JMatch Exercise

This time, by using Potatoes, we need to do an exercise using JMatch application. The link to the exercise is as below.

JMatch Exercise

I created two types of exercises which are selecting the answer and dragging the answer to the question. You can try both of the exercises. Hopefully you enjoy the exercises. =)

Task 2: Article Review

This time, the second task is to review an article.

Below is the link to the article (please choose the title “Using Mobile Phones For Vocabulary Activities: Examining The Effect Of The Platform” from the website) :

The link to the article.

The article title that being reviewed is “Using Mobile Phones For Vocabulary Activities: Examining The Effect Of The Platform”. The article is published in “Language Learning and Technology Journal”, June 2010, Volume 14, Number 2. The author is Glenn Stockwell from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. He is a Professor in Applied Linguistics and his research interests include computer-mediated communication, mobile learning, and the role of technology in the language learning process.

i. The aims of the research

            The aim of the research was to find out if there was/were any factors/features that can affect users whether to use mobile phone or PC. Another aim was do they achieve higher scores with the PC compared to mobile phone? Alternatively, do learners find that the activities take too long to complete on the mobile phone? Rather than looking at subjective survey data, the research looks at the actual scores achieved by learners depending on the activity type, the amount of time spent engaged on the activities, and any longitudinal differences that were apparent across the period investigated. The research questions were as followed.

1. Are there differences in the scores achieved in activities completed on mobile and PC platforms?

2. Are there differences in the time required to complete activities on mobile and PC platforms?

3. Do learners improve in speed and scores over time on each platform? 

ii. The methodology

The researcher used the vocabulary activity system entitled VocabTutor. The system was written in PHP and MySQL, and integrated into Moodle, which was used for management of class grades and for provision of the audio passages for the lessons covered in the textbook. When students undertook the vocabulary activities on PC, they were required to log into the Moodle system, and then follow a link to the activities. The mobile system was the same as the PC system in content, but had a simplified interface to fit the smaller screen, and graphic images were removed to make loading faster. Both the PC and mobile versions accessed the same databases, and regardless of which platform was used for completing the activities, they were recorded in exactly the same way, but a record was kept of which platform was used. Next, the data for the research were collected through detailed server logs that were automatically kept by the system. The server logs kept records of, among other things, the platform the learners used to complete an activity, the lesson number, the type of activity, the time the activity was started and completed, and the score attained for the activity. Other information including the number of attempts on each item, along with the overall accuracy measures of the vocabulary items was also recorded in each learner’s profile, but these were not used in the current study.

iii. The subject/sample

The research was conducted about three years with three individual groups where the total was 175 learners. All learners were enrolled in a compulsory first-year English-language subject in the School of Law at Waseda University, Tokyo, which focussed predominantly on improving listening skills and vocabulary. All classes were taught by the author and the teaching approach and content were the same. The classes were not streamed, and learners were randomly assigned by the faculty’s student affairs office. Learners were mostly fresh out of high school, and were all aged between 18 and 21.

iv. The findings of the research

The result that answer to the first research question showed that showed no consistent difference between the mobile phone and the PC, with some activities scoring higher on one platform and others scoring higher on the other. For second research question, the results of the study clearly demonstrated that, with the activities used in the current study at least, there was a clear difference in the amount of time required to do activities on the mobile phone compared with the computer. Meanwhile, for the third research question, the data collected did not seem manage to determine whether learners improve in speed and scores over time on each platform, and activities in some lessons took longer than other lessons, regardless of the platform.

i. Does the research interest you?

This research interest me somehow because I want to know is it possible for us to learn trough mobile phone because people perception toward mobile phone is always to used and communication stuff and not for education purpose. Thus, if it is possible, then, it will be one way to improve students’ knowledge especially vocabulary in this research. This research also will blocked negative perception towards technology especially mobile phone.

ii. Do you think the research well conducted?

From my point of view, I think the research was well conducted. The research takes about three years and the sample was being taught by the researcher. Thus, the researcher supposes to know the level of the students and the effectiveness of the methodology the researcher used. The researcher also carefully selected the topic and compared the result.

iii. What is/are the implication(s) of the research in the teaching and learning of ESL ( in the general and Malaysian contexts)

One of the implications of this research in the teaching and learning of ESL is it can provide broader view to Malaysian especially teachers to used technology in class for the teaching and learning of ESL process. When we used technology such as mobile phone, it will grab the attention and focus from the students and will increase their interest in learning. Another implication will be the students will used English in daily usage because they used to use English using mobile phone. So, when the student texting their friends, they might used English.

