(3) A critical analysis of five key technologies
(1) Interactive whiteboards Upside Saving ‘always-on’ Internet generic software available audio in one place screen reveal Downside Need to calibrate Time to learn! Cost Business English software? Can encourage Teacher- centred classroom
(2) Virtual Learning Environments Upside Information on demand Appropriacy Pre-course tasks Downside Time-consuming to learn ‘blended courses’ pleasing no-one Cost issues (Blackboard to Moodle) Robustness issues (Nicenet) Features: Assignments / Chatrooms / Questionnaire /Quizzes / Forum / Glossary / Handouts
Same time same place Same time different place Different time different place Same place different time Focus on appropriacy Synchronous Asynchronous
(3)Podcasts Upside Portability Learner control Authentic materials – ESP DIY Downside ‘Wrong kind of podcast’ Authoring – not for every teacher
(4) Wikis Upside Collaborative Process writing ‘history’ to see changes Downside Not intuitive Not everyone wishes for peer correction
(5) Interactive practice materials Upside Analytical learners Anytime practice Instant feedback Good for ‘crisp’ areas Tracking tools Downside ‘Skewer’ language Over-emphasise Stimulus-response Qualitative vs quantative