The role of WeQuests in learning a foreign/second language?

     WebQuest is defined as “an inquiry-oriented activity, which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet." (Dodge, 1995). It is designed to use learners' time well, focus on using information rather than looking for it, and support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

     The role of the teacher is to design attractive WebQuest which help the students understanding the lesson, and to give them a clear idea about what she/he wants to teach them. The teacher should be act as a guide and facilitator the process to the students. The role of the student is to learn what is WebQuest and be active participants. Class environment should be interesting and motivating student. Also teacher has to make sure that the classroom is provided with required tools such as computers and internet.

     The use of WebQuest in language teaching has several advantages. It improves the students’ higher-order thinking such as analysis, creativity, or criticism rather than just acquiring information. WebQuest Support critical thinking and problem solving through authentic assessment, scaffolding, and technology integration. WebQuest can also use for project-based learning. WebQuest allows students to complete authentic projects and use technology to find and present information. In addition, WebQuest involves collaborative learning where students engaged in constructivist activities resulting in shared learning experiences and new knowledge.

     As an EFL teacher, I will use WebQuest with my students because it will increase the students’ motivation. It enhances the development of transferable skills. In addition, it Provide a situation in which students acquire information, debate issues, participate in meaningful discussions, solve problems and collaborate with their peers. In my opinion, WebQuest is a useful tool to be used in TEFL/TESL.

Evaluating Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

     Randall's ESL cyber listening lab is a commercial site that supposed to enhance and support learning listening skill. The site is divided into three columns. The first column consists of advertisement related language learning, culture videos, website information, teacher resources and Randall’s pick for language learning from Amazon. The second column has the contents. On the top, some of the sites designed by the same author are mentioned. After that we find the content which mostly is mostly listening materials. These materials are divided into six sections, General   listening quizzes, basic listening quizzes, listening quizzes for academic purposes, 20 minutes - vocabulary lessons, language learning and life tips, long conversation with real video. The last column has an instruction to use this site. This website is designed by Randall Davis . He provides his E-mail , twitter account and facebook page so people can contact with him if they need .

     The purpose of Randall’s ESL site is to enhance English listening skill for any level of difficulties and communication skill. The site contains what we expected to enhance the listening skill. It provides different types of listening activities like conversations, listening quizzes, etc. according to the level of students and deals with functional language skills and everyday life situations and topic. Also, the site has vocabulary lessons and activities which help the learners in preparation for the listening activities. So the purpose of the site is clear and the contents reflect its purpose. Moreover, the site provides useful links to other website. Randall’s ESL site contents expand the experience of the user, but it does not promote any social biases to gender, race, religion, etc.  The site offers an advertisement that does not overshadow the content and distract or annoy the learners.

     The design of this website is good but not great. At the right side there is some white space that could be exploited in a better way. The colors used are mostly light mauve and yellow. It gives the impression that this website is not professional but when you go through the content you find it is really good. The text is easy to read but not to everyone. Some people will be distracted because of the colors. The page does open in a reasonable way without problems. The design elements of the site don’t hinder the accessibility of the site. Students and teachers can use the website for free with no login requirement.

     The content is easy to use. It is easy to access even for those who are hearing impaired. The website has enough information to make visiting useful and informative. The voice in audio records is very clear and each lesson has activities such as pre-listening, listening exercise, vocabulary and post- listening. Also, in each lesson it is clarified the learners' level, topic, and type of audio record, speakers, and length. Readers can easily download the  audio and there is a written form for the audio. There are a lot of links for Randall's other websites. It is clear and easy for learners to move from one website to another. In addition, Spelling and grammar are correct.  Also, we can navigate from page to related page easily without becoming lost. .. This website has a strong point. It is recommended for young and older adult use. It can be used at easy, medium, and difficult levels for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users. The material of this site are current and accurate.

     The site grade level is appropriate to be used in the language classroom for example teachers ask their students to complete certain exercises as classroom activities. The site is also ideal for Learner autonomy where learners engage in the listening activities on their own. The content is attractive for learners since it covers everyday life situation and topics of their needs.

Do teachers need to create web-based language activities for EFL students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Why and why not?

