Improving Critical Thinking by Using Technology in the Learning Process

Abstract

Learning is the process that constructs knowledge and intends the enrichment of pupils with knowledge in the correct form. Learning a foreign language is important because in addition to the fact that gains knowledge, the fact that it is a subject that also requires vocabulary study that can be of different meanings. One of the rubrics of thinking about the^^^^ text meaning in a foreign language is reading session. Reading is an activity that brings a lot of benefits in children improvement. While reading a text it is connected to critical thinking developed skills, on the other hand, it includes a multitude of complex abilities. Teachers aim at improving pupils’ results, and technology is the means by which helps accomplishing this aim. Manifesting their competences during lesson hours teachers should gain the competences in order to make pupils more capable and prepared in nowadays technological environments. Furthermore, using technology during lesson hours make the job easier for the teacher and more manageable. Technology often is considered a distraction and may defocus the pupils from the lesson hour but during these lessons pupils feel more involved and wants to participate and contribute actively. There are different means and applications that are considered effective and are of great importance during lesson hours. Some of them are smart boards, projectors, computers, tablets and applications like those on the web or those that can be downloaded. The usage of technology in all its forms can convert boring traditional classrooms in interactive and interesting ones. Based on different styles of learning, fitting to their style accordingly can make easier for pupils to learn. These new means of learning can diversify your learning mode. During technological learning hours there is a higher frequency of collaboration between pupils that makes the process more dynamic. Tasks that can be realized by using technology are of multi-tasking dimension and this can trigger in the pupil the curiosity to learn more from their teachers and peers. In addition to that it can make possible the creation of small groups of pupils where more technologically advanced pupils can help and guide less experienced pupils. The variety of activities of educational technology that is available today offers students a wide range of choices from which they can choose the right ones for their learning needs. It helps develop the right abilities, skills and knowledge in order to develop their knowledge in a certain field. Vital to students’ academic success are certain elements interconnected like communication between peers, teachers and parents. Technology usage during lesson hours in your classrooms creates at the same time space for students to have an active role during their learning process. Students can become more competent and responsible to be independent in their learning by giving their impressions and opinions, participating in group work during their learning in smart boards or pc-s or during learning through applications and online classrooms giving each individual space and support to learn and use technological means effectively, creatively without problems while using them and learning from them. Learning through technology can make access to information very easy, faster as a process, and funny ways to practice what is learned. It can bring pupils different information that they have to categorize and select from the broad array of information that often can be not correct and pupils have to work on it and get what’s correct. New technological means Technology will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and it’s important to adjust your classroom style to align with its advancements. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts, particularly in the process of analysis. By using technology inside and outside the classroom, students can possess the century skills in digitalization and knowledge necessary for future occupations. The purpose of the study is to help develop reading comprehension by using technological aids and to determine some teaching apps and techniques focused on reading comprehension and the stimulation of critical thinking that can be manifested in writing and affects intellectual development of students forming intellectual and cooperative individuals. There are different activities that can be used in order to be effective as a teacher during lesson hours. One activity is creating digital content showed on smart boards related to the knowledge they are learning that is a great way for students to display their individual creativity abilities as well as productive learning. Like any other organized project, the process of creating content is expected to be more effective when pupils are capable to express themselves in ways that highlight and accommodate their personal strengths and learning styles as well as communication type. Pupils already spend most of the time on social media that occupies most of their time and the creative idea of intertwining its use into our classroom lessons that is one of the most innovative methods used in technology, in the classroom through combining students to curriculum, classroom resources, and one another. Incorporating diverse stuff like videos, photos, and audio material in different presentations, slideshows or digital presentations by incorporating music or explanations so using different elements of teaching simultaneously. The usage of slideshows and digital presentations and playing music or a video for background and context while presenting what’s meant to learn, or inviting virtual guest speakers to engage with your class via programs designed for conference calls, such as Skype and Google Hangouts are all creative and funny digital ways to affect in engagement with lessons. Learning to encourage and support students working at their own pace and providing with the useful information. In the case a pupil finishes an assignment earlier, rather than being stuck waiting for other pupils to catch up or class to finish, pupils can develop and enhance their learning by visiting a learning digital material and watch videos, playing learning-task-based activities or games, or exploring other digital online activities related to their field of study. There are also other popular, useful, and no-cost tools for teachers searching for new ways to use technology in the classroom like taking digital field trips. Applications like Google Streetview and other similar apps allow pupils to virtually and in interesting way explore parks, forests, and even national and international landmarks from the comfort of your own classroom. Teachers can use also google calendar in order to plan in a scheduled way what can be done by developing a shared online calendar for all classroom pupils through Google Calendar or a similar program for posting important dates and update to recent information. The research method that was used is the quantitative and qualitative research method such as interview with teachers of 9-th grade and 8-th grade in Vore Albania, online and by observing 9-th grade pupils’ learning during digital learning classes. The questionnaires were done from students and teachers from different schools with different achievements. Despite the challenges and concerns, it’s important to note the benefits of technology in education, including increased collaboration and communication, improved quality of education, and engaging lessons that help spark imagination and a search for knowledge in students. A contribution in this study are these suggestions regarding the applications and techniques that encourage critical thinking and, in particular, apps that will have a result and the various recommendations from teachers who succeeded in teaching in classes with difficulties in reading.

Received: 25 December 2023 / Accepted: 25 February 2024 / Published: 23 April 2024