ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MULTIMEDIA TEACHING TOOLS

Technology helped people become more independent, free, get access to the
latest innovations, forms of entertainment, customization but at the same time it
drastically modified the concepts related to self, privacy or sharing. Now we live in a
real and virtual world at the same time, we have become on and offline individuals
Multimedia tools and technology may bring uncertainty for some teachers or
they may be a world that provides endless growth possibilities for passionate, well
trained and creative individuals.
As a teacher I am lucky to have at least one students in each class who a
techno geek and is always willing to help setup the projector and the laptop, search
for the wireless connection at school, transform the format of a document so all the
digital skills that can be intimidating when it comes to incorporating technology into
teaching in the classroom may have a simple solution. I strongly believe that all the
students love to try new things, break out of the comfort zone and appreciate more
the teachers willing to take an extra step and offer them the possibility to do things
in an innovative and interactive way. Some may find technology a time waster but I
believe that it is the right tool to get students engaged and enthusiastic in the
learning and teaching process.
The learning process does not end when the school bell rings! There so many
things that can help us improve our students learning with the help of multimedia
tools and the internet that we do not realize. Being able to access information
anytime, anywhere to keep up to date with the latest news and information which
travel at the speed of sound, enjoy the freedom of speech and exchange of opinions
is a sign of democracy. The more we learn the more we are aware of what we need
to do. (page 108, 21)
Technology has its ups and downs and in order to have a well rounded society
a balance should be maintained when using these revolutionary communication
devices. Nowadays teachers have introduced new words when it comes to teaching
vocabulary, words that had been used by our students for a long time as they are
the ones that bring technology and digital devices at school. English words such as
upload, download, scan, print, folder, desktop, network are more than
simple words related to technology but terms that coexist both in English and
Romanian.
Teaching and technology illustrate the perfect match of the four CsCreativity, Communication, Collaboration and Critical Thinking. Multimedia is a life
tool which facilitates access for both teachers and students to receive training,
professional support or teaching or informational materials that would otherwise be

completely unavailable or to computer simulation exams, podcats, wikis, videos,

mini documentaries etc. Nowadays students do not have a big book case at home
filled with grammar or literature books but they can use a digital tool at access
them from the internet.
Multimedia helps learners of all ages study and acquire knowledge in an
interactive way. The teaching materials that can be provided by the teachers or
found on the internet can incorporate animation, moving pictures, sounds or links to
other useful sites. Students can watch experiments or simulations, take part in
online tests. Moreover they can save time and energy by creating a database where
they can access the needed materials whenever , where ever via a digital device.
These materials can be updated, improved, adapted, they are not anything like the
textbooks used in schools, textbooks which have been used yearly for 10 or 15
years.
Multimedia allows shy or introverted students to communicate more and to
express themselves, to collaborate with their peers using e-mails, forums, chat, etc.
Auditory, kineanesthetic or visual learners as well as learners with certain
disabilities have various ways of communicating and interacting and the
opportunity to develop language and digital skills in ways never imagined before.
Students become active thinkers in the process of acquiring the foreign language,
they take control over their learning, they learn from each other and all these create
a strong and united community of learners. Digital tools offer an alternative way to
learn, share, interact, pace yourself or get immediate feedback. However there are
still teachers that use black and white materials while teaching- the traditional
xeroxed handouts or only blackboard and chalk, that are afraid of trying new
innovative ideas in a foreign language class, that area afraid to give their students
control.
Sometimes the elders look at the youngsters' interactions on the net with
suspicion and intrigue as they believe that the internet is a space which is
unmonitored and thus children can access unauthorized pages, become victims for
hackers or ignore their studies. This is not completely untrue. Parents lament that
children become addicted to technology and because of this social values decline,
that technology corrupts the youth and that children no longer use their abstract
thinking, instead they just watch a computer screen. They also forget the fact that
young learners adapt easier to technology either for school or entertainment, that
they are better equipped to use the new tools. I believe that the children will make
the right choices when it comes to technology as long as they are encouraged and
offered support and advice from open minded parents and teacher. We need to trust
these future generations to use technology wisely and safely.
The financial issues are also a problem that needs to be discussed.
Sometimes multimedia involves expensive software, skilled support staff and users.
It can be beneficial only for the ones that use it. Certain schools from bigger cities
benefit from the use of technology , they have motivated and skilled teachers,
parents or personnel willing to offer help, while poorer schools use low technology,
lack human and technical support and resources. S In this case students only gain
their multimedia experience only at home watching TV or playing video games
where possible. Technology costs money many schools, not necessary from rural

