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“The real power of interactive technologies is that they let us learn in ways that aren’t otherwise possible or practical”

-David Lassner

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) in its name is a rather foreign concept, but in reality, we have subconsciously been using CMC all our lives. CMC refers to any manner of conversation or communication that is done through an electronic medium. It can be generally divided into two forms, synchronous communication and asynchronous communication.

One notable thing about CMC is that like other application and program, CMC also had its advantages and disadvantages. Some of CMC’s advantages are its disregards time and place dependence. It also ensures superiority in reach. CMC facilitates the archive of information as well as breaks down the barriers of communication. While its disadvantages are CMC limits the richness of communication. There are issues of confidentiality and trust. Furthermore, there are also limitations in technology.

In our opinion, CMC cannot and should not replace face-to-face human interaction. CMC is an unavoidable part of our daily communication, and it also a tool that we use to simplify our lives. Care must be taken that we do not become overdependent on CMC in our daily communications. As responsible human beings, we must also make sure that we do not abuse the comfort CMC had given us.

Regarding the CMC assignment given by Dr. Rozina to us, well it hum part of John Legend’s ‘All of Me’ where he sang

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

You've got my head spinning, no kidding,

I can't pin you down

Well, to be honest, it does make some of us lose our mind.

However, we do admit that during analyzing our CMC Mode which is the Email, we learned that virtual communication is really an unpredictable area. It can give u a moment of realization and suddenly lands you to a point where you start questioning everything. That is exactly what the assignment does to us. The more we analyze our Email communication with Fallacy as a framework, we realized that we tend to come out with many communication barriers that hinder us from getting to understand the genuine means of the communication. Which at one point, made us question and ponder, what would our daily routine conversation using CMC looked like?

We tend to neglect all those minute details that embedded in our daily conversational life. However, if we start to pay attention, we might end up astonished as I believe nobody can escape from making someone to entirely understand what they really intended to imply. This assignment is a ‘wake up call’ for us to contemplate that any time, not everything that we said is successfully conveyed.

The third week which is the last week of CALL sharing sessions had marked how fast time flies. 3 weeks passed so quick that we haven’t had enough great time with CALL expedition and exposure since it was an eye opener for all of us. So far, we enjoyed listening to other groups’ presentation and gained more knowledge through the enlightened researches as well as new computer websites/software to be explored. For this week, we had 3 groups presenting on their CALL. Lets’ find out more!

Group 10

Group 10‘s focus for language skill is speaking skill and they had come out with a software called SpeakApps. This software has several features specifically for speaking; Tandem, LangBlog, Interface and Video Chat. In our point of view, SpeakApps is pretty much inspiring for those who really want to hone their speaking skills since this software provides learners an online solution for teaching and practice of speaking skills. What grabbed our attention was that, the Interface is the medium for learners to have a live chat with English native speakers or non-native speakers with an exceptional command of speaking skills. The Interface speakers will encourage us to speak and at the same time, they will give comments on our performance in speaking. Now, that is indeed something the learners are looking forward too. For us, Group 10 had done a great job since they themselves had used the SpeakApps’ Interface and showed it to us. Well done!

Group 11

Group 11 presented a software of British Council which the focused-skill listening skill. Based on the presentation, we have learnt that this software basically touches on all four language skills and for each one of them, they have different practices and exercises. It is suitable for different levels of learners from any level of English proficiency; elementary, pre-intermediary, intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced. In our opinion, this software is much likely the same with ESLvideo.com by Group 5 since they shared quiet similar features such as choose-able topics and sets of questions afterwards. We were pretty much interested with worksheets provided to be used by the teachers as homework.

Group 12

Group 12’s focus for the language skill is writing skill and they have come out with a software called, Write the World. To us, this group is among the distinctive groups since they had inserted the lesson plan as well as SPM 2017 examination question for English essay. By doing so, they basically had boost our interest to know more about how the software can assist the writing skill. Write the World offers numbers tips and questions on numerous types of essays; narrative, short stories, free writing and poems. It is overwhelming to know that this software actually provides writing competition and writing prompts for learners to join. Teachers and students also have their room to create groups and have their own discussions. Overall, it was a remarkable exposure by this group.

