Some years ago when institutes and schools started implementing audiovisual materials, it was great to see how many things we could do with audio and video equipment. After some time, computers entered our world, and we were told we were going to have computers in our classroom. I always thought it would be great to have computers at hand because students would be able to become more autonomous. Also, I thought computers would give students the chance to search more and even get information that we, as teachers, have not found yet. Basically, in my mind I dreamed of something like the picture below.
Imagine my surprise when they placed one computer in each classroom. I thought that that was going to be chaos. Let's picture 25 of my students looking at a computer and trying to search for information or do an activity with using only one computer, Just like this:
Well, please do not misunderstand me. Now I realize that what I thought at the beginning was simply impossible. Imagine there are about 50 classrooms in the institution where I work and about 25 students in ecah classroom. Honestly, how on earth where they going to buy 25 computers for each classroom. Naive, me. However, let me tell you that this only one computer in the classromm can make wonders if we know how to use it well. From presentations to videos, from songs to online exercises, everything can be done with just a little of imagination.
There are so many different alternatives that we simply have to find the way to use them appropriately. Nevertheless, beware of overusing or misusing it.
Katya