Undoubtedly, the main objective of the video is to show that technology is just a tool we have nowadays but it does not have to replace a teacher. According to my own experience, it is very useful to be conscious about the limits we have to keep with technology. The video clearly shows that CALL’s aim is to create a stimulus to the human beings and they’ve to give a response. It means that teachers are not passive elements but they have to take advantage of technology without allowing it to replace them. Also, one of the most interesting aspects in here is that CALL allows personalizing information. As teachers, we must recognize that it is very difficult to personalize a class environment, even more if our class is composed by 30 students. But now, CALL gives us that opportunity of recognizing strengths and weaknesses of each person. On the other hand, in order to make use of CALL in a classroom, I’d really like to implement Blogs. Through blogs and forums the information can be clearly organized and students would have the opportunity to share many of their ideas. Also, through blogs and forums, we could help the environment because it wouldn’t be necessary the use of paper to hand in a homework. Another reason for which I’d like to use forums is because they have a similar sense of social nets like Facebook which is totally “in” nowadays. In Facebook you can share your thoughts as well as you can comment on others’ posts; likewise you can do it in a forum (although of course the discussion topics will vary). Rather than a teacher- centered class, CALL really makes everything interesting and appealing for the students. As it was said by Gookin in his chapter Creating a Web Page: “Nothing gets a Web-page reading person into a cheery mood like blinking, flashing or sparkling text. It says to the consumer, Buy! Buy! Buy!” (Page 342).
“C.A.L.L Computer Assisted Language Learning (xman Edit)” is indeed an appropriate video when doing the first steps on the understanding of CALL. Despite the fact that this video has a terrible sound (trying to simulate an alien/robotic voice); its information is very accurate, and easy to comprehend throughout all those catching headlines. For a teacher, like myself, who is just starting to know what CALL actually is about, this video presents in a very briefly and friendly way this concept. I would even consider having such a video in my class; so my students will comprehend the particular reasons about the use of computers during their learning process, as to learn about this methodology, which should create a stronger commitment on them about it, and they will definitely enjoy the video! CALL is helpful in so many and creative forms, a method to implement it on my future classes will be by having student involvement after class. As in the reading “Learning with multimedia tools” by having students involved “students are able to access a wide variety of knowledge… and construct a learning environment appropriate for themselves…” (p. 309) Then, after explaining and studying a topic on class, students will have an “assignment”, which consist on looking for further information, relevant aspects, etc. about the topic, and leave a comment on a blog that has been created specifically for it, and then to comment in at least one partner’s findings. Finally, the teacher will a little feedback on students’ comments, since according to the same reading “feedback can easily be built…” (p. 309) This video mentions how CALL is part of many projects created as an aid for the learning reinforcement and assessment of human beings. Such aspect of CALL is fundamental for those teachers who have decided to go deeper on this approach, and look to help their students. This can be better understood on the reading “CALL and Its Evaluation”, where “the Three stages of CALL” establish that this reinforcement can be seen through the principal objective of each stage: First stage, accuracy; second stage, fluency; and for the final stage agency. (p.54)
This video is very useful for a teacher who is just beginning to get to know the CALL approach. It is very specific and straight to the point, also very easy to understand what is being explained. There is no doubt that nowadays technology is a great tool for teachers to make the learning process easier for both, the student and the teacher. Consequently, with the rise in the use of technology in the classrooms, CALL has come to be a suitable approach that has been implementated more and more each day. Why does this happen? Because CALL suits the theory of language teaching as a Skinnerian behavioristic type of conditioning process "[...] language teaching was viewed as a type of conditioning, getting students to produce a series of responses in reaction to a particular stimuli (i.e., stimulus/response theory)" (CALL and its evaluation, p.49), this as CALL produces a stimuli to the student and the student must produce a response to it. CALL is a great resource for language teaching and it engages more and more students and teachers each day. From my experience when I was doing the teaching practice I can say that is true, because in each of the classrooms where English professors work there is a HDTV, and the use of those technological devices is very frequent due to the motivation it creates on students. Also, in the high school where I did my teaching practice there is a language lab for teachers to use it. In my case, I did and I will take a lot of advantage of technology while teaching, so CALL is an approach that would be very useful. For example, in a speaking class I would like to use a program where students can ask questions about a given topic, and the program can answer the questions as well as asking the students other questions to make them think critically. Obviously, I would do this using CALL as a tool and not a tutor, because weaker students need more help from the teacher as stated in the reading "CALL and its evaluation" where it says "Clearly stuents with relatively low levels of linguistic components in L2 need more guidance such as might be offered by a tutorial CALL program" (p.55-56). Also due to spontaneous situations that can occur is that we mus think of CALL as a tool and not a tutor. But this is oonly one of my ideas, and that is not the only idea for the use of CALL as it has "expanded to include not only tutorial CAI programs but also web pages, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and computer-mediated activities suchs as chat" (CALL and its evaluation, p. 65).
