Website evaluation

Assalamualaikum,

Hi there,

Recently we received an assignment to evaluate an ESL website. So, for the purpose of this assignment, I personally choose http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/

When navigating this website, I could instantly understand the purpose of this website. As you read the web link above, it stated British Council. Before I go any further, let me give you an overview about British Council. British Council is a transparent and open organization that creates worldwide opportunities for all people with people of the United Kingdom (UK). This organization aims to connect and share Uk’s cultural values and their most valuable assets: English, the Arts, education and ways of living. With the advantages of internet, people have wider range of access and ability to learn online English,  just at their fingertip. Well, that is the basic information that I think should be enough for you to know by now. For more information, log on to www.britishcouncil.com.  Below are my answers for the attached questions.

1. What does the application attempts to “teach”?

So, when I took a tour on this website, immediately I know that it is meant for teaching and learning English language. Generally, this website is a medium for learners of all ages including kids, teenagers, language teachers (especially), professionals and others. The range of audience could be infinity. On the top side of this web, there are 3 different section of English learning according to different age groups namely Learn English Teens, Teaching English and Learn English Kids. That shows that this site have prepared different teaching and learning experience that cater different type of audience. As a whole, it tries to teach every aspects of English language including Grammar, Listening, and Reading. Listening, reading and speaking are interrelated with one another. So, speaking skill is naturally embedded in those skills. It teaches mainly a lot in grammar skills. Listening and reading comprehension come in second. There are micro units in the learning includes literature and poem, vocabulary, jokes, mock paper. The learning is not divided into different levels in language ability from beginner to expert. So, learners themselves need to be aware of their own skills and capability in learning the language. In a way, it promotes independent learning that put less pressure on raising their level. For grammar, there are extensive notes with samples and many exercises for very aspects in grammar. Plus, there are also games that are related to grammar aspect as well. For weak learners, further grammar assistant is also provided in the section to help them more on English grammar. It also comes with clear instruction. This sort of learning boosts motivation of the learners to have interest in learning the language. Language comprehension is also one of the best things it offers. The teaching also covers reading and listening comprehension. For every reading or listening text/audio given, there are exercises to test their comprehension. To make it better, learners can have pre-reading/pre-listening skills that help them to understand more. For listening skill, learners can download audio and scripts from this site for their reference. The audios used for listening skill use mostly native speakers’ voice. There are different types of audio to choose according to our preference. This website also teaches on using language in the real context and real communication. Through games, videos and audio helps learners to relate their language learning for everyday use.

This way of learning applies the same concept in classroom teaching where teachers focus more on grammar and language comprehension. This website is an extension to the learning they had in school and very useful. The content of this website is appropriate for beginner but I think intermediate and advanced learners benefit the most. However, I think this website is lacking in pronunciation skills. It will be a lot better if it provides phonetics to assist learners for correct pronunciation.

2. What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with the regards to learning the content?

This website is flexible and have wonderful nativation experience. Firstly, the flexibilty of the website. User can freely browse the web and to choose type of language apsects they are interested to learn first. They can take a tour and check out the features the website offers. They control their experince in learning. There is no right methods in using this website. To start with, the learners can warm up the learning lesson by playing games, watching videos and listen to audio etc. By doing this, they can measure their language skills before they finally decide which language aspects should they focus on first. By identifying their low point in the skill, then it they would know their personal goals and organize their learning. Playing language games also can boost their interest in learning language. Instead of directly answer the quizes, playing games can be stress free and full of joy while learning takes place.  There are many aspects of language learning they can choose from includes grammar and vocabulary, literature text, reading resources, podcasts etc. Games help them to put their knowledge learnt into practice. While audios (included the scripts) and videos provided can be downloaded for free for their own good. Secondly, this website promotes independent learning. The website is organized in such a way according to themes related to language skills (grammar & vocabulary, listening and watch etc). It is not divided according to section of difficulties as we always expect in the language learning we had in school. Users have total control of their learning experience. Learning through experience makes learning more meaningful. Eventually makes learners be responsible with their learning. Listening and watch for example, learners that have difficulties in reading comprehension or listening skills would have opportunity to listen and read materials provided in the web,then answer the comprehension questions. It comes with simple test or games. The vocabulary practice beforehand makes learners become much prepare to learn the skills.  This website is designed accordingly to guide learners in their learning by giving total freedom how they can creatively handle their learning. 

In addition, the website also provide the extension of network for learners. They can join ESL community for free and enjoy the privileges only members could get. This includes the monthly articles, professional opportunity and sharing their learning experiences with community all over the world. Indirectly, it motivates learner to see the significance of learning the language and encourage learners to improve the English language skills. Thirdly, easy navigation. The layout itself s very appealing and attractive, makes learners instantly like it. With just a simple click, learners are directed to the desired content. So, it is not a hassle or time consuming to explore the web. It is organized in term of content and also layout. It shows focus in the web. Also,it does not take a long time to buffer videos and podcasts. For exercises, learners only have to write the answer in the blank, click finish when they done it. There are buttons for them to check correct answers, marks etc.The instruction is clear and simple. The Fun and Games section allows learners to enjoy learning very much with less burden. In general, it is very simple to use this web, learners don’t need tutorial or manuals to use it. If they are good with using facebook, navigating this web is easy as ABC.

