English Media Lab.
