REVIEW ARTICLE
NORTH AMERICAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH (NAAR) JOURNAL
2021 JUNE, VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6, PAGES 110-118
[Link]
Investigating the Use of Technology in the Process of
Teaching and Learning; A Critical Review
Ziarahman Amani1*, Mujtaba Quyash2
1
English Language and Literature Department, Baghlan University
2
Uzbeki Language and Literature Department, Baghlan University
ABSTRACT
In this review, two articles have been reviewed critically which discusses
the using of technology in the process of teaching and learning to find out
Accepted June 15,2021
Published June 20,2021
the effects of e-learning and sub-categories such as: Internet; Web-based
English language learning, and computer-assisted language learning
*Corresponding Author: (CALL)? In addition, the study is conducted to find out answers to the
Ziarahman Amani, following two questions that how potential contributions of using
DOI :[Link] technology incorporate in teaching English language to medical students?
enodo.4999290 And how integration of e-learning enhances students’ learning and
Pages: 110-118
increases the effectiveness of teachers’ instruction? Two articles have been
included and critically reviewed. The first one is the effects of e-learning
Funding: None on language learning and the second article been discussed and reviewed
Distributed under critically is the incorporating e-learning in teaching English language to
Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 the students of medical. First, both papers are summarized, then the
highlights of the studies are reviewed, and finally the findings of both
Copyright: © The Author(s) papers are reviewed critically. The findings indicated that technological
tools lead the students to be independent learners. Besides, it provides
How to cite this article (APA): learners with authentic inputs which motivates them to the language
Amani, Z., & Quyash, M. (2021). proficiency. Furthermore, e-learning activities increase students’
Investigating the Use of motivation to the class content.
Technology in the Process of
Teaching and Learning; A TECKNOLOGY, PROCESS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING.
Keywords:
Critical Review. North American COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING
Academic Research, 4(6), 110-
[Link]:[Link]
zenodo.4999290 Introduction
In the process of learning outside or inside the class, the use of technology
Conflicts of Interest
There are no conflicts to declare. is considered as an important part. Usually, in language classes learners
and instructors use some kinds of technology. It has been pointed out in many studies that the use of technology
incorporates as well as improve language learning. As Murphy, DePasquale, & McNamara (2003), mentioned
that technology must be used as significant part of learning by learners in their learning process because it is an
effective tool for learners. The utilization of technology should be modeled by instructors for supporting
curriculum where the true use of technology could be increased by learners in learning their language skills.
E-learning, is better and more useful than traditional approach but, in some cases, traditional method is better
provided that we have no access to technologies and electronic devices. Traditional classroom includes lectures,
note taking and explanations and some kind of instructions using white and blackboard. As a result of rapid
North American Academic Research, 4(6) | June 2021 | [Link] Monthly Journal by TWASP, USA | 110
development in technology, traditional methods have changed concerning the development. A study by Patel
(2013), stated that English language teaching methods have changed through the implementation of technology.
It makes the process of teaching and learning interesting and more productive in terms of advancement which
are considered as alternatives.
Summary of the articles
The reviewed journal articles entitled (Effects of E-Learning on Language Learning) written by Mohammadi,
N., Ghorbani, V., & Hamidi, F. (2011) and (Incorporating E-learning in teaching English language to medical
students: exploring its potential contributions) written by Navidinia, H., Bidaki, M. Z., & Hekmati, N. (2016),
discussed the effects of e-learning and its sub-categories such as internet, web-based English learning and
computer-assisted language learning (CALL). As well as, how different surface of human life are influenced
by technology. The reviewed articles are related to the teaching of English language using technology. Whereas,
Hossein Navidinia (2016), stated that how does the use of technology contribute in teaching of English
language. It has been discussed that how does the integration of e-learning can enhance students’ learning and
how it increases the effectiveness of teachers’ instruction. On the hand, the articles investigated that Is e-learning
an appropriate substitute for traditional learning in language learning? which have also intended on the effects
of e-learning and its components on language learning and teaching.
Summary of article 1
The first article by Mohammadi, Ghorbani, & Hamidi (2011), aimed to find the effects of e-learning and its
sub-categories such as internet, web-based English learning and computer-assisted language learning (CALL)
on language learning in general. It is stated that before growing, developing and prevalence of World Wide
Web (www) for language teaching and learning teachers and students mostly used emails but in network-based
language learning; computer-based educational activities were used by both teachers and students. The research
has pointed to some important factors of e-learning which are considered very essential such as, engagement,
attendance and motivation of students.
