CALL TASK 4: WEBSITE

CALL WEBSITE

School of Grammar

Specifically focused on the topic, English Tenses

http://grammarschool.weebly.com/

CALL: TASK 3

 "My Favourite Photo"

Lesson Plan:

Worksheet:

DOLPHINS

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Could any of these mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly the most common argument in favor of man's superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

TASK 2 - ARTICLE REVIEW

Collaborative Writing among SecondLanguage Learners in Academic Web-Based Projects

Language Learning & Technology; February 2012, Volume 16, Number 1 pp. 91-109

Greg Kessler, Dawn Bikowksi, and Jordan Boggs

(Ohio University)

The research was conducted to study on the ways students engaged in the collaborative writing process using Web-based word processing tools of Google Docs and the nature of group participation in Web-based collaborative writing. With the newer technologies of Web-based word processing tools, the researchers have the ability to monitor students’ participation throughout the writing process as they analyzed group collaborative texts produced in Google Docs. First, the researchers analyzed students’ activity in order to determine students’ participation in the collaborative writing process. Then, the researchers categorized students’ writing and the usage of Web space according to their revision and participation activity. Other than that, survey research was conducted to give insight on the students’ perceptions of collaborative writing and their frequency of participation. This sample of the study is consists of thirty-eight Fulbright scholars in a pre-academic orientation program of Midwestern university, as the focus was to prepare them for the academic research, writing and presentation skills of the US academic community. The findings of this study focus on the three case study teams’ individual member participation and construction of texts regarding the team members’ language related contributions (LRC) and non-language related contribution (NLRC). From the analysis of LRC, the attention was given to meaning rather than the elements of form and other. This shows that students focus more on the meaning rather than the form. Besides, in terms of NLRC analysis, the researchers also emphasize on the usage of Web-based word processing tools as the medium for the students to plan and organize their text as they communicate with other team members by using different font to differentiate it with their final document. On the other hand, the survey results show that students appreciated various aspects of the Web-based collaborative writing activity as they successfully worked together and each member played an important role in the writing process.

            I would say the research has captured my attention as it has given me the insight of mixed method of learning style in acquiring the knowledge of writing. First, it emphasized on the collaborative writing and how they still maintain the autonomous learning as every team member is contributed to the writing process. Second, the application of the web-based word processing tool is used as a medium for the students to work together to write but also as a medium for them to discuss in planning and organizing their task. I believe that by combining several methods in learning helps the students to improve their ways of learning and give them insight on the strategies to learn better. Using the newer technology of Google Docs, learners can easily work in groups simultaneously as they can edit or add throughout the writing process. The ease of the process is not only felt by the learners but also the teachers or facilitators, as they do not need to formally collect the writing draft from the students as they can monitor students’ writing progress online using the web-based word processing tool. The other advantage of using this tool, students can easily access to the previous text that they have edited, thus, they will be less afraid to change, add or remove any text if they find it wrong. However, based on the findings of the study, the students’ participation are varied according to the three levels of frequency as there will be one of the members that contributed the most, one is in the middle and another one contributed the least. The factors or reasons of this result were not studied by the researchers. Moreover, this study is a voluntary project as it is not graded which I believe some students might not care with the record participation that are recorded by the researchers and maybe some of them using a same computer at the same time. In relating the study with the teaching and learning in Malaysia, I think this learning style is still not being implemented at school or at the tertiary level of education. A simpler web-based tool has been implemented, such as I-Learn by UiTM but the concept is more like a discussion board or online forum as it does not allow students to write and edit simultaneously for learning writing specifically. In Malaysia, teaching writing is still limited to the old-fashioned way of drafting and editing on paper. I think collaborative writing by using web-based tool should be implemented to the young age students as this will make them familiar with the web-based tool and how it functions. Besides, by implementing collaborative writing, the writing process would be more student-centered as to let them share the ideas and practice scaffolding. Students that have the ability to write well can help the weak ones throughout the writing process and provide the final peer-edited writing before the teacher evaluates it. In a nutshell, I think this study is conducted well as it gives insight to the ESL learners on the strategies of learning academic writing as it involves every stages of the writing process. 

