Computer Mediated Communication in Teacher Education

The emergence of the constructivist approach to language learning emphasized the fact that language is a socially constructed phenomenon and that successful learning is authentic, meaningful, personalized, and collaborative. That motivated language educators to develop different approaches and utilize variety of methods to provide the learners with appropriate social contexts that facilitate the construction of knowledge. Among the variety of mediums that help satisfying such a goal is the use of computer mediated communication in language learning. The use of such medium of interaction and instruction within language learning and teaching context requires drastic changes in the teachers’ way of perceiving their own teaching and the nature of the teaching process. Thus, a preliminary requirement for a successful use of such medium is the teacher’s ability to appropriately use such tool to help students get the utmost benefit. Realizing these facts emphasizes the pressing need for integrating CMC within teacher education program for the sake of facilitating authentic and ample practice on the various applications, uses, and advantages of CMC.

Depending on your own experience:
do you believe in the importance of integrating CMC as a medium of instruction when teaching a language?
Do you think that teachers in colleges an d schools are up to this challange?
Why?

looking forward to reading your opinions

.

the 20th century is known for the spread of technology in teaching and learining
CMC is one of the approaches that believe in the use of computers to arrive at a better learning
CMC can be divided into synchronous and asynchronous modes. In synchronous communications all participants are online at the same time, while asynchronous communications occurs without time
constraints

it is believed that CMC provides opportunities for language learners to practice their language using emails and messeges.

it is considered as afacilitating tool for learning but it is still depends on the way how it is used.


Mrs. Hind
nice and hot topic to discuss

i enjoed it

thanx alot..

Alone

WELL ..a very good post indeed

concerning your questions..

I truely and genuinly believe in the importance of CMC especially in TEAChING\LEARNING a second\foreign language...and I also believe that it is extermly imprtant for an educator to use any tool or instrument s\he can get her\his hand on to make thins easy for the students


as for your second question .. I think that the young generation of educators of schools or colleges are sure to be up to this challange..(except for me) .. I'm not a computer whiz :)..and high tech terrifies me.. well I guess I'm not that gifted..

anyway..
nice post as always ms.Hind..I truly enjoy your posts

Thank you Ms. Hind for this post
In my view , integrating CMC as a medium of instruction when teaching a language has its advantages and . disadvantage It seems to me that this technology accelerates the education process and makes it easier . On the other hand , its weakness lies on the fact that it prevents face to face interaction and participation as language teaching is interactive by nature.
Depending on my experience as an MA student , we have created an E-mail studying group through which we recieve announcements , instructions and handouts from our professors and actually it proves to be useful in this respect .
Concerning your second question, I would say , to a certain extent , yes . If we look to the issue from teachers' and students' profeciency and ability to keep pace with this modern tech as I believe that nowadays , in the age internet , every one masters this skill professionally
But in my openion , it is not preferable due to the above shortcoming,

thx sis..regards..

I believe that CMC is a important in many areas,e.g. eliminating stress due to face-to-face interaction
However, other ways and methods are equally appreciated
I am always for an eclictic approach where many methods are used while teaching
thanks alot