THE IMPACT OF E. LEARNING ON LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Hannah Dharmaseelan, Dr.K.Rajamonickam
Department of English,Periyar Maniammai University,
Thanjavur
Abstract: Using technology in the classroom creates a pleasant learning environment. In this digital age learners get themselves familiar with e-learning.E-learning is an important tool to transfer the present book centered learning environment into student centered environment. Web sources provide useful input regarding the lessons and the tools offer plenty of scope for the learners to participate in the learning process. Education should provide more time for learning through electronic media. So technology in education can transform the education system and the English learning style in the future.
Keywords: Blended learning, Digital learning, individualized learning, synchronous communication, asynchronous communication, face to face learning
1. Introduction
The education system at present does not motivate creativity and innovation. English learning at higher level is not at satisfactory level. There is an urgency to help the learners to be proficient in English .Students employability skills have to be improved and the quality of teaching within educational institutions has to be given due importance. Teachers should adopt innovative approaches to improve the quality of teaching. Digital learning is capable of improving quality in education .We need student centered and skill based learning. The learner must be fully engaged in the learning process.
2.Rationale of the study
Students must have a positive attitude and self interest to learn the language effectively. The need of the hour is to enhance the role of teachers in the teaching and learning process. Classroom technologies can create innovative and interactive learning environments. The classroom becomes smart with digital content, when it is fully network connected and multimedia method of delivery is used. Then learning becomes simpler with high level of retention. Language proficiency has gained importance these days to help the students to face future career successfully. The impact of e.learning on psychological factors such as attitude and interest are important for language learning.
E. learning is available to learners and it provides enough information on the academic subjects. When curriculum is reinforced with e.learning, it can be utilized to supplement face to face learning in the classroom. Blended learning includes synchronous communication activities as well as asynchronous communication. Studies conducted on the effect of e. learning on student’s achievement showed that it improved learner’s performance. Integrating technologies into language curriculum enhances language competency and communication skills for their future career. Quality equity , access, and excellence are the pillars of education. Traditional mode of delivery has its drawbacks. Hence teaching and learning process is changed now. Teaching – learning technologies has transformed the way the knowledge is accessed, delivered and measured. New technology has provided various areas for language development. Electronic gadgets are used to meet the digital needs of different levels of learners. Text-video and voice tools have become inexpensive and easy to use. Learning through Technical gadgets improves the academic performance of young learners. It provides flexibility to learners to improve understanding and develop reasoning and thinking with creative temper. It also makes language learning faster, easier and helps to create maximum language learning environment. In the traditional method teacher uses chalk and board to teach in the class .This learning environment has its own limitations. The choice of learning is also limited to the academic syllabus prescribed.
The effectiveness of educational technology depends on how it is used to meet educational aims of slow learners and particular type of students in specific language learning environment .In the competitive world of higher education it is essential to accept and utilize new technologies. The present century, teaching-learning process is made very effective. E. learning is an important tool to transfer the present teacher centered and book centered learning environment into a rich student centered environment.
3.Technology in higher education
English language should be given adequate importance in the curriculum. Students should learn English and develop the communication competency. English is an international language, a link language and is essential for the rapid progress of science and technology. The general of aim of teaching English is to develop certain abilities, skills, attitudes and interests through language teaching. The students must acquire a working knowledge of English for all purposes and prepare themselves to get the benefits of higher education both technical and professional.
Education at present must provide the quality and creative innovation among the students .There is a need to improve employability skills of the learners and the learning should be student centered. Most of the learners are first generation learners and the classroom learning should be interesting. Progressive method of teaching and learning situation will provide ideal environment for effective learning.
Technology based education gives right directions to desire, emotions and interest which are vital for learning. Ideal learning environment should be provided and the learners should acquire knowledge through critical thinking. The learners should interact and it is essential to help them to be free from ego centric. Development of one’s ability to learn makes education meaningful and this kind of learning process develops confidence and self esteem in learners. Technology enhanced learning gives an easy access to web resources for the present day learners. Learners can easily access these resources to enrich their knowledge.
Today there is a rapid growth of development by science and technology. The information or news from world over is easily accessed. In this progressive and informative world e- learning is playing a vital role. Personal computer with internet has brought out changes in the society. The electronic communication and digital networking are transforming the way of learning. This transformation has a tremendous effect on the attitude and interest of the learners and opportunity to learn.
Teachers and students interact with the specific learning activity. Such an interaction encourages cognitive independence and social independence. In the present context, both teachers and students interact collaboratively and the student is an active partner in this process. The teacher remains as the guide. The competitive atmosphere in the class room gives opportunity for every learner to participate in the learning process. Blended learning creates simple, motivating interactive and learner centric environment. Using technology in the classroom shows a very high level of motivation among the students. This increased motivation and engagement results in good quality of work and improvement in learner’s attitude towards learning. Learning is more individualized and students are encouraged self learning. Teachers feel that the technology rich environment is preferred in the class room instead of the traditional method of teaching. The use of technology in language learning enhances learning experiences and supplements classroom teaching.
4.Blended learning
Blended learning makes the learning interesting, interactive and pleasant. It is a combination of face to face learning in the classroom and self paced learning. According to Macdonald [2006] blended learning is associated with on line media courseand giving importance to traditional teaching and learning process. All learning activities can be blended with on line activities and classroom activities which can be used at different levels. Course level blending includes face to face and computer assisted activities that are included in the curriculum .Instructional level is a blend of face to face learning and on line activities in between the course of learning . This kind of integrating technology with traditional learning improves effective performance and achievement in learning. Blended learning system is very effective in terms of access to knowledge, social interaction, personalized learning, cost effective and learning at convenient time
When traditional learning is supplemented with e. learning, it developed interest and it improved the learner’s performance. The positive attitude towards learning English is motivated by the use of e. learning. The self-paced learning is encouraged to get scholarly achievement in the subject. Attitude is essential for effective learning of the language. Attitude is an affective and cognitive concept. The study showed positive attitude towards learning the language has improved achievement. Individualized learning improved their learning and motivated further learning .E.learning language programme enhanced their learning styles and developed self-study. An effective combination of different mode of delivery in teaching and learning process improves learning abilities of the language.
5.Conclusion
Education should provide more time for learning through electronic media. The electronic communication and digital networking are transforming the way of learning. Teaching and learning process can be enhanced with the help of the web resources and tools. The web sources provide useful inputs in relation to the lesson and the tools offer plenty of scope for the student to participate in the learning process. English language learning has assumed a new way of learning. E. learning is an important tool to transfer the present teacher centered and book centered learning environment into a rich student centered environment.
References
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Vijay Jaiswal and Priynka Gupta (2010)“E-learning in Higher Education Indian Perspective”,University News,Vol. 48 ,no.3,pp. 5-14