scholarly journals THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN ESP: CURRENT PRACTICES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ESP TEACHER EDUCATION

Author(s):  
Elis Kakoulli Constantinou ◽  
Salomi Papadima-Sophocleous

Developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have transformed the way people communicate, interact and also the way they learn. ICT tools are widely used in language teaching and learning, and the benefits have been repeatedly expressed in literature. ESP is yet another area of language education that has been affected by these developments. Despite the fact that there are ESP practitioners who utilise technologies in their teaching, more research is needed in order to identify how widely technology tools are used in ESP, so that action is taken to empower practitioners and provide them with the help they need in order to integrate technology in their practices.  This paper reports on the findings of a study conducted among 67 ESP practitioners from Tertiary Education in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, the data of which were obtained through the use of an electronic questionnaire. The paper aims at examining the profiles of ESP practitioners in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus describing their use of technology (hardware and software) for the preparation and delivery of their courses. Furthermore, it outlines ESP practitioners’ views on the inclusion of a component on the use of technology in ESP teacher education. The paper concludes with suggestions regarding opportunities for professional development on issues related to the integration of ICT tools in ESP teaching and learning.

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Zahid Hussain Sahito

We are living in an era of technology where everything demands knowledge, understanding, and handling of digital technology. Technology has renewed all spheres of social and professional lives and in this regard teaching and communication are not exceptional. Effective use of technology for real Communication is widely followed in teaching and teachers need to know the use of ICTs in classrooms for delivering lessons to inculcate sound knowledge and understanding of concepts. It is found that despite the significant impacts of ICTs on teaching and learning teachers are reluctant to use technical aids in the classroom. They report various issues that hamper them to use technology in their day-to-day teaching practices; moreover, a majority of teaching professionals are not convinced that they can make their teaching more and more effective by using technology. The paper aims to find out the CHALLENGES THE teachers face to use ICTs in classrooms and perceptions of teachers about the same. A qualitative research method was used to carry out the study.  A well-designed questionnaire comprising of open-ended questions was served to randomly selected serving teachers from government schools of District Khairpur. The responses of the participants were analyzed to identify the challenges faced by the teachers while using ICT during the teaching and learning process. The collected data was analyzed and it was found out that teachers find it difficult to use technology in classrooms because they are not provided appropriate computers, technical support, and professional training to learn to use technology. It was also identified that because of time constraints teachers are unable to use ICTs in their teaching practices. Further, it was explored that teachers believe that teachers have limited perceptions about technology as they hold the view that technology just wastage their time. Based on findings, it was concluded that the integration of ICT tools is highly effective as it makes students more creative, productive, and hard-working as compared to traditionally managed classrooms. Schools administrations should provide not only the technology but also technical assistance to the teachers. Schools administrations need to help teachers to know the importance of ICTs and to use it for a meaningful purpose to improve the standard of education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-92
Author(s):  
Rakhi Chitnis ◽  

Information and communication technology is a boon to modern society. It emerges with so many different ways to help the students in teaching and learning. But the question arises whether the students, especially of secondary grade, are using these ICT tools effectively? To find out, a study was carried out in Indore city, India. The study was a descriptive type with the sample size of 200 students of different secondary schools. The study was focused on the availability of ICT tools and its use by students other than school. A questionnaire is designed to collect the data.The study used various statistical techniques to analyze the data. Z-test, were used. Study concluded that the students have easy access to ICT tools outside the school but these tools are less used effectively for learning purpose as compared to other activities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-261
Author(s):  
Filomena Soares ◽  
Ana Paula Lopes ◽  
Anna Cellmer ◽  
Anne Uukkivi ◽  
Carolina Rebollar ◽  
...  

