1.What does the application attempt to "teach"?
This application is a wholesale attempt to “teach” any matter relating to the English language. One important feature of this application is that it is targeted for advance users only. The nature of all the notes, exercises, quizzes, games, social interactions, forums and etc takes on a self-centered learning in which learners have to be of a certain level of competence to maximize this application. Moving on, the application generally has materials on reading and listening. It also has a comprehensive collection of grammar notes and exercises. The exercises and quizzes available focus mainly on improving the user’s grammar. These exercises and quizzes however are not divided into levels. Personally, I take this feature as an attempt to encourage users to self-assess their level and what they wish to improve on. By doing so, I believe the aim is to empower users to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. In addition, this application offers assistance in vocabulary and spelling. However, it lacks in the aspects of writing as well as speaking. This could be largely due to the intention of the site of wanting users to be in command of their own learning. Thus, this site is heavily tailored for advance users and not beginners as they might find the explanations (grammar) quite confusing.
2.What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning the content?
Another feature of this application is that the learning is not rigid. In other words, the user is given the freedom to choose which aspect of the English language that they wish to learn. The same goes for learning and practicing. For example, one can either directly tries out some grammar exercises before referring to the notes given or one could do the opposite and read up on the grammar rules before attempting the grammar exercises. It is highly dependent on the user’s preference and style of learning. The application is simple, friendly and easy to use. Advance users would appreciate this simplicity as their main goal is to learn. It lacks on interactivity but this is understandable as it doesn’t cater for beginners. First, users would have to select which aspect they wish to begin with for example listening, vocabulary or grammar. Each aspect would require a different set of approach. Listening section would require the users to listen and answer the questions based on what the user has listened to. Grammar section would require users to correctly answer the questions in the blank; similar to that of a Hot Potato worksheet. Clarity of instructions is vital for all sections of exercises and quizzes. This is to avoid users from getting confused. Thankfully, this application fulfills that notion.
3.What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?
Users won’t need to fret or worry when using this application. They won’t have to need a certificate in computer science nor do they need to be a genius to operate this application. All they need is a very basic understanding of using the computer. As long as one knows how to surf the net, understands and can carry out instructions, then half the battle is won. What is left is just to improve on one’s English competency and that is the entire purpose of the application. An interesting point to ponder is that this application is as I mentioned earlier, targeted for advance users. Being “advance” so to speak, it is highly likely that these users do posses the skills necessary to go through this application and make it out “alive”. Even IF beginners were to access this application, the instructions are simple enough for basic comprehension. What’s more, I am confident that 99% of users can “survive” this application if they are able to “survive” a more complicated application such as Facebook, Tweeter and other complicated online sites and games.
4. While you are "playing"/"accessing"/"assessing" the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?
Going through the application, memories of my “struggle” to learn the English language came “haunting” back. Some might say this application’s method of teaching English is rather dull and yes, I have to admit that for nowadays standard and way of learning, it is rather dull. But dull as it is, this is exactly how I learned and polished my knowledge in the English language. Pure notes, exercises, notes, exercises, notes, exercises and it goes on and on. I remember my mother drilling me with all those exercises on grammar. She would also try us out on our vocabulary. She would even make us sit down in front of the television to listen and watch educational programs like National Geography and others that I can’t remember. She even made us listen to the radio so that we could train our listening of the English language! Ah, those were the good old days. Yes, it might seems boring and torturous to most but personally, I find the traditional method to be most effective in terms of cementing the knowledge of English into our minds. Learning the English language is all about reading and practicing. That’s the recipe for success and that’s what I felt while going through this application.
5.Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?
Going through the application over and over again gave me the benefit of pin-pointing several theories of language learning that underlines the application. Well, I hope I am correct on that! The first and most prominent theory would be the self-control theory. One can obviously see it as it is literally scribbled all over the application. Learners are in total control of what they want to learn. Their own self-assessment on their strengths and weaknesses is entirely up to them. When users are able to make their own choices over what not to learn and what they do want to learn, then their sense of motivation increases several folds. This is exactly what the application aims for, “self-empowerment in increasing self-motivation over self-learning”. I hope that sounded intelligent. Fingers crossed. Similarly, touching on self-assessment, users are able to see their own personal growth as they go through the exercises, quizzes, notes and etc.
