This is my web-based lesson plan on World Heritage in Danger.
Thank you.
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
DOLPHINS
To facilitate comprehension, create hyperlinks and hypermedia for the following passage.
DOLPHINS
Dolphins
are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of
them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The
more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is
more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other
dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the
weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that
dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Could any of these
mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly the most common argument
in favor of man's superiority over them that we can kill them more
easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary,
the more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we
appear superior when we destroy them.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
JCross
Salam and hello! This is an activity on JCross regarding places in Harry Potter series. Enjoy it!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qxkzcg6oaec2bfr/hp.jcw?m=
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Article Review
Students’ Perception and Learning Outcomes of Online Writing Using Discussion Boards
The JALT CALL Journal 2013: Regular Papers, Vol. 9, No. 2, Pages 131 – 147
Brian Nielsen, Hokkai Gakuen University in Hokkaido, Japan.
This research studies on
online discussion as a learning approach for Japanese EFL students. Online
discussion is a powerful instrument for extending learners’ current knowledge
as it encourages students to actively engage in discourse with other students.
By using a case-study research methodology, this study uses mixed method data
collection. Firstly through questionnaire and the second method is by analysing
the students’ posts and replies. Numerical data was analysed quantitatively
while open-ended questions were coded using labels and classified into larger
themes later. As for analyses of online writing, the text analysis web tool
“Advanced Text Analyser” at UsingEnglish.com was used. The data collected were
further divided into seven measures. Data were collected from 23 third-year
students enrolled in an EFL reading course at an urban university in Hokkaido,
Japan. Participants were of middle to high intermediate level of English
competence. They were obliged to engage in four online discussions on intercultural
topics. The results were split into seven categories. In measures for language
quantity in posts, the study found out that there was a marked decline in the
quantity of language posts submitted in the latter half of the course. As for
measures for language quantity in replies, there were marked drop in the
quantity of language in replies to posts submitted in the latter half of the
course. There was also a decrease in some measurements of language complexity,
and increase in other measurements like average number of complex words per
sentence. Apart from that, there was a drop in the complexity of language in
learner replies from initial to latter posts. The study also showed that there
was a marked decrease in spelling accuracy within posts and slightly greater
capitalization errors in subject headings. Nonetheless, there was a slight
increase in lexical and grammatical accuracy within posts. On top of that,
there was a marked decrease in the accuracy of learner replies to initial and
latter posts. Lastly, in association to the first two posts, the percentage of
students posting to latter discussions declined.
This research sparks the
interest in me as currently UiTM is encouraging the usage of blended learning
among students. We need to actively engage in online discussion for certain courses.
Hence, I can associate with this research better in regards to my current
learning method. For me, this research had been conducted thoroughly in detail
as it touches on the different measures such as measures of language accuracy
in posts, measures of language complexity in posts and the like. A deep study
on the students’ perception has definitely shed some light on online
discussion. However, the number of topic that the study covered is quite small.
The researcher should make it compulsory on a weekly basis with various topics
to discuss on. If the discussion is being held at the same time or a number of
people sign in at the same time, the discussion will be more engaging and
responsive. Hence, the number of replies can be increased. A more heated debate
can also be anticipated. In general, this research is quite enlightening and
beneficial for educators and students as well. Educators around the world can
use this research as a platform to encourage online discussion among students This
method has been used widely in today’s world and some part of the world depends
solely on this method as their learning method. It reduces anxiety and promotes
confidence among students as they can prepare and check their answers
beforehand. As in Malaysia, this method is still new to us. Our students are
still hesitant to engross in any discussion be it online or face to face as
they are so used to being spoon fed. It is high time that we include blended
learning in our learning process especially in language learning as early as in
school since we are moving towards using ICT in education. Acquiring language
especially in ESL needs immediate and constant feedback and encouragement. Through
online discussion, teacher and peers can correct others’ mistakes now and then.
In normal classroom, students receive feedback after quite some time. This method
hinders the students from correcting their mistakes at instant as they might
have forgotten about it and simply move on to the next topic. To incite online
learning, Malaysia has recently introduced VLE Frog which is a virtual learning
environment where students can learn and discourse online. This encourages
learning outside of the school compound and continuous discussion on related
topic anytime, anywhere. Language can be acquired easily as students receive
more attention and feedback as well as explanation from peers and teachers.
Online discussion is more student-centred and encourages meaningful learning.
So, teachers act as facilitator and help the students in needed. In conclusion,
online discussion is beneficial to the students and it is good that Malaysia is
going towards it whether in secondary education or tertiary education. This is definitely
a good platform for students to shine and improve themselves in language
learning.
