TRAINING ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS THROUGH CMC-ELT BLENDED MODEL: A CASE STUDY OF ONLINE MA TEFL PROGRAMME OF AIOU

Abstract

The recent developments in technology have brought revolution in all the spheres of life especially in the field of distance education. Its potential impact on distance education delivery system has been greatly accentuated through the development of computer-mediated communication (CMC) which included internet-based information technologies, and in particular the World Wide Web. CMC not only facilitated the students at campus but also at distance and new means of education like educational technology and e-learning were introduced. Integration of CMC with distance education needs a basic infrastructure, trained faculty and technical skills of the students. CMCs based instructions have been experimented in distance education and specifically in professional education programmes in developing countries. AIOU is also building up the infrastructure for offering CMC-based education and especially teacher education programmes. A CMC-ELT blended model was conceived and implemented on two courses of MA TEFL programme of Allama lqbal Open University. The results and students performance reflected cost-effectiveness, enhanced access to study materials and improved students' learning.