PODCAST: "How The Monkey Found Trouble"

Listen to the short story entitle "How The Monkey Found Trouble". The story is told by:

Wan Nurul 'Arifah as The Monkey
Bazilah Raihan as Monkey's Wife and Moozimoo
Wan Fariha as The Narrator

Please click here: http://www.mediafire.com/?anubr5bbw0difu2

Task 3 : WWW Lesson Plan

LEVEL: Form 2 / Beginner
TIME: 1 hour and 10 minutes
TOPIC: Occupations/Jobs People Do
THEME: People AIMS:
To know and describe some of the occupations by finding specific information through websites and watching videos in the internet.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• 2 or 3 students in a group and one computer for each group.
• Internet connection, Web Browser, speaker.

Websites: 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBXaupIJHr8
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZbD4-usGm0&feature=related

PREPARATION:
1. Search for the websites and analyze them.
2. Ensure the suitability of the content with the topic chosen and check the sentence structure or language used whether it suits students’ level of proficiency.
3. Design the worksheets to be accomplished by students during the lesson.

PROCEDURE:
1. Teacher asks students to guess some occupations written on the blackboard with some letters are in blanks and what do they do.
2. Teacher asks students what category those words are.
3. Teacher asks students to name some other jobs that they know.
4. Teacher gives students the worksheets and asks them to read the instructions given.
5. Teacher asks students that they need to find the answers online or by browsing the internet.
6. Teacher assists and helps students if they encounter any problems or difficulties in accomplishing the activities.
7. Teacher discusses the answers with the class, by asking some of them to read and spell their answers.
8. Teacher explains the meaning of unknown words and asks them to write it down.

FOLLOW UP:
Students are asked to write an e-mail to teacher, describing a job they chose as their ambition and the reason(s) of choosing that job as their future occupation. Teacher tells students that information can be found in the internet. Teacher’s e-mail address is given before hand and teacher demonstrates on how to write an e-mail.

In Class Task 7 : Hypertext n hypermedia

DIAMOND



Diamond is a form of pure carbon that occurs naturally as a clear, cubic crystal and is the hardest of all known minerals. It often occurs as octahedrons with rounded edges and curved surfaces. Diamond forms under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure and is most commonly found in volcanic breccias and in alluvial deposits. Poorly formed diamonds are used in abrasives and in industrial cutting tools.

Diamond is the most popular gemstone in the world. There brilliant sparkle, clarity and brilliance make people crave for them. It is also the most precious stone in the world. Diamond is the hardest substance known to man. They can even be found in the depth of 150 km in the earth. There are many types and colours of diamonds used in designing beautiful jeweleries. Other than that, diamond also is called as the birthstone and zodiac stone.

Task 2

http://llt.msu.edu/vol14num2/stockwell.pdf

USING THE MOBILE PHONES FOR VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES: EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF THE PLATFORM
Language learning and technology: June 2010, Volume 14, Number 2
By Glenn Stockwell, Waseda University

