In our previous class, Dr. Rozina had shown us a very useful slides on designing effective powerpoint presentations prepared by Victor Chen. Over all, we had a very useful insight on how to produce better powerpoint slides and realized all the common mistakes that we used to do with our digital visual aids. This lessons is very helping for our future career, too. According to Victor Chen, there are 5 major points in creating an effective powerpoint presentation;
1) Big
2) Consistent
3) Clear
4) Progressive
5) Simple
First of all, the font used for the slides have to be big and the smallest wold be font 32 as the audience need to see it clearly from near and far. The slides need to be as simple as it can and not too much information should be within the slides. Only key points are advised to be put within the slides. The pictures, animations and sounds are also advised to be simple, not too loud and not too heavy as these may distract the audience from the slides. The capitalization of words and numbers should be aligned according to the sequence for clearer understandings. Moreover, the progress that will be presented in the slides should be put accordingly and only the highlights of the progress are advised to be put in the slides. All of the points listed above are the key points towards effective powerpoints slides and it should not be taken for granted as the slides represents the speakers towards the audience.
REFLECTION
Generally as students, we do agree with the importance of creating a powerful powerpoint slides as we understand that the slides are the only help that we have in the middle of the presentation. The same method could be applied when approaching others towards Islam as Insya'Allah, we could try to attract people to hear more about Islam with our presentable and powerful slides. Sometime, people are attracted to the way we speak or argue about things but somehow, first impression do play a role in the beginning of our speech as it made the viewers decide to stay focus or not. In approaching different layers of people in preaching Islam, a powerful slides are one of the major cause that made them stay. Effective slides make the presentation more presentable, enjoyable and easy to understand. From this, the preaching process promoting Islam could be done successfully and the truth of Divine massage can be delivered without any technical difficulties. People will be more interested in listening the speech and the method of preaching is increased towards another level in the world of communication.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
CALL in Language skills LSRWG (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing and Grammar)
CALL is usually known as computer-assisted language learning and sometimes perceived as computer-aided language learning. There are also some other acronyms related to CALL but for now, the spotlight belongs to CALL as it is the main ingredient of this blog. It is fairly understood that CALL do contribute so much towards the development of English learning for both natives and non-natives speakers. Most of the positive impact do influence students in mastering English language and among the benefits are; increase in motivation, student-centered and higher order thinking skills. The students are seen to develop more self-confidence in communication and the class plays more emphasize towards educating the students as the central audience and finally it develops critical and creative thinking skills among students in their everyday life. CALL is applied to every aspect of language learning; 1) Listening 2)Speaking 3)Reading 4) Writing and 5)Grammar.
1) Listening
Listening is a part of communication process in everyday life as most adults spend almost half of their communication time listening. Some areas of listening skills covers; perception skills, analysis skills and synthesis skills. This theory encourages more focused attention and allows a learner to get a check on understanding early in the activities.
2) Speaking and Communicative skills
Speaking skills covers mechanics (pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary), functions (interactions) and social and cultural rules and norms (turn -taking, rate of speech and pauses between speakers).Podcast can be used as one of the medium to develop not only speaking but also listening skills that enable students to produce and publish their own recording. This medium sure help the students in enhancing their motivation and boost up their confidence. However, CALL is not highly capable in providing a software that is sensitive and accurate enough for language learning
.**Both Listening and Speaking skills are using PODCAST in developing language skills. Podcast is an audio broadcast that had been converted to mp3 or othersfor playback in digital music player. Podcast is a short form known for IPOD broadCAST.
3) Reading
Reading is the ability to understand, assimilate and retain stories and ideas communication through the written world. Reading includes skimming,scanning,guessing the meaning of the word in context and many more. Through out the time, CALL had proven to enhance language learning through reading. According to Ridder (2000), " highlighting words in a text on screen influence the amount of vocabulary incidentally learned by the reader".
