Increased Freedom Or Subjugation to Machine ?

Increased Freedom or subjugation to machine ?

“ An analysis of Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL)as a tool for

developing multidimensional skill- sets in students.”

Dr. Prerna Vanjani

Associate Professor and Head (Dept. of English)

Anand International College of Engineering, Kanota , Jaipur

Email: ,

Abstract

Abstract

Communication and technology has drastically made inroads in every area of our lives. Computers have now come to play a significant role in the learning process. We have entered a new information age in which the links between ICT and EFL have already been established. CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses the use of computer with its various application in language teaching and learning .

The paper interrogates whether the use of digital technology has supported a shift in teaching and learning methods by increasing the freedom of the learner or has made him a servant in the whole process of learning. This study provides a grounded explanation of the complexities that has led teachers to begin adopting technology in their teaching or, in some cases, to reject it out rightly . This paper will investigate the experiences of the teachers when they use technology in English classes. How the rigid role of a teacher and the passive role of the student has undergone a makeover and has brought in a lot of freshness to the content of planning, teaching, learning and implementing the technicalities of the subject.

This paper will explore the changing needs of the learners with the advent of digital inputs. Further the paper will also suggest how with the intervention of technology the classrooms have become more active and flexible learning zones accelerating the growth of the learner and empowering him with multiple skill-sets.

Key Words: Technology, CALL, Skills, Blended Learning.

Introduction

Technology today has become the medium through which we shape our ideas about the world. Computers and its varied technologies help formulate our beliefs, perspectives and even competencies. With this medium we create new realities every day. In fact , this new medium is helping us see the world in a different way . It has opened us to learning in realms of possibility we never conceived before. Literacy today depends on understanding the multimedia that makes up our high – tech reality . So the need of the hour is to pick up the skills and competencies to comprehend the use of digital world and be a part of the band wagon than to be left out because of the inability to understand. According to Communication theorist Marshall McLuhan “ the medium is the message”.

This paper is aimed at discussing the meaning of the term CALL ,its advantages and its disadvantages. The paper will also explore how the rigid role of a teacher and the passive role of the student has undergone a makeover and has brought in a lot of freshness to the content of planning, teaching, learning and implementing the technicalities of the subject.

Digital literacy' represents a person's ability to perform tasks efficiently in a digital environment . Students today are natives of cyber space commonly referred as E-Generation .They are media saturated and can juggle multiple application in one go . Literacy also includes the ability to read and interpret media - that is available in text , sound and image form and then through digital manipulation ,evaluate and apply the new knowledge gained from the digital environment according to one's individual need. As Gilster points out that there is an overload of information available on the digital space , but the most important ability that will label a person to be digitally literate is “ to make educated judgments about what we find online”.

What is CALL?

1. CALL is a program derived from CAL (Computer-Assisted Learning) which is implemented to language, but the use of computer here is mainly aimed at providing a language learning tutorial program (Hartoyo 2006, 21).

2.In addition, Egbert (2005, 4) says that CALL means students learn language in any context with, through, and around computer technologies. From both definitions, the main focus of CALL is on the application of computers in language learning.

CALL has become a multidisciplinary area as it encompasses the study of computer application in language learning and teaching . CALL is a sub-field which falls under Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI). With Technology making a sweep into our world-at tremendous speed , Language Learning with the help of Computer interaction has become the next buzz word.

In addition to this ,According to Levy and Hubbard( 2005) , CALL includes activities such as technology-enhanced, network- based and Web enhanced language learning. With the great advancement ,popularity and affordability of the world wide web , Language Learning has acquired a technological dimension . Learners experience multimedia exposure through web, TV, radio based activities

Pointing to the multidisciplinary nature of CALL Technologies , evy (1997) has lists some of the main disciplines that have contributed to the evolution of CALL, such as psychology, instructional technology, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, computational linguistics, and applied linguistics. It is important to emphasize that the contribution of each of these disciplines is not restricted to their specific body of knowledge. They also bring with them their methodological paradigms to undertake scientific investigation. Conceptual and methodological application is there in its uses.

The ICT revolution is fast changing the world, and creating a generation that is media-hungry and technologically savvy. This new generation as pointed by Tapscott in his study Growing Up Digital: The Rise of the Net Generation ,is using digital media for learning and communicating . ICT has now become pivotal in bringing about a change in classroom teaching with its increasing utility in education. According to Law, Pelgrum and Pomp, It offers many advantages to the students along with becoming lifelong learners within a context of collaborative inquiry and the ability to work and learn from experts and peers in a connected global community .

