TSL 641- CALL Website Evaluation-
http://www.manythings.org/question 1
The website is targeting students who are learning English. As stated in the website description, “This web site is for people studying English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL).” From the menu enlisted on the left panel of the site, the navigation only provides learning training and experiences for beginners. I tried to search for other navigations that may equip the need for the intermediate or maybe advanced learners. Nonetheless, the website only prepares the link for the beginners to use the activities. Thus, I conclude that the website only targets the beginners of ESL or EFL learners.
question 2
Since the website provides tremendous amount of activities for the users, they are expected to study and learn at the same time. The users are expected to finish exercises in the worksheet, listen to pronunciation, take slideshow quizzes and many more.
question 3
There are many computer skills that can be practiced when accessing the website. Examples of skills are point and click, drag and drop and many more. Various activities as prepared in the website allow users to practice many skills so that they will not be bored of using the same skill repetitively. There is even an activity that tests student’s ability to type the word as quickly as possible. Students are required to type the given word in the allocated space within a time frame and marks will be given once the time given is up. Example of this can be seen in the English Vocabulary menu.
question 4
While accessing the website, the first thing that appeared in my head was the resemblance of the applications used in the activities with the one I tried in class the other time. I noticed that some of the games in the website are using the concept of Hot Potatoes as I practiced in class of TSL 641. Some activities such as those in the menu of ‘English Vocabulary Games with Pictures’ remind me of the activities which are available by using the program. Apart from that, it also relates to familiarity as the application reminds users of the practicality of the traditional matching activity as conducted in school. This allows user to operate on their own in order to use the website and at the same time gain new knowledge of a higher level in the same field.
question 5
In my opinion, the website is best be used in a lab associated with a class. This is because the activities allow the user to study directly from the site. Thus, learners can study at their own pace. At the same time, the teacher can monitor and direct students on what activity to try and this can be followed by a discussion session as soon as the activity is completed. Nonetheless, the teacher will have to pay attention at student’s pace of learning as intermediate and advanced students will easily get bored and drifted away since the activities only equip those who are beginners in English. This can cause the class to be in disarray as students may need activities which are more challenging for them.
question 6
A theory of language learning that truly triggered me when browsing the website is one proposed by Stephen Krashen on the Theory of Second Language Learning. In the Input Hypotheses, Krashen emphasized that when a learner is studying in a condition of i+1, the learning and acquiring will be better (
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-krash.html). In this regard, students already have the knowledge in the language (i). They are given an extra knowledge which is one level higher than the current knowledge (1). Thus, the learning process (i+1) will be easier and students will learn better. Apart from that, a theory proposed by B.F. Skinner of Operant Conditioning also attracts my attention. In relation to the website, students are gaining knowledge by using the information that is readily available in their mind. Thus, they are learning new things by practicing the knowledge they already have (
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/skinner.html).
question 7
In comparison to the application of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory, I have to say that it equipped some aspects of the theory quite well. Firstly, it equipped the verbal-linguistic intelligence well by offering a wide range of activities to enhance students’ knowledge in the area. This can easily be seen from the activities prepared in the website. Then, it also equipped the logical-mathematical intelligence in the sense that it requires students to remember words in association with numbers as well as involving them in numerical activities in the word puzzles. Students are also given the visual and spatial practice in some of the activities, thus it also equip the visual-spatial intelligence. In respect to Vygotsky’s Constructivist Theory, the website does not include the necessity of the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) nor does it relates to the concept of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). This is because the site is mainly for beginners thus it already equips the need of MKO and it matches the need in the ZPD even though the students are not in their young age anymore.
question 8
In my evaluation, the computer (in this regard, the website) can be both the master and slave. It can interchangeably be the replacement of teachers and at the same time the obedient servant to students. On one hand, the website can teach and give knowledge to students of the English language understanding by providing the information needed on tasks such as constructing sentences, learning the correct pronunciation and giving exercises. On the other hand, it can also perform tasks that follow and suits students’ need and pace. Thus, it can perform both tasks for and towards the students.
question 9
Yes, I would like to use the website in my future work. Not only that it gives more knowledge which at times can be forgotten by some, it can also enhance one’s knowledge in the sense that it will always be updated. The activities serve as the function to enrich one’s knowledge. Apart from that, it also a function to release one’s tense and stress. The variety of activities will definitely allow users to study and relax at the same time. Thus, I will definitely use the website in my future work.
question 10
As the website is a non-commercial and has no advertising, I would strongly suggest that the website advertise its functions and purposes to the English teachers. This may be able to help teachers all around the world by giving insights and ideas on how to teach English in more interesting ways. Apart from that, I would also suggest that the website’s moderator prepares a return button for the link to return to main page. This is because the link to the main page only uses a drop-down menu and can be quite misleading (at times, for users may find it annoying to constantly drag down the menu other than clicking a pre-prepared button). Then, I would recommend that the web prepares activities for intermediate and advanced students since this will be truly beneficial for them in the future to come.
Julia bt Madzalan
2004327579, U8A
Website:
http://www.manythings.org/
