“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 .