The role of WeQuests in learning a foreign/second language?

WebQuests is a very helpful tool that can enhance learning process .
     The role of the teacher is to design affective WebQuest that will help students to understand the lesson better because they will discover and experience the knowledge by themselves .  This will help students to be self-learners . This also can give them a chance to be creative and to show their own personality and their way of thinking by giving opinions and point of views . Using this tool give more time to students to discover the knowledge . Because they can do the tasks and learn at home not only at school . Then they come to class to interact , share and comment on each other work . Tasks can be simple tasks or project that can be done as a group or a class . 

As a teacher I will use it because it is more learner-centered . Students discover the knowledge by themselves . I'm only a guider . And I think the best way to learn is to learn by your self . 

Evaluating Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

       Randall's ESL cyber listening lab is a commercial site that supposed to enhance and support learning listening skill. The site is divided into three columns. The first column consists of advertisement related language learning, culture videos, website information, teacher resources and Randall’s pick for language learning from Amazon. The second column has the contents. On the top, some of the sites designed by the same author are mentioned. After that we find the content which mostly is mostly listening materials. These materials are divided into six sections, General   listening quizzes, basic listening quizzes, listening quizzes for academic purposes, 20 minutes - vocabulary lessons, language learning and life tips, long conversation with real video. The last column has an instruction to use this site. This website is designed by Randall Davis . He provides his E-mail , twitter account and facebook page so people can contact with him if they need .


      The purpose of Randall’s ESL site is to enhance English listening skill for any level of difficulties and communication skill. The site contains what we expected to enhance the listening skill. It provides different types of listening activities like conversations, listening quizzes, etc. according to the level of students and deals with functional language skills and everyday life situations and topic. Also, the site has vocabulary lessons and activities which help the learners in preparation for the listening activities. So the purpose of the site is clear and the contents reflect its purpose. Moreover, the site provides useful links to other website. Randall’s ESL site contents expand the experience of the user, but it does not promote any social biases to gender, race, religion, etc.  The site offers an advertisement that does not overshadow the content and distract or annoy the learners.


     The design of this website is good but not great. At the right side there is some white space that could be exploited in a better way. The colors used are mostly light mauve and yellow. It gives the impression that this website is not professional but when you go through the content you find it is really good. The text is easy to read but not to everyone. Some people will be distracted because of the colors. The page does open in a reasonable way without problems. The design elements of the site don’t hinder the accessibility of the site. Students and teachers can use the website for free with no login requirement.


     The content is easy to use. It is easy to access even for those who are hearing impaired. The website has enough information to make visiting  useful and informative. The voice in audio records is very clear and each lesson have activities such as pre-listening, listening exercise, vocabulary and post- listening. Also, in each lesson it is clarified the learners' level, topic, and type of audio record, speakers, and length. Readers can easily download the  audio and there is a written form for the audio. There are a lot of links for Randall's other websites. It is clear and easy for learners to move from one website to another. In addition, Spelling and grammar are correct  .  Also, we can navigate from page to related page easily without becoming lost. .. This website has a strong points. It is recommended for young and older adult use. It can be used at easy, medium, and difficult levels for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users. The material of this site are current and accurate . 

     The site grade level is appropriate to be used in the language classroom for example teachers ask their students to complete certain exercises as classroom activities. The site is also ideal for Learner autonomy where learners engage in the listening activities on their own. The content is attractive for learners since it covers everyday life situation and topics of their needs.

Do teachers need to create web-based language activities for EFL students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Why and why not?

         Teachers all over the world now have realized the importance of integrating technology into the teaching process . Create Web - based activities  includes creating online exercises  ,  lessons , games and quizzes . It is very important to use in the classroom for several reasons . Students can access the material  in anytime .  Material can be updated easily and often . These activities can be easily modified to support students at any proficiency levels or with special needs. also web-based activities keep every thing organized . A students is not worried about losing material because it is saved . Another important reason for using a web-based activity in Saudi Arabia is that our books doesn’t enhance the learning . It is very poor . So as a teacher I need to create a reliable  activities and materials that I think it will fit my own classroom and motivate them to involve .

virtual rooms in language classroom.

