Computers in the classroom.

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Mike in Japan

#18721 Sat, 10 Jan 04 01:24 AM

Are computers useful in the classroom?
How can they be used to enhance learning English in a group environment?
I plan to use computer/s in class this year, and I'm looking for ideas and opinions.
Please tell us your ideas, experiences and opinions.
Thanks.

Mike in Japan

Joined on Tue, Aug 19 2003

Hazzard County, Japan

Rank NA (4,349)

I do like to be beside the seaside

Learning English

Mike in Japan

#19203 Wed, 14 Jan 04 09:50 AM

Surely someone must be using them?

Mike in Japan

Woodward

#19414 Fri, 16 Jan 04 01:02 AM

They are a useful tool but I think that when they are used as a part of the course, students can easily lose interest in coming to classes as a lot of the information they can get from internet can be done at home. Also it is easy to obtain English courses on CD Rom. It may be good as a compliment to a course, an added bonus like a E-Lab to use will they are waiting or after class.
Then again, having more interactive material other than the static book can be more motivational. Also it can be good for an activity where they have to discover certain info to complete an exercise.
I suppose it depends on how it is used and how much of the class revolves around it.

Woodward

Joined on Tue, Jun 24 2003

A New Zealander in Chile

Senior Member (2,807)

<hint> Don't let schooling interfere with your education.</hint> www.woodward.cl

Mike in Japan

#19681 Mon, 19 Jan 04 09:52 AM

Thanks Woodward. What do you think about using computers for comprehension? In my classes students only ever hear my voice, so I'm toying with the idea of playing short clips of dialogue from sitcoms and movies so students can hear other styles of English, then quizing and coaching them through what was said.
Can it/does it work?
Does anyone have other ideas or experiences?

Mike in Japan

maj

#19685 Mon, 19 Jan 04 10:18 AM

"Students can easily lose interest in coming to classes as a lot of the information they can get from internet can be done at home". That is completely right, they get this feeling so what they say is that they'll copy down the address and say they'll do it at home, but they never do as they don't usually have the time.

maj

Joined on Mon, Mar 31 2003

Senior Member (4,756)

Mike in Japan

#19686 Mon, 19 Jan 04 10:22 AM

Thanks Maj. Can you think of ways that computers CAN be constructive in class?

Mike in Japan

maj

#19687 Mon, 19 Jan 04 10:32 AM

Either guiding them through the net and tell them the exact exercises you would like them to do, or using Webquests. I haven't worked with the latter yet, so I have no on-hands experience.

maj

Woodward

#19701 Mon, 19 Jan 04 02:22 PM

It is good for the students to get a variety of accents so your idea of using clips would be a good. Maybe not entire movies unless you have a free movie night but specific parts of movies/sitcoms could get their interest up since they are a little harder to obtain by internet than pure links to web sites. If you are wondering whether it will work or not, there's only one way to find out. Give it a try! Different students from different countries enjoy or feel comfortable with things that others from other countries may not like.
I have used Side by Side Videos with students which are good for a laugh and a change of accent.
I once met a woman who had a thick Scottish accent at a teaching conference once and I asked her where she was from in Scotland. She said she was from Argentina but her teacher over the years had been Scottish. I wonder how many Aussie-accented Japanese people are running around Japan. I want a sushi MATE!

Woodward

Mike in Japan

#19749 Tue, 20 Jan 04 01:51 AM

That's too close to the truth Woody. Sometimes I hear a slightly Aussie accent reflected in the speech of my students, especially the strong Aussie AY sound ... pay may, day etc.
I don't worry too much about this though because it is usually a sound that most Japanese have difficulty making.
I have noticed that my own accent has changed a lot since I've been teaching, as a result of trying to project a neutral or even slightly British accent. I recently spoke to my brother by phone in Aus. and he said I sounded like a Pom!!! I guess that can't be ALL bad Smile [:)]

How about you Woody? Do you think your speech habits have changed since you started teaching?

Mike in Japan

Accents, British accent

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