3) What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/ access/ use the application?

Well, the most basic computer skills they need to have is to turn on the computer and to open a browser. At this technology era where technology is part of our life, most people knows how to operate a computer. To access this website, learners need to have internet access. They should know how to use mouse and keyboard of course because that are basic skills. For the best speed of online experience, take google chrome because it is ligth and fast as compared to the other browsers. Learers should have a JAVA scripts and plugins to run the application in the web. Some browsers automatically install the additional plugins needed but for certain browser (with different setting), users need to prompt the additional plugins in their computer. Normally, plugins needed are JAVA or Flash, Adobe, or Quick. That are needed in order to run application in the websites such as videos, podcasts, or to download attachments, scripts etc. For computers with high level of internet security like Karpersky, such plugins are blocked, so learners need to unblock the installation and install them in the computer. So, how can they know about these installation requirement etc? Any actions that require prompt response will be pop up on the screen, so be attentive and do not ignore the notice, warning etc that appear in your user interface.

4) While you are “playing”/ “accessing”/ “assessing” the application, does it remind you of anything you do in classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?

Let’s turn on the history channel of mine. I was introduced to computers when I was in early primary school. Internet was not part of my life until my secondary school. I realized that the website itself is like a virtual English textbook. It is almost completes with everything needed to be a profecient english language users. In relating the enjoyable experience I have when using the website, I remember that my mother used to buy me some sets of English Language CDs that helps me in learning the language. It was the first stepping stone of using technology in learning. I remember that they were Disney collection and Kindergarten collection with several series. The Disney collection was full of pictures and colorful characters teaching basic english (which I cant remember what were they). However, with the Kindergaten collection I had, I remember it well because the learning are embedded through many wonderful songs (which I can remember till now), ABC learning (by using ABC cereals) and cute acting. I imitated the songs (lyrics provided) and watched it over and over again. It was quite tedious to use because you have to play many CDs for a 15 minutes videos and sometimes it went wrong. That proves that learning best take place when learners enjoy, have fun in the learning and do not regard the experience as learning where in fact it is! Embedded skills stay forever in learners mind. Characters in the learning also makes learners remember the lesson very well.

In secondary school, I remember that my teacher use video in classroom to teach English. We don’t have enough computers in the school so we booked a hall to watch videos and learn the subject. It helped me a lot in comprehension back then. For games, I played a lot of vocabulary games includes bookworms, Bookworm mania, Bookworm Duluxe etc to improve my vocabulary. It was really fun, I was slightly addicted to it and even went to cybercafe to play that game. It helped to improve my vocabulary list. The hints given, the wonderful facts on certain english words made me feel like learning English is easy. I don’t pushed myself hard to memorize vocabulary, naturally it worked out.

In UiTM, when it comes to finding articles for MTG,MTL,MTW, MTLS I looked up on this website. There are a lot of references and free audios, scripts etc that are needed for my assignments especially for my mock teaching. Also, instant dictionary is also offered for free. It helps me a lot. So, I have known this website since I enrolled UiTM and officially became their member since this year. So, when I browse this website, it reminds me of the good old days. Today, we can have all above excitement and learning just in a simple website. There is not hustle to navigate into different components in language learning. There is no need to waste time, waiting to instal CDs, open dictionary to search for words etc. It is compact and a wondeful package to learn English. This website works like a virtual teachers (I still need an actual English teacher). For me, this is the extension learning we had in language class. It is fun, it is wonderful and most importantly, we are the one who controls.

5) Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/ or teaching underlying the application?

There are several theories of language learning used for this application. First of all,  The Silent Way or Self-Discovery learning. This theory is characterized by a problem solving approach. Learning is facilitated when learners discover something rather than memorize the knowledge. This applies to the vocabulary games and games that are provided in the website. The games cover all skills in language learning and learners need to work on the solution by themselves. Remember that earlier, I mentioned about freedom in learning, this is how the silent way comes in. Instead of having teacher around giving instruction and put many rules or correction in learning. Learners learn by their own mistakes. Let’s say they did a listening test and answers the questions wrongly, they can discover their mistakes by checking out the source of the mistakes. The same goes to playing language games, they would fall short in the beginning because of their lacking skills in the language. But as they go further, they would be able to identify their mistakes and produce less.

