#3 Blog Entry

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