Every learner is an individual with different needs and abilities of learning a language. Traditional methods of teaching a language placed the teacher in the role of a transmitter of knowledge while learners were seen as passive recipients of this knowledge. With the advent of the communicative method of language teaching, the focus in the classroom shifted from the teacher to the learner.

CALL leading to an Image makeover of the teacher

The teachers of today have undergone an image makeover. They no longer are stereotypical Gurus with only strict lesson plans .The new nomenclature that suits their identity is of a 'Knowledge facilitator'. The 21st century generation of teachers are more committed to digital inclusion in education .With accelerated strides of technology seeping in every sphere of our lives , inconceivable jobs will be in demand in future ,waiting for learners with technology savvy skill-sets. Teachers have accommodated to their new role and are no longer teaching in isolation. They now co-teach, team teach, and collaborate with other department members. The main role of the teacher has now become to encourage problem solving , skill- sharing , evaluative reflection and participatory learning of the student of net savvy generation . Thus as Leu et al points out in their study, the teacher of such an ethos is not necessarily 'the most literate person in the classroom'. As a result the teachers have broken their old molds of conventional teaching and have openly adapted to their new Avatars of friend , philosophers and guides.

Image makeover of the Taught through CALL

David (2005) has pointed out the relationship between students and lecturers has become more open with the sharing of knowledge and the capability of using new sources for learning are enhanced by using ICTs.

Textbooks are no longer the major source of information. Students use multiple sources of technology, to find and gather the information they need. They keep journals, consult interview experts, explore the Internet, or use computer software programs to apply what they have learned . Instead of being reserved only for special projects, technology is seamlessly being integrated into daily instruction. The students learn by doing . They experience and then experiment with the knowledge provided to them . This makes them more independent learner .Students also learn to use the inquiry method, and to collaborate with others. Similar to their teachers, students no longer study each subject in isolation. Instead, they work on interdisciplinary projects that use information and skills from a variety of subjects and address a number of essential academic standards. Thus the students learn in flexible student groups which focus mainly on individual growth . The greatest advantage of ICT has been that learning now has become a life long process with no imitation of age .The quest of any E -learner brings multiple disciplines into constructive communion with one another.

Development of Skill Sets of students

While using CALL materials in a language classroom, the computer envisages an important role for the teacher. Though, the teachers do not control the learning process they by integrating technology in their teaching provide an excellent backup or support because, they can monitor the linguistic performance and progress without directly interfering during the learning process. Teachers can also modify and adopt any CALL learning materials to suite the learners needs and levels of competence. While using the CALL materials the learners have the autonomy to identify and adopt the kind of strategy that would best suit their learning style, choosing such a strategy would also facilitate the learning process. Studies show that CALL materials motivate the students for a better learning and provide them a stress free environment.

Skills generated through CALL Interface

Skills in general are those traits that help a student for personal and professional growth . In this cyber age where, most of the academic activities are computer directed the study skills particularly those related to receptive skills can be effectively developed using Computer Assisted Language Learning method. Out of the four skills of language learning, the receptive skills mainly, listening and reading can be commonly addressed by CALL programmes.

In the field of academics ,students are required to learn new styles, keep oneself abreast with latest technology, network with others, acquire communication skills, should have the ability to listen to recorded input, should be able to analyze the audio or visual data, manipulation of the Data according to need, and most important of all should have Linguistic competence and a desire to learn more. Using the call methods the teachers and learners both learn a lot of skills which are as follows :

1. Referencing Skills:

Students of Technology greatly learn the skill of referencing . Finding out material , correlating them etc.

2. Networking Skill:

Students learn to connect to remote areas through the access of computers. This involves a lot of resource sharing and positive exchange of ideas.

3. Computer and Language Learning skills:

With highly advanced computer applications the language teaching methodology has undergone a dramatic change. CALL has become an effective tool in teaching grammar, vocabulary , syntax . Skills like developing interactive communication and creative writing .

4. Note Taking Skills :

For a student note taking and making are important elements of retrieving the lesson learned. With Technical students having limited time to study wide variety of subjects with great understanding . This skill is of particular importance. It helps in recording main ideas, help when revising a topic along with adding some important detail from his own knowledge.

5. Vocabulary Skills:

CALL is very useful to students as provided a lot of input for vocabulary development.

