—-TOEFL, the reflection of western technology culture
I think, those commercial educational organizations use digital technologies more frequently than others. Because digital technologies and multi-media technologies can reduce the pressure of lack of teachers. For commercial educational organizations, the control of teaching staffs is vital for reduce cost. Moreover, the demand of excellent teachers always exceeds its supply.
TOEFL, the wildest accepted English test in the world generates huge profit for ETS as well as those commercial test-preparing organizations. Here is a video made by a Korea top student to promote for TOEFL.
Many well-known education organization have been joined into develop mimic test software for TOEFL IBT test takers, such as Barron, Kaplan, Tide, Longman, Delta, Princeton, etc.
And the most broadly used might be Barron’s and Kaplan. The following are there latest versions of books for TOEFL, both of which include CD-row.
I have to say, their mimic test software is very good for users, though problems appear sometimes, it quite customized. However, the price of those materials is quite considerable, if you decided to buy all of the test preparing materials buy yourself.
For the test holders, internet based multi-media tests may be a fantastic way to solve the problem of collecting and marking the test paper. However, for the test takers, it may not be so fun.
First, it increases the expenses for test taker to prepare the test.
Second, the registration fee never reduced.
Third, everybody knows that screen reading is slower, and more likely to get tired.
Forth, limited computer skill can lead to bad performance in the test, which changes the aim of the test.
Moreover, TOEFL IBT may have many other problems, but it at least has one advantage, that is encourage the use of computer and digital technologies among the non-English speakers.
Actually, digital technology is not only a skill, but also, as CheryI mentioned in her comment of my last blog, a culture in English-speaking world.
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