Basic Concepts of ICT Used in Education

      According to Dudeney G. and Hockly N.  "(ICT) have impacted on ELT over the past three decades. Of particular interest is the effect on classroom practice, and on the types of materials available for teaching and learning. Mark Warschauer and Stephen Bax’s taxonomies are taken as a starting point of the various implementations of computer-assisted language learning (CALL), and what this meant for teachers in the language classroom.

     The shift caused by the rise of Web 2.0 and how this more fundamental change offers a wider range of tools and development opportunities for teachers and learners increasing students’ awareness of the globalization of English is a daunting task for teachers, especially considering the lack of globally oriented ELT materials available due to the ready availability of new technologies, opportunities for the incidental as well as deliberate practice of English have multiplied and far exceed what can be done in more formal environments".  

     According to National Reporting System (NRS) Implementation Guidelines (2016), “Distance education is formal learning activity where students and instructors are separated by geography, time or both for the majority of the instructional period. Distance learning materials are delivered through a variety of media including, but not limited to, print, audio recording, videotape, broadcasts, computer software, web-based programs and other online technology. Teachers support distance learners through communication via mail, telephone, email, or online technologies and software.”

  

      According to Frank  "The objectives of virtual Learning Environments are to improve access to advanced educational experiences by allowing students and instructors to participate in remote learning communities using personal computers; and to improve the quality and effectiveness of education by using the computer to support a collaborative learning process".

      According to UNESCO "Mobile learning involves the use of mobile technology, either alone or in combination with other information and communication technology (ICT), to enable learning anytime and anywhere. Learning can unfold in a variety of ways: people can use mobile devices to access educational resources, connect with others, or create content, both inside and outside classrooms. Mobile learning also encompasses efforts to support broad educational goals such as the effective administration of school systems and improved communication between schools and families".

     In consonance with my own experience an e-Portfolio has great potential for improving professional development and success by demonstrating and tracking and  individual's growth and progress over time. It is an effective approach to maximize self-awareness by identifying and underlining one's strength and weaknesses. Further more creating an e-Portfolio can be an effective way to shape or empower the owner's personal and professional advancement towards everyone own standards.

        I will recommend some tips for those interested in creating their own e-Portfolio:

           1. Starts with a theme that fits your needs
           2. Use images.
           3. Fill it whit good content.
           4.  Keep it up to date.
           5. Connect via Social Media.
         

References:

Dudeney G.and Hockly N. ( 2012, September 14) ICT in ELT : How did we get here and Where are going? Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccs050 

National Reporting System (NRS) Implementation Guidelone (2016) Section 13 Distance Education Retrieved from  https://wvde.state.wv.us/abe/tcher_handbook_pdf/section13.pd

Educational Development Blog  (2013, March 4) Retrieved from  http://bednotes.blogspot.com/2013/03/concept-of-virtual-learning.html

UNESCO  (2017)  ICT in Education. Mobile Learning Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/icts/m4ed/