Computers and technology in general goes together. They came to innovate and to provide help regarding teaching. In my case technology helps a lot and its one of the main tools I use in order to teach children. Kids now days are more likely to enjoy audio visual stimulus than in the past. It is the main reason why computers are so useful. It allow me to play games with them, to sing songs and with internet access, we can navigate together. Besides there are no boundaries and in my case I use computers and technology as a way to illustrate certain terms much better with updated information and cartoons or trends. Kids love television so I use characters of their favorite cartoons and movies to encourage them to learn based on their specifics characteristics. For example from the movie Toy story we can describe characteristics of the characters like woody or buzz light year. As the author states "CALL could assist teachers in making decisions about ways to prepare language learners for the high technology future"(Introduction: Foundations for Teaching and Learning pg.1) By using technology and students are expose to what is going to be in their future. Getting used to this technological environment give them the opportunity to develop their own skills and opinions about what tools apply or what are their favorite websites to look for amusement or knowledge the author states "Merging social and language learning with technology can also strengthen skills that students need to be successful in society" Theory and Research interaction via computers pag 21.
Teacher and students are not longer the same that they were 20 years or more before, technology has been a major change in our lives, we have been one of the generations that have seen massive technology changes. Technology had change how we communicate, how we search for a research and even how we learn. That's why CALL is the perfect example, it is not only a tool, it is an integrated tool with multiple functions that help people to learn not only a language.... CALL can also combined several sources to achieve better results. As the author explains in page 65, CALL Evaluation: the CALL field has expanded to include not only tutorial CAI programs but also web pages, CD-ROM's,DVDs, and computer mediated activities such as chat. This just and example of how a technological learning tool involves several sources that allows non limited knowledge Ina different, and interactive way...
In the class there are many tools to create a useful and good class. Although, we really need to create an effective classroom environment by using all the tools, in an accurate manner, interacting with technology is a great way to start, using tools such as CALL(Computer Assisted Language Learning) in our classrooms(future) would increase students confidence towards technology, replacing some of the old-fashioned methods. So then, we as teacher need to find that right spot to work with them. Besides, we need to be well instructed on the tools we are using. From my personal point of view, I believe Technology has already taken part of our daily life. So, it is crucial to be aware of this and use in our side. As stated by Kaur D. et all. on the "Theory and Research" Reading( pag. 21): "Merging social and language learning with technology can also strengthen skills that students need to be successful in society". So using technology not only provide our students the information, but also skills for them to use it in the future.
I consider the video about CALL is related to my education life since we have to use different technological tools as part of our daily life, not only because of the profession I have but also because we are immerse in a technological world that push us to be more connected to technology. Today, it is common to see a child using a computer with no trouble and more and more adult are engaged in the assistive learning. Moreover, this video also give us an idea of CALL of an integrate system of technological tools, which means that the multimedia interaction and the evolution of software. Actually I am using CALL with my students, mainly as tutor, since my students have tables and laptops, sometimes I teaching using video calling or sometimes I send to them practices that they should complete using computer programs. Besides that, when I teacher them personally I play video and interactive activities to make my students involve during lessons. According to Karen and Warschauer (2000) cited by Blake (2008), CALL history is analyzed in terms of pedagogical advances rather than technological innovations such: mainframe computers, microcomputers, laserdiscs, CD-ROMs, the web. Integrative CALL includes activities in which people interact with other people via the computer (CALL and Its evaluation, page 53). As it is shown, even though the use of electronic equipment is widely spread, the most important aspect here is how to integrate that equipment in a pedagogical way to enhance students and people attention and to promote learning.