Firstly, the article provides some definition of e-learning. Next, the advantages of e-learning are evaluated such
as; in e-learning the role of a teacher is only to guide and facilitate the process of learning. It indicates that e-
learning is categorized as learner-centered approach. Teaching through e-learning could be very convenient for
learners because they can access any-time/any-where education. E-learning provides interesting games and
entertained learning. In addition, lessons are prepared by different professors from different phases which make
learners enable to learn more than one major or specialty and many activities in e-learning; i.e. enrolment,
supervision, tuition are done by internet.
As stated, e-learning comprises many advantages it has also its own disadvantages as it decreases social
relations, some learners know how to use internet while others don’t have much knowledge of using internet
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and there also exist some technical limitations. There may be lingual/cultural differences among the learners
which can hinder the process of learning and teaching. Then, the article also focuses on the effects of subparts
of e-learning for example the researchers have stated that electronic devices such as television and online games
can attract the learner’s attention because mostly children as well as teens like sounds and images. It also
discusses the Online games which is helpful for learning vocabulary and learning correct pronunciation and the
use of blogs in creating competitive drills and activities.
Findings of the study
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning and traditional methods of language learning, we
can determine that e-learning is better and more useful than traditional approaches. In some cases, traditional
methods are better applicable where we have no access to technologies and electronic devices. For instance, in
developed and developing countries where people have access to internet and electronic devices, e-learning is
better to use. Whereas, in undeveloped countries where people have little knowledge of internet and computers
with poor internet, they have to use traditional approaches of language learning.
Highlights of the study
The main advantage of e-learning is that it increases the engagement, attendance and motivation of students
which are requisite for language learning. E-learning is a virtual English language learning environment. Since
language learning is challenging and time-consuming and costs highly in some cases, by using distance
education and e-learning we can reduce the amount of expenses and time.
Finally, the article tries to show the effects of e-learning and compares it with traditional approaches of language
learning. It tries to explain different parts of e-learning and their effects on language learning. By the
advancement of technology, the use of e-learning, electronic devices, internet, computers in teaching and
learning language is a matter. The more teachers and learners get familiar with technologies, the more they can
use and incorporate them with their teaching styles and these technologies provide teachers with practical and
creative ideas and make them create their own eclectic methods.
Summary of article 2
This particular article is written by Hossein Navidinia, Majid Zare Bidaki, and Nargess Hekmati (2016) that
entitles (Incorporating E-learning in teaching English language to medical students: exploring its potential
contributions). It generally focuses on the potential contribution of the use of technology in teaching English
language to medical students. A qualitative research method with an action design is applied to achieve the
objectives of the study. The research is conducted in Birjand University of Medical Science where 60 medicals
students have taken a general English course during the Fall Semester of 2015. The class is fully equipped with
the technological tools, also internet is provided for the use of students during the sessions. In addition, a weblog
has been created for exchanging the learning and teaching activities as well as evaluation of teacher and
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students’ peers.
In terms of research procedure and analysis, first of all, students reflected in their English language learning
approach. They highlighted the use of films, internet, and e-dictionaries. Next, an integrated approach by the
support of technology was applied to teach them the language using tube channel, online films, e-dictionaries,
e-textbooks, and a weblog where they could watch and upload educational videos to have feedback from the
teacher and their peers. Whereas, by the end of the term, an open-ended questionnaire distributed to the leaners
through which they reflected to the innovative course. The answers from the content of the questionnaire
analyzed and resulted the findings of this article and its discussion.
Basically, the research indicated that e-learning improves leaners language proficiency and assists the
instructors to create a dynamic learning and teaching space. The use of technological tools such as e-
dictionaries, e-textbooks, related video tape, internet access, and integrated tasks, not only enable the learners
to perform language skills, but also provide them the opportunity to practice the language anytime/anywhere.
Accordingly, the learners reflected that this integrated method of teaching and learning by the support of
technological tools provided authentic input and motivated them to be independent learners.
