Rain...cold morning...not a great time to edit assignments...but that's just another day for students...In this situation, what is the best thing that we can do to that can benefit us? Do I choose to sleep until noon and procrastinate more? Diverting further away from all my work? Or do I stay in front of this computer, hoping that all my work will be done by my fingers and not my mind? That would be heaven...BUT...We're not in it now, are we? So, suck it up because this is life...Delay is inevitable, procrastination is almost certain...but at the end of the day, what needs to be done will get done...*sigh* (heading to bed.......)
Friday 28 August 2009
rain...
Rain...cold morning...not a great time to edit assignments...but that's just another day for students...In this situation, what is the best thing that we can do to that can benefit us? Do I choose to sleep until noon and procrastinate more? Diverting further away from all my work? Or do I stay in front of this computer, hoping that all my work will be done by my fingers and not my mind? That would be heaven...BUT...We're not in it now, are we? So, suck it up because this is life...Delay is inevitable, procrastination is almost certain...but at the end of the day, what needs to be done will get done...*sigh* (heading to bed.......)
Task 2 : Article Review
Title : Opportunities in Technology-enhanced Language Learning (TELL) Classroom Environments
Journal - volume: Teaching English with Technology
October 2004,Vol 4, Issue 4
http://www.iatefl.org.pl/call/j_article19.htm
Author's name: Hee-Jung Jung, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
Sang Hyun Kim, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
Article Review
This research was done with the aims of exploring and improving the students' level of proficiency in language learning with classrooms that are equipped with the proper technology and equipment. The methodology that have been implemented in getting The methods that they have used in order to obtain the findings are through interviews, observation and collection of documents from students in two different technology enhanced language learning (TELL) environments or surroundings. They have done so for two months. The interviews were done after each class with both students and teachers. This research was done in one English classroom in two different schools in South Korea. Both classes are 5th and 8th grade EFL classrooms. The amount of students that were involved in this study are 22 boys and 20 girls. Their first language is of course Korean and most of them are able to speak English almost like the natives even though they have just started to learn the language in the particular classroom. The subjects have been exposed to quite an amount of technology in their classrooms. For example, their classrooms are equipped with a networked computer, a scanner, printer, camcorder, overhead projector, 45-inch television, and so on. There are even computer monitors on each of the students' tables. This is quite impressive considering that every classroom in those particular schools are equipped with same things. Even the teachers implement software and the Internet with their daily teachings and lessons to the students. Even their MOE have developed software for each grade and the teachers are required to use them in the classrooms. The 8th grade students focused more on all four language skills and the amount of students are a bit less compared to the 5th graders. Based on their findings from their observations and interviews, the researchers have discovered eight different conditions that can be seen in both TELL classrooms. The first condition is the students have opportunities to interact and negotiate meaning. The second condition is the students do interact and utilize the target language with native speakers of the language. The third condition is the learners are involved in conditions where they can use the target language.
The fourth is learners are exposed and encouraged to produce varied and creative language. The fifth is learners have ample time and feedback. The sixth is the learners are guided to attend mindfully to the learning process. The seventh is learners work in an atmosphere with an ideal stress/anxiety level and finally the last condition is the learners' autonomy is supported.
In my opinion, I think that this research is interesting because of the results or conditions that were discovered by the researchers when they observed the two classrooms. With the use of technology in the classroom, students are more interested and thus, the process of teaching and learning is maximized further. Even the transfer of knowledge from the teachers to students are done easily and very well. With these equipments at hand, the process of teaching and learning are greatly improved when both are integrated together. This research was very well conducted with all the necessary information included if by any chance the readers have any doubts or misunderstanding on the given topic of the study. Even I had a hard time in trying to prove the study have defaults even though I am not an expert. In my opinion, the information that were stated in this journal is complete if not, sufficient for proper referencing. From where I stand now, this research showed to us that technology does help in teaching. In this case, the teaching of language is done tremendously well. From what I see, these technologies that are made available in each classroom is the key. The possibilities of students' interest levels rising and making them eager to learn is potentially beneficial if it was to be done in our own country's school context. Based on my personal experience during my practicum, I too noticed that the students were more eager to learn when I used any type or form of technology in my class. If the technologies and equipments are made available in our schools, I have no doubt that our education system will be greatly improved just like the students in South Korea. Education is the key of the future and with knowledge, we will prevail and prosper.
Journal - volume: Teaching English with Technology
October 2004,Vol 4, Issue 4
http://www.iatefl.org.pl/call/j_article19.htm
Author's name: Hee-Jung Jung, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
Sang Hyun Kim, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
Article Review
This research was done with the aims of exploring and improving the students' level of proficiency in language learning with classrooms that are equipped with the proper technology and equipment. The methodology that have been implemented in getting The methods that they have used in order to obtain the findings are through interviews, observation and collection of documents from students in two different technology enhanced language learning (TELL) environments or surroundings. They have done so for two months. The interviews were done after each class with both students and teachers. This research was done in one English classroom in two different schools in South Korea. Both classes are 5th and 8th grade EFL classrooms. The amount of students that were involved in this study are 22 boys and 20 girls. Their first language is of course Korean and most of them are able to speak English almost like the natives even though they have just started to learn the language in the particular classroom. The subjects have been exposed to quite an amount of technology in their classrooms. For example, their classrooms are equipped with a networked computer, a scanner, printer, camcorder, overhead projector, 45-inch television, and so on. There are even computer monitors on each of the students' tables. This is quite impressive considering that every classroom in those particular schools are equipped with same things. Even the teachers implement software and the Internet with their daily teachings and lessons to the students. Even their MOE have developed software for each grade and the teachers are required to use them in the classrooms. The 8th grade students focused more on all four language skills and the amount of students are a bit less compared to the 5th graders. Based on their findings from their observations and interviews, the researchers have discovered eight different conditions that can be seen in both TELL classrooms. The first condition is the students have opportunities to interact and negotiate meaning. The second condition is the students do interact and utilize the target language with native speakers of the language. The third condition is the learners are involved in conditions where they can use the target language.
The fourth is learners are exposed and encouraged to produce varied and creative language. The fifth is learners have ample time and feedback. The sixth is the learners are guided to attend mindfully to the learning process. The seventh is learners work in an atmosphere with an ideal stress/anxiety level and finally the last condition is the learners' autonomy is supported.
In my opinion, I think that this research is interesting because of the results or conditions that were discovered by the researchers when they observed the two classrooms. With the use of technology in the classroom, students are more interested and thus, the process of teaching and learning is maximized further. Even the transfer of knowledge from the teachers to students are done easily and very well. With these equipments at hand, the process of teaching and learning are greatly improved when both are integrated together. This research was very well conducted with all the necessary information included if by any chance the readers have any doubts or misunderstanding on the given topic of the study. Even I had a hard time in trying to prove the study have defaults even though I am not an expert. In my opinion, the information that were stated in this journal is complete if not, sufficient for proper referencing. From where I stand now, this research showed to us that technology does help in teaching. In this case, the teaching of language is done tremendously well. From what I see, these technologies that are made available in each classroom is the key. The possibilities of students' interest levels rising and making them eager to learn is potentially beneficial if it was to be done in our own country's school context. Based on my personal experience during my practicum, I too noticed that the students were more eager to learn when I used any type or form of technology in my class. If the technologies and equipments are made available in our schools, I have no doubt that our education system will be greatly improved just like the students in South Korea. Education is the key of the future and with knowledge, we will prevail and prosper.
Thursday 27 August 2009
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.
Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960, Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the organisation's National Chairperson.
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