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Introduction
> Learning Goals > Teaching
Guidelines > Planning
Tips > Sample
Web Projects > Conclusion
According to a Chinese proverb, it doesn't matter how fast you
travel if you're going in the wrong direction. Before thinking
about how to plan a lesson or a semester, first consider the overall
objectives. The various goals and objectives of English language
courses vary from course to course and among individual students.
In this section, we briefly discuss the particular goals that
we think should accompany the use of the Internet and complement
other linguistic or educational goals.
Active and Creative Mastery
Even though information technologies are becoming ubiquitous,
too many people use them in only a passive fashion. As noted in
chapter 5, we as teachers are shortchanging our students if we
do not help them achieve active and creative mastery of new technologies,
not only for receiving information and knowledge but also for
collaboratively producing them. This mastery will enhance students'
opportunity to actively shape the multimedia future.
Autonomous Learning
Because information technologies are changing so quickly, mastery
is not a onetime goal but an ongoing, lifelong process. Students
must not only learn but also "learn to learn," that
is, develop the autonomous learning strategies needed to adapt
to new technologies and new situations. This ability will aid
students in achieving the types of benefits that will long outlast
one particular course.
Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is often seen as a means in the English
language classroom. We believe that now it is not an optional
means but an extremely important means and end. In the age of
the Internet, the ability to cooperate and collaborate with other
partners in the same institution or across the world is essential
to success, and students cannot really learn to use the Internet
well unless they learn collaborative communication and teamwork
skills.
Cross-Cultural Learning
Just as the Internet enhances the importance of collaborative
learning, it also magnifies the importance of cross-cultural learning.
Success in today's Internet-connected global society-whether in
the business world, academia, or civic affairs-depends in large
measure on the ability to communicate effectively with people
from different cultures and interpret information from varied
cultural contexts. This goal, too, should be consciously integrated
into the Internet-enhanced classroom.
Critical Learning
Finally, the vast amount of information available on the Internet
means that critical learning and literacy skills are more important
than ever before. More than ever, reading now means reading between
the lines. We as teachers should help learners think critically
at the microlevel, for example, by analyzing the perspectives
and biases of individual World Wide Web sites. We should also
help learners think critically at the macrolevel by considering
how new information technologies are helping reshape social, political,
and economic contexts in a broader sense.
Introduction
> Learning Goals > Teaching
Guidelines > Planning
Tips > Sample
Web Projects > Conclusion
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