Be clear about your purpose!

Discuss this question with your partner. Consider presentation, methodology, task variety, motivation and specific ICT (Information and Communications Technology) tools.

Here is a suggested list of good reasons to use ICT with your learners:
1. Teachers can produce more attractive e-teaching materials.
2. It uses media which learners use in their daily life.
3. As an international language, English is increasingly being used in computer-mediated contexts and using ICT with learners in class gives them practice for real-life ICT contexts.
4. Access to up-to-date materials via the internet.
5. A change from using paper and pen, books and the board.
6. Adds variety to a lesson.
7. Keeps the teacher learning new skills.
8. May teach the learners new skills.
9. New ICT skills learnt in the classroom (eg internet search skills) can be transferred to real life.
10. Makes the teacher look more professional.
11. Makes the school look more professional and up-to-date.
12. Learners can access authentic websites, as well as websites for EFL/ESL learners.
13. Some ICT tools (eg blogs, chat, email) can enable learners to make contact with learners in other countries.
14. Some ICT tools (eg online reference tools, CD-ROMs) can encourage learners to work alone and can provide personalised feedback and assessment.
15. ICT tools can be used both in and outside the classroom.
16. The internet can give teachers access to online teacher development groups and online training courses.
17. Using a range of ICT tools can give learners exposure to and practice in all of the four main language skills- speaking, listening, writing and reading.”

From “how to…teach English with technology” by Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly Pearson Longman.