Friday, 18 September 2009

WWW Lesson Plan (Task 3)

WWW Lesson Plan
E Forum in ESL Classroom
(Dream Classroom - Students Inventing)
Level : Form 4
Time : 1 Hour 20 Minutes
(2 Periods)
Aims : To be able to give justification in delivering points in forum for argumentative writing via E-Learning using Messenger. Allowing students to create the kind of students that they wish to have if they are to be teaching in a classroom.
Technical Requirements : Internet Access, Web Browser, Students ( formed into group of 3), blogger.com account
Preparation:
1 - Teacher must prepare an Electronic worksheet consists of 6 figures of students variation (Enclosed in the worksheet)
2 - Teacher must provide adequate number of Computers with Internet access according to the number of groups involved
3- Teacher must instruct students to create blogspot account as well as MSN Messenger for each group involved
Procedure:
1. Teacher asks students to check the electronic worksheet in their forum on Messenger. (E- Worksheet consists of 6 pictures and desciption of students variations (Image and Characteristics)
2. Teacher prompts them with a question ; If you are to teach, who will you teach?
3. Teacher asks students to form into a group of 3 and to have one computer for each group. They are to log in to the given Messenger account for discussion (E-Forum)
4. Teacher gives them 15 minutes to discuss in their group of who they will teach and the reason why according to the electronic worksheet.
5. Teacher assists students while the brainstorming process operating.
6. Teacher asks students to publish the result of their discussion on their group's blog.
7. Teacher will then lead students to an argumentative discussion in the second period of the lesson. Students are to give justification towards their discussion on who's who will be in their dream classroom as their students. Each group will take turn to present their answer in the forum (Messenger)
8. Groups are to rate the other groups' presentations on the their blog. They are to give comments as each comments will be credited marks to their respective group.
9. At the end of the lesson, students are to write an argumentative essay on " Dream classroom - Students inventing". They are to follow the worksheet prepared by teacher and to use what they have discussed in the forum to justify their points in their essay. They are to write the essay using Microsoft Word and to email it to their respective teacher.
( I have emailed the E-worksheet to your email sir, I forgot how to publish it together on the blog (n_n)v Happy Eid Mubarak sir)

Friday, 28 August 2009

Article Review (Task 2) (10%)

ARTICLE REVIEW (TASK 2) (10%)





A - PROPER CITATION OF THE ARTICLE



a. Multimedia Glosses and Their Effect on L2 Text Comprehension and Vocabulary Learning



b. Journal June 2009 Volume 13 number 2 pg 48-67



c. Inigo Yanguas, San Diego State University





B - Paragraph 1 - Summary of the article



This article was written by Inigo Yanguas from San Diego State University. Basically the articles deals with the investigation on different tpe of multimedia glosses. Multimedia glosses in this article has been defined as textual, pictorial, textual + pictorial, on text comprehension and vocabulary learning when the goal is on computerized text. This article suggesting that the whole multimedia glosses are meant to increase the attention of the leaners of language in acquisition process of an L2. Studies been made qualitatively and quatitatively to confirm on their hypotheses that the increases of notices on multimedia glosess in computerized text by the L2 increases the recognition of target words or vocabulary. The gloss groups significantly and distinctively have different effect on comprehension. The study they made refered to different groups with comparison to that of target group they set. The main things in the study is that they are investigating on the multimedia glosses effects on the comprehension as well as vocabulary learning of an L2. The study require result to understand and discover which multimedia glosses benifits more towards the language learning of an L2 either textual, pictorial or combination of two. The results of the study critically shown that the combination of both multimedia glosses effects for better result in comprehension as well as vocabulary learning. The capture of words enhanced by the multimedia glosses enhances L2 attention thus compliments on their comprehension as well.
C - Paragraph 2 - Your Reaction
Basically, based on my understanding of the article, it actually refers to chapter 5 in Brown's Principles of Language Leaning and Teaching, Styles and Strategies. This chapter closely elaborate on learners of language, L2, style and strategies in acquiring the acqusition of the language. This is something that teacher needs to cater with. Some learners they have the tendency to have texxtual in their notes of language learning when some other prefer pictorial. but the study in the article prove that the combination of both multimedia glosses in computerized text is far more effective in ehancing comprehension as well as vocabulary learning. Specifically, the article talks about how the noptices of the multimedia glosses by the L2 made the learning more effective as it enhances thier attention and focus thus complimenting on the success of their comprehension as well as their vocabulary learning. Attention span can be defined as a period of time in which you continue to be interested in something. This explains that by using the multimedia glosses in computerized text, it actually increases L2 interest which lead to the improvement of their attention thus promoting better learning and enhancing the notices of words for vocabulary learning and understanding of the text as for their comprehension. I believe that this is the point where the learning takes place when the interest is taken care by the use of exciting and attention grabing materials. To me poor level of concentration is proven to be one of the factor that defects the learning process. iI believe in having colorful and pictorial text to be rather more catching towards our attention. It is part of creativity that teachers must have in teaching language for L2. They need to be inventive and innovative and by using pictorial as well as textual in computerized text, it definitely will help on increasing the attention thus promoting better grasp of the language learned. To conclude, i would like to share a excerpt that says "Reading for information is practiced by information seekers who use reading as a tool. This type of reading is usually related to work or school. The pleasure derived from reading for information is the result not of reading but of doing a job well or completing an assignment on schedule. This kind of reading requires attention, understanding and memorization" (McCuen, 2004).

Friday, 7 August 2009

TSL 641: COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING

Task 1 (10%)




ESL WEB EVALUATION




ESL Website Link:




Question 1 :What does the application attempt to "teach"?


