Four Common Advantages Of Using ICT In Teaching-Learning Process

“The use of thecnology becomes more important in present times because teachers also have to be able to keep up withe the tecnological knowledge of their student” (Richard, 2014, p.2). Futhermore, the use of technology for teaching, learning, practicing and assessing in foreign language has many advantages. Particularly in the English as a foreign languange (EFL) context where learners have a few opportunities to practice and assess their language skill. In that case, information and communication technology (ICT) has a big role in English Learning Teaching (ELT) in the classroom: enhancing the interacivity between student and teacher, making the teachig learning process easier, having no border but very capable of reaching a broad and global audience, and enhancing the better learning environment.

First of all the use of ICT in the class room enhances the interactivity. It means the use of ICT can increase the level of  interaction between teachers and students. Using computer technology can increase interaction in the classroom and provide more active role in learning. It provides opportunities for a creative and dynamic EFL teacher to tap into this positive aspects to increase challenging activities in his classroom . It can involve and empower students, stimulate thought production, and create more instances of authentic interaction between learners by using the target language.

Secondly, the use of ICT makes the teaching-learning process easier to do since it can be done in everywhere and everytime. For example the use off computer assisted languange learning (CALL), the use of computer also offer other channels of communication between class members and distant learners as well as supplemental practice exercises and tutorial feedback. For example, the use of computer as a listening tool is claimed to be one of the most important learning tools for enhancing EFL students for listening skill. It allows students to learn independently  and receive immediately feedback upon the completion of task (Hoven, 1999)

Chun and Plass (1996) assert that using audio and visual program in teaching-learning process helps the student to understand easier. Most f the CALL programs are filled with picture and voice and when EFL learners visualize the situation so that student can remember the subject better in the long term. Many studies such as Nicola (2002) have also reported that CALL programs for vocabulary development have positive result.

The next is the use of ICT has no border but, it is very capable of reaching a broad and global audience. It enables teacher to upgrade the new methods of ELT from other country. Many ELT resources can be found in internet such as: group discussion, interacive book reading, sound recording, games etc. The use of ICT also can make the teacher easier to give the test or assignment by controlling on a website or aplication such as edmodo. They can prepare their own online tests, for their students, for the courses being taught by them. It allows the student to have global thinking since they can communicate with another student from different country.  Such as in a blog that allows the student to ask questions and give comments. The variety of the materials are available to access both teachers and students.  The use of computer technology and internet encourage EFL learners and open the opportunities to read widely in foreign languange like English. It  can be highly effective for developing vocabulary through wide reading and mastering structures in the target language.

The last is the use of ICT helps EFL learners to promote a constructive class environment. The use also shifts the learning environment from the traditional “teacher-centered” which was tedious towards the “learners-centered”. In addition, EFL learners as passive entity in the pas can move to a student  who is active in the search for the fulfillment of their own needs and to use the language in an autentic situation(Adam & Burns, 1999 ; and Muir-Herzig, 2004). It can motivate the students’ ability in order to complete their assignment by them selves.

In summary, The use of computer technology for teaching, learning, practicing and assessing foreign language has many advantages. Especially in Indonesia which is as one of the countries uses Engish as Foreign Language. The commond advantages by the use of ICT are enhancing the interacivity between student and teacher, making teaching-learning process easier, having no border but very capable of reaching a broad and global audience, and enhancing the better learning environment. To make the use of ICT runs well, the goverment need to support by providing an electronic networks that allow the implementation of ICT its self. 

References 

Richards, J. C. (2014). Foreword. In J. D. D. M. Agudo, (Ed.). English as a foreign language teacher education:Current perspectives and challenges (pp. 1-3). Amsterdam: Rodopi.

Adams, S., & Burns, M. (1999)."Connecting Student, Learning & Technology."  Language Learning and Technology Retrieved 28 September, 2012, from

http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/flash.html

Hoven, D. (1999). "A model for listening and viewing comprehension in multimedia environments." Language Learning & Technology, Vol. 3 (1): 88 - 103.

Cunningham, K. (2000). "Integrating CALL into the writing curriculum." The Internet TESL Journal, 6(5), (Retrieved from http://iteslj.org/Articles/Cunningham- CALLWriting ).

Chun, D. (1994) Using computer networking to facilitate the acquisition of interactive

competence. System, 22, 17–31.