This is the the third entry for this CALL class.
And here is the url, where you can find the tips and questions regarding the 3rd assignment.
For your next blog entry please answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think evaluation of CALL courseware, websites, materials etc important?
2. How do you think Hot Potatoes JCloze may help your students learn English?
There is no right or wrong answer to the questions above, just state your opinion (do not have to be lengthy)
My answers (Merely my opinion)
1. As time passes by, as the leader of the world, human is destined to grow up and move forward, not only physically, but also emotionally, and spiritually. It also means, as time passes by, we are getting stronger and clever, thus this will lead to a new level, which might never be foreseen by the people of previous era. As an example, the needs in education. Thus, it leads to the birth or existence of new formula, or kind of education; like the use of computer, internet, courseware, and etcetera which never existed nor available during the previous era. Furthermore, the use of these technologies is quite popular in certain countries.
The implementation of the use of the technology in education is something that most of the people have waited, and it is a hit in many countries. But the increasing of numbers of the technology (courseware, etc) doesn't mean that it brings all new good, it also bring some negative values such as; is it reliable, suitable for the students? As nowadays, many companies have produced their products not for the purpose of education, but merely for business. Thus, the evaluation of the technology is a must. It is important in order to check the reliability, competency, suitability and other aspects of the technology in order to meet the needs of the students, or its environment (society, school, etc).
It must not be forgotten that the use of this technology is just to help the teachers as their teaching aids in order to make the learning become more interesting or affective.
2. What do the students want? That is one of the famous questions that a teacher always ask himself before conducting an activity, or before coming out with a lesson plan. Students nowadays cannot be compared to the students in last 10 years. Their needs are different, and even their goals, and the surrounding (that affect them) are different. The normal ways of teaching (book-based, or tasksheet-based) is quite boring learning for most of them. Imagine that you were asked to write your thesis aka academic exercise, what I mean here is HAND-WRITING. Will it be a good thing for you?
The same goes to the application or the use of this Hot Potatoes in teaching English to our students. You have to remember that most of them (in some cases - all) are computer literate. Thus, by using this Hot Potatoes software, it helps any teacher to create an interesting and interactive learning. Why? First reason is - the students are computer literate (most of them - depending on their background), so basically any task or lesson that is based on their norm is can be considered the best. Second, the software just works as a medium for practice. In this context, the students have to choose the correct answer based on the given options, and they are given a few chances to answer it without having difficulty to erase their answer as the software will automatically reset the wrong answer. Besides that, the software also gives immediate feedback (Incorrect, etc) and praises (Good, etc). Third, the software is very user friendly which it makes it easier for the teacher to create and conduct any kind of activity that is suitable with the students' level. The best part of this software is, it is entertaining education. It motivated the students to participate and complete the tasks as it provides immediate feedback (praise, score, etc), user friendly (both for students and teacher), and because the students themselves are used with the computers.
In short, this software helps in making the learning become more entertaining and meaningful.
That's all. Thanks
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
2nd Task: Electronic Worksheet
I've chosen to use the copy and drag technique for this activity.
Firstly, the teacher has to explain briefly about the activity, as example, its rules.
After the teacher has finally explained the instructions, and rules of the activity, he/she will proceed the lesson by asking the students to complete the task.
What a teacher must do!!!
1. Explains the rules and instructions.
2. Teach and guide the students to use the microsoft word software (for this case - teach them to copy and paste the words/ or copy and drag).
Firstly, the teacher has to explain briefly about the activity, as example, its rules.
After the teacher has finally explained the instructions, and rules of the activity, he/she will proceed the lesson by asking the students to complete the task.
What a teacher must do!!!
1. Explains the rules and instructions.
2. Teach and guide the students to use the microsoft word software (for this case - teach them to copy and paste the words/ or copy and drag).
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
First Task (In-Class)
Greetings to all the viewers.
Today, 5th January, 2010, we (U8C students) are assigned by our TSL 641's lecturer to complete the first task. The details of the task can be viewed here.
Firstly, I would like to introduce myself - the owner of this blog. I am Mohd Ridzuan bin Ismail @ Musa (student's ID : 2006673681), and is currently pursuing my first degree in Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) in MARA University of Technology (UiTM). Hopefully this will be my last semester here (part 8) as a student. :D
To be honest, I am not an expert in anything related to computer. The first time I own my personal computer was in 2002. So basically, I've spent only 8 years using computer, mostly for gaming purposes. However, I do not see myself as a novice as I do know how to use Microsoft-related softwares and used to create and own my personal websites when I was in secondary school. I also know other basic and advanced information about computer. So I think I can rate myself as intermediate-skilled computer user.
As I did mention before, I am just in intermediate level, and just used to use and have a little knowledge on several software and hardware. I've learnt to assemble desktop computer, but now, I think I only can remember a few things about it. I also learnt to format and install the windows program to any kind of computers (except Apple related computers). I also do a lot of research on current graphic cards, mother boards, processor and softwares especially the antivirus software.
