Article Review for CALL in India

TSL 641: COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING

Task 2 (10%)

ARTICLE REVIEW

1. Choose a journal article on the use of technology in second or foreign language teaching and learning preferably an online article. The article must be from the year 2006 onwards. Write a review on the article you have chosen and post it on your blog (Please link the article to your blog). Submit both a soft copy (CD)and hardcopy

2. The format of the review is as follows:

A. Proper citation of the article:

a. Title

b. Journal – volume,

c. Author’s name, designation, background, etc.

B. Paragraph 1 - Summary of the article

a. If it is a research describe:

i. The aims of the research

ii. The methodology

iii. The subject/sample

iv. The findings of the research

b. If it is a concept/theory describe/explain

i. The major idea(s) the author is trying to get across

C. Paragraph 2 – Your reaction

a. If it is research:

i. Does the research interest you?

ii. Do you think the research well conducted?

1. If not how do you think it can be improved?

iii. What is/are the implication(s) of the research in the teaching and learning of ESL ( in the general and Malaysian contexts)

Your review should be between 500 – 800 words.

DEADLINE: 28 ^th August 2010 (Week 7)

Article Review

A. The article

The article that I have chose for my review is taken from The Indian Review of World Literature in English, Volume 3, article number 2. The title of the article is Computer Assisted Language Learning As a Method to Develop Study Skills in Students of Engineering and Technology in Tertiary Level. The author of this article is Mr. J. Jayachandran and he submitted this particular article for the journal in the year 2006.

B. Summary of the article

This article is a concept paper that focuses on the use of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) to develop study skills in students especially those who are taking engineering and technology in tertiary level. The article shows the problem and how CALL can be integrated in study skills in order for the students to acquire the English language.

According to the author, the concept of individualized instruction is increasingly gaining importance. As a result of CALL, it will be like killing two birds with a stone, the students can now learn study skills on their own and learn the English language at the same time in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Study skills according to the author encompasses reading academic texts efficiently and

effectively; taking notes from lectures and books; doing basic research; using library or computer-based resources; writing academic papers; taking part in discussions; presenting papers; managing study time and preparing for examinations. Thus the use of CALL is important as teachers can monitor the linguistic performance and progress without interfering during the learning process.

Another major idea that the author is trying to impart is that teachers will be able to customize any CALL program to increase the level of proficiency in students. Students will be able to learn the language at their own pace and getting an almost instantaneous feedbacks.

However, limitations do exist in the form of author and programmer does not share the similar concern. Adding or modifying the software used in teaching the study skills is an almost an impossible task as only the programmer has the ability to do so.

C. Reaction

This paper has really caught my attention because it is applicable in Malaysia’s education system. Students in our education system study only to pass for their examination. Thus, integrating CALL into study skills will expose them to the English language and at the same time reduce the tendency for students to memorize without any proper comprehension of what they are learning.

Since CALL programs focuses mainly on receptive skills, namely listening and reading, exposing study skills to students as young as those in primary schools in Malaysia will be a good. As they progress to secondary or tertiary level of learning, they will be able to grasp and maybe able to, if not master, then comprehend the English language which is widely used. Thus, by exposing them to the two skills, they will be able to learn the other two skills, namely speaking and writing.

If this concept is applied in Malaysia, students will not have any trouble comprehending the English language. Looking at the length of time provided for students to learn English in schools, there is no wonder that our students are lacking far behind from other developing countries. By integrating CALL with study skills, students will have time to learn the language on their own pace. They can learn and practice privately without the normal fear of being embarrassed by their peers. After getting the confidence that they need, they will be able to practice it with their peers and go back home to further develop themselves if they think that they are still below par.

Her is the link to the article: http://worldlitonline.net/july-07/jeyachandran.pdf

CALL in Listening & Speaking

The thing I remembered in this presentation is PODCAST.

What is a Podcast?

An audio programme in a compressed digital format, delivered via an RSS feed over the Internet to a subscriber and designed for playback on computers or portable digital audio players, such as the iPod; To deliver (audio) via an RSS feed over the internet to a subscriber.

It is fun to create a Podcast as it easy and free. All you have to do is create an account, create a Podcast and start recording before publishing it on the net.

The Role of Computer

What is a computer?

A computer is a programmable machine that receives input, stores and manipulates data, and provides output in a useful format.

