Challenges of creating web-based activites in Sally Morrison” Interactive lanaguge Learning on the Web

     




        

       In my opinion There are many difficulties that face any teacher in creating web-based activities, most of the teachers in KSA schools don’t have web-based language learning, they only depend on traditional methods of teaching languages. Maybe this because teachers' lack of knowledge in how to create webs and how to deal with it or maybe they have in the past learned in an old ways so they apply these old ways now. Moreover, maybe the teacher doesn’t know how to use the site, how to put the materials even they didn’t know the appropriate type of the activity  suit the site. However, sometimes the students themselves didn’t know how to use these sites in learning process although if they already professional in using technology. Another problem is that, the students didn’t check the update posted there regularly. In addition , sometimes it require a code to access to the site or the course which make the students got confused.

   

Normalisation of Bax in the Saudi Kingdom

     

        Stephan Bax argues that, "Our aim should be to attain a state of `normalisation' in which the technology is invisible and truly integrated"
Through the reading of the article, Stephan Bax wrote about how we can use technology in our daily life specifically sing a computer in language teaching. Stephan has identified a possible future plan for CALL. CALL was divided into three phases, which are "behaviouristic", "communicative" and "integrative".The first, Behavioristic CALL, is the most plausible and would attract most agreement. But the other two categories are far less satisfactory.

     While I read the article, there is something stuck in my mind is the writer’s opinion that , the most clear way of defining the goal of CALL is by the concept of ‘normalisation’, which is relevant to any kind of technological innovation. I also came to know that Normalisation is the stage when a technology is invisible, hardly even recognised as a technology, taken for granted in everyday life. Like pen or shoes, they are all technologies that became normalised to the extent that we hardly even recognize them as technologies. In short, Normalisation is something that should be set as a goal to be accomplished.

     From what I have read, I knew that they identified a possible critical future agenda for CALL that normalisation asked for. Their aim can be the normalisation, in which CALL becomes invisible, Helping in the needs of students and teachers, and emerged into every teachers’ everyday practice. This will cause changes in technology, in the size, shape and position of the classroom computer, in attitudes, in approach and practice amongst teachers and learners.

     They also identified the means of achieving this goal. In this research, Stephen Bax argues that we need more in-depth ethnographic studies of individual environments to elucidate the relationship between the factors just mentioned. We also need action research in individual environments to identify barriers to normalisation and ways of over- coming them.

      In KSA schools, most of schools and university teach traditional way of teaching, but nowadays teachers started to use technological tools like: projects, smart bored , smart phones ...etc.However,  I think KSA still need some efforts to reach normalisation. Normalisation is possible in some of our Saudi context but not in all the places. We need time to apply it in all our schools. We should started from education system by providing technology in schools and encourage teacher to use it. Also, the student should be able to know how to use technology.

At the end, I think they will reached it by using technological in teaching such as: Power Points, projects, computers…etc. 

CALL and Language Skills

     

        In order to acquire any foreign language perfectly you must be able to use the four skill of that language correctly which are speaking, reading, writing and listening. Each skill has its own priority space on the language. However, speaking one of the most important skills that everyone must mastered. Shared Talk is a very useful site for both teacher and the learner. Teacher can gives her students the instruction about how and when to use this site. For example, she can asks them to inter into the text chat and interact with the English native language speakers as an assignment. Sharedtalk.com is a language exchange online community visited by those who want to learn foreign languages online. Students just need to register on this site and get access to the tools and resources provided by this network. They can improve their vocabulary and grammar skills, and practice a foreign language online.

Would you like to learn Spanish? Take a look at this site and find a partner to learn Spanish and many more foreign languages online. Shared Talk allows their registered members to find other members to exchange information on foreign languages and built learning groups. In addition, on Sharedtalk.com you can get access to voice and text chat rooms where both partner will get the benefit at the end of the conversation by interacting and responding to each other. For example, I want to learn English language which is my partner’s native language and my partner want to learn Arabic language which is my native language So, we speak together to reach our goal. SharedTalk offers language learners around the world to strengthen their language skills through immersion and conversation.

When it comes to learning foreign languages online, Sharedtalk.com might be a useful site for you to stop by. This online community gives you the chance to develop your vocabulary and improve your grammar skills.

Social Networking Sites

What is your most important reason for using social networking sites?

  By using social networks sites we can stay connected to family, friends and meet new people with similar interests and goals. It connects us to the whole world and we can catch the latest news all around the world in a second. Also, everyone can express his opinion freely and share his thought and ideas with other people using social network sites. It is the easiest way to get and spread the information of anything you want. Moreover, social networks play a major role in communication and business opportunities. People with low self-esteem may make their friends through these social networking sites. We can share and learn about other people’s culture, language and their lifestyle. In addition, you can make your own business using any social network sites. Finally, the advantages of using social network are a lot I won’t be able to cover all the points now but these are what I have in my mind this moment.

Is it possible for you to use them in teaching EFL/ESL?

 Sure, since new generations are already professional using technology it will be a very helpful tool using these social networks in teaching process. It will save time giving and receiving information at rapid speeds either in a classroom or at home. For example, if I were a teacher I would use twitter or instagram with my students. I would use twitter to:

1.   Tweet about upcoming due dates or assignments. One of the simplest ways that I can use Twitter in the classroom involves setting up a feed dedicated exclusively to due dates, tests or quizzes.

2.    Tweet about the new vocabulary. I can tweet a complete sentence that contain the new word followed by its meaning. Or, contribute synonyms or antonyms or give a definition for any vocabulary or spelling words, this is a very useful way to help students learn and remember the new words by heart, and how to use it in everyday life.

3.   Summarize. I may ask the students to type a 140-character or less summary of what they have learned and perhaps pose any questions to be considered in the next class. That will improve their writing skill.

Also. I would use instagram with my students in different ways. For example I may give them homework or assignment by asking them to snap photos and write an essay about it the story of that picture. Also, I can post an image and ask them to describe it in one word this is will help them to remember the new words when they associate it with the picture.