In terms of the research problem, the article demonstrate that human’s life has been affected by technology,
however teaching and learning especially language teaching and learning is one of the sequences of its
emergence. Currently, the use of technological tools in teaching and learning English language really
contributes to a significant influence. One of these technological tools is e-learning that this research attempts
to determine its potential contribution in teaching English language to medical students.
In terms of research questions and research objectives, the authors followed two correlated objectives:
examining the potential contribution of the use of technology in teaching English language to medical students,
and enhancing students’ language proficiency and facilitating the teaching process through e-
learning. Whereas, in terms of research questions, the researchers followed the study by two research questions
How potential contributions of using technology incorporates in teaching English language to medical students?
How integration of e-learning enhances students’ learning and increases the effectiveness of teachers’
instruction? to achieve the research objectives.
The literatures in this article concentrates on what e-learning is basically. According to Zehry and Halder
(2011), e-learning is the use of information technology or internet for learning and teaching. It provides another
opportunity in educational arenas that learning and teaching could happen anytime/anywhere. Whereas, Chryso
(2011) claimed that e-learning has made it much easier for the learners to access and share knowledge and
information. Whereas, it can be summarized that technology facilitated every surface of our current life, with
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the development of it, a new revolution arisen in educational setting which refers to e-learning.
Findings of the study
The findings of the study reflected that e-learning functions as an autonomous model of teaching and learning
which engages students to deal with multimedia, internet, mobile, e-dictionaries, as well as support teachers
to provide authentic language input. In addition, the use of e-learning and technological tools leads the students
to be independent learners. Also, it provides learners with authentic inputs which motivates them to the
language proficiency. The findings also illustrate that technology provides the opportunity for integrated
learning which fosters learners four skills of the language. Likewise, e-learning enables the learners to be
familiar with online sources, have access to the content, teacher, and their peers anytime/anywhere.
Highlights of the study
As the finding of the study highlighted the flexibility of the e-learning approach, there are several online courses
available that students can take it from home. Technology has made it possible for teachers to integrate different
teaching methods base on the needs of learners (Dashtestani, 2014). As well as, incorporating language teaching
with technology enables the learners to be independent. Therefore, teachers introduce some online sources so
that students engage and practice the language outside the class.
In sum, the research exposed to the benefits of incorporating technology in teaching English language to the
students of medical. Changing the approach by applying the e-learning is an evidence that students enhanced
language proficiency, and it ultimately supported teaching process. As well as, the findings of this research
proposed that e-learning be incorporated by English language programs to medical students. In addition, e-
learning activities provide authentic language input for the learners. In addition, technological tools lead the
learners to be more independent learner. It also supports the teachers to facilitate the students with authentic
language input so that they could practice the language outside the class.
Critical review of articles
Both of these articles investigated the use ICT (Information Communication Technology) particularly e-
learning such as CALL, Electronic devices, Online games, Internet and multimedia, and Blogs in terms of new
approaches to teach a foreign language. In addition, it is demonstrated that the widely use of ICTs have impacted
various part of the life more specifically the education and the foreign language teaching and learning. In terms
of appropriateness, the importance of technology caused that these types of articles should have been
investigated while it is supporting teaching and learning in different regions with different range of application.
As we read through these two articles, it is highly supporting the foreign language teaching and learning
platforms.
Since e-learning is a consequently emerging topic whiten the language learning and teaching context, the
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researchers extended the ideas related the use of these technological approaches and varying it into different
contexts. We think that it is really supporting language teaching and learning. For instance, it reduces the
learning cost, provides anywhere/anytime education, motivates the learners. We do agree that it also facilitates
a variety of cooperative language learning activities since language is learned through interactive cooperation.
As hints, the first article entitled (Effects of E-Learning on Language Learning) written by Neda Mohammadia,
Vahid Ghorbanib, Farideh Hamidiab (2011), discussed what is e-learning, advantages of e-learning,
disadvantages of e-learning, part of e-learning and their effects on language learning such as Electronic devices,
Online games, Internet and multimedia, and Blogs. Whereas, the second article entitled (Incorporating E-
learning in teaching English language to medical students: exploring its potential contributions) written by
Hossein Navidinia, Majid Zare Bidaki, Nargess Hekmati (2016) also discussed that e-learning could enhance
students’ language proficiency and facilitate the teaching process. Therefore, we can elaborate that both of these
articles discuses similar ideas relating to e-learning and foreign language learning.