JCloze Exercise

Finally, the JCloze exercise is finished. This exercise can test your basic grammar. Those who to try can donwload it from this link:

JCloze Exercise

Try it. I hope you enjoyed it and sorry for any lack in the exercise.

Task 1 : Website Evaluation

This time, I'm posting an evaluation on a English as Second Language Website that might help those who want to learn English through website. Below is the link to the website that I evaluated.

English Grammar Online

From the website, this is what I manage to evaluated:

1) What does the application attempt to “teach”?

     This website contains a lot of things related to English language learning. The application in the website attempt to teach the application users about English language the skills in it which are Grammar, Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. However the main thing that being given emphasized in this website is surely the Grammar section. For example, the tenses. The note given are not too details compared to the grammar books however I think it is quite enough for the application users or website viewer to gain something and understand the basic concept of what being explained through the simple sentences in notes and the examples given. Furthermore, the application also provides vocabulary section, study tips, leisure section, English for business purpose section, reading material and many other things.

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

    In this website, the application users are expected to read the notes given in the website. In the notes, examples are also given to make the application users understand the notes better. In every page of the notes given, usually there will be exercises for the application users to try out what he or she had learn throughout the notes. Using the exercise, the application user will know whether he or she already understand the content or not. The application user also can check their answer directly after they finish the exercise and they will be explained when they pick the wrong answer.

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

    To operate or access or use the application, the application users only need some basic computer skills that commonly known by most people that are using computer. Firstly, the application users need to know some computer operations and concepts. for example, how to use mouse, identified cursor, using keyboard and others. The other skill will be word processing. After all, it is an English Language website thus it involve a lot of word processing skills to answer the questions and so on.With all the skills, the application user will manage to select the topic that he or she wants and answer all the questions in the exercises, quizzes and games in the website.

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

    While I accessing the application, it sure remind me a bit on what I do in class with my teacher and friends. Firstly, when I access it, the notes in the website somehow kind of remind me how my teacher used to explain the grammar using the simplest word and form for my friends and i to understand. By reading the notes, I can remember some 'formula' giving by my teacher. I also can say that the exercises is quite similar to in-class exercises but much easier to check and even have explanations or clues if we pick the wrong answer. Furthermore, the games in the leisure section also quite the same game that I used to play in class like the hangman.

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

    In the application, one of the theories that I can list out that have connection with the application is behaviorism theory. This is because in the application, there are a lot of questions for exercises and quizzes. it uses a lot of drilling process that make the students used to the correct structure and grammar.

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

     Through the website, the constructivist theory of learning is applied quite well in it. The application users can experience the first-hand task by using the computer as the application users need to used the computer skills that they have. Moreover, all the notes and exercises are also allowing the application user to explore the knowledge themselves as it contains a lot of reliable information.

7) In 1980s and 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?

    Computer without doubt is sure could gives a lot of information to human. However, from my point of view based on my evaluation and my experiences, I am sure that computer cannot replace teacher because of several factors. Firstly, compared to computer, human can give out expression clearly. sometime, certain words need the correct expression so that the receiver will understand the meaning of the conversation. However, a computer cannot do that. Another one would be human teacher can give details information and explanation to the students depending on their need and understanding as all students are not the same. Thus, teacher could used variety ways to teach the students. However, computer can be a trusted teacher assistant in class as to make the teaching and learning session become better.

8) Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?

    Yes, because I think this website is really simple, informative, convenient and fun. I said it is simple because the website does not requires any advance computer skill and very easy to handle and access. Then, it is also informative as the notes given in the website is simple, easy to understand and reliable. Furthermore, the website also contains other references, reading material and so on. The website also convenient to me and other users as it has all in one website. although it is not totally perfect but I think it is quite good. It contain knowledge, current issues and leisure stuff for the users. Lastly, I said the webpage is fun because the exercises given do not put pressure to the users, it has some fun but academic games and one more important thing is it contain a lot of thing that attract people especially students like the article about sports and many more.

Excel Exercise

At last, the second task is done. This is a grammar exercise done in Microsoft Excel. It is simple but hopefully it is interesting. Download and try it. =) Thank you.

Excel Exercise

electronic worksheet

Sorry for the previous post. This time, i'm using mediafire for you to download the electronic worksheet.

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?pgjatosuaqmij6p