Reflection: 1st lecture, "History of CALL"

Date: 14th February 2013

Day : Thursday

Topic: History of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

      In this first lecture, we have learnt about the history of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) which emerged in the 1960s as an educational theoretical cycle where it has 3 stages; Behaviourist CALL (Structural), Communicative CALL (Cognitive) and Integrative CALL (Sociocognitive). Before learning the history, we assumed that the development of CALL is very technical and details as it involves the use of technology. During the lesson, we were introduced to the three different approaches of CALL since 1960s. The approaches are foreign to us except for Behaviourist approach as we have learnt the basic theory of Behaviourism in Introduction to Psychology and Psycholinguistics classes before. Furthermore, we have heard about B.F Skinner in the previous courses we took and tried to reflect back our memory about his views on language acquisition.

Some students are using computer in their learning process.

     In order to enhance our knowledge of CALL, we searched for some books in IIUM Library such as Computer Applications in Language Learning by Bongaerts, Haan, Lobbe et al (which discusses about CALL in Netherlands) and Computer and Language Learning (which discusses two main components; IT and language teaching and Using IT in the Language Classroom) edited by Ward & Renandya. They are quiet helpful indeed!

       

   

     As a conclusion for today’s lecture about History of CALL, we can sum up that the Behaviourist CALL argues that the computer is used as a mechanical tutor while the learners are passive. The second approach, the Communicative CALL regards the computer as a pupil and emphasizes in problem-solving activities. Finally, the Integrative CALL integrates the technology in language learning process and highlights the computer is used as a mechanical tool.

Benefits

                                                

•    This new information about history of CALL empowers our minds about the use of computer in language teaching.
•      We can utilize the concepts in language teaching if our career related to the teaching in workplace.

•      We can relate all the three stages of CALL with our previous studies. In fact, we realized that we have been exposed to the approaches before.
•     The computer-mediated language learning will help students in many ways because it is interesting, effective and fast.
•      As a Muslim, we should always improvise ourselves. Therefore, the knowledge of CALL will help us to develop many teaching techniques and build many ways to spread the Islamic message.

         Before we ended the class, we had been given 3 questions- Here, we also provide answer for several questions related to this topic:

     QUESTIONS:

   

       1.  Did the course incorporate the use of computer in the teaching and learning?

       2.   Are the computer-based activities related to any 3 stages of CALL? 

       3. What are the important concepts in the 3 stages relate to the activities?

      ANSWERS:

1.    Yes, the pragmatics course incorporates the use of computer in the teaching and learning. In every single tutorial, the lecturer used the computer to assist students in the learning process. He showed videos, pictures, and illustrated many examples from the internet.
2.    The computer-based activities in Pragmatics learning related to Integrative CALL because of the greater emphasizes given on the authentic use of the language and many task-based, content based and project based are used.
3.      The important concepts in the 3 stages related to the activities is the concept used in Integrative CALL where the use of  the computer as a tool to integrate in learning processes, learner-learner interaction, and the emphasis on the authentic use of the language. For instance, the important concepts in the stages of activities are when computer is used to provide information to students of and certain examples such as the concept of politeness and why it is use. The students are encouraged to be involved in many discussions to analyze the theory of politeness and others in certain conversation that they can find in the texts.

Last but not least, as a reminder for today's post:

THANKS^^,

Additional information about CALL:

Beatty, K.,(2010). Teaching and researching Computer Assisted Language Learning. England: Longman.

Robert, D., (1999). Worldcall; Global Perspectives on Computer Assisted Language Learning. Netherlands :Swets & Zeitlinger Publisher.

http://www.ict4lt.org/en/warschauer.htm

http://www.eurocall-languages.org/

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=2755280