Undoubtedly, the main objective of the video is to show that technology is just a tool we have nowadays but it does not have to replace a teacher. According to my own experience, it is very useful to be conscious about the limits we have to keep with technology. The video clearly shows that CALL’s aim is to create a stimulus to the human beings and they’ve to give a response. It means that teachers are not passive elements but they have to take advantage of technology without allowing it to replace them. Also, one of the most interesting aspects in here is that CALL allows personalizing information. As teachers, we must recognize that it is very difficult to personalize a class environment, even more if our class is composed by 30 students. But now, CALL gives us that opportunity of recognizing strengths and weaknesses of each person. On the other hand, in order to make use of CALL in a classroom, I’d really like to implement Blogs. Through blogs and forums the information can be clearly organized and students would have the opportunity to share many of their ideas. Also, through blogs and forums, we could help the environment because it wouldn’t be necessary the use of paper to hand in a homework. Another reason for which I’d like to use forums is because they have a similar sense of social nets like Facebook which is totally “in” nowadays. In Facebook you can share your thoughts as well as you can comment on others’ posts; likewise you can do it in a forum (although of course the discussion topics will vary). Rather than a teacher- centered class, CALL really makes everything interesting and appealing for the students. As it was said by Gookin in his chapter Creating a Web Page: “Nothing gets a Web-page reading person into a cheery mood like blinking, flashing or sparkling text. It says to the consumer, Buy! Buy! Buy!” (Page 342).
ReplyDelete“C.A.L.L Computer Assisted Language Learning (xman Edit)” is indeed an appropriate video when doing the first steps on the understanding of CALL. Despite the fact that this video has a terrible sound (trying to simulate an alien/robotic voice); its information is very accurate, and easy to comprehend throughout all those catching headlines. For a teacher, like myself, who is just starting to know what CALL actually is about, this video presents in a very briefly and friendly way this concept. I would even consider having such a video in my class; so my students will comprehend the particular reasons about the use of computers during their learning process, as to learn about this methodology, which should create a stronger commitment on them about it, and they will definitely enjoy the video!
ReplyDeleteCALL is helpful in so many and creative forms, a method to implement it on my future classes will be by having student involvement after class. As in the reading “Learning with multimedia tools” by having students involved “students are able to access a wide variety of knowledge… and construct a learning environment appropriate for themselves…” (p. 309) Then, after explaining and studying a topic on class, students will have an “assignment”, which consist on looking for further information, relevant aspects, etc. about the topic, and leave a comment on a blog that has been created specifically for it, and then to comment in at least one partner’s findings. Finally, the teacher will a little feedback on students’ comments, since according to the same reading “feedback can easily be built…” (p. 309)
This video mentions how CALL is part of many projects created as an aid for the learning reinforcement and assessment of human beings. Such aspect of CALL is fundamental for those teachers who have decided to go deeper on this approach, and look to help their students. This can be better understood on the reading “CALL and Its Evaluation”, where “the Three stages of CALL” establish that this reinforcement can be seen through the principal objective of each stage: First stage, accuracy; second stage, fluency; and for the final stage agency. (p.54)
This video is very useful for a teacher who is just beginning to get to know the CALL approach. It is very specific and straight to the point, also very easy to understand what is being explained.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that nowadays technology is a great tool for teachers to make the learning process easier for both, the student and the teacher. Consequently, with the rise in the use of technology in the classrooms, CALL has come to be a suitable approach that has been implementated more and more each day. Why does this happen? Because CALL suits the theory of language teaching as a Skinnerian behavioristic type of conditioning process "[...] language teaching was viewed as a type of conditioning, getting students to produce a series of responses in reaction to a particular stimuli (i.e., stimulus/response theory)" (CALL and its evaluation, p.49), this as CALL produces a stimuli to the student and the student must produce a response to it.
CALL is a great resource for language teaching and it engages more and more students and teachers each day. From my experience when I was doing the teaching practice I can say that is true, because in each of the classrooms where English professors work there is a HDTV, and the use of those technological devices is very frequent due to the motivation it creates on students. Also, in the high school where I did my teaching practice there is a language lab for teachers to use it.