4) Writing
Writing skills cover the vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure, organization and many more. CALL is closely associated with writing skills through email, word processing, blogger, text massaging and chat programs. Through out the years, CALL have been found as one of the best tool to improve writing skills as it serves better quality that enables students to key in the words neatly and orderly for further reference. Moreover, larger quantity of words can be typed as students will never be short of paper as they can type, re-type and delete their work using buttons. Other than that, spelling checker make the student's task even better as it trace and correct the spelling of the words automatically in just a click.
5) Grammar
Grammar is the main ingredient for all the skills that had been mentioned above. Grammar skills are used to improve student's sentence structure and with that, exploratory teaching of grammar rules had been applied onto them. Through out the time, computer had been used to supply loads of grammatical exercise for students and the latest is the grammar checker software. Well. it may be fairly understood how much the grammar checker could help students in perfecting their work. However, the long term negative impact would emerge as the students being too dependent on the grammar checker rather that their own intellectual basis.
REFLECTION.
CALL in language skills covers every aspect of language usage including listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. This process involves the incorporation of computer in language teaching and language learning which leads towards numerous benefits that had been proven through empirical research done by past and present researchers. As student, we can see the positive impact of the use of computer in our language learning throughout the years and one of it is by molding us to be independent learners. This is because; the knowledge is easy to access, anytime and anywhere. The software used by the computer help us to be independent to learn on our own and we could learn it individually or in groups. In Islam, learning in groups is highly promoted as we are sharing our knowledge with others, strengthening the ukhwah and also as an act of sadaqah to others as knowledge belongs to The All Mighty for us to share. In the lights of listening skills, we are trained to listen carefully and focus on the content of the message, keeping us away from being distracted. As for the speaking skills, we may improve our pronunciation, grammar, intonation, providing sentence structure and boost up our level of confidence when communicating with others. These skills are very important in the task of preaching and communicating with others as people who communicate well will look far more convincing in guiding our brothers and sisters to the path of Islam.
1) Listening
Listening is a part of communication process in everyday life as most adults spend almost half of their communication time listening. Some areas of listening skills covers; perception skills, analysis skills and synthesis skills. This theory encourages more focused attention and allows a learner to get a check on understanding early in the activities.
2) Speaking and Communicative skills
Speaking skills covers mechanics (pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary), functions (interactions) and social and cultural rules and norms (turn -taking, rate of speech and pauses between speakers).Podcast can be used as one of the medium to develop not only speaking but also listening skills that enable students to produce and publish their own recording. This medium sure help the students in enhancing their motivation and boost up their confidence. However, CALL is not highly capable in providing a software that is sensitive and accurate enough for language learning
.**Both Listening and Speaking skills are using PODCAST in developing language skills. Podcast is an audio broadcast that had been converted to mp3 or othersfor playback in digital music player. Podcast is a short form known for IPOD broadCAST.
3) Reading
Reading is the ability to understand, assimilate and retain stories and ideas communication through the written world. Reading includes skimming,scanning,guessing the meaning of the word in context and many more. Through out the time, CALL had proven to enhance language learning through reading. According to Ridder (2000), " highlighting words in a text on screen influence the amount of vocabulary incidentally learned by the reader".
4) Writing
Writing skills cover the vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure, organization and many more. CALL is closely associated with writing skills through email, word processing, blogger, text massaging and chat programs. Through out the years, CALL have been found as one of the best tool to improve writing skills as it serves better quality that enables students to key in the words neatly and orderly for further reference. Moreover, larger quantity of words can be typed as students will never be short of paper as they can type, re-type and delete their work using buttons. Other than that, spelling checker make the student's task even better as it trace and correct the spelling of the words automatically in just a click.
5) Grammar
Grammar is the main ingredient for all the skills that had been mentioned above. Grammar skills are used to improve student's sentence structure and with that, exploratory teaching of grammar rules had been applied onto them. Through out the time, computer had been used to supply loads of grammatical exercise for students and the latest is the grammar checker software. Well. it may be fairly understood how much the grammar checker could help students in perfecting their work. However, the long term negative impact would emerge as the students being too dependent on the grammar checker rather that their own intellectual basis.
REFLECTION.
