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.