INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES IN ELT

Ratih Wijayanti

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As a professional teachers, we need some modern technologies for teaching. The best method and technology become determining factor in successful of teaching-learning process. Besides, modern technology can facilitate learning activity easily. So the students don’t feel bored in teaching-learning process, because they don’t just imagine about the material given by the teachers. But they can see the object directly by using the modern technology. The process of teaching and learning become more interactive than the teachers just use traditional method.

The curriculum of the 21st century is student-centered with innovative teaching and learning methods integrated with technology and elements of problem-solving, a departure from the traditional discipline-based approach (Ajewole &Akpa, 2007; Ayodele, 2007; Olibie & Obidike, 2008). Many countries are enriching their curricula in order to compete effectively and profit maximally from the emerging global village economy which is knowledge and ICT driven. 

The use of information and communication technology is an important feature of the new curriculum. The relationship of classroom methodology to performance is an issue that concerns the whole curriculum. Industrialized countries like Europe and America have increasingly come to realize and recognize that curriculum at whatever level must be  accompanied by appropriate teaching method and technology. Huge and giant strides developed countries have achieved in technology, economic empowerment and self-reliance can be attributed to, among other things, effective teaching and learning. Indeed, only nations that are prepared and equipped with meaningful teaching and learning will be part of the dynamic world and all its evident benefits. These nations have to contend with the provision of good teachers, good planning, adequate teaching methods, facilities and adequate ability to select instructional materials for effective instruction. 

Innovative Teaching Methods 

Teaching methods can best be defined as the type of principles and methods used for instruction. Instruction here refers to teaching and learning. The world has moved to the electronic stage with computer at the center. This development has brought a lot of innovation and revolution into teaching and learning. The world is now in the age of information technology or computer age. The electronic computer system in education, according to Gambari (2007) provides the wherewithal to solve teaching and learning problems more rapidly and accurately than hitherto conceived. Computers have been found to be an effective device for presenting instructional program. However, a computer can never replace a teacher. It is basically a processor of information.  

Computers have been found to be an effective device for presenting instructional program using different soft wares. It can be used to diversify, develop and improve the pedagogical relation of teaching and learning and aid technological and sociology-economic development, (Jinui, 2005;Mustra, 2007). 

Among terms used to describe computer in learning are:

Computer Based Education (CBE)

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)

Computer Managed Instruction (CMI)

Computer Supported Learning (CSL)

Computer Assisted Learning (CAL)

 Mind map of computer in learning 

New Teaching Methods

Many new teaching methods are embedded in the new epistemology termed “constructivism” that sees production of new knowledge as a human construction. It believes that significant learning is likely to occur only if the “information”/ “facts” to be learned are constructed by the learner as having personal relevance or meaning. They have tremendous research base and in all, the learner assumes the role of meaning maker and has the final responsibility for his learning. They include Analogy, Vee-Mapping, Concept-mapping, etc. 

Vee-Mapping method: Vee-mapping is graphical way to help students understand why they are doing laboratory activities. The maps direct their attention to the questions, procedure, data and data interpretation.  

Analogy: In analogy the teacher selects appropriate examples familiar to the students to assist in explaining. This is because, ‘analogy’ and ‘target’ share attributes that allow relationships to be identified. For instance, relating a ladder to Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) where the ladder is described as having twisted sides with sugar and phosphate units at the side. 

Concept – Mapping:  It is a method that reduces concepts to very simple ideas that are linked in a meaningful way to aid understanding.  

    

Mind map of new teaching methods

Animation in CAL:  Animation is one of the emerging learning technologies. Animation literally means to breathe life into something by using a series of images to create action. It is a process of using drawings and models of objects to move in a lively and interesting way (Oliver, 2002 and Olowe, 2010). It could be enriched using sound and processes which are synchronized for effective teaching and learning.

Other Innovative Technologies

Blogs: It is an abbreviation for web logs:  a new way to communicate and collaborate. All forms of Blogs use Micro-soft office PowerPoint. It is a website that allows people to add, remove or edit contents. For instance an area is customized by registration and the teacher post items (e.g assignment etc) there. The teacher then marks and posts it back to the students using  http//name.blogspot.com. 

Cam Studio:  Used to create video tutorial for class by recording all screen and audio activities on the computer.

References

Ajewole, G. & Akpan, B. (2007). STM education and Biodiversification. Journal of Curriculum  Organization of Nigeria, 10(1), 16 – 2.

Gambari, A.I. (2007). Effects of computer graphics on the teaching and learning of           mathematic . Journal of Science Education, 1(2), 150 – 165.

Gambari, A.I. and Ezenwa, V.I. (2007). Current Innovative Instructional Methods and Technologies for Quality Tertiary Education. Journal of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Education (JOSTMED) Volume 8(1) .

Jiniu, S. (2005). Digital democracy in higher education bridging the digital divide.         Innovative Journal Online Education, 2(1), October/November, (online) Available fron :    http:// innovateonline.info (Accessed on 19th December, 2016).

Oliver, R. (2002). The role of ICT in Higher Education for the 21 st century. (online)          Available from http://elrond.scam.edu.edu.au/oliver/2002/he.21.pdf. (Accessed on 13     December, 2016).