CALL in language skills covers every aspect of language usage including listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. This process involves the incorporation of computer in language teaching and language learning which leads towards numerous benefits that had been proven through empirical research done by past and present researchers. As student, we can see the positive impact of the use of computer in our language learning throughout the years and one of it is by molding us to be independent learners. This is because; the knowledge is easy to access, anytime and anywhere. The software used by the computer help us to be independent to learn on our own and we could learn it individually or in groups. In Islam, learning in groups is highly promoted as we are sharing our knowledge with others, strengthening the ukhwah and also as an act of sadaqah to others as knowledge belongs to The All Mighty for us to share. In the lights of listening skills, we are trained to listen carefully and focus on the content of the message, keeping us away from being distracted. As for the speaking skills, we may improve our pronunciation, grammar, intonation, providing sentence structure and boost up our level of confidence when communicating with others. These skills are very important in the task of preaching and communicating with others as people who communicate well will look far more convincing in guiding our brothers and sisters to the path of Islam.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Reflection on Islamization of Knowledge
Reflection:
Everyday, people acquire knowledge. However, the outcome of the knowledge depends on each person whether to use it correctly or otherwise. Each knowledge that has been acquired has to have benefit. If it does not give benefit, it may harm physically and mentally. Therefore, we need to refer the knowledge back to nature of acquiring knowledge. In Islam, Muslims believe that each and every thing spoken or read to them is knowledge.
Everyday, people acquire knowledge. However, the outcome of the knowledge depends on each person whether to use it correctly or otherwise. Each knowledge that has been acquired has to have benefit. If it does not give benefit, it may harm physically and mentally. Therefore, we need to refer the knowledge back to nature of acquiring knowledge. In Islam, Muslims believe that each and every thing spoken or read to them is knowledge.
During the study of Islamization of Knowledge, students are reminded in some of the slides to not be carried away by the Westerns culture. Even if we are studying English language, it does not mean that we have to follow the lifestyle of the Western people. This scenario can be seen for example in daily greetings such as 'good morning' and we can substitute it with the Islamic teaching of life and how the Prophet (pbuh) does which is by giving salam and smile. Things can be easy done if we wish to have blessing from Allah.
'He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion'
(22: 78)
Reflection on E-Portfolio
Electronic Portfolio
A
portfolio is a collection of work developed across varied contexts over time.
The portfolio can advance learning by providing students or faculty with a way
to organize, archive and display pieces of work.
The
electronic format allows faculty and other professionals to evaluate student
portfolios using technology, which may include the Internet, CD-ROM, video,
animation or audio. Electronic portfolios are becoming a popular alternative to
traditional paper-based portfolios because they offer practitioners and peers
the opportunity to review, communicate and assess portfolios in an asynchronous
manner.
The
electronic portfolio is a result of technology being readily and conveniently
used in most classrooms today. They are highly motivating for the students who
are encouraged by exhibiting their work. It is a demonstration of what and how
students are learning and it is an innovative way of showing their work and
evaluation.
Reflections
Electronic portfolio is the result of advanced research
and technologies. Students must keep pace with the technology to become more
competent in their field of studies. Due to this advancement, students are
managed to share their works and help others to improve their learning. Besides, The electronic portfolio benefits students in many ways. It uses little physical space compared to the traditional portfolio. Apart from that, students may reduce the possibility to misplace the portfolios if there are many of them because they are saved and placed in the computer or any saving device that available today. Others’ work also could be included in the portfolio. Students could also collaborate and share their works with other students as they are more accessible than paper-based portfolios. Students can also show their electronic portfolios to prospective employers when interviewing for jobs, thus, it would help them due to the accessible portfolios.
In Islam, Muslims are encouraged to engage in whatever medium that can help them in improving life and the religion itself. It is permissible to use the technology to the fullest as long as it is in accordance to the Islamic teachings. Allah has stated in Surah Saff verses 10 to 12 that Muslims should strive in any field as long as it is in accordance to the Islamic teaching;
In Islam, Muslims are encouraged to engage in whatever medium that can help them in improving life and the religion itself. It is permissible to use the technology to the fullest as long as it is in accordance to the Islamic teachings. Allah has stated in Surah Saff verses 10 to 12 that Muslims should strive in any field as long as it is in accordance to the Islamic teaching;
"O
ye who believe! ...That ye believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that
ye strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah with your property and your
persons: that will be best for you if ye but knew!..."
