Exploring Potential Uses of ICT in Chinese Language Arts Instruction: Eight Teachers' Perspectives

Abstract

Eight experienced Chinese language arts teachers from a typical junior high school in Taiwan participated in this study to discuss the potential uses of information and communications technologies (ICT) in Chinese language arts instruction. After meeting for 12 roundtable sessions and using a web forum as a supplement for exchanging ideas, they proposed a list of instructional activities which they believe could be carried out more effectively with the help of ICT. These activities are presented under three categories: reading comprehension, writing skill development, and other teaching-related tasks. The teachers also emphasized the necessity for establishing a Chinese teachers’ web site and they proposed a set of essential features to be included in it. To be able to implement the ICT-infused activities, the teachers made a number of suggestions regarding provision of adequate computing facilities and ICT training courses which they expected from the school administration.