I've learnt via computer. Indeed. Honestly, I learnt English via online and role-playing games. I still remember, I used to learn English from the game "Diablo II''. The use of the language, the storylines and etcetera have captured my heart. It made me become interested to learn English. Besides, I also learnt English from other players in the entire world. At least this is the way I learn English via computer. But there are other ways to learn it via computer, such as video call etc.
Speaking about the use of technology in classroom teaching and learning - I can only describe it with two words - entertaining education. Yes, indeed. As a teacher, we not only have to teach our students but also to gain their attention (especially to get them to participate during the lesson). Thus, this is what the technology can help us. Based on my own experience (during my practicum). I've used several technology aids and mostly, it helps me a lot. I realized that, everytime I used the teachnology aids, it makes the lesson plan becoming more interesting and entertaining. We are living in the new era. Most of the students are used to the technology, and I am very sure that most of them are using internet. So, why not give them something that they are used with? But however, I believe that certain technology only applicable and suits certain group of students. So, the most important thing is, the teacher must know the background and the students' level, then choose the applicable technology. Then it will determine the success of the use of the technology.
In my opinion, the use of computer/technology in language teaching is very important, especially now we are living in the new era where most of us use the computer and internet. We can seek anything that we want just by typing any keyword in any search engines such as 'Google'. So why we should hinder the use of technology in language teaching? Actually, the use of technology is not a new thing in certain countries, it helps their students to learn better. Some of the examples can be seen in certain Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and Singapore. In these countries (few years ago), they learn by hearing to their walkmen (or now Ipod) which consist conversation, or dialogue of the targeted language (and it is also applicable to other subject, event Mathematic, but i don't know how they do it). However, the teacher/educator is still irreplaceable. The use of the technology is not meant to replace the teacher/educator, but to work as an aid.
It's still early to talk about my expectation for this course, but I do believe that by taking this course, it will teach me something new. Perhaps, it will teach me to make more interesting and entertaining activities by using the technology. So, I am expecting, at the end of this course I will be able to use certain softwares to make interesting learning activities.
Today, 5th January, 2010, we (U8C students) are assigned by our TSL 641's lecturer to complete the first task. The details of the task can be viewed here.
Firstly, I would like to introduce myself - the owner of this blog. I am Mohd Ridzuan bin Ismail @ Musa (student's ID : 2006673681), and is currently pursuing my first degree in Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) in MARA University of Technology (UiTM). Hopefully this will be my last semester here (part 8) as a student. :D
To be honest, I am not an expert in anything related to computer. The first time I own my personal computer was in 2002. So basically, I've spent only 8 years using computer, mostly for gaming purposes. However, I do not see myself as a novice as I do know how to use Microsoft-related softwares and used to create and own my personal websites when I was in secondary school. I also know other basic and advanced information about computer. So I think I can rate myself as intermediate-skilled computer user.
As I did mention before, I am just in intermediate level, and just used to use and have a little knowledge on several software and hardware. I've learnt to assemble desktop computer, but now, I think I only can remember a few things about it. I also learnt to format and install the windows program to any kind of computers (except Apple related computers). I also do a lot of research on current graphic cards, mother boards, processor and softwares especially the antivirus software.
I've learnt via computer. Indeed. Honestly, I learnt English via online and role-playing games. I still remember, I used to learn English from the game "Diablo II''. The use of the language, the storylines and etcetera have captured my heart. It made me become interested to learn English. Besides, I also learnt English from other players in the entire world. At least this is the way I learn English via computer. But there are other ways to learn it via computer, such as video call etc.
Speaking about the use of technology in classroom teaching and learning - I can only describe it with two words - entertaining education. Yes, indeed. As a teacher, we not only have to teach our students but also to gain their attention (especially to get them to participate during the lesson). Thus, this is what the technology can help us. Based on my own experience (during my practicum). I've used several technology aids and mostly, it helps me a lot. I realized that, everytime I used the teachnology aids, it makes the lesson plan becoming more interesting and entertaining. We are living in the new era. Most of the students are used to the technology, and I am very sure that most of them are using internet. So, why not give them something that they are used with? But however, I believe that certain technology only applicable and suits certain group of students. So, the most important thing is, the teacher must know the background and the students' level, then choose the applicable technology. Then it will determine the success of the use of the technology.
In my opinion, the use of computer/technology in language teaching is very important, especially now we are living in the new era where most of us use the computer and internet. We can seek anything that we want just by typing any keyword in any search engines such as 'Google'. So why we should hinder the use of technology in language teaching? Actually, the use of technology is not a new thing in certain countries, it helps their students to learn better. Some of the examples can be seen in certain Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and Singapore. In these countries (few years ago), they learn by hearing to their walkmen (or now Ipod) which consist conversation, or dialogue of the targeted language (and it is also applicable to other subject, event Mathematic, but i don't know how they do it). However, the teacher/educator is still irreplaceable. The use of the technology is not meant to replace the teacher/educator, but to work as an aid.
It's still early to talk about my expectation for this course, but I do believe that by taking this course, it will teach me something new. Perhaps, it will teach me to make more interesting and entertaining activities by using the technology. So, I am expecting, at the end of this course I will be able to use certain softwares to make interesting learning activities.
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