These days there's so much technology and ways you can learn. There are videos and CD rooms.

- Nick Taylor

Second-week CALL Presentation finally ended but none of the group left without sharing us valuable knowledge on CALL and stunning websites to be explored. Computer Assisted Learning Language, without doubt, is a new approach to attractive teaching that everyone should know and use in their teaching and learning. What makes this presentation period became more interesting is because the website shared are mostly free and some of them are even available via mobile. What an easy life we had. Everything is only in our fingertip.

Learning English through video or video-podcast for instance help the teachers in enhancing students listening skills. The transformation of learning approach from book to a software or website that use recorded videos of English native speakers surely assisted in sharpen the students’ listening skills.

Besides that, we also learn a better insight on how to develop students speaking skills through the application iSpeak and EnglishCentral.com. Both applications are available in Google Playstore and App Store which make them handier and easy to access at any time at any place. The essential of speaking is to practice regularly for the learners to construct their mental lexicon. Therefore, iSpeak offers interesting features as it allows the users to record, listen and evaluate their levels of speaking. This is when the teachers come in between and help the learners to improve their speaking ability and assist the students in their word choice. EnglishCentral.com, on the other hand, offers Live Tutor for the users to practice their English with native speakers. This approach surely works wonder for the students to boost up their self-confidence level.

If the traditional approach of reading skills focuses on developing vocabularies via reading multiple of books, with the assistance of computer learning, both teachers and learners can self-assured. When the group presentation introduced us UEfAP.com (Using English for Academic Purposes), we were smiling on our own. The website has indeed turned reading activity to be easier, purposeful and not a time-consuming activity. Eventually, it will attract the students to be more focus on their reading without being forced to do so. Freereadingprogram.com also offers an attractive approach to reading especially for primary school students. The features offered do not only help them in their reading but also in developing their vocabularies. Definitely, a must try the website for all teachers.

As for writing skills, the website shared by our group is Cambridge Write and Improve. We were very excited to share this website because it contains plenty of exercises from various levels of writings and offered instant feedback once the students finished their writing. As the errors have been highlighted through the feedback, it helps the teachers to focus on the students’ writing and improve their mistake.

Overall, we enjoyed the presentations and wished the knowledge of CALL will not stop here. If we do not have students to share this approach, we always have ourselves to look for exercises and practiced on our own.

There are countless ideas, opinions, and lessons which we got during Group 1 and Group 2 presentations. Technology development is super quick,. In fact, in a year there are so many developments happened in the technology industry in particular. As our group is mostly born in 1993, we somehow have different perception towards technology. During our time of language learning using computer, the farthest we have learned through CD Player from Textbook at our Computer Lab.

We have no idea that technology has been developing aggressively which left us behind. Group 1 and Group 2 have opened our eyes towards the beauty of technology and how computer could assist us in terms of learning and teaching process.

Group 1

Group 1 brought up an online website which is called 'Writewell'. It is a website which will assist students and teachers in learning English writing. The online website provides basic guidelines on writing, and it gives a bunch of exercises which later could be accessed by the teacher to be checked. There are so many topics which are suited for all levels (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary) level of education. We are very interested to try out one or two exercises from the website. Not only that, the website will give feedbacks to our writing, and it corrects some mistakes which have been committed for future reference.

Also, Group 1 was enthusiastically told the class on how the functions of the website. The website' s features are very edgy and have a modern look which is suited to today's style of the website interface. Here we would like to show the web interface of Writewell.

Group 2

Group 2, however, a little bit different than Group 1. While Group 1 was teaching us the importance of technology in assisting Writing skills learning process, Group 2 taught us the importance of technology in assisting the Listening skills learning process. They taught us on Flashcard Software. Flashcard Software provides the service to enhance our Listening Skills. The best flashcard software to learn Listening Skills is iKnow! It is indeed an interesting software.

