Task 1: The importance of ICT in English Language Teaching

ICT and EDUCATION

The first reason why we should integrate ICT in education is that it is present in our everyday lives. So, what is the point of denying them if they are so meaningful and important to us? Besides, our students have been born in the century of Internet and technology and they are more than ready to be part of an educational system that integrates learning and ICT.

Moreover, it is not only our common sense that encourages us to use ICT in class, but also the Law. In Spain, the current education law (Ley Orgánica para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa) states the importance of teaching students to become independent users of all technological resources, to use them critically and to be aware of their risks.

Finally, the use of ICT to teach our students will make them feel more motivated. They will feel that they are an important part of the teaching/ learning process. Also, ICT can help activities to become real and meaningful.

Nevertheless, using ICT in our classes does not mean using the projector and playing recordings with the computer. If we really want to integrate new technologies and learning, we have to let them use computers and tablets and let them be the main characters.