AbstractEmbracing tertiary education system represents the beginning of a transition and adjustment period for several students. Most of these have just finished high school where the environment is strictly defined, controlled, stable and attendance is mandatory. Higher Education changes the role of students’ responsibility and this can cause stress and difficulty in the transition to self-directed learning and autonomy promotion. The purpose of this paper is to present an Erasmus+ project that brought together six Higher Education Institutions from different European countries and to describe its current stage. This project aims to develop a shared understanding of engineering mathematics at an early stage of tertiary education and to raise awareness of cultural, professional and educational issues. The initial focus of the work is on the partners’ mutual interest in active learning, particularly the application of Information and Communication Technology in the field of engineering education. When finalised, the project hopes to provide students with a new authentic engineering mathematics subject which meets their needs. This is also the core reason why the on-line course will be composed using innovative pedagogics and ICT tools, as appropriate pedagogics supports students’ procedural, conceptual and application understanding in mathematics and enhances digital competencies, literacy and skills.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 803-813
Author(s):  
Deepak Chakravarty, Dr. Mahima Gupta, Prof. Banhi Jha

In today’s modern world, globalization has completely changed the way of working. The way we live, learn, work, and even define work has changed due to new information and communication technologies—Hence, it can stated that human capital fuel up the modern economy. In reality, the information and communication technology revolution has turned intelligence into a valuable commodity. In today's economy, economic growth is based on mental intelligence rather than physical strength, and its worth is generated by recruiting knowledgeable workers and continuing to learn. Incorporating information and communication technology (ICT) into vocational and technical education and the educational system in general has a vast range of consequences on teaching and learning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Novita Putri ◽  
Wiratama Adi Wibawa

The development of information and communication technology is now a major effect on manyaspects of life, even human behavior and activities are now a lot depends on the information andcommunication technology. One example is the use of technology in teaching and learning, namely withthe game. The game is already familiar to the students. When students are lazy to read books whilestudying, they are cool to play games. Therefore, the author makes an effective solution in learning sothat they are not lazy to study. This game was designed with the concept of 2D so it can be run onsmartphones that have lower specs. To build this game, the author uses Unity 3D 5.4. So, students canlearn with pleasure and do not get bored while studying.


Author(s):  
Saheed Ige Adetunbi ◽  
A. T. Kareem ◽  
B. A. Oyebamiji

The study was motivated by the need to harness technological advancement to enhance agricultural production in Osun State. The study assessed the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools for sharing of agricultural related information in Osun State, Nigeria. The study illustrated the socio economic characteristics of the Respondent, identified the available ICT tools for sharing of various agricultural related information, identified agricultural related information shared through various available ICT tools, measured the frequency of utilization of the identified ICT tools and assessed the severity of challenges encountered by Respondent in the utilization of ICT tools in the study area. Sixty percent of Extension Agents in each of the three zones in the study area were sampled. The data collected were examined using descriptive statistics tools while regression analysis was used to test the significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of Respondents and their frequency of utilization of ICT Tools for sharing of agricultural related information in the study areas. The analysis of the data was carried out with the use of SPSS version 22. The findings revealed that the average age of Respondents was 39 years; more than half of the respondent (67.1%) were male; most (81.4%) of the respondent were married; majority (68.6%) of the respondent were Christian; about (70%) of the respondent had tertiary education. The mean household size was 5 members per household; majority of the respondents belonged to one association or the other and they access the internet with their own data plan. Radio (wms 2.7) was ranked first as most available ICT tools for sharing information in the study area. Furthermore, information on availability and sources of farm inputs (wms2.3) was ranked most shared information while information on storage facilities (wms1.0) was ranked the least shared information by the Respondents. Also, the initial cost of procurement of ICT gadgets, cost of maintenance, risk of theft of gadget, and fluctuating power supply were the major challenges encountered with the use of various ICT tools. Regression analysis identified a significant relationship between selected socio-economic characteristics of the Respondents and frequency of Utilization of ICT Tools for sharing Agriculture related information. The study recommended use of Radio as medium through which agricultural related information should be shared bearing in mind its ease of access, little cost of procurement and maintenance, extent of reach and frequency of usage among the respondents. Provision of access to internet facility was recommended in order to afford respondents a limitless right to use information on the World Wide Web. Finally, alternative source of power to enable respondents recharge their ICT gadgets was recommended to make up for unreliable electricity supply.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-206
Author(s):  
Maja Briški ◽  
Bojan Verbič

