This paper is about the development process of CALL. The review of literature shows that there are three phrases of development: the analysis phase, the development phase and the evaluation phase.
I think these three phases are common to all computer programme development. It is also valid to all curriculum development.
The author quoted two points of views about at which stage the media is selected. Someone think that it's not necessary to consider the media right from the start. However, some think that having a solid knowledge of the media in the earliest stage is a powerful foundation. I agree with the second point of view, if we don't have any knowledge of the media, the design of the CALL will be in danger. We may need to change the design because it's not practical. Although the author warned that this approach may make the CALL technology-led, I think it's more suitable.
The second part of the paper is about the CALL survey. Responses to the questionnaire are divided into categories. I would like to use my own experience to apply the categories.
It is fortunate that I've participated in the e-schoolbag project in my previous school. I think it's a quite successful project, although I've left for a few years already. We tried to develop some computer activities for our students to learn Chinese, English, Maths and General Studies. Below is the link to one P4 English topic.
http://www.bwcss.edu.hk/~e-schoolbag/english/4a-olympic/index.htm
I will categorize it as "Syllabus specifications". When we had a coplanning on the topic, we wanted computer backup for our textbook. So we (the P4 English teachers) designed the learning activities. We drew our plans on papers. When we designed the learning activities, we considered the media as well. We tried our best to make sure that what we designed was executable. Then we asked the IT technician to do the implementation. This matches with the sequential process in the paper.
1. Conceptualization of learning activity
2. Matching to suitable software format
3. Software specification
4. Programming
However, in this case, the language teachers only did the first step (designing the learning activities). The IT technician did all the other steps.
This kind of CALL is not common in Hong Kong schools. Since most teachers may not have the technique to implement the CALL, even some do have the technique, they don't have enough time to do so. And most of the schools do not want to spend money on hiring an IT technician just for developing CALL. So most of the CALL in Hong Kong are developed by commercial parties. This kind of CALL may not fit the leaners' or teachers' need. So, what can we do to solve it?
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5 comments:
Wow! The e-school bag system sounds great. Does it cost a lot for parents? Is it convinient for students. I agree with you that media is a big issue in planning CALL process. It affects the way we precent the materials and the degree that students are fond of it. I tend to cosider media in earlier stages in the development process because it sets clearer goals for designers
The parents don't need to pay for it. students can use the e-schoolbag at home or in the MMLC when having lessons.
If we don't know what the technology can do, our design may not work finally. =(
Regarding Paul's comment, at some point I was advised to assume that basically anything is technically possible. This advice is good as far as it goes. What should have been added is that there comes a time when you have to respect the input that you get from your technical team.
For example, if you have two alternatives, both of which are functional, and the technical team clearly prefers one of them, find out why. If they have a good reason (for example, the page will load three times faster), then they are probably right! You need to adopt the practical solution.
I like the website designed by your school is sooo good. I think I can use it for students too!
I agree what you've said at the end of the reflection. Teachers don't have the background to design the webpages. What we could do is to contribute ideas and the IT technician helped us to finish that. Maybe we could design simple tasks with MS word. Although it might not be as attractive as those designed by Frontpage or Dreamweaver, it might be the only way for teachers who are not good at designing CALL coursewares!
If the teacher plans the lesson well, MS word or dreamweaver should not affect much.
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