Mark Warschauer defined technological determinism as the idea that the introduction of new technology to a society will make changes on that society . The focus of the paper was the change on learning language .
People all over the world now use technology which I think makes learning easier and accessible for any one . Warschauer mentioned ten developments in Information and Communication Technology. First , the change from phone based to wireless communication which will offer low-cost wireless communication from anywhere . Second , using permanent direct online connection instead of dial-up connection . Third , the use of portable computing and online devices . Fourth , a change of narrowband to broadband which will provide rapid internet connection . Fifth , computers and hardware will become more affordable because it is not expensive . AS result , the internet will be accessible to most people on the planet . Seventh , the use of audiovisual forms of information and connection instead of text-based information . Eighth , people will use their native language for local or regional communication instead of English . Ninth , users of the information technology will become native users because they exposed to technology since their childhood . The last development is the movement of CALL which mean computers and online other devices will be available in classrooms .
Warschauer outlined the expected effect of these developments on teaching English . Five areas have been discussed . First , there is expansion of non-native speakers of English because of the use of English in new globalized media and commerce . As a result , the context in which English is taught is influenced . Second , in the past people used to read only from printed books which are more reliable from Mark's point of view . But nowadays online reading is common and a reader doesn't know whether what is written is true or not . So critical literacy is needed . Third , a new genres will be presented . Mark used the example of writing to explain this point .The change of writing instructions if the writing is through electronic communication . Fourth , online communication can offer a learner a new identity by sharing ideas with other people and develop a wide range of literacies that will improve the learner language and develop a self confidence . Fifth , These changes will develop and produce new pedagogies on teaching language .
As an example , computer-assisted language learning (CALL) which mean the computers and other devices will be found in every classroom . Mark explain the stages of CALL since its inception in the 1906s . First stage (1970s-1980s) was structural . The focus was in the structure rather than the use of the language . Methods were traditional . Computers were used to drill and practice . Accuracy was the mean of learning . Second stage (1980s-1990s) was communicative . The focus was on communication using target language and cognitive development . Communicative language teaching method were used . Fluency was the mean of learning . Third stage of CALL is integrative which is used these days . Technologies that are used are multimedia and internet . Context-based method is used . Materials are authentic Discourses . Agency is the aim of learning .
The development of ICT in Saudi Arabia :
Young people in Saudi Arabia are exposed very well to the technology . They know every thing about it . Especially the new generation . I consider them native users of technology . The problem is that they do not know how to use it effectively for education purposes . Saudi Arabia has noticed all changes on ICT except the movement of CALL . This pedagogy is only used in private schools and some colleges and the use of technology is limited . But people in Saudi arabia are aware of the importance of English language because of the use of technology . so they are making an effort to learn the language by themselves . AS a result some of the five area has emerged such as a new identities .
I believe that the ministry of education should work on introducing CALL in schools classrooms . Because as I said in the beginning , the new generation know how to use the technology so they won't face any problem . And learners will be motivated because it will link their interest in technology and learning . As a result , they will learn the language and how to use it .
