Comment about Blended Learning

Blended learning is a kind of learning model which combine traditional face-to-face instruction and web-based online learning. Students get the material not only from attending class but also from the online media. I think it is very beneficial for both teacher and students. For teacher, blended learning will help him/her to provide material in the learning activity, he/she will no longer be the learning center in class. So the learning activity will be student-centered. For students, they can get additional information or more knowledge about the material delivered by the teacher in class trough online sources. So they will not depend only from their teacher. In blended learning, traditional face-to-face instruction and web-based online learning will complete one another.

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E-learning

What Is E-learning?

E-learning (electronic learning) means using a computer or electronic technologies in the learning and teaching process. While http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elearning defines e-Learning as learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communications technology. It can cover a spectrum of activities from the use of technology to support learning as part of a ‘blended’ approach (a combination of traditional and e-learning approaches), to learning that is delivered entirely online. Whatever the technology, however, learning is the vital element.”

How To Make E-learning Effective

• Know the subject material well!

Before making the e-learning, teachers have to know and prepare the subject material well. Be prepared to back up any claims made within the course material, not all learners understand information the same way, and some may need more explanation through further example and explanation.

• Online courses provided should appeal to all learning styles.

Every student has their own way of learning. Some are like to learn visually, some others may like to learn by reading the material in form of text. So, to make it effective, in an online course, it should cover the need of students in term of their way of learning.

• Facilitate contact

In the online course, teachers have to provide the students by the contact information. They should specify which means of communication they prefer and during which hours. This will ensure that expectations are met and that the student receives the help or support that they need. For example, the students can contact their teachers via email/social media, discussion forum, and so on.

• Set and communicate clear goals

one of the reasons teams are unable to achieve goals is not having clear enough guidelines on how to reach them. Part of the curriculum of any course should be what will be done, when it will be done, and what is needed for the successful completion of tasks. It is therefore important that all instructors set and communicate clear goals to their learners in a manner in which they are sure they will understand and will be able to put into action.

The Advantage of E-learning

-          E-Learning can be done in short chunks of time that can fit around the daily schedule.

-          Reduces travel time and travel costs for off-campus students.

-          Students may have the option to select learning materials that meets their level of knowledge and interest.

-          Students can study anywhere they have access to a computer and Internet connection.

-          E-Learning can accommodate different learning styles and facilitate learning through a variety of activities.

-          Develops knowledge of the Internet and computers skills that will help learners throughout their lives and careers.

-          Successfully completing online or computer-based courses builds self-knowledge and self-confidence and encourages students to take responsibility for their learning.

-          Learners can test out of or skim over materials already mastered and concentrate efforts in mastering areas containing new information and/or skills.

The Disadvantage of E-learning

-          Learners with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind.

-          Without the routine structures of a traditional class, students may get lost or confused about course activities and deadlines.

-          Students may feel isolated from the instructor and classmates.

-          Instructor may not always be available when students are studying or need help.

-          Slow Internet connections or older computers may make accessing course materials frustrating.

-          Managing computer files and online learning software can sometimes seem complex for students with beginner-level computer skills.

-          Hands-on or lab work is difficult to simulate in a virtual classroom

From the explanation above, we can conclude that e-learning is beneficial for the

students, but it also has some disadvantages. So that, in making the e-learning, the

teacher should consider some things in order to make the e-learning really fits and

gives some helps to the students to study or learn.

Sources :

http://www.virtual-college.co.uk/elearning/elearning.aspx

http://www.optimussourcing.com/learninghintsandtips/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-elearning

http://www.talentlms.com/elearning

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/introduction-to-elearning

Result of the First Quiz (31st of March 2015)

 

CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning)

Definition of CALL

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is defined as a kind of approach to language teaching and learning which the computer is used as the tool to support the language teaching and learning process itself, it can be presenting the material, doing assessment, doing assignment, and so on. In other words,  CALL is related to the utilization of computer in the language teaching and learning process.

The Reason Why ELT Teachers Use CALL

According to this article there are several reasons why ELT teachers use CALL.

1. Computers can do some of the work of the teacher and provide great assistance to the learner even without the presence of the teacher (Pennington and Steven, 1992).

2. New technologies have seen computers become smaller, faster, and easier for the teacher to use (Evy, 1997). At present, well-designed CALL software is readily available to the teacher.

3. Technologies allow computers to do multimedia applications, incorporating video, sound, and text, and this capacity allows the learner to interact with both the program and other learners. (Felix, 1998).

4. The computer offers great flexibility for class scheduling and pacing of individual learning, choosing activities and content to suit individual learning styles. (Oxford and others, 1998)

Uses of Call in English Language Teaching

1. Computer as Drill and Practice

In this use of CALL, computers are viewed as a tool for saving time with the immediate feedback. Drill and practice consists of three steps: providing stimulus; receiving active response from the learner; and giving immediate feedback. There are several types of drill and practice activities (exercises) such as paired associate (matching), sentence completion, multiple choice, part identification, true-false and short-answer questions.

2. Computer as tutor

The role of the computer as tutor is to present to the students the content of the lesson such as text graphics, video, animation, or slides, including learning activities, drills and practice. The computer serves as a means for delivering instructional materials.

3. Computer used for simulation / problem solving

Simulation and problem solving is used to train our critical thinking, do discussion and writing activity. The program is designed to create language interaction to face problematic situation or challenging problem for learner to solve. This program is usually in form of game which is educational and entertaining (edutainment)

4. Computer as game

The main principle behind computer gaming is that "Learning is Fun." The main aim is to create a pleasurable learning environment, and to motivate the language learner. However, good educational games should have clear educational objectives. CALL games and simulation games are similar in that both are designed to motivate students to learn through entertainment. However, they are different in certain ways. Simulation games always use simulations (real life situations) in the presentation of a game, while CALL games focus on providing fun, but challenging environment to the learner.

