AN INTRODUCTION TO ICT and DUOLINGO

DEFINITION & IMPORTANCE OF ICT

ICT is a field of work and study that “includes technologies such as desktop and laptop computers, software, peripherals, and connections to the Internet that are intended to fulfill information processing and communications functions” (Statistics Canada, 2008). Another definition for ICT comes from UNESCO, which states ICT is “the combination of information and technology with other, related technologies, specifically communication technology” (UNESCO, 2002). So, it can be concluded that ICT uses the newest technologies to process and communicate information.

Several studies argue that the use of new technologies in the classroom is essential for providing opportunities for students to learn to operate in an information age. This argument is supported by Grimus (2000), who pointed out that “by teaching ICT skills in higher educational institutions the students are prepared to face future developments based on proper understanding”

Similarly, Bransford & Cocking (2000), reported that “what is now known about learning provides important guidelines for uses of technology that can help students and teachers develop the competenciesneeded for the twenty-first century”

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ICT

According to Lepičnik-Vodopivec & Samec (2012), the advantages and the disadvantages of ICT usage are:

ADVANTAGES

-Gaining new knowledge and skills,

With ICT in our hand, we can access many information, and we can keep up with what is happening around the world recently. In educational aspect, internet and its applications offers a lots of material that compiled into songs, fairy tales, games etc. in order to hone our learning skills.

-Time and cost efficiency,

If you want to learn with ICT, it can be used at your home (with PC and internet support) and many materials can be acquired for free.

DISADVANTAGES

-Contact with aggressive or unsuitable content,

with unlimited access of ICT, people can get many information around the world, and now, children can also access ICT. Unfortunately, there are also possibility that the children can access some unsuitable contents to their age, such as violence content. Because of that,  supervision from their parents is important.

-Endangerment of the physical health,

ICT offers many advantages in accessing information or materials. However, The constant use of ICT may bring bad effects to user’s health, such as deterioration of sight, stiffness, spinal injuries because of constant sitting position, obesity, etc.

-Associability and addiction,

Using ICT is fun. But the use of ICT without proper control may lead to addiction. Many times in daily life will be sacrificed in favor of using ICT. People who suffer the addiction will neglect their work, and also become anti-social.

Duolingo

Duolingo is a website that can be used for e-learning.

-For the start, you can access www.duolingo.com

Then you can click 'Get Started' , there will be a display like this.

In this section you can choose what language that you want to learn. There are 20 languages that you can choose, for instance, you can choose German to learn German.

After that, you will be  asked to pick the daily goal. This is a good feature because it teaches us commit by setting the daily goal.

And also, you will be asked to pick the test. There are basic test and placement test. If you are familiar enough with German, you can choose the placement test, but if you want to learn from the beginning, you should choose the basic test.

Another great feature of Duolingo is you do not have to create an account to begin, but if you make an account, your learning progress will be saved. Beside you will get a notification if you forget to learn.

There is also the apps version of duolingo, you can download it on Playstore or go to www.duolingo.com.

REFERENCES

Ali, G., Haolader, F. A., & Muhammad K. (2013). The role of ict to make teaching-learning effective in higher institutions of learning in uganda. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2. 4061-4073.

Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: brain, mind, experience, and school: expanded edition. Washington, D. C.: National Academy Press, 206.

Freeman, I., & Hasnaoui, A. (2010). Information and communication technologies (ict): a

tool to implement and drive corporate social responsibility. HAL Archieve-ouvertes.fr, 1-33.

Grimus, M. (2000). ICT and multimedia in the primary school, 362.

Lepičnik-Vodopivec, J., & Samec, P. (2014). Advantages and disadvantages of information-communication technology usage for four-year-old children, and the concequences of its usage for the childrens’ development. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2. 54-58.

WEBSITES:

www.duolingo.com

www.youthmanual.com