TASK 2: ESL Website Evaluation

Website: ESL-galaxy.com ESL Resources
URL: http://www.esl-galaxy.com

Q 1: What does the application attempt to “teach”?

This online application is an interactive medium for any ESL learners who want to learn English. This website provides different types of subject area that can fulfill the needs for each ESL learners which includes mainly grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading and writing and as for young learners this website presents these materials in form of games and word puzzles to make it easier for them to understand and at the same time attract them to learn English.

Besides that this website also provides downloadable lessons in form of video slide, PowerPoint and also Mp3 and pod casts audio which are very easy to download. Apart from that the application offers different kind of fun activities, exercises and worksheets which are suitable for varied proficiency level from beginner to advanced level for both teachers and students.

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

First of all this website is free and it is very easy to access. The users of this website do not have to create an account, sign up or pay in order to use the application. Users can use the resources or activities from this website from printable worksheets to downloadable lessons together with computer assisted learning materials. What the users have to do is just simply click on the preferred subject area, select their level and they can start using the application. After learning the respective topics that they want the users can directly answer the exercises or worksheets provided to check on their understanding.

Furthermore, there are many special features for the teachers in the website such as lesson plan, forum, ESL materials, teacher discussions and teaching job opportunities. There are also many additional features for both teachers and students such as short stories, videos, Mp3 and pod casts audio which are free to be downloaded. Lastly, the users also expected to read the notes and instructions first to avoid any difficulties later on.

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

I think all the applications in this website is very easy to use and user friendly. For me there no specific skills that the users need to have in order to use the application. The skills that the users need to have are only basic computers skills such as point and click on the links. Apart from that the users also may need to know or if they don’t know they can always learn to download files such as the video, Mp3 or exercises from this website. I don’t think the regular users of internet will face any difficulties in using the applications. Having the basic computer skills is sufficient in order to operate any applications in this website.

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

Yes absolutely. I still remember during my primary school years my parents prefer to buy courseware in form of CD-ROM for me and my brother to learn certain subjects especially English. I remember this one particular English courseware which was a Mickey Mouse game-based application. I really enjoy learning English at that time because it was so fun playing all the games, puzzles, drawing, and coloring and there were a lot of colorful pictures, animations and sounds which really attract my attention to use it over and over again. I and my brother always compete with each other to get the highest score in the exercise or test in the courseware because my mother will reward us with something.

I also remember in my secondary school my English teacher will brought us to the computer lab once in a week to do different types of English exercises using computer. We really enjoyed learning English at that time because besides having the opportunity to go to the computer lab we also can learn English using computer and not only through the traditional chalk and talk in the classroom. I and my fellow classmates were always eager to go to the computer lab every week to learn English. English is fun~

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

There are a lot of theories on language learning or teaching that I have learned. For this ESL website, I can say that it focuses more on helping the users how to use the language itself through grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and so on. In my opinion it matches the Experiential Learning Theory by Carl Rogers where he stated that learning will take place when students participate completely and have the ability to determine the learning process. We can see in this application the activities are categorized into several topics from daily life experience to English language skills. So the users will learn by doing/experiencing the activities provided.

For me this is an effective learning process because I personally think that experience is the best teacher. Besides that I would also like to relate this application to one of the theory proposed by B.F Skinner of Operant Conditioning. According to Skinner, students gain knowledge by using the information that already exists in their mind. Therefore, they are learning new things by practicing the knowledge that they already have.

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

According to Vygotsky (1978) in his Constructivist Theory, he proposed that social interaction was foundational in cognitive development (Brown, 2000). In other words, the theory suggests students construct knowledge through social interactions with others it can be influenced by culture in which the students live (John V. Santrock, 2004). This theory applies to active learning which students can learn independently where students take control of their own learning.

Vygotsky also emphasized that teachers should create many opportunities for students to learn with teacher and peers. In this website there is a forum section where students can interact with one another and the teacher can use their computer and language skills to expand learning method from the traditional to a more modernized method which suits the needs of students in this fast-growing IT era.

Q 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?

As we all know, whether we realize it or not, computers have become a ‘must have’ tool for everyone especially school/university students. I personally think that computer is really important in today’s life. We can see that almost everyone especially students have their own desktop or laptop. We can use computer not only for entertainment purpose such as going online and surfing the net to explore things and so on but also for educational or academic purposes.

In my opinion, the computer is a beneficial aid in the learning/teaching process and not a “master” or a “slave”. By using the computers it can makes the learning process livelier and thus attract students’ attention. We all agree that computers can be effective tool for students but we have to remember that computer is not a living thing compared to a real life teacher. In the process of learning, students need teacher to give guidance, encouragement and moral support which they could not get from a machine. To conclude this debate, I strongly suggest that computer is not a master to students but merely an obedient servant to every user. No one or nothing in this world can replace teacher in an effective learning process.

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

Yes, I would definitely use this website for my future work. This website serves both students and teachers and it offers ranges of materials and activities from different level of proficiency. It also changes the traditional classroom setting and chalk and talk method and students can learn at their own pace. Moreover, in this IT era students are fonder to technology based approaches. So again by using technology we can attract students’ interest in learning. Using this website also can cater various students’ needs where it has variety types of materials on various topics in form of video, audio worksheets, puzzles and games.

This website offers free ESL resources for kids, students and also for English teachers. Students and teachers can use this websites to test their understanding on certain topics by doing the exercises and activities which is absolutely free and easy to access. There is also a forum section where students and teachers can interact with each other to discuss or exchange their opinion on any topic. Lastly I would love to recommend this website for all ESL learners out there.

Q 9: Suggestions / Recommendations:

For me there is nothing wrong with this websites but we can always improve things so I would like to suggest a few ways that can make this website livelier so that it will attention of the users especially for young ESL learners. The author of this website can use more colourful wordings/fonts and layouts. The author also can add in animations and more graphics to make the website look more interesting and fun and will not look dull and like a lame educational website.

They say first impression is crucial. I strongly agree with the statement. We also have to remember that look is nothing without content. Besides that in terms of content and all I think it is good. Hopefully all ESL learners and future teachers can make use of this websites in the learning process.

REFERENCES

1. Brown, H.D (2000). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. New York: Longman.
2. Santrock, J.W. (2006). Educational Psychology: Classroom Update: Preparing for Praxis and Practice. United States: Mc Graw Hill.

Prepared by:

Adris b. Ahmad Puad

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