     Web-based activities, quizzes and materials have great potential to enhance learning and positive impacts on student learning. So it is very important to use it in the classroom.  Teachers need to create their own web-based language activities, quizzes and materials for several reasons. These reasons include the activities can easily be modified to support students at different level or with special needs, Materials can be updated easily and often and the students can access course materials or information anytime. Another reason for using Web-based activities that most of the students are digital native so these activities well increase the student motivation to learn because it fits their interest in technology and learning. The teachers in Saudi Arabia should use web-based activities and materials  because the book doesn’t have interactive activities or reliable material to enhance learning.

Virtual Rooms in the Language Classroom

     Last week, I had the class about How does Arabic influence the Pronunciation of English? It was it was virtual classroom with Ms. Peggy Tharpe.  Peggy talked about How Does Arabic Influence the Pronunciation of English? Also she talked about the sound system in Arabic and English and differentiates between them. She compared between vowels and consonant in both language. Peggy mentioned that Arabic speakers usually face the problem of phonological interference as their L1 affects their pronunciation of L2 sounds. At the end, Peggy suggested some solution in order to help them to solve this problem like active listening.
     There are many advantages of virtual rooms in the language classroom. Virtual rooms create a different atmosphere in education program. It helps Students to develop their language and skills such as critical thinking and active listening. Virtual rooms help student to acquire knowledge and experiment a new way of learn using technological resources. Also student can use electronic media like a discussion forum, chat room. In addition, Virtual rooms help Students to learn how to communicate through the internet.
     On other hand, virtual rooms in the language classroom have some disadvantages. First, the computers in class room may have limited access to the internet. Second, teachers need to ensure that students enter the room and everything is OK.
     I will consider the use of virtual classroom in the teaching and learning. I believe it makes a different and interactive class where the integration of technology is the key of change in the ESL/EFL teaching and learning process.

Wordle in EDU 401

“Normalization of Bax in the Saudi Kingdom”

Bax argues that, "Our aim should be to attain a state of normalization in which the technology is invisible and truly integrated"

      This article offers a critical examination of the history of CALL. It discusses the three categories of CALL which are Restricted, Open and Integrated CALL. It is suggested that we are currently using the Open CALL. Our aim should be to attain a state of normalization in which the technology is invisible and truly integrated. Stephen Bax in this article makes an attempt to answer three questions: where has Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) been, where is it now and where is it going? He takes a look at work of Warschauer and Healey (1998 and 2000). They identified three phases of CALL “Structural CALL, Communicative CALL and Integrative CALL”. Bax claims that there are some significant weaknesses in this categorization. As a consequence, Bax propose for a new analysis of the history of CALL which are Restricted CALL, Open CALL and Integrated CALL. Also he claims that this analysis can used as a guide to broad historical developments in CALL. Stephen Bax mentions that we are currently experiencing an Open CALL and the way to achieve the meaning of Open CALL is moving towards normalization. Normalization means a stage when technology is invisible, hardly even recognized as a technology. He also describes the stages of normalization.

     
      There is a great development in using technology in classroom in the Saudi Kingdom. Schools and universities in Saudi Arabia follow the traditional method as a way of teaching and learning .But nowadays many schools and universities improve their educational system. They used technology such as computers, projectors and Ipads in their classroom to facilitate teaching and learning. The Ministry of Education starts working at normalization of CALL in the Saudi Kingdom. In order to achieve normalization of CALL in Saudi Kingdom I think we need to prepare the classroom with computer technology such as a computer, a projector and so on, and change the teachers’ attitude about teaching, train teacher in using new technology in teaching and apply technology effectively for teaching. Also we need to change the students’ attitude about learning and how to use technology for learning inside or outside the classrooms

“Challenges of creating web-based activities in Sally Morrison” Interactive language Learning on the Web”.

 

    Sally Morrison in his article mentions some of the difficulties that face a language teacher who want to create web-based activities. First, the teachers do not have the ability and knowledge of how create Web-based activities. Second, the students use variety of computers with a variety of Web browsers to access the web. Third, the teachers need to design web activities that meet accessibility guidelines for the student with special needs which is very difficult.

    In my opinion, there are many difficulties that will face teachers in Saudi Arabia in creating web-based activities. First, some teachers lack the technical skill and knowledge of creating web activities. Second, the Computers and online devices are not available in language classrooms. Even if the computers are available in classrooms, the school does not have the internet to access the web. Third, some students haven’t been attached to technology and they do not know how to use it like poor students and student who lives in villages. Fourth, the content of the textbooks are not flexible to match web activities. These are the greatest challenge of using web-based activities in Saudi Arabia.