Week 1: Computer and Language Learning: an Overview.
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The article “Computers and Language Learning” explains the three paradigms in which CALL was divided throughout the years (behavioristic, communicative, and Integrative). The most important stage that caught my attention is the Integrative CALL, a combination of task, project and content-based approaches to integrate students in an authentic context in which they would learn to develop various skills (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) using technology as the main tool into their learning process.
A belief of mine that was changed was having the teacher as the most important language source of knowledge in the classroom. However, something that surprised me from this article was seeing the teacher as a facilitator of learning that offer information in multiple media. The current philosophy of CALL emphasizes on student-centered approaches. Teachers training stimulates learners to use multimedia and other resources effectively allowing them interpret and classify their knowledge using their own organizing schemes.
The quote I want to remember from the article was “Activities that encourage students to explore and be creators of language rather than passive recipients of it further the idea of the learner as an active participant in learning” (Brown, 1991). It confirmed my belief that students retain more information, considered as relevant knowledge, by manipulating language data in an autonomous way using a variety of computer software programs.
I totally agree with the idea of having the teacher as facilitator of learning that offer information in multiple media.I consider that the student needs such tecnology to develop his skills. As time passes by, it is esential for the students to have usage of multimedia and other resources and not to be limited to use only books in the classroom. Some teachers do not want to explore and apply CALL. As a result the students are affected since it is known that by manipulating language data and computer software programs they learn effectively and an easy way. I did not know how big and meaningful is CALL in the learning process until i read this article. I really liked this entry!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you María José , and I like the emphasize that you made explaining and giving your point of the different paradigms . Certainly the technology remove the teachers centralization putting them at the same level of each student. But the only thing that technology did not do was take out the teacher experience and knowledge because he was and is required to be present in the learning process. Also, the integrative CALL as you mentioned in your entry helps students to improve their skills , and it is when the teacher encourage students to be better. A real example of that is when pupils are interacting with the computer and developing a skill . The computer did not help them to enhance and understand the topic in a complete way because the teacher assessment is needed in the learning process like the facilitator of the tools to make effectively the language learning process. I am really impressed with the importance of the teacher in the computer and language learning. Do you think that nowadays teachers can be displacement of the learning process?
ReplyDeleteHello Maria Jose. Very good job stating your opinion in the article. Thank you. I only have one question for you. You said that your belief of being the teacher the main source of knowledge has changed now. What was your belief before?
ReplyDeleteHello teacher, that was my belief before and now I considered that teacher should be a facilitator and provide students the resources for an autonomous learning using technology.
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