Transcript Task
Internet Applications E-mail WWW as a resource of information as a medium for sending and a medium for delivering & receiving information (synchronous distance and online learning & asynchronous) (Javis; 2002) 1. Information resources Real-world site/content site ESL/EFL site: E-course, supplements Search engine 2. Language tools Dictionary Language organizer e.g. concordancer E-mail Bulletin board or Web board 3. Communication Mailing list or discussion list tools Communication in real time (Chat, ICU) Use of the Internet in ELT What language activities can be done by using the Internet services ? Range of activities project work Exercise e.g. practising grammar from CAI program Subscribing for membership of Yahoo Sending an e-card/e-mail to friends Searching for information and writing a report Creating an online magazine etc. Mode of Learning - in class/outside class - individual/pair/group - with teacher’s involvement/without teacher’s involvement Internet-based task/project - Two major types = e-mail & WebQuest - Forms of the results = oral presentation & written text (paper/web page) Task Searching the Internet Situation: Suppose that you had to arrange an exhibition on Christmas day. Task: 1. Search for information and pictures that can be used for creating posters from Google. <http://www.google.com/> (15 min.) 2. Check how fast you can get what you want. Uses of information resources WebQuests are inquiry-based activities in which learners interact with information coming primarily from resources on the Internet. (Dodge: 1995 quoted in Marco: 2002) Examples of WebQuest outcome: newsletter, brochure, Ads, magazine, web pages presenting certain information A webQuest must have the following steps. 1. An introduction that explains the activity and provide background information 2. A task that is feasible and interesting 3. A set of information sources needed to complete the task 4. A description of the process the learners should follow to complete the task 5. Some guidelines on how to organise the information 6. A conclusion that closes the quest (Dodge: 1995 quoted in Marco: 2002) Three examples of tasks/project (at KMUTT) that use the Internet as an information resource and a place for publication: - Portfolio - Resourcing - E-zine Task 1. Open http://arts.kmutt.ac.th/lng104 2. Study one students’web site and answer the questions below. A. What did the students produce? B. How such project is good for language learning? Some interesting real-world web sites (mega sites) - http://www.newscientist.com - http://howstuffworks.com - http://www.historychannel.com/ - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/ - http://www.nationjunior.com/ - http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ Uses of language tools Two examples of tasks that use some language tools available on the Internet : - Vocabulary card - Concordancing task Uses of communication tools E-mail activities: Teacher-student e-mail is used for class follow-up, discussing homework, submitting writing assignment, etc. Student-student students forge personal links with other students either in their own institute or overseas (e.g. in English-speaking countries) Class-class a group of students makes contact with overseas group to conduct a survey or similar project work (usually cultural in nature) Student-world the use of mailing lists and newsgroups to exchange information and discuss relevant issues in ELT-appropriate forums. Teacher-world the use of mailing lists and newsgroups to exchange information and discuss relevant issues (e.g. TESL-L) *Extracted from ELT online: the rise of the Internet, written by Michael Carrier, 1997. Task Online discussion Instructions: 1. Browse the following web site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Discussion103A 2. Answer the following questions. 2.1 What do the student practise? 2.2 What are some strength and weaknesses of this task? Task 1. Get a login and password of Yahoo from the helper. 2. Open http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tshare47. 3. Click “Join this group” and fill in a form to subscribe for membership of the group. 4. Post a message to introduce yourself to the group members. Teacher’s role in project work - instructor, facilitator, helper, troubleshooter etc. e.g. 1. provide/suggest resources 2. prepare learning/working strategies 3. prepare language needed to complete the project 4. offer support e.g. guide working process Benefits of the Internet How are Internet-based activities good for learners? Internet-based activities can 1. serve individual differences 2. promote independent/life-ling learning 3. increase motivation 4. develop language skills Apart from that, an internet-based project can 5. develop thinking skills e.g. decision making, problem-solving 6. foster cooperative skills 7. enhance other metacognitive skills e.g. planning, time management 8. enhance computer skills .e.g. searching for info., typing, creating web pages etc. Drawbacks - Too much information - Unreliable information - Getting lost due to lack of computing skills and teacher’s control/suggestion - Technical constraints e.g. some pages need special programs to run. - Unsuitable information/images esp. for kids