In terms of the strengths, both of these articles aimed to investigate on the effects of e-learning and sub-
categories such as: Internet; Web-based English language learning, and computer-assisted language learning
(CALL) as well as examining the potential contribution of the use of technology in teaching English language
while it is investigated appropriately. Indeed, the use ICT enhances the students’ language proficiency and
facilitates the teaching process through e-learning. However, these two articles are guided by main research
questions which intends that they evaluated similar outcome by using different research approaches within
different context. Therefore, the overall findings illustrate that e-learning is highly supported for foreign
language teaching and learning and following the research questions the objectives of the study is achieved.
As it is also clarified in the second article that technology facilitated every surface of our today’s life, with the
development of it, a new revolution arisen in educational setting which refers to e-learning. Similarly, Zehry
and Halder (2011) claimed that e-learning is the use of information technology or internet for learning and
teaching. It provides another opportunity in educational arenas that learning and teaching could happen
anytime/anywhere. Whereas, Chryso (2011) claimed that e-learning has made it much easier for the learners to
access and share knowledge and information. All of these hints clarify that the potential use of e-learning
supports foreign language teaching and learning in a variety of ways.
Moreover, the first article discusses on how to transit the traditional approaches of language teaching and
learning into technological-integrated approaches. Therefore, Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski (2007)
claimed that technology has made it possibility for teachers to integrate different teaching methods based on
the needs of the students. This flexibility in terms of teaching methods and engaging technological tools to
facilitate learning, motivates students to interact more effectively. It also supports teachers to develop authentic
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teaching materials in order to achieve the learning objectives. In this regard, Chhabra (2012) also argued that it
is the teacher’s responsibility to change the methods based on the needs and demands of the students. Therefore,
teaching English language by the support of technology became a prominent phenomenon that changed the
traditional ways of teaching and learning.
In brief, using technology, more specifically e-learning functions to provide authentic input and enhances
learning and teaching language. The literatures in these two articles indicated that there are many researches
that have been evaluated in learning and teaching English through e-learning approaches. Whereas, Avanaki,
Sadeghi, and Akbari (2014) claimed that teaching general English language in Iranian universities did not
promote students’ language proficiency. As far as, these particular researches concentrated to explore the
potential contribution of the use of technology in teaching English language and how to use ICT or e-learning
in language education.
Article 1 Article 2
Methods Review of Literatures Methods Qualitative/ Action Research Design
Is e-learning an appropriate substitute for traditional How potential contributions of using
learning in language learning? technology incorporate in teaching
English language to medical students?
RQ/RO The study investigates on the effects of e-learning and RQ/RO
sub-categories such as: Internet; Web-based English How integration of e-learning enhances
language learning, and computer-assisted language students’ learning and increases the
learning (CALL) effectiveness of teachers’ instruction?
E-learning is better and more useful than traditional Technological tools lead the students to
approaches. be independent learners.
E-learning tools engages students’ participation in It provides learners with authentic
Findings teaching and learning circumstances. Findings inputs which motivates them to the
language proficiency.
In some cases, traditional methods are better applicable
where we have no access to technologies and electronic E-learning activities increase students’
devices. motivation to the class content.
Chart 1 Summarizing critics of Both Articles
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Conclusion
The findings indicated that using e-learning is better and is considered more useful than traditional method.
Furthermore, students are encouraged and will have an active participation in the process of teaching and
learning while e-learning tools are used. Besides, the technological tools lead the students to be independent it
provides learners with authentic inputs which motivates them to the language proficiency. Moreover, e-learning
activities increase students’ motivation to the class content but in some cases, traditional methods are better
applicable where we have no access to technologies and electronic devices
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North American Academic Research, 4(6) | June 2021 | [Link] Monthly Journal by TWASP, USA | 117
Ziarahman Amani is Master of Education. He is a qualified senior EFL lecturer at Baghlan
University, Faculty of Literature and Humanities.
Email: ziamozia19@[Link]
Mujtaba Quyash is Turkish Language and Literature. He is a qualified senior lecturer at Baghlan
University, Department of Uzbek language and Literature Faculty of Literature and Humanities.
Email: mujtabaquyash14@[Link]
© 2021 by the authors. Author/authors are fully responsible for the text, figure,
data in above pages. This article is an open access article distributed under
the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license
([Link]
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