Q 1: Who are the users the website/websites is/ are targeting?
A: The website target users starting from young learners to adult learners. The learners are thought from the very beginning which is the basic to advance level. This can be seen from the steps shown in the website. As for beginners, pictures are given to show example. Lessons are given at first place than followed by exercises. Students will be able to proceed to the next level once they have mastered each level. This will give learners chance especially those who wants to learn English as their second language.
Q 2: What sorts of things are the application users expected to do with regards to learning and using (or even manipulating) the content?
A: This website is very simple, interesting and offers free resources for English learning. All the users have to do is sign in as member since it’s free. Next go choose the language that you want to learn and from there on you are entitled to choose your which level would you like to enroll in. it’s very interesting indeed I would say because it provides interactive learning process. Once you are done with one particular lesson, users will be given marks according to their performance. The magical happen with one simple click which is sign in.
Q 3: What sorts of computer skills are the application users expected to have in order to operate/ access / use the application?
A: There’s no specific computer skills needed in order to operate this website. Yet, basic computer skills such as understanding on how to use the mouse, browsing the internet, are needed in order to fully utilize the website. Others, I would say it’s not required to do so as the simplicity portrayed on the website doesn’t require the users to be highly sophisticated.
Q 4: While you are "playing/assessing/ accessing" the website(s), does it remind you of anything you do (or have done) is a classroom, or with a teacher, or with fellow classmate, or in self-study?
A: Well yes it does remind me of something when I was in school back in the days. We were thought by looking at the pictures then followed by exercises. It works effectively though as visual gives a lot of impact when we were kids. Next I remember teaching my students on mocking. Well in the website you are thought listening skill too. Whereby the narrator will say the sentence and should be followed by the listeners. Young aged students love mocking due to some reasons. It works eventually and I’m very convinced that it may work again in future.
Q 5: What setting will the website(s) best used in: independent study lab with no teacher available, lab associated with a class, a teacher-led with one or a few computers?
A: I would suggest that this website can be used as both; the website can be used in a lab associated with class as well as a teacher-led class with one or few computers. This website has many features and students need to be guided and supervised by their teacher so that they can focus on the online exercises (such as pronunciation exercises). It can be done independently whereby the users can explore the website individually, in a group at school or at home. But I would say that it’s best for learners to use it independently since it’s not that complicated unless if the users are computer illiterate.
Q 6: Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?
A: I would say it’s associated with nurturing theory. Whereby the users are thought and polished from the very first entry. For instance in the first class which is English 101, it will start off with simple lessons that accommodate the learners with simple sentences. Then it will move from one notch to another until the end of the lesson. Thus learners are able to learn from a to z without leaving a space or gap in their learning process.
Q 7: How well are the Vygotsky's Constructivist Theory of Learning and Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory applied to the chosen website(s)?
A: The theory suggests that one’s development depends on interaction with people and the tools that the culture provides to help form their own view of the world. I think the theory is well applied in this website. Students here are left independently by themselves. They are allowed to choose what to do first and which is best for them in order to learn. They are not forced but have the control to engage themselves in the class which suits them.
Q 8: In 1980’s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on ‘whether the computer was “master” of or “slave” to the learning process (Higghins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation, is the computer a replacement for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?
A: I would say in the coming decades there might be a possibility where teachers are no longer needed. Teachers give knowledge, teach ethics, culture and portray good role model. But nowadays students are not capable of accepting all these values. They think that they are much better to the extent that their family have common thoughts too. Teachers are more like a slave to their students rather than master. So I would say if no action taken, computer will be a replacement for teachers, and teachers will be an obedient servant to students. Currently it is still perseverance and computer is still the slave and teacher is still the master in learning process.
Q 9: Would you like to use the website(s) yourself in your future work?
A: well yeah most definitely I will use this website in my future work. One of the reason is it is not just as a center of learning but also as a center of making new friends. From there on you are able to expand your knowledge perhaps with the natives. Your proficiency will become a lot better and respectively proper. Exchanging knowledge will help in mutual understanding in between us the second language learner and the native. Secondly it does not only provide English language, it gives opportunities to learn other languages too such as Latin, French and so forth. I would definitely stick to this website regardless of any circumstances.
Q 10: Suggestions / Recommendations:
A: I would suggest that all teachers to recommend this website to their students as for their home study. It would be very reliable exercises for them to learn at home without have to spend tons of money paying for tuition fee. As for the website, I would suggest the publisher to add more interactive activities and please have a greater promotion so that others are aware of the existence of this website. Thank you.
Edzham Armin Bin Abdul Rahim
2004327117
u8a
1 comment:
Ok, 9/10
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