CALL evaluation & Hot Potatoes JCloze :)

1. Why do you think evaluation of CALL software, websites, materials etc. important?

The evaluation of CALL software, websites, materials etc. are vital to determine whether the content is suitable for the target students' level of proficiency and development in the subject matter (in this case, language). Students from a weaker class may find a particular exercise difficult, whereas is easy for the students from a good class. As teachers, it is important that teachers first study the proficiency level and needs of their students, browse the available sources (CALL softwares, websites, materials etc.), select the most suitable for the target group, and try to obtain their feedback towards the given materials. Teachers' inability or ignorance on the evaluation could (possibly) result in students' disinterest, anxiety and confusion in the subject matter, leading to ineffective use of time in teaching and learning process.



2. How do you think Hot Potatoes JCloze may help your students learn English?

Exercises created using Hot Potatoes JCloze could be used among students as they are familiar with the cloze text task. The idea of using computer in learning language alone has given the students the motivation and excitement to learn the lesson. In order to retain their interest in the lesson, other stuff like pictures or clues to complete the exercise could aid students in understanding the idea of the whole text as a whole. In my previous experience of teaching, I taught weak form 4 students. These students could probably need the teachers to focus on certain elements of language to be tested (i.e. adjectives). By the introduction of sentence structure from the cloze text, they are more exposed to the use of the language (i.e. how the language works). With the teacher's support and assistance, students also get to experience learning actively on the area with immediate feedback and get to correct the mistakes that they have done.

exercise using microsoft words

my c.a.l.l. :)

i remembered the last time i tried to write a blog, when friendster was sooo popular and everyone started writing blogs at that time. i wouldn't say i didn't try to be in that 'circle of people with blogs', i did try, and in fact, there were quite a number of attempts in writing one. but at the end of the day, what i did was reading my own blog, trying to take note of the content i read, scolding myself for being too petty in mentioning things/ideas, deleting the whole thing, and hoping that i won't write anything like that ever ever again (which definitely was never done for every attempt of writing blogs). well, since this subject requires students to write blogs, this could actually be an opportunity for me to stop myself from deleting posts and improving my writing (for real!). :)

alright, first thing first. INTRODUCE :) hi! i'm adleen najihah kamaruddin. people usually call me adleen or jiji for short. I'm 21 years old, and I’m currently staying in bandar baru bangi. i enjoy watching tv and reading novels during my spare time. i aim in becoming an excellent educator one day.

in terms of my level of computer skills, i would probably rate myself in the average zone - i'm not exactly illiterate nor am i really good in using the computer. to be honest, i often use computers for these purposes: completing assignments, searching information from the web, playing spider solitaire, facebook-ing, deleting unread e-mail messeges in my account or chatting. I can say i'm quite familiar with the use of microsoft words, powerpoint, excel and publisher, sometimes with minor 'difficulties' when using them. :P

computer software and hardware knowledge that i have? well, i've learned creating website when I was in form 1, but I'm not sure the knowledge still existed in my brain :P. i use a lot of microsoft words and powerpoint than the other softwares in completing assignments. And as for hardwares? the knowledge from computer education during part 1 (i think) did help me a lot in understanding the use of computers and of course its hardware i.e. motherboard, CPU, and stuff. :)

in general, i haven't yet experience learning via computers during my school days up until i entered the TESL programme where we were introduced to a lot of websites which offer online learning i.e. ESL exercises, interactive language games, etc. i was kind of disappointed that i didn't get to use and learn computers back in my school years, and when i get posted during practicum to a school which actually have and use those facilities, i tried to insert the use of computers in learning English when i got the opportunity to use the language room (which have the computer facility). this is one of the sweetest memories/best thing that'd happened during my teaching practicum - i got to see eager faces of my students, wanting to learn english even when they think it is impossible since most of them were of low-proficiency level (especially in learning literature and grammar) when using computer in learning. Thus, incorporating technology definitely did give a whole new 'vibe' of learning english as something fun and interactive :)

i strongly feel that it is an extra if teachers utilize the use of technology in learning. I feel that learning should be educational, simple and sweet - nothing too big or complicated in planning them for the students. using technology may somehow be perceived as drawbacks in learning by some teachers, but when one is familiar with how the technology operates and is able to overcome the technical problems, learning could be soooo much fun with technology. specifically in learning english, activity on listening to a song and understanding its messages, or watching a movie clip on a specific literary text and giving opinions on it, or giving students the general idea of how grammar rule works (integrated, of course) certainly enable students to 'visualize' what they can't, and develop them to voice out opinions and not get them to be too book-oriented people. plus, students get all caught up with the visuals and they become very attentive that the lesson was sooo interactive (in a good way) and working out as planned :)

hmm..expectations for this course? well, i hope this course can enlighten me to using computers more efficiently and giving a better exposure to the use of softwares to help me in my future teaching profession. hopefully, insya-Allah, the transition from using computers majorly for leisure to a more educational purpose could be achieved too :P