This is yet another practical ESL website to be utilized to its fullest. It is said by the creator of the website that this is the starting point for ESL learners who would want to improvise their english through this website. The application mainly integrate all four skills in learning a language which are Listening, speaking, reading and writing. The most important thing that this website offers is the milliue of the language, English. it offers experience for the learners to indulge in. the attempt is not only to provide activities, drillings, an other interactive learning materials for ESL learners, but it also offers unlimited access to the ESL educators who teach by offering numbers of teaching material to be added in ESL classroom. As grammar is the root to all language in the world, it is seen that this website does the best of job promoting ESL material on grammar to improve on their language proficiency.



Question 2 : What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning the content?


Users are expected to explore the website and choose the sub-links provided according to their desire. They can try all the activities. They can print the materials for later use and even for ESL teachers, they can apply any of the knowledge into their classroom. It is printable, thus there is no need to have a computer while using the materials in this website. Some of the activities




Question 3 : What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?


As this is a simple yet reliable website for ESL learners and teachers, the application expects users to have basic skills only comprising on how to operate, access and use the application. Users will only have to choose from the sub-links to begin their quest. This website are constructed for the learners to explore. Thus, the application is user friendly. Users need to know how save data is they want to copy the material in the website for later used. they also need to know how to print the material if soft copy is needed for better view. Access to the links inside the wbside is free thus users do not have to register and abide to fees. There are more than 30 sub-links that users can choose from. they only have to move the mouse and click on the desired item for them to explore. Say, if they want to go for any Grammar material, click on "adverbs with two forms" - Grammar sub-link and in few seconds user will embark on their quest of learning ESL. As nowadays Internet has become the basic equipment in everyone's life, it is not a hassle for users to access the website anytime anywhere.


Question 4 : While you are "playing"/"accessing"/"assessing" the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?


Yes, it does. I tried the "Article with geographical names" part and some of the activities in there are pretty common to me as i have been exposed to such activities. Most of the topics in grammar are covered. It is just like the worksheet that i have prepared for my students during my practical semester, so it is quite easy to handle. Drillings in the Grammar activities are quite common yet interesting. Example, irregular verb excercise. It is refrershing!



Question 5 : Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/ or teaching underlying the application?


In the Grammar activity, there are both deductive and inductive theory of learning and teaching for ESL learners where the activities are not just learned by rules but also able to be explored through examples that eventually will lead to definite understanding to the users. Brown's theory of learning language also can be seen here where meaningful learning is included by compiling the activities that are close to public. easy for users to connect with and this enhances their understanding as the result it will help to generate interest and better retention.



Question 6 : How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s)?


Constructivism is a psychological theory of knowledge which argues that humans generate knowledge and meaning from their experiences. This website offers just that that they allow users to explore and experience the activities in here. there are so many parts in Language Learning and this website allow experience-building in all sub-link and topics they cover. Teachers are allow to acces world of unlimited knowledge and material for thier teaching that many interactive activities and notes would wow themselve and increase their motivation to teach.



Question 7 : In 1980s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on 'whether the computer was "master" of or "slave" to the learning process (Higgins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation - was the computer a replacement for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?


Basically, whatever notes that you have, whatever material that you possess, they demand manuals to operate. It is the same thing computer, (ESL websites etc). It is the same thing in Islamic value where you are ought to find a teacher to teach you to recite the quran or you are to be taught by the devil if you were to learn by your self. "knowledge is sought it never just come". Computer is just another door or substance to the access of knowledge, teacher is the enzyme that stimulated the process of leaning. I strongly believe that by having a computer, it doesnt replace the role of a teacher. a computer doesnt attend to emotional engagement. learners are practically different one another. Teacher is the one who can identify the differences. The navigator as teacher is.




Question 8 : Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?



Yes, definitely. Usingenglish.com is the hub to all tools and material to teach and to learn ESL. It is also printable which is the definite need for all to have for further look in the future on the desired topic. Unlike many other ESL website, this Usingenglish.com offers and online learning as well by creating one speacial site called Forum. This enables ESL learners and teachers to embark on a deeper quest of knowledge by having the door to discuss with others form all over the world.

Suggestion/Recommendations:

1 - More illustrations and colors added in

2 - Access to Malaysian ESL

3 - Teacher society, to establish a society of ESL teachers all over the world

4 - Linguistics knowledge to be added like the IPA symbols for learners to use in pronouncing words.













Sunday, 12 July 2009

In-Class Task 1

There are certain numbers of software that I certainly familiar with and tehy are as listed below:

- Micorsoft Power Point
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Adobe Photoshop
- Publisher


I had been to a computer learning class when i was in my tender age of 10 learning on how to utilize all the pre knowledge on what a computer is all about. I was thaught on how to utilize the prominent knowledge on the hardware skills. and with the technology that we have now, my knowledge has expended. There are:

- Utilizing Printer
- Utilizing Scanner
- Utilizing Speakers and Microphone
- Utilizing Webcam
- Utilizing thumbdrive and and external drive


Having the chance to have the technology that we have now, Internet, my life has become more organize and smooth. With internet, i'm able to get whatever information i want in just a second. I engaged most of my time with downloading videos, musics and information such as pictures, notes, articles and etc.

This had really helped me coping with my praticum semester where i had to be ready with teaching materials and information. I downloaded songs for my lesson's material in integrating listening skill in my class. I downloade lots of materials on the internet and having it printed as my task sheet for my students.

I've never been involved with online learning but i do have lots of experience using messenger discussing on assignments and tasks with my colleagues. Internet really helps me achieveing my standard of work.