     The session was about how Arabic influences the pronunciation of English . The presenter of this session was Peggy Tharpe who is an American English consultant, trainer, and teacher, specializing in listening and speaking skills. In this session which lasted for one hour two groups joined . Also there were 

 two teachers. Peggy 

      This is the first time I experience learning by using virtual room which is a space where participant at distance can be brought and present visually and audibly . I like it a lot and I think it is very helpful for language learning but it can not work in all contexts . For example,  some students find it difficult to understand and learn from virtual rooms . They want to see an actual person moving around them and teach them . Another example is that you can’t use this techniques with kids because they will be bored . 

Wordle in EDU 401

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“Normalisation of Bax in the Saudi Kingdom”

     

         In the paper Bax used Warschauer's identification of  the stages of CALL since its inception in the 1906s . First stage (1970s-1980s) was structural . The focus was in the structure rather than the use of the language . Methods were traditional . Computers were used to drill and practice . Accuracy was the mean of learning . Second stage (1980s-1990s) was communicative . The focus was on communication using target language and cognitive development . Communicative language teaching method were used . Fluency was the mean of learning . Third stage of CALL is integrative which is used these days . Technologies that are used are multimedia and internet . Context-based method is used . Materials are authentic Discourses . Agency is the aim of learning . 

        Bax described normalization as the stage the technology becomes invisible , included in every practice . To achieve this , a certain  changes are required such as changes in technology , classrooms , teachers and students attitude toward the technology  . And the means to achieve this changes is to do an action research to identify the barriers of normalization and how to come over it . 

    Saudi Arabia has integrated using technology to learning process . And we still are having some obstacles because of the lack of technical skills of the teachers especially the elderly  . They do not know how to use a computer so how can we expect them to use it in a class . But the new generation especially who are in their 20s know how to use technology . I think when this generation becomes teachers , they definitely will use technology effectively in a classroom  . So first ,  we have to make sure that all teachers know and use technology in their classrooms even if it was for some courses or some exercises . Then we can work on normalization .

“Challenges of creating web-based activites in Sally Morrison” Interactive lanaguge Learning on the Web”

      

        Computer is a tool and a workhorse  . Researchers and teachers all over the world now have realized the importance of integrating technology into the teaching process . One of the ways is the web - based activities which mean hundreds of online exercises  ,  lessons , games and quizzes in many different languages . But this is not as easy as we think to apply in schools in Saudi Arabia . Teachers and students will face many obstacles  especially at the beginning . 

        First problem is the lack of technical skills of some teachers and students . If the teacher doesn’t know how to create web-based activity or if the students do not know how to use it , then this material is useless . Both of them should learn how to use it . But knowing how to create a web-based activity is not enough . The teacher should know how to use it effectively . For example , the teacher creates a weak activity which is not enhancing the learning process . 

        These problems can be avoided  if the teacher and students know how to create a web-based activity and use it effectively .

      

Grammar and CALL

 























  Practice is the most effective way to learn grammar . There are alot of sites that has so many excersises to practice graamar rules .

      EnglishClub is one example . This site cover all skills . But my focus is grammar . It has two sections . First section for teachers to provide them with materials and teaching tips . Second section for lerners . It gives a clear explination with examples for each grammar term and rule . It also privedes different excersises for each form . After completing the excersise , students can check if they have some mistakes because this site can correct the answers too . This website will help students to be autonmous learners because they can read the explanation by themselves , apply it and check if it is correct or not . They can use it outside or inside the classroom . I remember I used this website in learnng grammar in my freshmen year . It was really helpful and easy .   

Social Networking Sites

The Importance of Using Social Networking Sites : 

     My most important reason for using social network sites is to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away  . Social network sites give us a chance to strengthen our relationship with people . That is because you  can be in touch with them anytime . You know what they are doing and what they are thinking . So you can replay to them and share ideas .

Social Networking Sites in Teaching :

       A teacher can use social networking sites in teaching . This will give students a chance to use the target language outside the classrooms . 

       As a teacher I  can create a Twitter profile for the course .  On the profile I will tweet home works   and some funny tweets related to the topics I am teaching . For example , If the lesson was writing ( daily routine ) , I will create a hash tag and name it @Eeveryday . And I will ask students to tweet 5 sentences about their daily routine . So each students will have 5 tweets . For example , @everyday at 7:00 A,M I go to school . 

