Overview 2: Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

Assalamualaikum! :)

Let us enlighten you on the overview of CALL, shall we?

There is a quote that says;

"….Technology is not a panacea or a magic bullet that suddenly transforms all learning. The effectiveness of educational technology depends on how it is employed to meet educational goals for particular kinds of students in specific language learning environments…." (Oxford and others, 1998: 13)

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Definition of CALL

Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is defined as "the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning." (Levy, 1997: 1) More specifically, CALL is the use of computer technologies that promote educational learning, including word processing, presentation packages, guided drill and practice, tutor, simulation, problem solving, games, multimedia CD-ROM, and internet applications such as e-mail, chat and the World Wide Web (WWW) for language learning purposes.

There are several terms associated with CALL. CALL is variously known as Computer-Aided Language Learning (CALL), Computer-Assisted Language Instruction (CALI) and Computer-Enhanced Language Learning (CELL). The first two terms generally refer to computer applications in language learning and teaching, while CELL implies using CALL in a self-access environment (Hoven, 1999).

Why CALL?

The reasons why ELT teachers use CALL:

• 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).

• New technologies have seen computers become smaller, faster, and easier for the teacher to use (Evy, 1997). 

• 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).

• 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)

• The computer can provide a meaning-focused, communicative learning environment, which serves the purposes of communicative language teaching.

The source of this post is taken from the article by Barrung Torat on the Overview of CALL.

For full article, click here.

To know more on the stages of CALL, visit Warshauer’s article on this link:

http://www.ict4lt.org/en/warschauer.htm

Home

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Assalamualaikum! :)

~Welcome to our blog~

This blog is a pit-stop which provides all the links and posts on the assignments that students required to complete for 
ENGL 4740 class.

It also serves as a one-stop centre for Sociolinguistics learning and teaching. With computer-related courseworks, the aspects of Sociolinguistics are made explicit for the spread of knowledge.

So, now let us view and explore this blog together. :)

Let us first start by pondering on what these hadiths are saying on knowledge:

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge."
[Muslim].

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who goes forth in search of knowledge is considered as struggling in the Cause of Allah until he returns."
[At- Tirmidhi].

Click here to view more hadiths on knowledge.

Assignment 3: Mini Research Proposal

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This is our completed third assignment on mini research proposal. We hope that this proposal will benefit the research in Computer Assisted Language Learning field and provide new method and approach for teachers to conduct their language classroom.

To view the complete mini research proposal, click here, and click on the Post Test Questions.

You can also view the presentation slide as well. :)

Reflection 5: Blog

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Courtesy of letstalkrelations

Alhamdulillah this is the closure of all our assignments Insya Allah. The biggest task for this course is creating this blog and publish all the materials here. We have faced all sorts of challenges in completing the printed assignments but this online project is certainly one of the toughest assignments assigned to us.

Dividing workload:

Everyone is obliged to contribute in the process of creating and updating this blog. However, we do take turns for instance if the one in charge is busy, another one will be in charge to do the part. The process of publishing the assignments is done in small steps. After each assignment is presented and commented, two persons will revise and make corrections before the other one post it on the blog. Meanwhile, the fourth person will do her part of writing the Reflection.

Time management:

After presentation day, we strive to post all assignments as soon as possible, but sometimes we got delayed due to other assignments queuing for submission. However, if the person in charge cannot post it, another team member will lend a hand and help to get it published. Sometimes we do revert posts into draft due to some re-corrections that needed to be amended.

Attitude:

Although this online project seems easy due to its nature of being accessible from almost everywhere, we do not take this blogging activity lightly. In fact, this is the most difficult part in our opinion because everything needs to be commendable and free from mistakes. So, re-revising posts is quite a routine for our team. On another note, this assignment teaches us to be more discipline and follow our timeline closely in order to be on track with other groups. It also gives us the opportunity to experience the process of blogging academically. 

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Reflection 4: Mini Research Proposal

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As we have completed our mini research proposal, we have pondered on some of these things in our mind:

Writing a research proposal requires hard work, thorough and critical thinking as well as perseverance. Throughout the process, we, as future researchers were required to read many research articles. Not only as literature reviews, they have also served us as idea-giving materials. Without readings, it would be hard for us to base our research and finding the suitable framework and topic.

Thus, our thoughts on the research process have changed greatly over this two weeks process. As part of the requirement for graded assignment in this Computer Assisted Language Studies class, at first we thought that it would not be too difficult, as we have experienced writing a research proposal before. However, along the process, we believe that this research proposal is not the same as what we have completed during Research Methodology class.

The design may seem the same, but this one is related to the use of computer in relation to language learning and teaching. A suitable framework and research design were selected precisely in order to make this research proposal doable, reliable, and can be replicated for future research. These are the features that a research should have which we had planned to accomplish.

Courtesy of sswm

There are times when we were really confused even though we were only choosing the research title. The research process requires us to look in depth and not just in general sense so that the problem statement would serve a starting point to answer the research questions if a research is to be conducted in future.

