TASK 2:ARTICLE REVIEW

Samuel, R.J & Zaitun A.B. (2006). The utilization and integration of ICT tools in promoting English language teaching and learning: Reflections from English option teachers in Kuala Langat District, Malaysia. International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 2, No. 2 (2006). Retrieved August 16, 2009 from http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu/viewarticle.php?id=161

TITLE: The utilization and integration of ICT tools in promoting English language teaching and learning: Reflections from English option teachers in Kuala Langat District, Malaysia.
JOURNAL-VOLUME: International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 2, No. 2 (2006).
AUTHORS’ BACKGROUND:
i). Robinson Joseph Samuel is a retired college lecturer. He has more than 25 years experience in teaching English language to primary, secondary and college students.
ii). Zaitun Abu Bakar is a Head of Information Science Department, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Currently on sabbatical leave and attached to Department of ICT, University of Bahrain, and Kingdom of Bahrain

SUMMARY
This research article intended to examines the present scenario of English language teachers as regards ICT integration and tries to determine if ICT skills of English language teachers in the light of existing infrastructure facilities are adequate to promote English language teaching and learning. These researchers then look at some of the obstacle faced by English language teachers in ICT integration and finally in the concluding part, the researchers suggested that the use of interactive lessons is adequate to speed up the teaching and learning of English.
The methodology used in this research was face-to-face, semi-structure interviews with 30 trained teachers from 3 schools which are Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Langat, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Teluk Panglima Garang and Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Samad, Banting.
The findings from the researches have been classified into six areas which include: infrastructure facilities, computer courses, ICT skills of teacher, ICT integrated lessons, supply of courseware by MoE and obstacle. Almost all the teachers cited that lack of ICT resources and infrastructure facilities in schools are the most common reason that hampers the integration of ICT tools in the teachings and learning of English. There are various obstacles that the respondents face in integrating ICT which are:
1) Lack of support from the school administrators.
2) Exam pressure and fear of not being able to complete the syllabus.
3) Inadequate trolleys to house the LCD in the classrooms.
4) Long waiting list to use computer laboratories.
5) Over-burdened with administrative tasks.
6) School servers are not maintained and riddled with all kinds of ‘stubborn’ virus.
7) No supervision on ICT integration by school administrators.
8) Absence of any kind of school management system in most school.
9) Negative attitude of some teachers.

OPINION:
This article is interesting because there have not been many researches in Malaysia that studies the utilization of ICT in the classroom. This research manage to grab my attention because although many parties is very keen and enthusiastic in suggesting that English teachers implementing the use of ICT in the classroom but there are actually some obstacles that may hinder these teachers to make full use of this technology in class. We need to consider the entire obstacle and find the best solution in order to integrate the use of ICT in the classroom. Therefore, this article is quite beneficial in understanding why teachers are reluctant to integrate ICT in their teaching process.
This article also tells about the current condition of the ICT facilities in the school. The researchers include other information from other resources that they can get regarding this issue. For example, the resource from the Works Ministry Report that had been published, out of the 400 computer laboratories which were found to be incomplete or unsafe, only 100 of them have been repaired. Therefore, we can get a better view regarding this matter.
In my opinion this research is well conducted. The method used in obtaining the necessary data is also appropriate where the researchers use face-to-face semi structured interviews. Therefore, the result is more reliable and valid. Furthermore, the researchers also find other necessary data that will help the study such as the amount of computers and the internet accessibility in the particular schools. However, it is better if the researchers make the target area wider by including other school in other states so they will be comparison between different schools from different states. The amount of respondent should also be more than 30 to make the findings of the research more valid and reliable. The researchers could also include one question in the interview asking the teachers for their suggestions to improve the problem that they faced. The teachers would probably give many kinds of solution that can be considered, since they are the ones who face the problems. Therefore, they will probably know the best way to overcome the problem.

IMPLICATION:
This research is very useful in order to find out what are the reasons the English teachers does not integrates ICT in the classrooms. The Ministry of Education should pays attention to this problem because it is futile if the government spends a lot of money to provide all the tools yet it is not fully utilized by the teachers at the school. There are many researches that showed the utilization of ICT does give positive effect towards student learning process therefore it is vital for the Malaysians school students to have the same benefits in learning the English language.
There should be more research like this in the future and making sure that we keep track with the current progress of the utilization of ICT in classroom. The government cannot just provide the facilities and expect the teachers to fully use it without monitoring the progress of the facilities. The government should appoint an organization in monitoring these facilities to ensure it is well functioning and make sure that the teachers integrates the utilizations of ICT in the classroom.
Although there are many advantages of computers, the application of current computer technology still has its own limitations and disadvantages. Gips, DiMattia, & Gips (2004) indicated that one of the disadvantages of computer and its assisted language learning program is that they will increase educational cost and harm the equity of education. Therefore, when we try to apply ICT to enhance teaching and to help student learning, we should realize the advantages and disadvantages exited in current computer technology in order to avoid misemploying and get its maximum benefits for the teaching and learning process.