      Another way of using Twitter is that I ask students to upload a picture they like and describe it or I can upload the picture and ask students to  describe it  by replying . 

Computer Assisted Language Learning: an Introduction by Mark Warschauer.

          Mark Warschauer defined technological determinism as the idea that the introduction of new technology to a society will make changes on that society . The focus of the paper was the change on learning language . 

         People all over the world now use technology  which I think makes learning easier and accessible for any one . Warschauer mentioned ten developments in Information and Communication Technology. First , the change from phone based to wireless communication which will offer low-cost wireless communication from anywhere . Second , using permanent  direct online connection instead of dial-up connection . Third , the use of portable computing and online devices . Fourth , a change of narrowband to broadband which will provide rapid internet connection . Fifth , computers and hardware will become more affordable because it is not expensive . AS result , the internet will be accessible to most people on the planet . Seventh , the use of audiovisual forms of information and connection instead of text-based  information . Eighth , people will use their native language for local or regional communication instead of English . Ninth , users of the information technology will become native users because they exposed to technology since their childhood . The last development is the movement of CALL which mean computers and online other devices will be available in classrooms . 

           Warschauer outlined the expected effect of these developments on teaching English . Five areas have been discussed . First , there is expansion of non-native speakers of English because of  the use of English in new globalized media and commerce . As a result , the context in which English is taught  is influenced . Second , in the past people used to read only from printed books which are more reliable from Mark's point of view . But nowadays online reading is common and a reader doesn't know whether    what is written is true or not . So critical literacy is needed . Third , a new genres will be presented . Mark  used the example of writing to explain this point .The change of writing instructions if the writing is  through electronic communication . Fourth , online communication can offer a learner a new identity by sharing ideas with other people and develop a wide range of literacies that will improve the learner language and develop a self confidence . Fifth , These changes will develop and produce new pedagogies on teaching language .  

As an example ,  computer-assisted language learning (CALL) which mean the computers and other devices will be found in every classroom . Mark explain the stages of CALL since its inception in the 1906s . First stage (1970s-1980s) was structural . The focus was in the structure rather than the use of the language . Methods were traditional . Computers were used to drill and practice . Accuracy was the mean of learning . Second stage (1980s-1990s) was communicative . The focus was on communication using target language and cognitive development . Communicative language teaching method were used . Fluency was the mean of learning . Third stage of CALL is integrative which is used these days . Technologies that are used are multimedia and internet . Context-based method is used . Materials are authentic Discourses . Agency is the aim of learning . 

The development of ICT in Saudi Arabia :

          Young people in Saudi Arabia are exposed very well to the technology . They know every thing about it . Especially the new generation . I consider them native users of technology . The problem is that they do not know how to use it effectively for education purposes .  Saudi Arabia has noticed all changes on ICT except the movement of CALL . This pedagogy is only used in private schools and some colleges and the use of technology is limited . But people in Saudi arabia are aware of the importance of English language because of the use of technology . so they are making an effort to learn the language by themselves . AS a result some of the five area has emerged such as a new identities . 

I believe that the ministry of education should work on introducing CALL in schools classrooms  . Because as I said in the beginning , the new generation know how to use the technology so they won't face any problem .  And learners will be motivated because it will link their interest in technology and learning .  As a result , they will learn the language and how to use it . 

Terms To Know ..

Blended Learning :  Method of learning that combines classroom and online education . Different learning environments are mixed in this method to make learning more effectively.

E-learning :  The use of technological tools on education .

Online learning : Access to learning experiences through the use of some technology

Learning Management: The capacity to design pedagogic strategies that achieve learning outcomes for students

Netiquette : is a shortened word for internet etiquette which means guidelines for interacting with people on the internet in a decent and polite manner .

 Learning Management System (LMS)  A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of e-learning education courses or training programs .

The different between blended learning , online learning and E-learning : Online learning is learning only through the use of technology which means you can access the learning online from anywhere . But blended learning can combined both learning in a classroom and online learning . E-learning can be used in and out classrooms because it means the use of technological tools in learning such as audio or video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM .