Teaching technologies: successful internet lessons in the EFL classroom

By Paul Drury

Level: Starter/beginner, Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate, Upper intermediate, Advanced Type: Reference material

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Advice and suggestions on how to conduct successful internet lessons in the English classroom.

Unfortunately, trouble-free Internet lessons are rare but if you prepare well there is no reason why you will not be able to cope with the possible pitfalls. Below are some common problems experienced by ELT teachers using the Internet for lessons together with suggested solutions:

Students get lost, open the browser ten times, or end up reading something totally different to the rest of the class.

* Give specific addresses; take the student directly to the relevant page. Although information searches can be an important part of the lesson, make sure that you have an idea of what is available and be prepared to provide addresses.

Students are writing e-mails home. (A very common problem for teachers with students who are living away from home.)

* This suggests that the task set was too vague. Presented with a magazine many people will flick through with no particular purpose. As teachers, we always ask our learners to focus on specific articles/areas/language. This should be the same when using the Internet.
* Have a good reason for using the computer. Could the work be done just as easily on paper?
* Negotiate time for your students to write that e-mail home i.e. after they have finished the work.

Some students are not comfortable with technology.

* Consider doing some remedial teaching. Everybody should be able to point and click, copy, paste, highlight, recognise links, recognise the back/forward buttons on the browser.
* Give students clear instructions, preferably written. Talk them through the steps of the lesson (show them on screen) and make sure the objectives are clear.
* Pairing a strong student with a weak student is not always the answer. The stronger will become frustrated and the weaker may take on a passive role.

The Internet is not working as quickly as it should. The relevant page won’t open...

* It is a good idea to give students addresses on screen so they only need to click. Physically typing the address increases the chance of making a mistake.
* Always have material to fall back on. Computers and the Internet are temperamental beasts.
* Always check the sites/computers before the lesson, what was there last week may not be there this week.

Many people will not read extended pieces of text on screen.

* Make concessions for the medium, it is physically more taxing to read on screen, use texts that are manageable chunks or interspersed with pictures or activities.