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
History of CALL
Definition of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL).
Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is perceived as one of the alternatives for teaching and learning of language which consist of assisting, guiding and assessing the achievement of the pupils with the help of technology as the central element of communication. CALL is clearly explained according to Levy as, “the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning”.
History of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL).
The origin of CALL was traced back to the 1960’s and it was mainly focused onto the university level in late 1970’s. The PLATO project in the University of Illinois in 1960 is the important significant of the emergence of CALL during those days which was used at various levels of competency. Later then, personal computer (PC) emerged in 1970’s that later result more audiences and contributes towards the advancement of CALL.Before computer assisted language learning (CALL), it was known as computer assisted language instruction (CALI) that was more towards teacher-centered (instructional) rather than student-centered approach. This situation was unlikely favorable by the teachers as they would love to focus more on the students which means focusing more on learning rather than instruction. From this CALL began to replace CALI in the early 1980’s. From the readings, it can be understood that there are 3 historical phases of CALL based on their pedagogical and methodological approach:
1) Behaviorist CALL - Implemented 1960's-1970's2) Communicative CALL - 1970's-1980's3) Integrative CALL - 2000's
Behaviorist CALL emphasize on the behavior learning model based on the theory of Behaviorism by B. F Skinner. This theory emphasize on the stimulus and repetition according to Skinner's famous research which is the reward and punishment method. The role of the computer is to be the tutor in teaching and providing input for the students. From this, the students will be listening to the computer for the input that will be gained in learning the language. Language is seen as a system of structurally related elements for the coding of meaning. For some of the reasons, the computer is programmed to be the tutor under several assumption made by the Behaviorist. They believe that learners are passive in a way that the learners are totally zero the moment they enter the class. For them, the learners have no experience or background knowledge at all about anything and everything that they are learning are totally new to them. From this, they learn new information in response to a properly structured environment and this leads them in creating a conducive environment. There are some of the Structuralist whom shared the same view as the Behaviorist; Fries, Lado, and Bloomingfield. They perceive language learning in the form of: dialogues, pattern drills, grammar translations and audio lingual teaching to produce automatic, correct response to linguistics stimuli. They are understood to emphasize linguistics product rather than the process.
The second phase is the Communicative CALL (1970's-1980's) take computer as the pupil by the means that the pupils interact with each other and the computer is considered as one of them as well. The emergence of personal computer (PC) in late 1970's enable more people to be a part of this advancement of study. This phase is against the Behaviorist in the 1980's as they encourage the discovery learning, rejecting the argument by the Behaviorist that the learners are passive. This phase is more interactive and it promotes the construction of new knowledge known as problem solving. The computer is more towards learner-centered approach that emphasize more towards the understanding of the students rather than giving instruction. The discovery learning focuses on the use of forms rather than the forms themselves as it encourage the students to apply the forms in problem solving and discussions. The grammar was taught implicitly as students produces their own utterances. However, there are some limitations when this phase actually led teachers to be away from students and the students will be working independently and this undermine collaborative demand.
Finally is the Integrative CALL (2000's) where the emphasize are more on multimedia and internet. This phase is where the technology is integrated into language learning process. Greater emphasis was given on the authentic use of the language such as how people actually used the language (native speaker or non-native speaker). The computer is used as the tool or medium to complete the task. From this, students and teachers could interact with each other via computer and utilizing the programs and software for language teaching and learning.
Reflection.
From the Islamic point of view, the creation of CALL plays a significant role as a medium of da'wah together with the advancement of the technology. With CALL, Muslim students may learn foreign language better and they could make use of the electronic environment to Islamize the knowledge they had gained with the help of CALL. With CALL, the language study would be much easier, simpler and better as this will encourage more Muslim youngsters to learn foreign language other than their mother tongue. The same method could be applied to Arabic language where non-native Arabic speakers could easily make use of CALL to grasp the new language.
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