Summary of the article

There are few aims concerned in this study. One of the aims is it has been conducted in order to identify how learners used their mobile phone for language learning when they had alternative methods of completing the activities which is by using computer and their performance on both platforms will be analyzed. In other words, the researcher wants to know the preferable among learners in using either mobile phone or computer in order to accomplish vocabulary activities. The other aim is the researcher wants to determine whether learners used one platform or the other consistently or in burst across the semester. In order to carry out this research, the researcher used VocabTutor system, which was written in PHP and MySQL. It was integrated into Moodle, which is used for management of class grades. Students need to log into the Moodle system before they start doing their vocabulary activities. The mobile system used by the students is accommodated with this system as well, but the simplified version. Thus, both of mobile phone and computer accessed with the same databases. There are two types of vocabulary activities which are passive activities and productive activities. Passive activities require learners to select the correct word from a list of alternative, while productive activities require learners to write or type the correct word in the appropriate tense. The other activities like choosing the appropriate word for an English sentence, choosing the appropriate English word for a Japanese meaning, appropriate word for English definition and write the appropriate English word for an English sentence. The question type and format was the same for each platform. The data were collected by using the server logs which automatically keep details in the system. The server kept all the records such as the platform learners used to complete he activities, the lesson number, the type of activity, the time it was started and finished and as well as the score attained for the activity. There were seven classes involved in the research. The participants are the first-year English language subject in the school of law at Waseda University, Tokyo. They were fresh out of high school, whom aged between 18 to 21 and in 175 amount of number. None of them had ever used mobile phone for language learning before the classes. In order to get valid data, they were taught by the same teacher, using the same teaching approach and content. The activities were mainly focus on the listening activities. Learners were given choices either to use mobile phone, computer (PC) or both. The classes took place only once a week, within 15 weeks of period. Their performance contributed 10 percent of subject assessment. There are three component of study that had been looked at in order to come out with the finding, which are scores achieved, time required to complete the activities and the usage patterns of mobile phone and computer (PC). It has been found out that there was a significant number of learners who did not use the mobile phone at all, but accomplished all the activities on the PC, which is 60 percent of them. 18.9 percent (33 learners) used phone to complete 20 percent of the vocabulary activities. There is a very small number of learners used mobile phone for the majority of vocabulary activities done, while only 3 learners (1.7%) of the subjects fully used their mobile phone to accomplish the vocabulary activities. However, the scores achieved in both platforms, which either by using mobile phone or computer are generally very similar. In term of time required for learners to complete the vocabulary activities, it has been found that longer time spent in order to complete the same activities on the mobile phone. Learners are found spent longer time in completing the multiple choice questions, compared to the time spent for writing questions and both were completed on mobile phone. Other than that, by indicating the result in term of the pattern of mobile phone usage, it has been found that there was a great deal of variation in how learners used the mobile phone. For learners who mainly used PC, there was a random instances of a single usage of mobile phone, but it was rare with the learners who mainly used mobile phone. There are also some learners who started using one platform, and then changed to use the other and sometimes they maintain used one platform until the end of the semester. Overall, even it has been stated that using mobile phone took longer time in accomplish some type of activities compared to PC, there were some learners who prefer to use mobile phone rather than PC and there is an increasing number of learners who used mobile phone. According to the researcher, mobile phone is an greater sense of freedom of time and place, while computer is easy for internet access and learners can do their activities at home at times they are convenient with. Many learners in current study make decision to use the mobile phone as a direct result of trying both PC and mobile phone. Examining how learners use mobile phones in natural contexts will help teachers to provide them with interesting and fun materials. The researcher concluded that as attitudes change over time, learners preferences and expectations of using mobile technologies will also change as well. Hence, successful usage of mobile technologies depend on the learners, with continuing give them opportunities to experiment and discover its usage and benefits.

Reactions towards the article

Overall, this research interests me so much. Integrating mobile phone in language learning is such a brilliant idea, since the gadget itself is a great phenomenon happens for everybody in the entire world. There are lots of reasons why I interested with this research only by looking at the title itself. One of the reasons is I really like the idea of technology integration in language learning. By having this type of methodology in teaching and learning language, it encourages learners to learn language better. Moreover, the wide usage of mobile phone will benefit the language learning so much, since it able to attract the youngsters to learn language. As we look at the popularity of mobile phone nowadays, it becomes more than a daily need. It is a must having gadget for everyone. So, by looking it as a gadget for academic functions, its really benefited in order to produce high academic youngsters or citizens. Thus, by having mobile phone as one of the methods towards learning the language, learning environment is not rigid to the inside classroom only, but anywhere, everywhere and any time. Don’t you think so?. In my point of view, I think that this research is well conducted. The subjects chose are all youngsters, who had never encountered learning with mobile technologies before. Other than that, the subjects were not rigid or forced to use only mobile phone, but ther are given choices to either use mobile phone, computer or both, depend on their preference. So, the data collected is valid and comparison can be made in order to determine the preferable usage of mobile phone among learners. Another thing is the measurement of the results is based on scores achieved, time spending to complete the activities and the pattern of usage of both platforms. The implication of the research is to encourage the transformation in CALL, which is not rigid or limited to the in-class learning language only. Thus, learners are free to learn in unlimited atmosphere in order to gain education, since everybody is equipped with at least a mobile phone each. So, technology is not only for entertainment or fun, but for education as well. It also able to change the style of teaching, from teacher centered to more challenging, fun and meaningful education style. Vocabulary learning can be learnt outside the classroom (by own). So, by having mobile phone learning, it is actually promote self-centered learning and it will attract young learners to learn English language. In conclusion, this is such a good learning style since language learning is unlimited and it should be implemented as it benefits learners a lot and it proves that we are encouraging lifelong education.