There was so much fun learning English via Computer. Bunch of English software and free online websites which could easily be accessed anywhere, anytime, with anyone. We have learned that it is important to at least try to cope with the development of technology. We could even use these online websites and software for future reference or to teach our future generation.

“There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new age

technology, but if teachers themselves are not able to bring it into

the classroom and make it work, then it fails.”

- Nancy Kassebaum

Computers are viewed as a tool for saving time with the immediate feedback. The role of the computer as tutor is to present the learners the content of the lesson as text graphics, video, animation, or slides, including learning activities, drills, and practice. The computer serves as a means for delivering instructional materials.

Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is defined as "the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning." The main aim of CALL is to find ways for using computers for the purpose of teaching and learning the language. More specifically, CALL is the use of computer technologies that promote educational learning, including word processing, presentation packages, guided drill and practice, tutor, simulation, problem-solving, games, multimedia CD-ROM, and internet applications such as e-mail, chat and the World Wide Web (WWW) for language learning purposes.

When we learn on CALL and develop into a discussion on it, our group realized that CALL has set its benchmark in the realm of education. The usage of computer as a problem-solving base, and as a tool for both learners and educators to get connected in order to produce impact is a spectacular notion.

Throughout the journey, of completing CALL assignment, as well as witnessing other group findings on their respective area, we grasped that CALL can be somewhat more than just a learning tool. It is a consciousness of the development of technology around us and how we should take the development and put it into something that could be beneficial to us.

For instance, the usage of application that can help us in our reading, writing, listening as well as speaking. Without being guard on our usual stagnant environment, we are brought to the exposure of education towards the outer grid. Through application such as Write Well and English Central, we students are able to practice our knowledge in order to get the necessary betterment. As knowledge is a never-ending process, practices are made to excel and be perfect.

CALL? Are we going to learn about how to dial someone’s number? 😆

Of course not. Here, we are exposed and learnt about a new approach in enhancing and improving language skills via Computer Assisted Language Learning, or what we call as ‘CALL’. Through the journey of embarking into the 3 stages of history of CALL, it was astounding to know that computer could be exceptionally useful and effective in assisting the teachers as well as students in language learning environment. The usage of computer in Behaviourist CALL, Communicative CALL and Interactive CALL is rather a proof that it has evolved according to the great demands and expectation from the society to learn language due to the digital age.

We have to admit that, to be exposed to CALL in a very comprehensive manner, was a life-changing and phenomenal experience. Although we are living in the 21^st century which is loaded with information at the fingertips, some of us are new to this kind of learning. It was a fun journey to explore a new way of learning with the assistance of computer. It has given us the platform to have an interactive learning with the help of user-friendly and convenient apps or websites.

Since we were curious, we did try several websites proposed by the other groups before their presentation, just to explore and have the firsthand experience ahead. For example, ESLvideo.com which is for listening skill and WriteWell for writing skill. To us, ESLvideo.com is very comprehensive in terms of the materials provided and suitable for everyone. In fact, it is very interesting since it offers several video clips available in YouTube which we can choose. WriteWell also serves an extensive way of writing skills and it is very suitable for those who want to have fundamental knowledge in writing. It uses a step-by-step approach which equipped with several tips and tricks.

Overall, they are worth exploring and throughout this journey with CALL, never a moment passed without us having a great time.

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Computer Application in Language Studies

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ABOUT US

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REFLECTIONS

Reflection On CMC (As A Whole And Assignment)

Reflection on CALL Presentation Week 3 (Group 10 - 12)

Reflection on CALL Presentation Week 2 (Group 3 - 9)

Reflection on CALL Presentation Week 1 (Group 1 and Group 2)

Reflection on CALL and Creation of New Knowledge

Reflection On Experience In CALL

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