INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGY WITH COMPUTER-SUPPORTED COLLABORATIVE LEARNING IN TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Abstract

Today’s society is technology motivated and the educational institutions call for new pedagogical ideas. An education process over hauling is needed in all aspects of education like curriculum improvement, teaching learning aspect, assessment, evaluation procedures, etc. One of the basic requirements for education in the future is to prepare learners for participation in a network, information society in which knowledge will be the most critical resource for social and economic development. Computer - Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is one of the most promising innovations to improve teaching and learning with the help of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Research on collaborative learning and the use of information and communication technologies has been integrated in the research area called Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). Collaborative technology refers to specific technological support for collaboration built into computer networks. Such collaborative technology in connection with corresponding pedagogical practices is usually called CSCL environment. Collaborative learning is very important in achieving critical thinking. Individuals are able to achieve higher levels of learning and retain more information when they work in group rather than individually. The knowledge of English has become a prime factor for a nation’s development as well as an individual’s development. The present paper highlights the distinction made between the collaborative use of technology and collaborative technology for teaching English to undergraduate students.