Computer Use in the ESL Classroom.

Computers should be used as a language learning tool – just as any other piece of equipment (i.e., tape recorder, VCR, blackboard, etc.). It is important the computer NOT become the center of attention of the lesson. There are situations when activities at the computer can become the center of attention, however these situations should be avoided and left to students to decide when, and if, they want to utilize such activities (in self-access).

Computers as a Language Learning Tool

For some tasks, computers can provide distinct advantages over more traditional approaches. The use of a computer for listening exercises often provides not only sound, but also visual input providing students with more contextual clues. Students interacting with a computer are also using motor skills as well, which can have a strong reinforcing effect on the learning process by connecting physical actions (clicking, typing) with desired results. Students are also allowed more control over their own learning process as they make the decisions when to repeat questions, exercises and sequences based on their own progress.

Filed under: TEACHING ESL

SIARAN SKETSA PRO 3 – 7 Jan 2009

Diam itu Emas…?

… ada orang yang nafsunya untuk berbicara melebihi selera makannya….

Di sela kecaman kepada Pemerintah Amerika Serikat yang dinilai sangat mendukung Israel. Terbetik suatu berita lain yang mungkin menarik disimak. Presiden terpilih Barack Obama akhirnya mau berkomentar mengenai penyerangan Israel ke Gaza yang menewaskan ratusan rakyat Palestina. Presiden yang masih menyandang sebutan President elect atau presiden terpilih menyatakan sangat prihatin mengenai jatuhnya korban jiwa di kalangan rakyat Palestina. Namun mengenai agresi dan kebrutalan Israel, presiden ke 44 negara besar itu kembali bilang, hanya ada satu pemerintahan Amerika Serikat. Artinya dia menolak berkomentar lebih lanjut, karena masih belum resmi menjadi Presiden Amerika Serikat hingga saat pengucapan sumpahnya dua pecan mendatang. Mengenai sikap diam Obama itu, orang mungkin bisa berkomentar macam macam. Salah satu di antaranya barangkali pendapat bahwa ia menerapkan peribahasa Diam Itu Emas. Silence is golden. Atau mungkin ia sedang melakukan gerakan tutup mulut. OK.Kita kesampingkan apa yang dilakukan Obama. Kita coba merefleksi pada kondisi kita. Peribahasa Diam Itu Emas, dalam realitas sosial kita, jangan jangan sering tidak berlaku. Menanggapi suatu kasus, sering kita jumpai adanya perang wacana. Ada kesan, siapa yang bicara paling tajam dank eras menyangkut peristiwa atau kondisi tertentu, adalah orang yang reformis, demokratis dan berani. Di radio dan televise dalam acara diskusi, debat dan interaktif sering kita mendengar narasumber bicara dengan sangat lantang, sarkastis dan sinis. Dan orang orang seperti itu yang kemudian mendapat predikat kritis, sementara sebagian lainnya yang selalu menahan lisan untuk berbicara dengan jelas namun bersahaja, bisa saja dikenali sebagai kurang berani. Dalam hal berbicara itu, ada sindiran bahwa memang ada orang orang yang memiliki nafsu berbicara, melebihi selera makannya. Jangan jangan, saya,anda atau yang lainnya ada yang sering lupa bahwa agama menuntun kita untuk mengendalikan pembicaraan. Quraisy Shihab pernah mengingatkan, jangankan berbicara dalam bentuk menguraikan pendapat, berbicara dalam bentuk bertanya sekalipun diingatkan agar tidak sembarangan. Di dalam Al Qur’an tuntunan mengenai berbicara dengan baik itu antaralain dapat dibaca pada Surat Lukman. Dalam salah satu nasehat kepada anaknya, Lukman si ahli hikmah itu mengingatkan agar manusia senantiasa melembutkan suaranya sebab seburuk-buruk suara adalah suara keledai. Demikian sampai berjumpa. Saya budi angkasa,[i]

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[i]

Filed under: Tak Berkategori

WAR AND PIST…..

Stop the war..I wanna pist

Filed under: JUST, FOR A SMILE !

ASSIGNMENT – ICT

EVALUATING THE CALL

ABOUT CALL

One of the advantages of the emerging computer is its use as a means of teaching and learning activities especially for ESL. A teacher can make use of a computer to make worksheets containing teaching resources and supporting materials, to play short interesting materials using DVD’s player, to show movie trailers as well as to evaluate the progress of learning activities and also to design and conduct what so called Computer Asisted Language Learning. A number of various studies examining that CALL shows its effectiveness to support teaching activities in the classroom. A study conductemm is by Hartoyo ( 1988 ) reveals that a self access computer-assisted language learning program is considered to be effective in delivering explicit grammar instruction. Anyhow, Kenneth Beare ( Beare,2008) argues that CALL can be successfully employed not only for grammar practice and correction, but also for communicative activities. Many institutions dealt with English Teaching try to design self instruction learning materials not only for grammar but also vocabulary and speaking as well as listening comprehension in the form of CD and DVD’s.

NOTE ON THE FOUR CD’S FROM MR HARTOYO.

The four CD’s are about self instructional’s of Learn English “Beginners”, Vocabulary, English Words and Speak English “intermediate”.

My notes on these CALL are as follows :

CALL can be successfully employed not only for grammar practice and correction, but also for communicative activities.Teachers can make use of CALL not only for grammar but come along with communicative skills. It is as shown in the CD of Learn English “Beginners”, Vocabulary, English Words and Speak English “intermediate”.

1. The module Learn English “Beginners” shows that the principles of interactivity, usability/flexibility, effectiveness, content appropriateness and attractiveness are well coped. The user can use this series easily as it is equipped with the choice of language instruction suitable to him. Indonesian pupils can choose Indonesian language rather than English. Besides its simplicity this module is also attractive for the learners as well as motivating as the learners could simoultanesly get the scores.

Compared with the other three modules – vocabulary, English words and speak English – the Learn English “Beginers”, I consider the best.

The problem of sound quality can be found in the CD of English’s Words which is, played in my computer, rather unclear and a little bit hizzing. Unfortunately my computer is just able to open this CD with Jetaudio software.

2. The problems should be on the software. Computers which is not equipped with the appropriate softwares will have problems and must be upgraded or completed with the available ones. I, myself, have a problem to use these moduls as my computer has not been upgraded.

M. KABUL BUDIONO

NIM 0808066018

Filed under: TEACHING ESL