In my case, I did and I will take a lot of advantage of technology while teaching, so CALL is an approach that would be very useful. For example, in a speaking class I would like to use a program where students can ask questions about a given topic, and the program can answer the questions as well as asking the students other questions to make them think critically. Obviously, I would do this using CALL as a tool and not a tutor, because weaker students need more help from the teacher as stated in the reading "CALL and its evaluation" where it says "Clearly stuents with relatively low levels of linguistic components in L2 need more guidance such as might be offered by a tutorial CALL program" (p.55-56). Also due to spontaneous situations that can occur is that we mus think of CALL as a tool and not a tutor. But this is oonly one of my ideas, and that is not the only idea for the use of CALL as it has "expanded to include not only tutorial CAI programs but also web pages, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and computer-mediated activities suchs as chat" (CALL and its evaluation, p. 65).
Computers and technology in general goes together. They came to innovate and to provide help regarding teaching. In my case technology helps a lot and its one of the main tools I use in order to teach children. Kids now days are more likely to enjoy audio visual stimulus than in the past. It is the main reason why computers are so useful. It allow me to play games with them, to sing songs and with internet access, we can navigate together. Besides there are no boundaries and in my case I use computers and technology as a way to illustrate certain terms much better with updated information and cartoons or trends. Kids love television so I use characters of their favorite cartoons and movies to encourage them to learn based on their specifics characteristics. For example from the movie Toy story we can describe characteristics of the characters like woody or buzz light year. As the author states "CALL could assist teachers in making decisions about ways to prepare language learners for the high technology future"(Introduction: Foundations for Teaching and Learning pg.1) By using technology and students are expose to what is going to be in their future. Getting used to this technological environment give them the opportunity to develop their own skills and opinions about what tools apply or what are their favorite websites to look for amusement or knowledge the author states "Merging social and language learning with technology can also strengthen skills that students need to be successful in society" Theory and Research interaction via computers pag 21.
ReplyDeleteTeacher and students are not longer the same that they were 20 years or more before, technology has been a major change in our lives, we have been one of the generations that have seen massive technology changes. Technology had change how we communicate, how we search for a research and even how we learn. That's why CALL is the perfect example, it is not only a tool, it is an integrated tool with multiple functions that help people to learn not only a language.... CALL can also combined several sources to achieve better results. As the author explains in page 65, CALL Evaluation: the CALL field has expanded to include not only tutorial CAI programs but also web pages, CD-ROM's,DVDs, and computer mediated activities such as chat. This just and example of how a technological learning tool involves several sources that allows non limited knowledge Ina different, and interactive way...
ReplyDeleteIn the class there are many tools to create a useful and good class. Although, we really need to create an effective classroom environment by using all the tools, in an accurate manner, interacting with technology is a great way to start, using tools such as CALL(Computer Assisted Language Learning) in our classrooms(future) would increase students confidence towards technology, replacing some of the old-fashioned methods. So then, we as teacher need to find that right spot to work with them. Besides, we need to be well instructed on the tools we are using. From my personal point of view, I believe Technology has already taken part of our daily life. So, it is crucial to be aware of this and use in our side.
ReplyDeleteAs stated by Kaur D. et all. on the "Theory and Research" Reading( pag. 21):
"Merging social and language learning with technology can also strengthen skills that students need to be successful in society".
So using technology not only provide our students the information, but also skills for them to use it in the future.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI consider the video about CALL is related to my education life since we have to use different technological tools as part of our daily life, not only because of the profession I have but also because we are immerse in a technological world that push us to be more connected to technology. Today, it is common to see a child using a computer with no trouble and more and more adult are engaged in the assistive learning. Moreover, this video also give us an idea of CALL of an integrate system of technological tools, which means that the multimedia interaction and the evolution of software. Actually I am using CALL with my students, mainly as tutor, since my students have tables and laptops, sometimes I teaching using video calling or sometimes I send to them practices that they should complete using computer programs. Besides that, when I teacher them personally I play video and interactive activities to make my students involve during lessons. According to Karen and Warschauer (2000) cited by Blake (2008), CALL history is analyzed in terms of pedagogical advances rather than technological innovations such: mainframe computers, microcomputers, laserdiscs, CD-ROMs, the web. Integrative CALL includes activities in which people interact with other people via the computer (CALL and Its evaluation, page 53). As it is shown, even though the use of electronic equipment is widely spread, the most important aspect here is how to integrate that equipment in a pedagogical way to enhance students and people attention and to promote learning.
ReplyDelete