(3) A critical analysis of five key technologies

(1) Interactive whiteboards

Upside• Saving• ‘always-on’ Internet• generic software available• audio in one place• screen reveal

Downside• Need to calibrate• Time to learn!• Cost• Business English software?• Can encourage Teacher-

centred classroom

(2) Virtual Learning Environments

Upside• Information on demand• Appropriacy• Pre-course tasks

Downside• Time-consuming to learn• ‘blended courses’ pleasing

no-one• Cost issues (Blackboard to

Moodle)• Robustness issues (Nicenet)

Features:Assignments / Chatrooms / Questionnaire /Quizzes / Forum / Glossary / Handouts

Focus on appropriacy

Synchronous

Asynchronous

(3)Podcasts

Upside• Portability• Learner control• Authentic materials – ESP• DIY

Downside• ‘Wrong kind of podcast’• Authoring – not for every

teacher

(4) Wikis

Upside• Collaborative• Process writing• ‘history’ to see changes

Downside• Not intuitive• Not everyone wishes for

peer correction

(5) Interactive practice materials

Upside• Analytical learners• Anytime practice• Instant feedback• Good for ‘crisp’ areas• Tracking tools

Downside• ‘Skewer’ language• Over-emphasise • Stimulus-response• Qualitative vs quantative