website evaluation- http://www.englishmedialab.com/

Evaluation Guide

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

There are a lot of esl websites that are very attractive and interactive. I chose this website because in this website, it offers 5 topic which is English Media Lab, Free English Video Lessons; ESL Grammar & Vocabulary quizzes; ESL Online Puzzles , Gap Fills and Cloze Exercises; Business and Survival English and Pronunciation Exercises and Listening. The English Media Lab section, suits the name of the web itself, offers students on how to use video as a method of learning, not to mention teaching. the videos are about conversation in daily life, which is very practical to teach users on how to converse in particular situation. Second section is ESL Grammar & Vocabulary quizzes, arranged according to levels. This section is more to quizzes about grammar and vocabulary topic. Games, crosswords puzzles and other activities can be enjoyed by the users. This is very easy for users to do some exercises as they can choose their level and learn from easy to difficult level, based on their abilities. Beside that ,this web also provide Business and Survival English for people who wants to learn English for business matter. Exercises on conversations and enrichments on certain terms that will be used for business purposes is taught in this section. Last but not least, pronunciation also being included in this website to teach users on how to pronounce some words correctly. In this section, users will be taught on diphtongs and phonetics aspects of language as listening exercises are provided. Moreover, this website also have linkage to other esl websites which are its partners.to make it easier for users to refer and get more knowlegde. Then, there are also linkage to downloads any forms of materials that can be useful for the users in learning English. So, the applications attempt to teach users on how to use English in daily conversations as well as the new vocabularies and grammars through all the exercises, plus pronunciations matter in a very enjoyable and interactive way.

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

In this website, most of the applications require users to think of the answer wisely because after finishing the quizzes, users can check the answers directly. But, users can take time to think and change answers before they submit the answers if they do the exrcises provided. If they watch the videos, they might use the information by observing and repeating, might as well practicing what they heard and saw after they understand the whole concept of what the videos try to convey. Games like puzzles require users to play and enjoy the activities while thinking of the answers without any stress or pressure. Users can always repeat the activities according to levels.

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

In order to use the applications, users don't have to have excellent computer skills as all the applications are using simple command which is the basic skill of using a computer. All the users need to do is only listen and repeat, which at the videos or mp3 has play and pause button, just like ordinary player. If in the contect of exercises, users only need to follow instructions like fill in the gap, or choose the best answers. Some answers are provided and users only need to fill them in, for example in crossword puzzle. So i think, this website need not require the users to have excellent skills because all the applications are easy to access and operate.

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?

Well, frankly speaking i never had any chance to do any of activities involving technology during my school time because at that time, technology wasn't regarded as an important tool in classroom. It is more to traditional method of chalk and talk, which involves only textbook. But, as i learned to be an educator and as the world of technology evolves from day by day, my knowledge on IT also increases. So, i tried to include technology as much as possible in anything that i do nowadays, for example to search for information on subject matter that i learned or try to improve my English. As courses required me to do lesson plans on teaching English, i went through these kind of ESL websites and looked for any relevant activities that can be used. So, i can say that i came across these kind of applications many times before and i think it is a good way of eaching English not just to my students, but for myself as i have to try the activities out first before choosing and conducting them in class.

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

Application in this websites are more or less the same with other ESL websites. In my opinion, all of learning theories can be seen in each applications provided. For example, Behaviorism theory. As i mentioned before, users can learn to pronounce words as they listen and watch the videos. It can be repeated over and over again until users get the correct prounciation and memorize it. That can be considered as repeating or rote learning which applies in Behaviorism theory. As for exercises, users can repeat the same exercises until they get all correct answers for each exercise. This can be considered as drill and kill, inspired by how CALL has been developed from started, Behavioristic CALL. Communicative CALL also can be considered because some of the application taught users on language function which users need to repeat and memorize, as well as make sense of it and practice it over and over again. Then, of course Integrative CALL came as the crucial basis underly all the applications because all are communicated media as users can get answers on the spot and interactive with giving clues and so on. Other than that, I believe that the applications are based on Constructivism theory. As all the applications require users to think and develop the knowledge they gain on their own, they also construct the knowledge into their existing knowledge, adding new information and make it relevant for themselves to understand and practice them in daily life.

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

Constructivist theory of learning suggest that learners learn things by doing, and construct learning through their own experiences. So, this website allow users to use the applications by themselves, to explore and enjoy accessing and making sense of English by themselves, with some help from the clues provided. As simple instruction given, it is easier for users to try the applications on their own at their own time and effort. For example, crossword puzzle gives answers to be chosen from and users only need to make sense of the questions or statements and fill in the puzzle. Thus, it can be said that users learn new things by understanding the questions before filling in the answers in the puzzle. As for the videos provided, users can watch the videos and relate the language function used with the situations potrayed in the videos. New vocabularies and grammar can be learned as users need to process all the information and put it into existing schema in learning process.

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?

In my point of view, i think computer still can't replace the job of a teacher. No matter how well is a website with full of applications that can help students learn, it is no comparable with teachers. This website can be said as an obedient servant to students because in the end, teacher is the one they should refer to if they have any problem. Computer is interactive, yes, but there are some explanations best made by the teachers. For me, technology should be as a supporting tool to assist teachers when teaching, also to assist students to learn about something better. As i evaluate this website, i think users can learn new things and add new knowledge, meaning that the constructivist theory is relevant here. But there are somehow something is lacking which requires teacher to be in control again, in teaching students what they are supposed to know and learn.

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

Yes, because i think this website offers everything that a teacher can use in classroom. There are a lot of enjoyable activities, which levels can be chose to suit the need of students variety. Also, there are links that offers interesting lesson plans that i can choose from. Besides, it is easy to download everything or gain access directly from pc provided at school.

Suggestions/Recommendations.

I think this website is good enough for users who intended to learn English. It might look a bit unattractive for students, but professional enough for adults. Looking at the exercises provided, the levels are quite okay for beginners, intermediate and advanced students or learners. The quizzes and puzzles are fun and interesting even for adult learners to do. With the links given to easy access for another materials, downloads and more information regarding English activities, it is quite user friendly for all the users.