areas in Romania, do not have the necessary financial support to purchase

computers, projectors, cameras or software. In some schools there is money and
technology but it is locked away or not used.
The teachers who do not incorporate technology in their lessons are
sometimes blamed because it is thought that they close the door to their students'
future. This illustrates the digital gap issue. Despite the fact that we can talk about
a rapid extension of the internet there are many classrooms where technology is not
used regularly and consistently. The teachers who refuse to facilitate the students'
learning through technology are technological unaware, some of them need more
training than others, some need more time to adapt while students become
technologically savvy and impatient with time and lose focus is the teacher has to
figure out how to turn on a computer during the lesson. As teachers we need to
keep up with the times, even learn from our students and ask them for help. Most
teachers confess that they feel too ill-prepared when it comes to using multimedia
and technology and as a consequence they do not use it and teach they same way
their teachers did.
There are also the teachers that believe that kids are losing out because of all
the technological advances. One of them declared on a forum on the internet that
virtual classrooms without the human infraction is much like learning how to fly a
plane by simply reading a book on flying a plane. I don't think that simply reading
materials on flying planes will make me a successful pilot. There has to be someone
present to provide constructive criticism and explain what I am doing correctly or
incorrectly. Some teachers do not believe that synchronous conversations and
asynchronous interactions could lead to a strong online learning environment. Too
many apps mean too much time wasted, lack of funds and insufficient infrastructure
are barriers to implementing technology and training. It is difficult to teach a class
of 30 or 38 students, to use technological support only when the computer lab is
free or to have to always carry your personal device because the one from school is
locked in someone's office or in a desk whose key no one remembers where it is or
to have poor internet connection. Moreover technology or the lack of it can be
overwhelming but balanced activities can help there is a time and a place for
technology, you should not abuse it in order to perform or do your work quicker and
easier. True teaching takes time and effort.
But technology's duty is not to replace humans, it was created to
complement their work. Teachers can access though the internet countless sites
with various teaching materials or great resources for free, they have access to
authentic materials 24/ 7 / 364 which are a treasure trove of information as they
offer knowledge on every possible topic. Real time communication, accessibility to a
wide range of written, audio or video materials from the web presence of television
or radio stations as well as newspapers offer us excellent opportunities to practise
our language skills and be up to date at the same time. Our reading speed and
comprehension improves. The use of multimedia during the lessons emphasis the
individual needs of every student by creating a personalized studying environment
which allow us the possibility to access content and knowledge in an adequate form
and in an appropriate dose hen necessary. Students who are encouraged to discover
things by themselves learn faster and more efficiently, crate better educational
products. Technology helps us do the unimaginable as there is such a huge amount

of data and so many possibilities that we can use at our fingertips. All these must
change the character of education into something better and more accessible.
However some fear that the use of the internet and technology overwhelms
man's capacity to process the information, concentrate and develop attention. Most
of the times teachers complain that the information on the net is too disorganized
or not connected to the school curriculum and that while students start to do their
research work online they also start to access irrelevant sites, chatting to friends
and they do not become productive. Students seem to have a passive attitude
related to reading or viewing online materials. Teachers do not want students to
interact with a computer, but with other people and that us the reason why we
need to design tasks I which the computer is the conduit and enabler of
communication, not he focus of it.(21, page 72).
The more we learn, the more we become aware of what we need to do. Most
multimedia course-ware mainly feature an image and animation of teaching
materials in order to cause audio and visual effect which lively displays the content
of textual materials and helps the students deeply understand the text. A problem
remains that displaying of the content of texts in a PPT course-ware cannot take the
place
of students' thinking
or English
communication
in simulated
circumstances...we need to encourage students to use their own mind and to peak
more actively, join in class practice. (2)
The internet allows teachers to help students get in control over their
learning process, enjoy education, communicate more and become informed
citizens via websites, educational blogs, RSS channels, all types of social media
(Twitter, Google, Facebook, E-Twinning, Youtube, Fklickr, Skype or social
bookmarking sites, or radio and television, or telephone not just offline sources
teachers, friends and family.
English serves as a medium or contact language for over 2 billion users
around the world, every day more and more persons include electronic
communication either to present or to take part in online and offline collaborations
in English. A international foreign language combined with computer skills is the key
to become an independent and autonomous person. E-learning comprises online
learning, blended learning and distance learning, it offers extra practice and great
possibilities to self study. Homework and projects can be sent via email or posted on
platforms, learners can exchange ideas using digital tools, whereas in the past they
would use home reading and writing based on books and printed documents and
the only oral presentations could take part in front of their colleagues.
Technology is here to stay. Students use their digital tools to exchange or
create information and this reflects today's society trend where learning is a
continuous interactive online experience in a collaborative environment. Digital
tools encourage self learning as well as collaborative learning and that is the reason
why we started to use concepts such as lifelong learning, socially networked
collaborative learning or open source education, virtual learning environment,
blended learning, cloud- based learning, pro- social entertainment,
experiential learning, empirical education or edutainment.

Novelty scares but practice makes perfect. Teachers need to understand that
technology can be a friend or a foe. Without training and practising what is learned
technology and multimedia tools are useless but when mixed with engagement,
involvement and desire for successful implementation it is the ingredient for
success.