On Being Earnest: The Importance of Engaging With Technology in Education

Abstract

Communicative practices in second language learning are underpinned by the assumption that they will enable students to apply lessons to real life circumstances outside the classroom. However, the disparity between the dearth of technology integration in tertiary English education in Korea and its central position in Korean society cannot be overstated. As found in one of the most recent studies by Webster (2011) on teachers' perceptions and uses of technology, teachers often lack motivation to make changes owing to a lack of reliable resources, training and professional development support. This article, therefore, provides the underpinning for a new theoretical approach to promoting a more culturally holistic engagement with technology at Korean universities and education in general.