The research proposal was divided into six parts namely, the introduction, literature reviews, methodology, expected findings, reference and appendix. All the research steps of a research paper were adhered except for findings and discussion parts as this is only a proposal.

As a CALL-based research proposal, our main focus would be the usage of computer in language classroom instead of traditional classroom. Thus, as we have chosen a research entitled “The Effectiveness Of Reading Comprehension Skill Through The Use Of Computer-Assisted Language Learning In ESL Classroom”, we have chosen two softwares which will help the process of learning in classroom. This will contradict traditional classroom which is pen-and-paper-based.It is anticipated from the research proposal that the ESL learners in CALL classroom will be benefitted by the use  of computers due to unique features of CALL classroom.

As the research proposal has completed, we have learnt that to complete a research proposal, researchers have to be patient, persevere, passionate, responsible, and creative in order for the research to expose some new knowledge which may contribute to the previous findings as well as serving as a new study in a new field.We hope that this research proposal would be an excellent research proposal for us to accomplish the mission, maybe in some years after our undergraduate years ended.

Islamic Awareness

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Courtesy of islam.ru

Alhamdulillah, we're reaching the end of semester soon. Throughout the whole period of this course, we have absorbed and learned so many information and things we never knew before. In a way, we have certainly changed as well, personally and academically. This course (interestingly) has integrated a lot of Islamic values that we normally do not practice in other classes (no intention of over-complimenting).

From the very beginning of this class, we always start by reciting Al-Fatihah and adjourn it with Surah Al Asr and Tasbih Kafarah.

Courtesy of islamicthinking

In this class, discussion is also conducted in the form of “musyawarah” instead of just one-way communication. Each person’s opinions matters and we are more than welcome to contribute and participate in the discussion. Sometimes, if our opinion differs from one another, we always opt for healthy debate instead of verbally attack each other's credibility.

Apart from that, all assignments are handed out to be completed as a group work. Therefore, we have become close to one another because of the work that bonds us together. Although sometimes we did argue as how to divide the work, but our teamwork has improved over the course of this semester.

Courtesy of buyahaerudin 

 Another Islamic value that we learn is to appreciate time and be responsible towards the work given. Because we work as a group, each one of us needs to be able to complete the tasks divided within the time frame. Yes, we were off track sometimes but we constantly keep reminding one another of our datelines. This further helps us develop our character to become a more responsible individual. (We have to watch each other’s back!)

Other value that we learn is to respect the role of a teacher. Using CALL in the teaching lesson does not necessarily remove the importance of a teacher. In fact, teacher is still relevant as a primary source of knowledge and the CALL is merely an aid that helps the teacher to teach his/her students. Supervision of a teacher is also important when using CALL because it will ensure its effectiveness on the learning process.

All in all, there are a lot of other Islamic values taught in this course, but these are among that we deem very crucial and very basic that everyone should know. :)

Individual Perspectives

Athirah bt Mortada

Life is a never ending ending process of learning. Through all the hardships, always bear in mind that; 

"Allah will not burden a soul unless he can withstand it". 

(Surah Baqarah: 286)

Ku 'Aisyahtul Radhiah bt Ku Abdul Razak

There is no ultimate goal in life except to serve Allah. Often remind yourselves and call to him in your prayer:

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. 

(Surah Baqarah: 186)

Siti Zahidah bt Sheikh Ahmed Zaki

Allah has bestowed upon us sufficient rizq to live this world. Live your life and utilize all that He has given you in the right way.

And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. (Surah Baqarah: 195)

Sara bt Ahmad Shahir

Allah will help you in any difficulties that you face. Put your trust in Him and always believe and serve Him.

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (Surah Baqarah: 153)

Reflection 3: Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

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Courtesy of zyncro

Alhamdulillah, we are done with the second assignment. We have gone through the hard part and now it is time to reflect on the whole process of getting the assignment done. 

Dividing workload:

The toughest part is to choose a topic in Sociolinguistics. We took some time to do brainstorming and finally came up with "Gender". The workload is divided into two parts. The first pair is assigned to conduct the real-time Skype chat. Second pair worked on the paper work. Although finding relevant articles was a bit of an issue, but we kept on browsing until we found what we have been searching for.

Time management:

This assignment puzzled us at first because we didn't know how and where to start. It was quite hard for us to begin with. However, we took small steps and discussed it among us and other groups as well. Once we figured out the flow of the assignment, we managed to complete it within the time frame.

Attitude:

It was a tense phase for us to complete this assignment altogether. Some of us were freaking out for the fear that it might not be completed on time. But all is well. On another note, we have learned to work out our communication skills and tolerate with each other. On the assignment part, we also realized that no matter how advance our technology is, the role of teacher cannot be dismissed. Teachers are still the "murabbi" and their superiority is far greater than a computer application. 

A computer application knows only things that are programmed in it. But a teacher's wisdom knows more than the subject that he is teaching.