Assignment - 26/01/10

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

As long as the name of the creator is human, I strongly believe that strengths and weaknesses can never be part of the the creation. And this applies to the invention of courseware, websites or other materials. Hence, to answer this question, knowing the pros and cons of the courseware would be the answer. Once the evaluation has been done, one would know what can be relied on and what can be improved of the courseware. Therefore, it would be easier for him/her to use it.

Besides that, it would help teachers especially in recognizing the best courseware to be used in class. By doing this, the lesson could be improved as well.

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

If I were given a choice, I'd like to learn how to use Hot Potatoes software before going for my practicum. I'm really positive that it would help my students a lot.

JCloze can help me on time management. It will help to reduce the time used by the students to copy all questions into their exercise books. Thus, it will give me chance to give them more exercise and enhance their proficiency level at the same time.

By using JCloze, I can make my exercise to look more interesting. Students will get excited to answer my questions and hopefully the learning will be meaningful to them. Colours, praise & critics can be added on in order to make the exercise is fun to be answered.

In-Class Task 2

3 , 2, 1 .. Action!

In-Class Task 1

Khairul Firhan bin Yusob. That's my name. I have owned the name since the day I was born. I prefer people to call me Firhan. I was born in Klang and currently stying in Kapar. I used to stay in various states of Malaysia. Am proud to be Malaysian! Aren't you?

I'm just a savvy user of computer and internet. i frequently use the internet but not really into it. It's a shame to admit the fact that I took Information Technology (IT) for SPM. *I really took it for the sake of avoiding biology & lukisan kejuteraan. I don't have much knowledge of the computer & internet as much as my friends (who didn't take IT) do.

Well, I do have knowledge on Microsoft Office (I'm sure most people have this). I used to learn about MS Word, Power Point and Excel when I was in form 4& 5. Knowledge on hardware? Hmm.. I know how to plug in computer hardwares; mouse, keyboard, monitor, thumb drive and speaker correctly to the CPU. =)

Have I experienced learning via computer? I guess so. It was not really learning, but when I was in part 6, our method in grammar lecturer asked us to submit exercises via i-learn portal. And I often downloaded notes of SLA from there too.

Practicum for me, was a wonderful experience. I did try to incorporate technology in some of my lessons during practicum. I was given a CD on English Subject and I really used it extensively especially for my literature lesson. It was a success since the students could understand more the literature components. I even received a compliment from my supervisor for doing that. But there was a time when I wanted to teach my students grammar using song but the speaker couldn't work. I ended up singing for them. I bet they miss my voice now. haha..

Using computer and technology in language teaching is a very good way in approaching and getting students' attention. They would find the learning is fun since it uses animation and expression. They would have longer attention span in the class.

Expectations? Of course I expect a good grade (an A will do.hehe..) However, the most important thing is for me to get the real insights of this course which will help me in future to be a great educator.