Kentang PanazZz

1. Why do you think evaluation of CALL courseware, websites, materials etc important?

if we are to sell our products, the foremost important aspect to investigate is of coz the need analysis of our consumers. similarly, evaluating CALL courseware, websites and materials would provide the creators a chance to see whether their creation is user-friendly for the target group to use. evaluation enables teachers to find out about the level of difficulty, whether the coursewares and websites will gain the interest of the students, the intended objectives in teaching the students and suitability of age level. when all these points are evaluated and investigated, only then can teachers and creators concluded the suitability of the courseware and materials. therefore, it is essentially important in evaluating the CALL courseware before using it in schools@ homes. 

2. How do you think Hot Potatoes JCloze may help your students learn English?

looking into the specs of the program, Hot Potatoes JCloze enables teachers to reduce their time preparing for the materials as it is less time consuming, compared to using the traditional pen n paper method. furthemore, students' interest can be tapped through the use of colourful layouts and pictures obtained from the internet. Hints can provide assistence if students find the answers confusing. teachers can also included other optional answers, which ever is suitable for the kids and a direct respond can be given throught the usage of Hot Potatoes JCloze. 

Utilizing Microsoft Word

In-Class Task 1

Please answer the following questions for your first entry:

1. Please introduce yourself.

my name is safarizan...but my friends call me brad...brad pit...still single and available...and am finishing my studies in UiTM soon...keh3

2. How would you rate yourself in terms of your computer skills and why? (e.g. expert, novice, savvy, geek, illiterate etc)

i have a limited amount of knowledge on computers... either its on hardware of softwares...so i consider myself 'illeterate'...but only for computers coz i know how to read...keh3

3. What computer software and hardware knowledge do you have?

not much..only the basic stuff a person needs to know about hardware such as hardisk, keyboard, mouse, screen and a few other things which i cannot figure their names rite now (i only know the shape...keh3)

4. Have you experienced learning via the computer (online, etc)?

if you consider reading materials or newspapers online, then i would say that ive learnd pretty much. plus learning how to play chess nline...plus how to read manga online..plus how to listen to music online..still, i consider that learning..keh3

5. Did you try to incorporate technology in your some of your lessons during your practicum? Was it a success or a failure? If you did not what was/were the reason(s)?

altho i used a limited amount of time to teach the students using computer ( the room was seldom free for use), i realize that my form 1 students paid more attention in the computer lab as they seldom had the chance to get into it. and using YOUTUBE for educational purposes was fun for me and the students. it really helpd them to know more about the wonders of the internet. therefore i would confidently propose the use of computers/ internet in my classes in future...(with the limited knowledge that i know...hahaha)

6. What is your opinion on the use of computer/technology in language teaching?

as they say it, information is just a click away..i believe technology is crucial in the development of language teaching providing that the teachers are given ample time and training . n schools are provided with enuf equipments, at least 1 computer per student. however, as benificial as technology may be, it can be devastating if the students are given to much space to 'explore' the net. especially where pornography and violence can easily be surfed, kids will surely be addicted to all kinds of harm the internet can provide. in saying this, teachers need to play a role in directing the students' curiosity to better purposes.

7. What are your expectations from this course?

like most of us here, i guess one of my aims is to get a good grade for this subject. but it would be wonderful if i am able to absorb everything that has been taught. for one thing, im not a huge fan of blogs or myspace or any of those so called 'wonderful creations' that connects humans as im not the open type of person. but i do hope that this course will change my perspective on bloging...keh3