THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN TEFL

by:

Widya Rahmawati 

(150704233)

There are many problems appear in our daily life and in various situations. Then, technology is found as a solution of those problems. In educational world expecially in Teaching English as Foreign Language (TEFL), technology also plays an important role to solve many teaching problems that faced by the teachers. This writing will explain the definition of technology and its role in TEFL. Hopefully, this writing will give several benefits for readers.

The Definition of Technology

According to Buratti and Penco (2001) technology considered as a hardware or physical product. On the other hand, technology can be defined as “know-how” or technical knowledge that is applying for improving the ability of organization to provide products/services or to achieve a specific objective (Rogers, et.al.,: 2001). The concept of technology does not only relate to the technology that embodies in the product but it is also associated with the knowledge or information of it use, application and the process in developing the product (Bozeman: 2000). 

Since technical knowledge varies widely in the extent of physical visualization, a specific technology can be a machine, a software code, a process, a handbook, documents, blueprints, operating procedures, a mechanical or electrical constituent, a technique, a patent, or even a person (Palvia, etal.,: 2002). The latest definition given by Mascus (2003) has broadened the concept of technology where technology is defined as ‘the information necessary to achieve a certain production outcome from a particular means of combining or processing selected inputs which include production processes, intra-firm organizational structures, management techniques, and means of finance, marketing methods or any of its combination’.

Main Mapping of The Definition of Technology

The Role of Technology in TEFL

Technology plays an important role in TEFL. Technology makes teaching activities become more effective. One of the biggest challenges as a teacher is to get learner actively engaged in the lesson, another is to provide for individual difference (Heinich et.al.,: 1996). As what has been defined by Palvia, et al. (2002) that since technical knowledge varies widely in the extent of physical visualization, a specific technology can be a machine, a software code, a process, a handbook, documents, blueprints, operating procedures, a mechanical or electrical constituent, a technique, a patent, or even a person.

As that statement above, it can be known that technology is not merely embodies product, it also extant several things used to solve any problems in our daily life. Teachnology means technique. The teachnique that we refer to as process technologies can be a great assistance in achieving goals. Learning centers, integrated learning systems, cooperative group, games and simulations are examples of process technology. Technology is closely related with TEFL because its make teaching and learning process runs well.

References

Bozeman, B. (2000). Technology Transfer and Public Policy: A Review of Research and Theory. Research Policy, 29,627-655. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(99)00093-1

Buratti, N. and Penco, L., 2001. Assisted Technology Transfer to SMEs: Lessons from an Exemplary Case, Technovation, 21,.35–43.

Heinich, Molenda, Rushell. 1996. Instructional Media and Teachnologies for Learning, 5th ed., Prentice- Hall Inc. New Jersey

Maskus, K. E. (2003). Encouraging International Technology Transfer. UNCTAD/ICTSD Capacity Building Project. On Intellectual Property Rights and Sustainable Development.

Rogers, E. M., Takegami, S. and Yin J., 2001. Lessons Learned about Technology Transfer” Technovation 21,.253-261.

Palvia, P., Palvia, S., and Whitworth, J. E., 2002. Global Information Technology: A Meta Analysis of Key Issues, Information & Management, 39,403–414.