2. Why Should You Know About Technology and Language Teaching Motivating for both teachers and students – learning more enjoyable Wide range of multimedia resources – images, audio, video etc. Intensive one-to-one learning in the computer lab Rich resources and wide range of authentic materials – net, CD-ROM, DVD Worldwide communication – email, chat, social networking sites, etc New range of self-access and distance learning opportunities (widely available - out of class time, remote areas, special needs) 2
5. Instead of being told "the answers," they are presented with a question, problem, situation, or activity which they must make sense of for themselves.
6. Learning by doing is called "experiential learning" because it is based on learning from experiences.
14. Also, the player may face disasters including: flooding, tornadoes, fires (often from air disasters or even shipwrecks), earthquakes and attacks by monsters. In addition, monsters and tornados can trigger train crashes by running into passing trains. Later disasters in the game's sequels included lightning strikes, volcanoes, meteors and attack by extra-terrestrial craft.
23. Students can take risks and experiment in a way that might be psychologically threatening in a classroom or real-life communication situation – through chat
24. In a networked environment, the anonymity and ease of communication seem to encourage a spontaneous and casual “speak-writing” that results in more creative and natural language than in some other environments.
37. CALL – Pros / Advantages The computer allows learning to take place independent of time and space. Students can learn at their own pace (review, skip, etc.). Students can learn at their own schedule due to computer flexibility of time. 8
42. Collaboration (networking promotes language learning by putting learners in touch with other learners and a multitude of other resources (Internet)).
49. Internet activities give positive and negative feedback – correcting their exercises – immediate feedback
50. Students can receive individualized feedback – via e-mail, weblog – more time for teachers to write feedback and it’s recorded11
51. CALL – Pros / Advantages Individualization For shy or inhibited students Individualized attention can be given They get to do things themselves They get to work at their own pace High achievers can realize their full potential Will not prevent their peers from working at their own pace Equal opportunities to participate in discussions via chat, blog, all students can equal chance to participate Unlike face-to-face, discussions may be dominated by out-spoken students 12
52. CALL – Pros / Advantages Independence from a Single Source of Information Escape from canned knowledge E.g. referring only to 1 or 2 textbooks Opportunity to discover thousands of information sources There are probably billions of web pages nowadays As a result Education fulfils the need for interdisciplinary learning in a multicultural world 13 English Culture Anthropology
60. Students get to publish on the Internet for the rest of the world to see / read
61. The computer environment, especially when combined with hypermedia is a rich one which allows the user to enter new worlds and travels new territory (SL – language and culture).14
62. CALL – Pros / Advantages From the point of view of the teacher, the computer presents a versatility in handling different kinds of material. One-way presentation of information (text, graphics, audio, video). Two-way (question-answer routines, simulated dialogues, hypothesis testing). The computer can present material (supplied by the teacher) in sequence or at random. 15
63. CALL – Pros / Advantages Computers can model the cognitive and physical processes required for linguistics perception and production (i.e. visual modeling of speech characteristics, thought processing programs (simultaneous writing programs), and reading comprehension programs). Computers assist in the construction and elaboration of the SL grammar. Example: http://international.ouc.bc.ca/pronunciation/ http://www.essaypunch.com/ 16
66. Especially when produced by companies that do not employ or consult experts (teachers, instructional designers etc.)
67. Failure of computer users to make full use of the software.
68. It is not the software, it is what you do with it.
69. The software might simplify the representation of the content and the structure of the task performed to such a degree as to be highly misleading (i.e. grammar checker programs).17
70. CALL – Con / Disadvantages Development of CALL programs requires knowledge in pedagogy, target language and computing. Possible solutions: Computer and language experts work together. Learn a programming and/or authoring language (i.e. HyperCard, Toolbook). 18
71. CALL – Con / Disadvantages Cost Standford, successful Russian program had to be scrapped after it was found that the course was costing 3x as much as a traditional course. (Nelson et. al., 1976) Unfair educational conditions When it becomes a basic requirement for students to purchase Unaffordable for low-budget schools and low-income children Digital Divide 19
72. CALL – Con / Disadvantages Teachers and learners should have basic technology knowledge Before incorporating CALL However, most teachers do not have sufficient knowledge in technology to guide students exploring the computer and CALL programs 20
73. CALL – Con / Disadvantages Skepticism. Language teachers might regard technology with a mixture of anxiety and mystification, accompanied by the conviction that somehow machines do not belong in the humanities. Vague suspicion that the computer is intended to replace teachers (however, instead the computer should free up time for us to do what only language teachers can do). 21
84. It is an essential characteristic of language that it is primarily a spoken medium which is, to some extent, problematic for the computer.
85. Its ability to deal with speech is far less developed than its ability to deal with written signals, spoken dialogue, open-ended dialogue, translation (anything which requires understanding on part of the computer still presents problems).
86. The computer can encourage a form of “antisocial” behavior that amounts to working in isolation from others.23
87. NOTE Whether we want to get into it or not, CALL will not go away. Computerized language lab will be built, software will be produced anyway, and not necessarily in a way that will be useful to us or our students. But, this is an opportunity, a chance to improve language teaching, raise the proficiency level of our students (and not incidentally, attract more students). 24
88. ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CALL We are beginning to see enough data in CALL that suggest positive effects on spelling, reading and writing. There is also a substantial body of data that indicates that student perceptions of CALL are on the whole positive, provided technologies are stable and well supported. On the negative side there are still concerns about technical difficulties interfering with the learning process; older students not feeling comfortable with computers; younger students not possessing the necessary metaskills for coping effectively in these challenging environments; training needs in computer literacy for both students and teachers; problems with group dynamics; and time constraints. (Felix 2008: 156) 25