Summary on the use of Technology in the Education of English

The importance of using computer technology in writing skills in a foreign language as English has been pointed out decades ago. Thus, for the reason that “most students live in a world of electronic text, spending a large proportion of their time reading and writing on computers” (Wen-Chuan Lin, Shu Ching Yang, 2011 p. 88). Therefore, the use of the computer in the instruction complements and motivate students in their skills of writing.
One of the innovations used during the investigation was the wiki technology a platform in which students can create, upload and build certain contents of their preference. The web provides a change on the content as editing such as that of Microsoft word. The advantage of it in the instruction and improvement of student’s skills in writing is that of giving the opportunity to view the original text and the edited one. How does this task help students? Students are able to compare and contrast among the original (old) and edited (new) text or information. In the use of the platform other students are aware of the text published and they are able to provide feedback or certain type of response. The motivation comes from this access to responses of from people such as students, teacher, among others which improve the writing skills of the users (students) in the acquisition of the second language with the platform.
The advantage of the internet is that it can assist communication and it “become[s] important in pedagogical tools that integrates information technology with English writing” (Wen-Chuan Lin, Shu Ching Yang, 2011 p. 89) skills. As mentioned before Wiki platform provides the tools with which members have the opportunity to edit their text and among others that of updating or removing information in an easy or quick manner. In addition it has a social implication for the reason that members can interact within each other providing feedback and a learning process.

Reference:
Wen-Chuan Lin, Shu Ching Yang. (2011). Exploring students’ perceptions of integrating Wiki technology and peer feedback into English writing courses. English Teaching: Practice and Critique, 88-103.