Website's URL : http://esl.about.com/
Webmaster : Kenneth Beare
Subject : English
Targeted user : ESL Learner with the beginner and intermediat proficiency level
1) What does the application attempt to "teach"?
The application attempts to teach English for ESL learners that are in the beginner and intermediate proficiency level. The application covers from the basic English skills such as ABCs, 123s, Verb Forms, Tenses, Speaking and Reading. The application also provides wide resources for the user to practice their skills in reading, listening and speaking.
Most of the contents are arranged specifically according to the level of difficulties. The user can start from the basic and proceed to the next level as they progress from level to level. All of the materials and resources in this website are prepared by a single author. However, i personally believe that the contents are relevant with the current situation even though it is prepared by a single author.
2) What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning the content?
The application is a free application and the user does not have to register in order to use it. The user can choose any particular area that they want to learn or they can start from the beginning by learning ABCs, 123s and basic pronunciation. The user is also expected to refer to the examples and notes that are provided in the application and do a revision of the lesson learned through the exercises. Most of the lessons are skill-level based which makes it easier for the user adapt to their own learning experiences.
The users are also provided with the context of how the language is being used in real -life situation. This will enhances their schemata and experiences in utilitizing the language. Some of the pages that are listed in the website helps to build up their proficiency through activity such as role-play. Plus, the users can instantly check their progress once they have finish doing the exercises in the website which makes it easier for them to adjust their learning experience.
3) What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?
There are no specific skills that the users need to have in order to access the application. Plus, there are no extra plug-in or software that the user need to have before they can use the website. The user only need to have an internet browser and of course internet connection in order for them to access the website.
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?
While accessing the website, it reminds me of several things such as my learning experiences during my pre-school, primary and secondary school. For example, the first part of this website was meant for basic learner which requires them to learn to pronounce the ABCs and 123s. Plus, i also remember the ABC's song was taught to me when i was in my pre-school time. The pronunciation of basic sounds for English words also reminds me of the lesson during my pre and primary school session.
In addition, most of the notes and examples given in this website are quite similar with the ones given my teacher in school. The difference is just that all of the information are nicely put in together and are easily accessible nowadays. Plus, during my time, the teacher is using the chalk and talk and it would be really nice if i had access to this website during my time. It will definitely make learning much more fun. Even during in school, i have to wait at least 2 or more days in order to get feedback after doing exercises given by the teacher as homework.
I could say that if i was introduced to this website before, there is a big chance that i would have the chance to do self-study and thus achieve to a better proficiency level at a much more faster rate.
5) Can you pin-point some theories of language learning and/ or teaching underlying the application?
Some of the theories of language learning that i can pin-point that are in this website are the Experiential Learning by Carl Rogers and David Ausubel's Meaningful Learning Theory.
Experiential Learning states that learning how to learn is more important than being taught something from a teacher. It also states that that the goal of education is the facilitation of change and learning. In this website, the theory applies to the effort that the user needs to put in order to acquire the skills and knowledge. Hence, teacher plays role as a facilitator and facilitate the users to understand the basic concept of the language. In addition, with autonomous that the users have, they will be entirely responsible to the degree of their own performance and development with the teacher acts as person to facilitate and guide the users in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Ausubel's Meaningful Learning Theory states that rote learning is a weak learning process where in this case will result the users to not being able to retain what ever that they have learned. This applies in this website because the content are being put into an established hierarchy and categories. When the users engaged in this website, they will be able to reason the level and hierarchy concept of the language and thus retain the knowledge much more longer that the usual practice. Plus, if the users are able to relate the learning task to what they have already know, they will be able to memorize and appreaciates the learning process.
6) How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website?
Constructivist theory of learning assumes that learners construct knowledge out of their own experiences. Plus, it also agrees that every individual is unique with their own background and needs. It also encourages the learner to come up to their own truth with help of their own background and history.
In this website, the theory applies in almost every sections. Hence the users will be able to "assimilate" and "accommodate" the knowledge with their own history and background. Most of the sections starts with basic concept for easier understanding. With the facilitation that they receive from the teacher during the lesson, they will have a higher chances of incorporating their new knowledge with their existing schemata. Plus, with the exercises given right after the lesson will help the users to better understand the concept in a faster and efficient way.
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 servants to students?
The fact will always remains as no particular or specific technology can replace the job of a teacher. Even though the technology has improved a lot since a decade ago, it can never replace the personal touch of a teacher since the students does not only need to acquire just a mere purely knowledge, but what matters most is the guidance that a teacher can provide which obviously cannot be fulfilled with any kind of technology.
The computer can never be a replacement for teachers; However, the students can abuse the technology as their obedient servant with a proper guidance from the teacher so that what ever knowledge they receive are properly assimilated. Therefore, this constitutes to the fact that students will always need a teacher no matter what kind of situation they are in.
8) Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?
Yes? Give reasons:
No? Give reasons:
I personally would use this application and website as a resources for my future work. Since all of the materials presented in this website are carefully constructed, it will make my job as a teacher much more easier and i can freely abuse the content to my own will specially when planning for my own lesson plan. Plus, provided with the correct facilities in my work place, this website can serve as a time saver when i need to conduct a lesson because i do not have to waste my time constructing my own notes and examples. I just need to adjust and maybe add some more extra information to enhance the students' understanding.
9) Suggestions / Recommendations.
I would suggest that the webmaster to put much more pictures and colours in order to make the website much more lively. This can helps to attract more attention during the lesson. However, be carefully not to overdo it since it can also distract the users' attention. Plus, it would be great if the webmaster allows multiple contributor towards the content so that it will be up to date and relevant in time. Maybe the webmaster can also put some links to website that offers fun language games or put it straight away on the page so that the users can also have some good time playing with language rather than just engaging with the notes and examples.
Prepared by:
Syameer Awal Mohamed
2005478143
U8A