Abstract Regarding the situation related to Covid-19, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia in the spring of 2020 wanted to change the way of participation in the sessions of the National Assembly and its working bodies by means of information and communication technology. The main purpose and gole was that even in the case of physical absence of some of MPs, the National Assembly could still perform its constitutionally determined role. With a view of remote participation (debate and voting), the rules of procedure had to be amended first. The article deals with legal dilemmas when changing the rules of procedure and with subsequent technical realisation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Rachel Mendes ◽  
Kyria Rebeca Finardi

Globalization brought about many changes to the current society's life and mindset and thus, some new challenges to linguistic education, more specifically, foreign language education, have emerged as a consequence of these changes. This paper aims at reflecting upon some impacts of globalization on pre-service English as Foreign Language (hereafter EFL) teacher education in Brazil. Based on the literature review, the paper addresses the changes in the concepts of language, culture and identity related to cultural hybridity and the impact of new information and communications technology on the use, teaching and learning of foreign languages. It concludes that curricula for EFL teacher education programs in Brazil should be reviewed in order to focus more on glocal knowledge and digital literacy for a 21st century aligned education.


Author(s):  
Airen Adetimirin

Deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning affords learners' flexibility in learning such that they can learn as individuals or groups. The dissemination of information by lecturers to learners will also be facilitated by the use of ICT. The University of Ibadan designed a courseware development programme for 20 female lecturers to improve the use of technology for teaching and research. Data was collected using a questionnaire, interview and secondary data. Results revealed that the lecturers found the programme very relevant, appropriate but demanding. The major challenges were limited access to some of the technologies, fluctuation in internet connectivity and poor ICT literacy skills. Improvement in the level of ICT use requires the development of relevant infrastructure and ICT literacy training which were identified as critical for its successful deployment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 99-112
Author(s):  
Mzomba Nelson Dludlu ◽  
Nomsa Mndzebele

In Swaziland, ICT integration in teaching and learning is at the infancy stage. Learning opportunities provided by the increasing use of technology in classrooms are not being harnessed in secondary schools. The purpose of the study was to describe ICT integration in the teaching and learning of Agriculture in relation to complexity and the compatibility of the ICT tools in Swaziland. Specific objectives were (1) to describe the complexity of ICT tools as perceived by the teachers and (2) to further describe the compatibility of ICT tools in relation to the teachers’ experiences. A descriptive correlational design employing a mixed method approach was used to conduct the study. Data was collected using a Semi-structured interview guide and a survey questionnaire. The population for the study was (N=325) involving all secondary school Agriculture Teachers (N= 312) and key informants who were Agricultural Education Administrators (n=13). The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) guided the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. With regard to complexity findings revealed that (1) computers make teaching of complex concepts easy, (2) computer use fits well in my curriculum goals, and that (3) learning to use ICT in teaching is a challenge. In overall findings indicated that the ICT tools were less complex to use by the Agriculture Teachers while teaching. The study further revealed that complexities of ICT use by Agriculture teachers were brought about by the age of teachers and the frequent changing of technologies. In relation to compatibility of ICT usage findings revealed that Agriculture Teachers agreed that (1) ICT is quick in meeting information needs, (2) Working with computers make them feel comfortable, (3) ICT use in teaching was very convenient, (4) Agriculture requires more ICT assistance, (5) computers brought positive changes in the schools, and that (6) computer use suits the learners needs. The study further indicated that Agriculture teachers perceived that ICT devices were (7) compatible with existing practices, (8) ICT philosophy was compatible with the subject content, and that (9) ICT integration allows well demonstration of real situations. It is recommended that a policy articulating the need and usage of ICT integration to support teaching and learning be enacted, thus, compelling Internet service providers to extend their bandwidth of Internet to all schools. It is further recommended, that ICT integration pedagogical skills be part of all pre-service and in-service teacher preparatory programmes.


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