1. What does the application attempt to “teach?”
The application has many topics that can be explored and learned from such as grammar lessons as well as provide exercises after looking at the explanation provided, vocabulary, idioms, proverbs, quotations, useful phrases and terms, read and listen to news, pronunciation guide and lesson, practice test for variety of examinations such as TOFLE, IELTS, etc, and provide other language resources. Apart from that, the application also provide links to other websites which guide user on how to write resume and preparation for interviews, and also gives information on studying abroad.
2. What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning content?
There are many things that users are expected to explore and do with the application. In regards of grammar lesson, there are many activities provided to test user’s understanding and to give some enjoyment while learning such as printable exercises along with answers. Other activities which involve English learning while testing user’s general knowledge and to test the usage of vocabulary; are online word games which include crosswords, jumbled sentences, quizzes, missing words, and matching exercises and they come in four levels of difficulties ; easy, medium, more difficult, and challenging!
3. What sorts of computer skills is the application user expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?
In the application, the user has to have browsing skills in order to explore many related links to other English as a Second Language websites besides exploring topics and activities served. Typing skill is also needed in order to play with word games which need user to spell the answer for questions asked without giving clues. Another skill that user is expected to have is drag and drop the possible answer in order to play word games jumbled sentences.
4. While you are “playing”/”accessing”/”assessing” the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?
Yes. It reminds on many things that has been learned through out years of learning. From the lessons, questions, idioms, proverbs, word games, quotations, some business English such as the abbreviations, computer vocabulary, meeting vocabularies, interview questions, presentation vocabulary, phrases used during presentation, letters writing, useful telephone vocabulary and phrases in English, etc. down to the variety pattern of questions which learned from the CALL subject in the past few weeks .
5. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?
Theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application the Silent Way approach where the theory of language for that approach is functional vocabulary and core structure are keys to the spirit of the language. The type of activities provided in the application that promote the theory is learner responses to command, questions, and visual cues. Activities in the application also encourage and shape oral responses without grammatical explanation or modeling by teacher as learning is a process of personal growth. Another theory of language learning or teaching underlying the application is in the Natural Approach where vocabulary, not grammar, is the heart of language and allowing comprehensible information, about things in the here-and-now. Intrinsic motivation is also being promoted in the application where for each correct answer; there will be an appraisal word.
6. How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s)?
It applies to most of the activities in the application where the user must have basic ideas or schemata before browsing, understand, and do all the activities in the website. If the user does not have any basic knowledge in the English language itself, the user won’t be able to understand the lessons provided as well as not being able to participate in any activities in the application. In the website, user or learner is considered to be active organism seeking meaning and based on the user’s experiences; the user can construct his or her understanding of the application.
7. In 1980s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on ‘whether the computer was “master” of or “slave” to the learning process (Higgins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation- was the computer a replacement of teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?
Based on the evaluation and in my opinion, computer is not a replacement of teachers because computer does not involve in two ways communication in providing information or exercises as well as not being able to show gestures and facial expression especially in making the learner understand better. The computer can only be programmed with certain applications and they are not flexible to change. I would say that computer is an obedient servant to students just because it works according to our needs and the students have the ability to decide and operate the program accordingly. Computer can also be said as a company to learner and its role is to support and provide information to the learner besides teacher as well as to ease user regarding variety of tasks.
8. Would you like to use the application yourself in the future work?
Yes, because it has many interesting topics and activities as well as links to other ESL website that can be used in everyday lives. Not only for the education sake, also for the real life situation where it gives information on current issues and basic information in order to face challenges in working life.
9. Suggestions/Recommendation?
My suggestion on this application is merely on the grammar lesson and exercises. It is better if the exercises can be answered in the websites itself rather than printing it out. Overall, I am satisfied with the application and I like the fact that the website has so much information that can be used in my future and it is easy to navigate thus not confusing. That is the most important thing! Thank you.
