POST-PANDEMIC TEACHING – LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO SHAPE THE FUTURE
Victoria Șerban , Colegiul Național „ Gheorghe Lazăr ” Sibiu
Abstract : Digital literacy , the ability to find , create and evaluate information using modern technology , is an essential skill in today ’ s world . This ability proved its usefulness in education especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when online and blended teaching and learning replaced face-to-face instruction . This article will discuss pre- and post-pandemic CALL issues , offering some practical ideas of how specific digital tools could be integrated in the physical classroom in order to enhance language teaching and learning .
Key words : digital literacy , CALL , online platforms , practical activities
Computer-assisted language learning ( CALL ) refers to the use of computers or digital technologies to assist in the teaching and learning of a language . CALL can take various forms , such as language learning software , interactive multimedia materials , online language courses , or mobile language learning apps . Although dating back as early as the 1960s in the USA , CALL applications had been rather scarce and mostly belonged to individual efforts in Romania until the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic . On March 10 , 2020 , when all schools in Romania were closed due to safety issues , the need to find a quick solution appeared . However , due to lack of knowledge and resources , it took more than a month until the Ministry of Education even decided to continue the school year online .
As most teachers in Romania probably remember , the beginning of online schooling was primarily a difficult one due to a number of reasons , among which the most important ones were insufficient training opportunities for teachersandlack of resources especially in rural areas , which led to huge efforts to adapt to the new virtual environment . However , both teachers and students proved they were quick learners , and what helped enormously was the free and unlimited access to certain platforms and applications which was offered by numerous companies and organisations . During a time of insecurity and uncertainty , the Romanian educational system oscillated between online , blended , and face-to-face schooling during the second half of the 2019-2020 school year and the whole of 2020-2021 one , which demonstrated that flexibility and adaptability are key competences needed in today ’ s society .
As teachers and students returned to the physical classrooms , some educators decided that they had had enough of technology and reverted to the classical teaching they had been used to before the pandemic , while others embraced the digital tools still available , although no longer entirely free or unlimited , to enhance their teaching . While face-to-face instruction has its undeniable advantages , it does not exclude the use of modern technology , as long as we strive to reach a balance and have very clear and relevant objectives in mind .
One practical example of using technology in physical classes in order to motivate students , stimulate learning , as well as offer much needed variety when teaching vocabulary is a lesson carried out with different classes by English teachers at “ Gheorghe Lazăr National College ” in January 2023 . The lesson was designed as both
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