Computer Assisted Language Learning
(CALL)
Introduction
The
comprehension goals of the intermediate grades address these abilities as well
as those required for independent study: scanning, using reference materials,
outlining, summarizing, altering reading rate and focus as the purpose of
reading changes, use of headings, note taking, and so on. Students consider
that reading is a dull activity. As the technology rapidly develops, students
are now become more attracted on other activities like browsing the Internet,
playing computer game, watching DVD etc. Concerning to this matter we try to
develop a course plan on reading course that can attract students and help them
to get ideas for their writing.
Krashen (1982)
states that reading will lead to language acquisition provided that certain
preconditions are met. These include adequate exposure to the language,
interesting material, and a relaxed, tension-free learning environment.
Applying his statement to a new concept of teaching in our course plan, we will
make use reading comprehension and some pictures taken from the Internet. By
using these AVAs, it is expected that our reading
course will not be an eerie spectator for the students. Instead, it will create
fun and conducive atmosphere in learning process as well as provide interesting
material and activity for the students.
The general objective of this course is that by the end of
the class, the students will be able to get the detailed information by
scanning as they are attracted in a tension-free learning environment.
Course information
As we have mentioned above, the intended skill covered in this
course is reading skill. In our course plan, we take Christmas as our topic.
Furthermore, the skill taught focuses on reading skill: scanning. In our
project, the students are expected to be able to find detailed information in
the reading passage rapidly. In this case,
we will use website as a media to find the material that can be used to
teach. The total time used for all activities is 45 minutes. This course is
aimed at the first grade of senior high school (intermediate).
Technology Requirement
/
Computers
Quite sophisticated device and
capable people to operate it
⇨
Pentium III
⇨
40 Gigabytes of hard
disk
⇨
256 MB of RAM
⇨
Microsoft Word and
Microsoft Power Point
⇨
ACDsee photo viewer.
⇨
Word Processor e.g.
Microsoft Word 97 above/Writer Organizer 2.0 etc.
/
Internet Connection and
the programs needed e.g. Internet explorer/Mozila
Fire Fox.
/
Websites
Our
group arranges this course plan for 45 minutes class meeting. We divide our
course into 8 sessions. These include pre-teaching (greeting and brain
storming), teacher explanation, exercise, and assessment. The details of these
sessions can be seen on the activity planner that we put on separate
document.
ASSESMENT
In assessing students, they have to form a group of four.
Teacher uses internet connection as a media. The students are asked to browse
on http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm to choose one article about Christmas . Here, they will use the scanning skill includes
who the writer is, and all the WH- questions that had been taught before. Next,
they answer all what they have scanned, in Microsoft word. The teacher demands
the students to save the task in Public U:// and
submit it by the end of the class.
From the activity, the students are able to maximize the
internet facility. Also, teacher can see how far the students comprehend the
scanning skill in a certain period of time. Moreover, the students are learning
how to get information or any article using internet connection.
The students’
answers will be assessed based on how detailed they get the information
(including: who, when, what, and where).
References:
Krashen, S. (1982) Principles
and practice in second language acquisition.