5. Computer as tool for teachers and learners

Example :

-          Word processor                : Microsoft Word

-          Spelling checker               : Sentry Spelling-Checker Engine

-          Grammar checker             : Grammar check on Microsoft Word

6. Internet application

Example :

Email, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and www (world wide web)

Tips in Using CALL

The following are tips for ELT teachers in using CALL:

-   CALL is one of many learning resources. In their teaching, teachers should try to combine it with other learning resources and materials such as books, magazines, video, audio tape, and etc.

-   Teacher should choose appropriate CALL software for the learner. They have to consider about the age, material, need, and interest of the students.

-  Teaching with computer may not be easy for all teachers. It requires a lot of preparation, such as setting up the computer itself, preparing suitable software and materials, including follow up activities. There should be a good team work among the teachers to support the implementation of CALL in class.

Conclusion

If teachers can choose the appropriate program to be used, CALL will be really useful for supporting the language learning and teaching process. It makes the learning process more interesting and makes the students are motivated to learn. Using effective and suitable software applications, CALL can provide communicative meaningful language learning environments. But CALL will never replace the role of the teacher. The effectiveness of CALL depends on how the teachers utilize it to meet the language learning goals for individualized learners in specific educational settings.

Sources :

http://web.warwick.ac.uk/CELTE/tr/ovCALL/booklet1.htm

https://www.llas.ac.uk/resources/gpg/61

ICT Tools, Roles and Application in Education and Language Learning

ICT Tools and the Role

Nowadays, ICT is something that can’t be separated from our life. One of its utilization is in educational life. What is meant by ICT tools here is a technology that is useful for supporting learning and teaching process in education like PC or laptop, projector, interactive whiteboard, LCD, monitor and so on.

The use of ICT can give good impact to the learning process, especially for the student learning and the teaching methods. As cited from http://www.elmoglobal.com/en/html/ict/01.aspx, “A report made by the National Institute of Multimedia Education in Japan, proved that an  increase in student exposure to educational ICT through curriculum integration has a significant and positive impact on student achievement, especially in terms of Knowledge - Comprehension, Practical skill, Presentation skill in subject areas such as mathematics, science, and social study.” For teachers, ICT helps them to present the material and organize the class activity interestingly, dynamically, and effectively. For example, teachers can use interactive board, video, power point, blog, e-book and so on. For students, ICT helps them accessing information easily, doing their assignments in more fun way, and gaining the information or the material in more interesting way. It also makes the lesson more enjoyable, which could improve students’ attendance and concentration. Students will be more enthusiastic in doing their assignment if the teacher can make use of the ICT tools appropriately. For example, watching or making a video as the assignment, posting the assignment to their blogs, doing an online quiz, and so on.

ICT in English Class

            In English class, ICT also has an important role to support the learning and teaching process. For example, for the teaching process, a teacher can make use of an online or offline dictionary which is supported by the sound of how to pronounce a word in teaching pronunciation. Then, she/he can also make us of video to give the students example of how native speaker speak in listening class, to measure their understanding of a story or speech in the video by asking the students to retell or rewrite them and many others. For the learning process, a student can also make use of the online or offline dictionary to help them in pronouncing or translating something. Then, many websites that provide some material about English can also help them in learning English. For example Zenius English, BBC Learning English, VOA Learning English, and so on.

The ICT application in Education and Language Learning

            For the detail, here are some examples of the ICT application in Education and Language Learning.

1. Prezi

This is a kind of presentation software or what we previously known as PowerPoint. But I think it is more interesting than PowerPoint. Prezi provides us a virtual canvas upon which to pin text slides, video clips and images and to present our ideas. In term of style, Prezi can engage the students’ attention who is bored with the cheesy slide transition on the white board.

2. StudyBlue

StudyBlue is an online studying platform for high school and college students. The website allows users to upload class study materials, create electronic flashcard to study and share with others, and practice quizzes. StudyBlue allows students to store their notes in the cloud and connect with other students studying the same subjects. StudyBlue content can be accessed online or on mobile phone application.

3. Google Docs

Google Docs offers online word processing, spreadsheet creation and presentation package. If students use Google Docs forward processing, for example, their work is accessible from any computer connected to the internet. Better still, when they add their teacher as a collaborator to a document, not only can teachers add real-time comments to pupils' work, but they can monitor every revision made by a pupil or group.

4. Edmodo

Edmodo is a social-networking website for teachers, students, and parents. This website appearance is similar to Facebook. Teachers can invite students into private groups that can be used for online classroom discussions, but in a format that keeps the teacher firmly in control. Teachers give students a class signup code, which can be deactivated once all students have signed up, and students in turn are encouraged to share the code with their parents, allowing them to monitor their own child's activity. The applications are Discussions, Learning Communities, a Parent Role, Analytics, Security, Groups, and many more. Edmodo has the right features, without there being so much to learn that teachers get overwhelmed and lost.

5. Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
This dictionary has two versions, online and offline. For the online version you can visit here.  You can also pin it to your website or blog. As the example, you can see it in  right sidebar of this blog. For the offline one, you can download and install it from here. This dictionary is completed by the phonetic transcription and the sound of how to pronounce a word, thesaurus, word building (to find out the part of speech of a word), extra example, verb ending, and collocations. It's so complete that can help you learning English better.

Sources:

http://www.elmoglobal.com/en/html/ict/01.aspx

http://www.infodev.org/articles/use-specific-ict-tools-education

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/372979/10-free-online-tools-for-teaching-and-learning

http://www.englishteacher.com.au/AboutUs/OfficialStatements/ICTsinEnglish.aspx