Chapter 9

Technology-based courseware

CD-ROM or Compact Disc Read-Only Memory looks exactly like an audio CD but contains multimedia files that are programmed to use text, images, audio and video to provide interactivity. CD-ROMs are primarily designed for learners to work on alone as follow up to a lesson, either in a school self-access centre or at home. They can include features such as allowing learners to choose their own path through the CD-ROM materials by making their own lesson plans. Many coursebook CD-ROMs also have testing materials incorporated, so that learners can check their own progress, as well as a grammar reference section and mini-dictionary.

DVD or Digital Versatile Disc similar to CD-ROMs in that a variety of data can be stored on them but they have much greater storage capacity than CD-ROMs. DVDs are usually used as an alternative to video cassettes, which are becoming increasingly outdated. There are several types of activities that can be done to integrate a CD-ROM into the class :

- In the single computer classroom or school, pairs of learners can take turns to do a few CD-ROM activities.

- If the teacher has access to a data projector and one computer, CD-ROM or DVD content can be projected onto a screen for the whole class to view and work on together, with learners taking turns to take control of the computer mouse.

- If the school has a computer room or self-access centre, the teacher can program in regular short sessions, for example once a week or fortnight, in which learners work alone or in pairs on CD-ROM materials during class time.

Computer-based testing, online testing, e-assessment… all of these terms refer to a phenomenon which has become increasingly visible in English language teaching in the last few years, that of taking test via a computer rather than on paper. Here are some examples :

- Learners can be given a diagnostic test on a computer before they start a course. This assesses their language levels in the skills of reading, writing, listening and even in discrete item pronunciation, as well as in grammar and vocabulary.

- Learners can take simple progress tests on CD-ROM. These tests will be based on the work that the learners have been doing in their coursebooks.

- Learners can take internationally recognized examinations on a computer, for example the Internet-based TOEFL Test from ETS.

Electronic portfolios also called ePortfolios or digital portfolios. A portfolio is considered to be a richer way of assessing students, as it provides a much clearer idea of learner achievements and products than test scores or grades. ePortfolios are becomingly increasingly common in education, especially in secondary schools and further education institutions, reflecting the growing importance of, and access to, technology in our lives, as well as the rise of the electronic job market. A learner applying for a job with a company can send an ePortfolio of work to a prospective employer easily and quickly, and so display a range of skills not reflected in a test score.

An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is made interactive by being linked to a computer which uses special IWB software. The tree components needed to use an IWB are the whiteboard itself, a computer which has IWB software installed and a data projector which projects the image from the computer screen onto the whiteboard. What makes the interactive whiteboard different from a normal whiteboard is that the teacher uses a special pen (or their finger with some makes of board) to manipulate content on the whiteboard itself, rather than using the mouse to manipulate images on the computer screen, which the teacher can also do. The main advantage of an IWB used with a computer and data projector over a computer and data projector used on their own is that teachers can write on the IWB with their fingers and interact with what is on the screen from the front of the class rather than having to look down to their computers and using the mouse too control the screen.