FACTORS AFFECTING TECHNOLOGY USES IN CLASSROOMS

Educators are considering technology as a fundamental element for English language teaching and it is essential for second language learners to achieve more progression in their learning. However, numerous factors are affecting on using technology in Omani classrooms.

One of those factors is the teacher himself. According to my experience in supervising teachers, I found that English male teachers in Musandam (north of Oman) are less motivated than English female teachers in using technology in teaching. This might be because of their background knowledge of who to use technology. Most of those teachers have no experience in using technology. Moreover, they are not intend to learn and start to use it. As a supervisor, I started a remedial plan to change their attitude by arranging visits to attend model classes with female teachers as well as providing some workshop on how to use different applications in teaching.

                                  

The second factor is learners. It is significant to consider who our students are, taking into account their prior knowledge, cultural background and number of students in the classroom. Teachers should use technologies, which are appropriate to the level of the learners as well as their age. For instants, it might be impossible to use blogging with grade one students.

One of the amazing issues, which I noticed during my visits to classes, was that students in rural areas are more motivated to attend classes where teachers were using technology rather than students in urban areas. This might be because of their curiosity to deal with new devices and tools.

                                  

The third factor, which I shed light on, is the place of learning. I used to supervise different schools in different area. Some of these schools are in the main city -urban- and some other are in mountainous areas -rural-. The facilities, which are available in the urban areas, increase the opportunities of using technology in teaching due to the availability of internet, network connections and modern schools whereas, teachers in rural areas are less involved to use technology as a result of poor network coverage, lack of computers and other components.     

                                   

In addition to the previous factors, there are some more such as : context , objectives and materials.

written by : AbdulQader AlKamzari