The continuing spread of technology in language learning fascinates me. It seems that every week some new innovation occurs. What is more, I am surprised at how the students perceive these innovations and how these changes affect students. An interesting example of this can be seen in the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Labs at Kansai Gaidai.
The labs contain computers providing a variety of software and internet access. Many of my courses use the CALL Labs on a regular basis. The students tell me that one of the things they like most about our class is using the computers for word processing. Composing on the computer, they tell me, is more fun than composing with paper and pen.
A number of student assignments are submitted electronically via email. And students have learned how to transfer data from their home computers to the school computers without even resorting to a flash memory stick, which is another technological marvel in itself.
A typical class in the lab might use the internet for students to read something. They might also look at video clips, listen to audio, and use teacher-designed online quizzes. In fact, the CALL labs are always busy because we use them so much.
In my writing class, one of the most entertaining CALL lab activities for students is using Mixi. This is a popular website where people can meet and communicate. The website allows users to create their own home page and weblogs, which Mixi calls diaries. My students write Mixi diaries in English. They share these diaries with their friends. Because their friends read the diaries, the students are motivated to write about what interests them. Some of them exchange messages with their friends using English too. They can also make friends with English speakers. Even students who usually don’t enjoy writing have a good time writing English diaries on Mixi. While writing the diary, one of the students used the camera on his cell phones to take pictures of the class and me. He included the pictures in his diary. That’s cool.
Another developing area is the use of portable mp3 players and “podcasting.” These have become more popular with the success of the iPod. The advantage of these devices is that students can download audio or video files whenever they choose. They don’t have to remain connected to the internet. Watching or listening to materials for studying is easier.
Although most students do not have a portable mp3 player, like the iPod, many of them carry cell phones. And companies are increasingly adding mp3 technology to cell phones. I think in the future most cell phones will be able to download and play mp3 files and podcasts. In my own classes, I have not begun to use materials deigned for portable mp3 players. I look forward to trying it next year. But next year there will probably be something new out there, too!