The website which I evaluated is
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/So, now I'll go through the questions..
1. Who are the users the website/websites is/are targeting?
The website http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/ is targeted for almost all walks of life ranging from kids, adults to professionals.
2. What sorts of things are the application users expected to do with regards
to learning and using (or even manipulating!) the content?
Focusing on the kids level, the users can basically play games, listen to a song ,read a story and get writing.
game start game over
Basically, there are many games for the kids to choose. However, Olympic seems to be the featured game. While playing this game, kids are expected to learn unconsciously as they play. The game requires kids to simply select the correct name based on a picture of Olympic sports.
As for 'listen to a song', kids are expected to enjoy the song and at the same time, read the lyrics which appear on screen. It is more of a karaoke session where kids learn how to read. And with the help of the animation, kids understand what they read. Not only that, kids also learn how to pronounce the words. Take note that there are many other songs for the kids to choose.
song : I Can Run
Next, for the 'read a story', there are a collection of stories from short stories, long stories, little kids and fairy tales. Here kids can either watch the animation and listen to the story or read-along the story. Again, listening and reading skills are being used unconsciously. So, learning English will be a fun experience for the kids.
Story : The First Marathon
The Story Maker
Finally, the get writing feature which is not much of a writing task actually. This feature only
require kids to select the characters they want to be included in the story. Kids are also asked to
name a character and some of the setting as well. At the end, nicely written piece of story based
on the characters and setting chosen by kids will be presented, which kids will call it their own
piece of writing. It is very entertaining for beginners. (I enjoyed it as much!! ;) )
3. What sorts of computer skills are the application users expected to have in
order to operate/access/use the application?
Only very basic computer skills are needed to operate/access/use the application. Kids only
need to know how to use the mouse and also to use the keyboard (numerical key).
4. While you are “playing”/”accessing”/”assessing” the website(s), does it remind
you of anything you do (or have done) in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with
a fellow classmate, or in self-study?
Yes. In fact all of them reminds me of what I used to do in classroom during kindergarten. While I was playing the game, it reminds me of the flash cards my kindergarten teacher used to show to us in class. The singing part is also what we did in class. But back then, we only have cassettes played and we kids will be holding on to our colourful book to read out the lines of the song. Read a story section is what I used to wait for in class. The teacher will read it for us and we will repeat after her.
5. What setting will the website(s) best used in: independent study lab with no
teacher available, lab associated with a class, a teacher-led class with one or a few computers?
The website is best used in an independent study lab with no teacher available because I believe that kids now a days are quite advance and this website do not really require high competency of computer. So using it in an independent study lab with no teacher available will give kids the feeling that they are in control. They can also enjoy the website without the feeling under the teacher's glasses.
6. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?
Frankly speaking, as I was using the application, I was having fun that I do not really notice the
learning part. Looking back, the website only teaches listening, reading and writing. But nothing
on speaking. When I mention speaking here, I am referring to conversation, not just mere
learning of pronuncing words. But then again, the application was designed for kids so maybe
kids need to learn pronuncing word correctly first before they get serious with conversation,
perhaps.
7. How well are the Vygotsky’s constructivist theory of learning and Gardner’s
Multiple Intelligence theory applied to the chosen website(s)?
I do not really see Vygotsky's constructivist theory of learning or Garner's Multiple Intelligence
theory applied in the website.
8. 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 – is the computer a replacement for teachers, or
merely an obedient servant to students?
I do not think that with all the advancement of technology, there could ever be a thing that could
replace a teacher. Therefore, I would very much agree that computer is merely an obedient
servant to students. This is because a computer can never force a student to do more than one
exercise per session, comparing to a teacher. Not only that, the learning at one's pace can only
happen when the computer is an obedient servant to students. Which in all case, no teacher
would want to be a student's slave and wait for them to learn at their own pace. The reality in a
classroom is either you be patient with the teacher's slow pace of teaching or buck up for the
teacher's fast pace.
9. Would you like to use the website(s) yourself in your future work?
I would very much love to use this website in my future work. (assuming that I'll set up my own
child centre?). Reasons are that it is both entertaining and educational at the same time and I
would not mind if my kids surf this website all day. ;) I believe that the animations and rich
colours they use in the applications will capture the kids' attention to know and learn more from
the website. (two thumbs up to this website!!)
10. Suggestions/Recommendations.
I do not think I have any suggestion, but I do have a recommendation. I would like to
recommend parents to ensure that their kids "play" with this website from an early age. I
believe that it will help them learn the language. I've tried it, so maybe now it is your turn to feel
the fun?!! click here now!!