In Class Assignment > HOT POTATOES

"It's so HOT"...Hot potatoes is very useful and compatible application for teachers, especially in the era of globalization, students easily getting bored with the old and traditional teaching and learning style (chalk n blackboard). So,by having this HOT software, teachers are able to provide interesting, challenging and meaningful exercises for students, since they are now communicate mostly with ICT or technology. More than that, students will be excited to accomplish their homeworks compared to using the exercise books.

I found that, by using the Hot Potatoes software, it helps me to generate creative tasks for students and i feel excited to create the exercises. I can create lots of fun exercises, but very effective for students' understanding, especially for them to learn English language as their second language. It is also save teachers' time to mark the exercises or students can get immediate feedback. It also promotes self-centered learning, which learning session can be experienced outside the class and without the teachers assistance. Moreover,this software is easy to handle and i think all teachers are able to cooperate well with this software, so effective and interesting learning can be created.

Great appreciation to the people who created the Hot Potatoes..i will definitely use this software for my teaching in the future..

In Class Task 5 : JMatch

http://www.mediafire.com/?4g42fm88nmhlah5

WEB EVALUATION

WEB URL: http://www.world-english.org/

1. What the application attempt to “teach”?

The application emphasizes all the four basic skills needed in learning or acquiring the English language, which are reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Those skills are very important for the English language learners to be capable at in order to acquire the language and to have the gradual process of language learning or acquisition. Moreover, there are also additional learning aspects of the English language like grammar, vocabulary, literature and there are lots of quizzes, puzzles and etc. Those types of activities enhance learners’ interest and indirectly help them to improve or acquire the English language better in such fun, interesting but meaningful learning. Hence, this application provides learners with great opportunities to learn more about
language, strengthen their skills and upgrade their English language proficiency. Additionally, learners are able to explore more about English language by look at the literature component like the poetry and classic short stories. Learners are also able to enrich their vocabulary, since this application provides them with top 500 English words, vocabulary activities and tests.

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

This application is such a meaningful and effective tool for learners in order to learn or improve their level of proficiency in acquiring the English language. Learners are provided with notes, examples, exercises, quizzes and lots of additional activities which relate or benefit their language learning as a whole. All the four basic skills in learning English language are provided by the application with clear explanation, lots of example to help learners understand more on certain topics, numbers of exercises and quizzes to test learners understanding and achievement in learning certain topics or elements of language learning. Additionally, there are long lists of vocabulary and grammar topics to be explored in order to help the learners improving and acquiring English language better, since these two elements are very important to be mastered in learning the language. Notes, examples and exercises are also provided for those two elements in order to help learners gain better understanding in English language acquisition. The most important thing is, learners do not need to be well competence in using the computer, since the application is friendly user and easy to conduct, which it only needs the learners to click on the selected topics, scroll down while reading the notes and examples, and they have just to click the answers for the exercises. It is just a simple application, but provides learners with great benefits in acquiring or learning the English language.

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

This application does not need advance computer skills. The most basic skills of using computer will be enough to operate this application. Learners only need to click on the selection of topics and the exercises given just need the learners to click on the answer chose. All the exercises given need learners to only click on the answer box. Learners do not need any specific computer skills like downloading software. For the listening exercises, various types of videos provided and learners just have to click the link given and open the video by using real player or windows media player. Hence, learners have optional to open the video by using windows media player if they do not have the real player.

4. While you are “playing”/”accessing”/”assessing” the application, does it remind you of anything you do in the classroom, or with a teacher or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?

Absolutely. My mother is an English teacher at the primary school and she was my teacher when I was in standard 4 and 6. She gave me an English exercise CD-Rom which emphasizes on the grammar and vocabulary. The CD is actually produced by the English panel (panitia) of that school. So, I really like the CD because its application is very simple. There are some pictures and I just need to click on the correct answer. The other exercise that I remember is reading a text. I had to just click on the underline words and click to choose the correct answer (part of speech). For me, that type of application makes the learning process easier and simpler. Learners just have to click and no other computer skills needed like downloading, typing because not all the learners are the advance users. Rather than that, the age of users might be different, so by having the application which operates with the basic skills, it helps the younger learners, especially kids to learn the language through the application (website).