JCross - Boy Bands

Here's the link of my crossword puzzle activity made by the Hot Potatoes software:
JCross - Boy bands

BLOG TASK 2 - MCQ

Here is a set of multiple choice questions using Microsoft Excel based on the topic of Simple Present Tense.
Here is the link to my worksheet :
Simple Present Tense - MCQ

ESL WEBSITE EVALUATION

1. The ESL website that has been chosen for the evaluation is BrainPOP ESL . The website is a web-based comprehensive English language learning program for teachers and students which engages animated movies to introduce conversational English that also covers on grammar concepts and vocabulary words. There are tons of interactive exercises included as it encompasses all four major language skills which are listening, speaking, writing and reading. First, there is 'Words, Words, Words' that introduces on the flash card feature. Second, 'Read It' teaches the alphabet and builds to reading comprehension exercises. Next, 'Write It' progresses alongside 'Read It' starting with the alphabet and moving to guided paragraph-writing. 'Hear It, Say It' is the language lab for the learners to listen to the English words and follow it with the correct pronunciation. Not only that, learners will also have the access to games and quizzes that vary from the lessons in the navigation bar provided. The movies are leveled into Level 1, 2 and 3 which every level has six units and each lesson builds on the previous one, assuming no prior knowledge of English and bringing the student from the earliest stages of English learning to sophisticated, content-based lessons.  

2. Learners or visitors will be able to access to the website as the website offers several free lessons to the unsubscribed users. However, the contents are limited to only six units of each level. In order to have a full access of the website, learners would need to pay for certain amount in the ‘subscribe’ section on the website. In terms of the website’s practicality, the website offers clear and organized instruction menu as the navigation bars provided are comprehensible and it also provides a ‘Quick Tour’ in exploring the website.

3. I would say the website is an innovative way of English learning as it engages animated movies to the learners. When I was a school student, I do not have any recollection of English lesson that used movies as a medium of learning or in self-study. Most of the time, the traditional way of teaching such as chalk and talk and using textbook were practiced during my school time. Last semester when I was doing my practicum, I had used a clip of movie to the students in introducing one of the content's lessons in the classroom and students were excited to look into the learning process. I believe that this website is very interesting as to acquire learners or visitors goals in learning the target language.

4. I would say 'Yes' to the question as the website contains animated videos, games and audios which they cannot be included in a textbook/ workbook. As the lessons are built around the animated movies, learners are needed to watch the movies to be introduced with the lessons and tested with the exercises and quizzes provided on the website. The feature of flash cards, graphic images and audios require the learners to have a technological device in order to access to this application.

5. One of the theories of language learning that underlies the application of the ESL website is scaffolding by the theorist of Vygotsky. This theory consists of the assistance to learners in order for them to achieve certain stage or process where they cannot achieve by themselves. Using the website, learners would be assisted by the visual representations of the animated movies which this type of assistance can be called as visual scaffolding. By being visually scaffolded, leaners will not only see the images, audios and words but they can be heard as well. Therefore, learners will not only focus on the essential lesson’s content but they will acquire the language at the same time. Other than that, the theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner can also be related to the application of the ESL website as he has identified seven distinct intelligences. Those who have core of intelligences of verbal-linguistic, visual-spatial and musical, video can be a useful tool to use their strength intelligences to strengthen their weaker ones.

6. Based on my observation, the website could bring a certain degree of opportunity for the learners to acquire the target language as it incorporates all four major language skills and offers variety of games and exercises that cover on the lessons. Besides, there is a section of ‘You Can Do It!’ on the website that gives grades to the learners after they answer the quiz questions. Learners will also have a chance to review their results after completing it. As for teachers, the website has a ‘Teaching Tools’ navigation bar which it provides the lesson overview that outlines the lesson objectives and content. It also gives the link to a printable pdf of the three complete lessons provided for each animated movie with a variety of activities and supporting materials.

7. I would like to use the application in my future work as I believe that animated movies bring several advantages in learning language. According to Bates (2013), animation is a useful tool for learners who find spelling and grammar a challenge as it distracts the anxiety of the technicalities away and enable them just to concentrate on the story or movie instead. Besides, Bates (2013) also mentions that animation provides an exciting and dynamic platform to engage with the lessons. With the innovative way of introducing the lessons built with the animated movies, it caters students with different learning styles as the website would be helpful to those who prefer visual-spatial learning style. Thus, the website will be one of my references in English language teaching and learning in future.