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Thursday, November 02, 2006

SELF REFLECTION

SELF REFLECTION ON BLOG COMMENTS OF COLLEGUES -ASSESSMENT TASK
FOR FINAL ASSESSMENT OF CLN 618 Semester 2

According to the definition of CALL given by Egbert and Smith (1999) CALL is based on creating optimal technology enhanced language teaching and learning environments. (Egbert and Hanson-Smith, 1999 in Egbert 2005.)

DID CLN 618 COLLEAGUES FIND THAT I HAD OPTIMIZED THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING?This is what they said:-

POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES:
*Writing style -Comprehensive & well argued.
*Clear instructions given.
*Colours good
*Use of listening tasks appreciated
*Juxtaposition of foods of different lands commended
*Use of Australian food helps familiarise non native students with the culture of the country.
*Real language used.
*Liked my addressing two audiences (teachers/students)
*Liked pix of food
*Level of difficulty was manageable
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NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES MENTIONED BY COLLEAGUES:-
*Jam packed
*Pictures in the JMatch shouldhave been smaller so that they all would have been on one page - (easier for students.)
*Use of American English -confusing for learners in Australia.
*Topic more suitable for girls.
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LEARNING & REFLECTION ON CONSTRUCTION OF WEB SITE & MISTAKES

I feel that the page WAS jam packed- which may make it less attractive to viewers /learners.Ideally, I wonder whether I should take off the list of links on the right side of the website. I put in that list as easy reference for the teachers. However, since the links are already there on the page elseware, maybe I should save up space and spread out my text, using spaces, separator lines and bigger font.

Colour & design - I don't quite agree with the colleague who like my colours, but then taste differs. I would like to change it and make it brighter.

American accent -Mishan (2005) opines that authentic materials drawn from cultural products are a powerful device in language learning.Thereby, even in the absence of a class teacher, they receive the necessary scaffolding as suggested by Vygotsky (1978) cited in Knutson ( 2003) and Hoven ( 1997).Yes. my viewpoint in buiding the website was to expose them to authentic speech. However, I could not get my hands on Australian video clips that would work for me. Hence the American!I should think that exposure to native speech , although not Australian, would still enhance language learning.

Matching activity - the size of pictures were thought to be too big. Yes, I agree. The tasks should be clear-cut.

Addressing more than one audience- teachers & pupils was good. Yes, I did this for the sake of clarity.

In retrospect, I might also not use video. The links don't always work too well owing to peak hour times owing to heavy traffic (Computer-wise) & if you don't have the right configuration in your computer. However, We future teachers cannot be too afraid of using it our classes- because as technology advances, these problems will pass. My immediate target group of adult migrants, too, have access to the latest technology and computers in the lab, so they might have good luck with the weblinks.

Suitability of topic- I agree with one colleague who said that it fits the bill. However, another colleague felt it would not really interest men. This is the second time somebody said this - the other time was with regard to the webquest! However, in the adult migrant context, this may or may not hold true. They will still need to get acquainted with food preparation, production and purchase - at least the purchasing is often done by men because the wives stay at home due to cultural reasons, or because the men have better street- smart skills. Anyway, my ealier masters (didn't finish it) was in Gender Studies. So its hard for me to accept that argument- as my colleague said, the men should at least try(cookery)- or it'll be hard for the family, in Australia!

Nilly

N.B-However, ironically, in my present class the students DO happen to be all females!