6. Evaluative Skills:CALL calls for quick evaluation and feedback as the student can judge his own performance right at the time of tasked performed by him .This makes the corrective action plan more effective and learning is at all levels focused towards a positive direction Thought

7. Expansion Skills:

Students with no background to the language often shy away from experimenting in class and making any attempt to learn. But in a CALL enabled environment The student can learn with his own pace and what he most desires to learn .Many Web based activities are available for students to expand their thoughts .

8. Language Building Skill : by activities to name a few are pointed out .

Exercise 1 Focus on Passive Voice
Generally, students coming from around the world are more than happy to speak about their native country. Obviously, when speaking about a country (city, state etc.) the passive voice is required. I have found the following activity using the computer to be of great assistance in helping students focus on the correct use of the passive voice for communication and reading and writing skills.

• Inductively review the passive structures in class (or introduce the passive structures)
• Provide a text example, focusing on a specific location, that includes many passive voice structures
• Have students read through the text
• As a follow up, have students separate passive voice and active voice examples
• Using a program such as Microsoft Encarta or any other multimedia encyclopedia, (or the Internet) have students working in small groups find information about their own nation (or any city, state etc.)
• Based on the information they have found, students then write a short report together at the computer (using a spell check, communicating about formatting etc.)
• Students then report back to the class presenting their report created at the computer

This exercise is a perfect example of involving students in an "authentic" activity that focuses on communication skills while at the same time including a grammar focus, and uses the computer as a tool. Students have fun together, communicate in English and are proud of the results they achieve - all ingredients for successful inductive learning of the passive voice in a communicative manner.
Exercise 2 Strategy Games
For younger learners of English, strategy games with the help of computer can be one of the most effective ways to get students to communicate, agree and disagree, ask for opinions and generally use their English in an authentic setting. They are made to learn in a team by giving specific tasks or a portion of the whole activity .Students who find it difficult to participate in a classroom setting feel relaxed as the attention of the teacher is on the group and not one student . Moreover the group provided the necessary confidence to make the learner present his view point . Games on Describe your favourite holiday? Where did you go? What did you do? etc.) will generally make students get involved.

The focus is not on their completing a task which can be judged as correct or incorrect, but rather on the enjoyable atmosphere of team work which a computer strategy game provides.

Research done on Advantages of CALL and ICT

According to a Research conducted by Bransford in 1999, the appropriate use of ICTs has brought about a paradigmatic shift in both content and pedagogy , which has in-turn accelerated educational reform in the 21st century . The study also points out that when properly designed and implementation , ICT-supported education promotes the acquisition of the knowledge and skills that will surely empowered students for lifelong learning. Bradford has pointed five different pedagogues of learning

• Active learning: In contrast to memorization-based or rote learning, ICT enhanced learning promotes increased learner engagement. The learners are more involved in learning concepts and experimenting with new technologies. ICT-enhanced learning provides a platform for student inquiry, analysis and construction of new information. Learners therefore learn as they do and, whenever appropriate, work on real-life problems in-depth, making learning less abstract and more relevant to the learner’s life situation.

Another important feature of this kind of learning is “just-in-time” learning in which learners can choose what to learn when they need to learn it.

• Collaborative learning: ICT-supported learning encourages interaction and cooperation among students, teachers, and experts regardless of where they are. Apart from modeling real-world interactions, ICT-supported learning provides learners the opportunity to work with people from different cultures, thereby helping to enhance learners’ teaming and communicative skills as well as their global awareness.

It models learning done throughout the learner’s lifetime by expanding the learning space to include not just peers but also mentors and experts from different fields.

• Creative Learning: ICT-supported learning promotes the manipulation of existing information and the creation of real-world products rather than the regurgitation of received information. It provides greater freedom for creativity to go hand in hand with learning.
• Integrative learning: ICT-enhanced learning promotes a thematic, integrative approach to teaching and learning. This approach eliminates the artificial separation between the different disciplines and between theory and practice that characterizes the traditional classroom approach. Thus this kind of learning becomes more inter disciplinary .
• Evaluative learning: ICT-enhanced learning is student-directed and diagnostic. Unlike static, text- or print-based educational technologies, ICT-enhanced learning recognizes that there are many different learning pathways and many different articulations of knowledge. ICTs allow learners to explore and discover rather than merely listen and remember. Along with this ICT also gives the liberty to create newer dimensions in live and real time of learning stage.

Leaving aside these 5 pedagogues Computer aided Learning ,there are some more advantages offered by CALL