It provides no grammar explanation. Learners use their cognitive skills to identify the grammar and other component of learning by experience they had during the learning. In a way, it is called inductive learning. This learning provides meaningful learning that push motivation to become an intrinsic motivation. Having desire to learn is an achievement. These kind of learner take a full control of their learning without being dependent on others. They Learners take learners for their own benefits instead of rewards. Intrinsic motivation promotes learners to inculcate their own interest in ESL learning and less burden or stress experience through out the process of learning itself. Their success in mastering the language is the real reward. In the end of it, they will do their self-assessment to measure their own performance. This is done by doing activities with the easiest and challange themselves to try on more difficult skills. Although the exercise or activities in the web are not rated based on difficulties, but there are different kinds of texts and activities that are moving from easy to more challenging. So, self-assessment will help to improve their target in the learning and see the result of their effort.

Mechanical drilling also takes place in the website. This is more heavily focus on building vocabulary and better grammar skills. For instance, playing games. Learners would makes many mistakes in the early stage of the game and they have to try over and over again. When they perform the action repetitively  their cognitive also drills the particular language component. When they play it over and over again, they would have better score in the games as they manage to improve their skills. In the listening and watch, the pre-activity includes vocabulary drilling. It helps learners to activate their vocabulary and add more to it. After the exercise, the same pattern of vocabulary will appear again in one particular text and learners be able to see how the vocabulary is used in the language. Thus, they will be able the meaning and also know how to use it.

6) How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website?

Constructivist theory is developed by Lev Vygotsky that environment plays an important roles in building learners’ perspective towards learning. Providing the suitable, best condition environment is important to lead for effective learning experience. This theory is well adapted in the ESL website. This website provides an optimum environment for learners to learn English. As I had mentioned before, it is like a virtual English classroom with virtual teachers. The website teaches learners English skills by bringing the classroom element in the learning process. Learning should be interactive and this website offers abundance resources that are appealing and meaningful. Not to say that, learners judge a web by its cover. Luckily for this particular website, the design and layout is eye catchy and appeal to learners’ interest. Classroom should be pretty, clean and organized, so is this website. The link arrangement is well organized and suits in their own place, it does not confuse learners and with simple clicks bring the content instantly. A virtual classroom, I would say it. Learners have freedom and full in power and responsibility in their learning. They can decide to be a loser or a winner by diligiently learn the english component. They are the one who judge themselve and that is a true learning. The website is facilitative in ways that it provides many resources and also a virtual community in the website. Learners are immerse in the fun learning experience (sometimes, they do not realize they are actually learning) through games, like second life and many more. They build their own world and fantasize their learning in it. The welcoming environment takes learners to continue browsing the web, benefiting themselves from the content effortlessly. This is a true motivation and as the theory have said, with the best environment producing the best learning outcomes. This website nails it 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?

 I totally against the claim. Computer is a technology created by human for human. It is a loyal servant to human themselves. The idea to create machines is to make life easier. Computers come with that purpose. It is invented to do work that can be considered as saving human’s energy and effort. That is why I called it ‘slave’. Computers are our slave in that way. In this era, technology is our lifestyle. We have something that do things for us, obey our every command and the best is that it never complains or try to make riot because of the orders.

When teachers teach, we become human. When computers attempt to teach, we are equal to cyborg. Computers cant never challange human ability and they miss the two of the most important things in life, the ability to think and the ability to have emotions. Learning does not take place for the sake of knowledge, the teacher himself leaves a dent in students’ heart to take knowledge as a meaningful learning.

Computers assist teaching to become more effective. It is an extension to the better learning to take place. It does not guarantee success in learning but it promises the flow of creativity and new perspective in learning. Teachers make the good use of computer ability to enhance their teaching method, activities and to boost motivation in learning. We are the master of computers and we are the ‘slave’ of the creator.

8) Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?

Of course I would. Only insane people rejects this wonderful creation. the website offers many things. I love the simple website. It is not crammed with many things, pictures and distracting colors. Well, being simple is the most elegant. It has great navigation. In simple clicks I can get to the content I want. It has smooth transition from one subject to the other. Easy access for download make it really cool. It provides free materials for audio, reading materials and free membership that is very much rewarding. The website is also is a light software where it does not consume time to get into the web. Compare this to Youtube and Facebook, both require longer time to get access into. So, it saves time and does not kill the excitement due to the waiting period. The cost is very cheap, I only have to pay for my internet bill. Well, I usually online in school so that bill is actually transferred to the institution. Many materials here are useful in my teaching practice. I had use them alot in past when I had my Mock teaching for many methodology subjects. So, why must I waste this wonderful opportunity. I also  notice that this website is updated monthly if I'm not mistaken especially its reading materials and videos. Great website !

Suggestions/ Recommendations:

I would like this website to have phonetic element in their teaching. learners should know how to pronounce accurately and spell the the word precisely. This is one important element that is lacking in the website. Besides that, I think they should have more exercise on grammar for every grammar aspects. More exercise or link to any useful websites related to that particular aspect is really good. 

Besides that, although this website incorporate UK's culture and influences. I think the creator can also put special elements in its content that is meaningful the culture of the other countries like Malaysia, so that it suits the learners' context.

Well that's all from me, basically it is a really good website