What is the role of computer in CALL?

The computer is a medium of communication and a useful tool that is used to teach learners. However, the computer is only a medium and cannot replace a teacher teaching a subject.

This is an activity integrating the speaking and listening skills in teaching English. Students will have to fill in the blanks while listening to the song. After completing the song, the students can have a sing-a-long.

"Home"

I'm staring out into the night,

Trying to hide the ______.

I'm going to the place where love

And feeling ______ don't ever cost a thing.

And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

Well I'm going home,

Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

I'm not running from.

No, I think you got me all wrong.

I don't _______ this life I chose for me.

But these places and these ______ are getting old,

So I'm going home.

Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting _______, it seems,

The closer I get to you.

I've not always been the best man or friend for you.

But your ______ remains true.

And I don't know why.

You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home,

Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

I'm not running from.

No, I think you got me all wrong.

I don't regret this life I chose for me.

But these places and these faces are getting old,

Be careful what you ____ for,

'Cause you just might get it all.

You just might get it all,

And then _____ you don't want.

Be careful what you wish for,

'Cause you just might get it all.

You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I'm going home,

Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

I'm not running from.

No, I think you got me all _______.

I don't regret this life I chose for me.

But these _____ and these faces are getting old.

I said these places and these faces are getting old,

So I'm going home.

I'm going home.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

The CALL! (Week 2)

What did I learn?
1.Types of CALL programs
2.Types of CALL activities

So, 1:

• CALL-specific software: applications designed to develop and facilitate language learning, such as CD-ROMs, web-based interactive language learning exercises/quizzes.
• Generic software: applications designed for general purposes, such as word-processors (Word), presentation software (PowerPoint) and spreadsheet (Excel), that can be used to support language learning.
• Web-based learning programs: online dictionaries, online encyclopedias, online concordancers, news/magazine sites, e-texts, web-quests, web publishing, blog, wiki, etc.
• Computer-mediated communication (CMC) programs: synchronous - online chat; asynchronous - email, discussion forum, message board

Gosh, I never knew that I have been using CALL all this while. I think I have used all of the types of CALL mentioned above. Well, you learn something new everyday.

And Numero Dos is:

The activities. Well, what I remembered most was the BLOG creating time. Giving it a name was the hardest part but I managed to do so.

Well, Blogging is an activity. I mean a CALL activity.

And the rest of the activities were:

- Concordancing: The game was quite cool. A very interesting program I would say.

- Writing and Word-Processing: Use it a lot. Assignments and presentations.

- Online Communication (synchronous & asynchronous): YM, Forums......

So, what is CALL? (Week 1)

CALL, is not the I call you, you call me kind of call.
It stands for Computer Assisted Language Learning.

What is that you asked?
CALL is just the acronym. We use CALL to learn language with assistance of a computer. Programs and soft-wares as well websites(Modern day)used to help in the learning of language can also be considered as CALL.

As Brown (1988:6) says:
"Learning a foreign language can enrich the education of every pupil socially and intellectually and be vocationally relevant. The new technology should form an integral part of a modern language department's overall teaching strategy."

A Hole In The Wall

Wow!
Children learning how to use the computer by themselves, how cool is that. It just proves that the curiosity of children will make them interested in knowing how things work.
This research, by Sugata Mitra, Ritu Dangwal, Shiffon Chatterjee, Swati Jha, Ravinder S. Bisht and Preeti Kapur shows that children can acquire the computer know-how, all they need is a computer and an access to the Internet.
The findings has proven that self-instruction is as effective as a traditional classroom. In my opinion, children can acquire any knowledge that they want, as long as they have an interest in that particular subject. The finding has just given hope to all the children throughout the world who are in need of education.
I, myself have heard of such a project within Malaysia. An NGO donated a few PC to the rural area, namely Long Lawen (Sarawak) for the children to use. The NGO will be going back to the place in a few months time to check up on the computer literacy level of the children (and also whether the PCs are still intact and operating well). From what I heard last, if the results are promising, the NGO will provide a few more units of PC.
I'm praying that the children will show promising signs of learning so that they will be able to show a similar result from the Hole In The Wall research that I have just read. If they do show some similarities, then I would say that the Hole In The Wall research is truly a success and it can be applied throughout the world.

Note: I'll try to upload the pictures as soon as I get them from my friends.