Review on web "learnenglish.org.uk"

Muhd Hanin Abu Hanip
2005670834

Evaluation Guide

1. What does the application attempt to “teach”?

The application attempts to teach as many skills as possible such as the reading, writing and listening skill. In addition it also has room for grammar and vocabulary as well. It also has a division where user can choose their own category. For example there are categories for adult learner, children and even parents. This application has given variety of choices of what can be chose to be learnt by user. In each of user category there are themes, test, skills, practice, and games. These lots of choice would be very sufficient for user to use the application into learning English.


2. What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning content?

After learning the content user are expected to take test to see the progress so far. As I have been states before, in the themes section there many topics to choose from and it is the freedom for the user to choose any. Apart from learning the content there are other activities that can make user feel a little bit more enjoy in learning as there are games and cartoon which are very fun and interactive. The application gives freedom for user to choose any topic that they like thus promoting meaningful learning where the motivation is intrinsic.


3. What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?

User should have a very basic computer skill in operating the application as some of the contents need the student to use keyboard and also click with mouse. However, it is very user friendly as it goes own following user, I mean to say that it is user paced.



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?

I do not really see anything that is similar with learning in classroom or with fellow classmates. There might be a similar part in the contents. However, as the interaction is computer-based which are lacking in the school system nowadays, so the application is an interesting way of learning a language. Furthermore, the activities provide by the application are sufficient to cover broad aspects of the language. Thus, this will ensure the mastery of the language.


5. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?

Language learning concern about mastering the language, therefore, this application has give the theory of mastering the skill of the language which are reading, writing and listening. In addition it also has focus on grammar and vocabulary which is a way of achieving competency over the language. Language learning should be applied across ages and this application has catered that theory towards different group such as the children, adolescent, adult and even older generation. So, it is important for application to succeed and the application has done a tremendous job in concerning and acknowledging the variety of group ages.


6. How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s)?

I would respond my answer based on Brunner’s constructivist theory (1973).
Principles:
1. Instruction must be concerned with the experiences and contexts that make the student willing and able to learn (readiness).
2. Instruction must be structured so that it can be easily grasped by the student (spiral organization).
3. Instruction should be designed to facilitate extrapolation and or fill in the gaps (going beyond the information given).
I think the application has covered the three major principles of Brunner’s theory. The instruction in the application is very clear and in context therefore student would be able to associate themselves to the application. The instruction in this application also attention grabber as they it has several category and choices that make students to have motivation into knowing more about what is in the application. Finally, the application does encourage self-discovery about what is being provided by the application. There are hyperlinked which user can further explore what the application can offer them. Thus, this application is very much well portrayed the constructivist theory.

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 for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?

The distinguish differences of master or slave is up to the judgement of the user. Therefore, everyone has their own view about any application that they are entitled to reflect upon. For me computer would not be a replacement for teacher but rather enhancing what I already have. I believe that computer is created by human so somehow or rather I am still dealing with human. Teacher is still needed in teaching but computer can be used in assisting learning. I would not say that computer merely an obedient servant. If computer is a servant than every wrong answer it will say right as it has to please its master. So I would say that there is a relationship that is unwritten between human and computer. Human can not leave without computer as computer is a part of human life nowadays. It goes vice versa as computer would not be able to work without human using it.





8. Would you like to use the application yourself in your future?
Yes? Give reasons:
No? Give reasons:

I would really love to use this application later on for future as it also gives opportunity for teacher to get source in teaching as well. The application is not only meant to learn but it is very useable for teacher to use it in teaching process. The application provides the themes and also activities that can be applied to classroom setting. The application can be a very good guide for beginner teachers. As the application has test, I would trace my progress and reflect on my status as a teacher. A teacher should have the initiative to learn and improve oneself and this application would really help me in doing so.


9. Suggestions/ Recommendations.

My suggestion would be that I really recommend my friends to use this application. This application would be an eye-opener about us. Being a teacher does not mean that we have to stop learning, we should do more reading and improve our teaching. I would also like to see that the application has a section on speaking part as well. Thus this will cover the whole aspect of the skill thus increasing the user proficiency of English and towards mastering the language.
U N I V E R S I T I T E K N O L O G I M A R A
TSL 641 – COMPUTER ASISSTED LANGUAGE LEARNING






ESL WEBSITE EVALUATION
(www.learnenglish.org.uk)


Prepared by:

Muhd Hanin Bin Abu Hanip 2005670834

Link Three


Prepared for:
Tn. Hj. Wan Zulkifli
Lecturer of TSL 641


Submission date:
19th February 2009