The second teaching/ learning theory that I managed to discovery would be the mechanical drill. This is a traditional teaching/ learning theory which is used especially in the effort of learning grammar. Users will go through exercises which repetitively train their minds on the topic selected. For example, users would go through a series of drills on Adjectives in order to cement the knowledge into their minds. Each topic selected is focused mainly on that topic itself and doesn’t combine two or more sub-topics.
6.How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s)?
First we must understand what the essence of this “constructivist theory”. The brain-child of Lev Vygotsky, the “constructivist theory” is the belief that the environment plays a vital role in the development of a person’s perspective on learning. Now, let us see how well is it applied in the chosen website. Environment is a vague word. It can mean anything and it can take up any form or place. It is all dependent on how one views it. So, if I were to say that the chosen website itself is an environment of its own, would I be wrong? No, I hardly think so and I personally believe that every other website is an environment of its own. Tracing back to question 4 which asked whether I could relate past experiences while going through the website. I answered “yes” as it reflects my own personal learning environment as I was growing up. Of course during my childhood days the environment that I had was a “real, tangible” world. This website is the same just that it exists “virtually”. As I had done in the past, I once again immerse myself in this virtual world. To learn, to improve, to practice, to discover and to know. All this is what Lev Vygotsky brought along in his Constructivist theory and I believe that it is the essence of this website as well.
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?
My personal opinion is that, there can never be a replacement for teachers. Teachers are the very essence of education and a mere computer cannot hope to take on that high-throne. Yes, computers have indeed contributed massively in assisting the teaching and learning of the English language. That is a indubitable point. However, the key word here is “assisting”. The computer is a tool created by man to assist in man’s daily lives. It is not an object in which replaces man and in this case teachers. Computers do not and will not have the soft skills and emotions that teachers (being human) carry along with them. The term “obedient servant” is very interesting and I personally think that it holds true. The computer is one of the many tools that students can use in order to maximize their learning. It is up to the students to use the computer to their advantage. If they chose not to then the computer is just another meaningless object. That also reflects on how computers cannot and will not replace teachers nor will it ever be the master.
8.Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?
Hands down, yes. As I mentioned earlier, this is my preferred style of teaching/ learning the English language. Though it may be traditional, but I personally think that it is very effective. Users who are similar to me would enjoy learning the English language through this application. Not only those users who are similar to me but those matured and adult users would also feel at ease with this kind of application. Also, now that this “environment” is now available virtually, I believe more people can benefit immensely from it. Being made available virtually means that it is easy to obtain by anyone anywhere. It also means less hassle and less paperwork while doing the exercises, quizzes and reading through the notes. So, I would definitely use this application in any of my future work.
Suggestions / Recommendations
Though I mentioned that the simplicity of the application would be a major attraction for users of the more advance and mature level, it would be nice if the application was more colorful and inviting. If the application were “easy on the eyes” perhaps even users of the beginner level would be keen on testing the application.
In terms of the activities available, a dab of variety wouldn’t hurt especially in the games section. I believe that even advance and mature users would appreciate a few minutes of relaxation in which they could slack off but at the same time practice whatever knowledge that they have gained through the application. The exercises available could also use a touch of variety. Just to maintain that sense of “difference” when users carry out the exercises. Users could possibly get bored should the exercises be too routine and annoyingly similar.
Last but not least, the notes available on this application could use a lot of creativity in terms of presentation. As much as advance users would prefer straight forward, no nonsense notes, being too rigid would practically make them fall asleep. So, maybe a mixture of colors could be added or a blend of shapes or even simplified notes that comes along with a humorous cartoon strip would be much appreciated.
Other than what was mentioned, the application as a whole is highly beneficial to users wanting to improve on their command of the English Language.