Monday, 24 March 2014
BLOG TASK 2 - MCQ
Hello there!
This is a set of multiple choice questions that I've created using MS Excel. This set is useful to those who want to administer test & save the environment at the same time. You can create yours too because it is easy. Have fun!
MCQ - Grammar
Friday, 21 March 2014
ESL WEBSITE EVALUATION
Hello! I've found an ESL website that caters to students in learning English as a second language. This is my review on the website.
1. This website is suitable for learners who want to learn grammar and enhance their vocabulary. It offers a wide variety of topics like nature, health and weather that are essential to second language learners. As for grammar section, learners can learn the grammar components such as prepositions, tenses and adjectives which are very important in acquiring the language. Unfortunately, there is no notes given for each topic. Instead, learners acquire knowledge through the exercises given. This can be a barrier for the learners who want to understand the concept first before proceed to the exercises given. They need to refer to another website for the explanation on the topic especially the grammar component. The exercises included are quite beneficial and interactive too. Forget fill in the blanks or yes/no type of exercises because this website offers exercises using games. Memory games, hangman and many more are used for a more fun and interactive learning process whether in class or at home. There are also printables games and powerpoint games for learners to venture into. Learners can practice their skills in writing, listening and reading too except that the writing part is very limited to a few sentences only. There are immediate feedbacks given too. The comments given are short and simple too. For each exercise, there is a simple explanation on the game and also suitability of the game whether it fits for young, beginner or intermediate level but none for advanced learners. I believe educational games should also cater to learners of advanced proficiency too with more challenging content. Hence, this is something that this website cannot cater to but can improve in future.
2. It is easy for the learners to browse through the website without having to sign up. There is a register section for learners who want to receive updates on the latest addition of the website. Users do not need to pay anything if they want to use the content in the website. Moreover, there are games that can be played using mobile/ipad by clicking on the button available. So, it is a mobile-friendly website that learners can browse on the go. There is a quick 'search' button for learners to make a quick search without having to go through the topic listed. At the left side of website, there is a toolbar that connects to different social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest if the users wish to share any information on the website. This is definitely a friendly website.
3. Games and language learning are usually associated together. Hangman and memory game are some of the games that my teachers always did back during my school years. My teachers used to draw a hangman or paste some pictures or words on the blackboard. Both of the mentioned games are familiar as most teachers use those games in class and limited to vocabulary and some grammar components. During that time, there is none like interactive games like these. This website sets another standard for language games because it incorporates different types of games as exercises for different purposes.
4. This website definitely presents learners with something that cannot be done in a textbook/workbook because the exercises are mostly interactive games that requires a computer. Some exercises require learners to click on images, type on answers or even listen to some phrases. There are time given, retry button and reset button that cannot be found on paper-based exercises. The exercises are more friendly to the students because of the moving images, sounds and scores used that can attract the students throughout the learning process. But some of the printables like crosswords and word search can definitely be found in textbook/workbook abundantly.
5. From my observation, this website employing the 'Multiple Intelligences' theory. This website is very informative, interactive and fun to browse through. There is a mixture of visual-spatial, musical, linguistic and even logical-mathematical aspects in this website. The developer(s) integrated graphics, music and texts in learning language. The best part is that, problem solving and critical thinking are also embedded in the exercises listed which can help the students to use both parts of their brain actively while learning language. The concept of educational games is promoting learning while having fun. Other than that, it can be seen that this website promotes 'Independent Learning'. Learners can simply browse and learn through the exercises without having someone to tutor them on the topic. The immediate feedback given can help the learners to identify their mistakes better.
6. Some of the exercises in this website have the potential for language learning because of the interactive games use as the main platform to reach learners. Although they are using games as part of their learning activities, they exercises given are quite direct and give more room for learners to actually gain something from the games played. The exercises provided in the website focus on grammar and vocabulary hence towards the end, there is definitely something that the learners can benefit from it.
7. I will definitely use this website in future. This website is very helpful to check the students' understanding in a fun way. I can explain the topic first and ask them to do the exercise in this website first before give them challenging exercises. The exercises are mostly direct and simple so the students have bigger chances in understanding the concept of the topic. Plus, there concept of educational games are more suitable with the current and future generation of students since they are the IT generation. Students are more interested in lessons that incorporates IT in their learning process. Therefore, this website is on my top list for future reference.
That's all for my review. Thank you!
You can refer the website here:
Friday, 14 March 2014
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