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

The first theory that I encountered in this application is the experiential learning. .This theory is applicable for learning the four basic skills in learning the language, which are reading, writing, listening and speaking. The reason why this application involves the experiential learning theory is basically it provides students with ‘concrete experiences’ through discovering the elements or principles of the language by trial and error, building their own hypotheses about the language learnt and revising the assumptions in order to become fluent in English language acquisition. Learners learn by ‘doing’ (active experimentation) and they ‘take charge’ of their own learning process.

The second learning theory discovered of this application is the use of deductive learning theory, especially when the learners explore the grammar topics or elements provided by this application. The deductive learning theory takes place when learners are given the rules or generalization (explanation/clarification) and then, they are allowed or being able to practice various instances of the target language.

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

Constructivism provides the learning environment which support multiple perspective or interpretations of reality, knowledge construction, context rich and also experience-based activities (David H.Jonassen). Constructivist takes place when learners are able to construct their own understanding by experiencing and reflecting the learning processes and finally learn something new, which they can relate to the previous knowledge learnt in the classroom. Besides, constructivist provides learners with inquiry-based activities, hence learners are able to formulate or test their understanding, making inferences and they will become the expert learners as they know how to learn (self-centered learning). So, this application is definitely provides learners with the constructivist learning. The learners can access and conduct the learning process by their own, understanding the topic/ subject learnt by relating the knowledge learnt in the classroom and strengthen them with own/experience-based learning, which they explore or find additional information or seeking for more clarification, which indicating the process of constructivist is took place. How? Learners can read the notes or clarification of certain topic studied provided by the application, learning or understanding through the lists of examples given and finally measure their understanding by testing their knowledge through answering the questions given or the quizzes provided in the application. Overall, this application does provides learners with constructivist-based learning through its authentic, clear, simple language notes or lots of examples to cater them with great understanding and finally measure their own level of proficiency through exploring the quizzes and activities provided by the application.

7. In 1980sband 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?

In my opinion, computer is never can be the replacement for the teachers. Teachers are the most important element when it comes to education. Honestly, how can a computer replace the teachers, since teachers are the one who operate the computers and not the other way around. In the simple words, computer needs a teacher to operate and function as the tools for teaching and learning process. Moreover, a computer does not have the functions as a teacher does, like consultation, further explanations, cannot be a good communication volume (one way communication only) and cannot interact with the students (in terms of enduring with students’ emotions, motivating them, solving problems and etc). Basically, computer just operates or functions limited to what they have been programmed for. Rather than that, teacher can endure with various or different level of students’ capability, compared to the computers which merely benefit students who really know how to operate them well. To be truth, it never comes across my mind that computers can replace the responsibilities of the teachers, since the teaching and learning process is more than academic business. Being a teacher is not only to teach, but to educate the students as a whole in order to produce well-rounded generation in the future. Will computer is able to do the same? The answer is absolutely not and computer is just one of the tools to help and support teachers in their teaching profession. For example, people can now further their study without going to the universities and having the actual classes like the actual universities students do. They can have their degree or master by learning at home or office through their computers. But, they still have the lecturers as their main source of reference and computer is used as the medium of communication only. So, there’s no other way that computers will be able to replace the teachers, no matter how sophisticated the technology is.

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

Definitely yes. By having the application, it helps me to provide my students with attentive, effective and interesting teaching and learning processes. Being a teacher, sometimes I realize that I somehow fail to determine the proficiency level of my students and have the possibility to give the unsuitable exercises level, which do not benefit my students academically. Rather than that, sometimes, teacher is running out of the ideas to teach the students in fun, interesting ways, but still meaningful and effective lessons. So, by having the application, teachers are able to generate ideas and get various types of exercises to be used as their teaching materials, especially in the English language classroom. It is not easy to teach language, hence various teaching techniques must be used like providing students with interesting and fun learning environment, which is able to effect their motivation to learn English as their second language. I do not want to teach English language for the purpose of examination only, since acquiring a language is exploring. So, I want them to learn the language as they realize how importance the English language acquisition is, rather than learning the language for examination purposes only. Based on my experience, by having the technology or ICT application, it helps me a lot in attracting and motivating my students to learn English. I was able to prove them that English is not a tough subject, nor a boring subject to be learnt, which indirectly changed their perception towards learning that language.