The website that i chose was;
"http://www.rong-chang.com/index.html"
What does the application attempt to teach?
The application attempted to teach English, this website provides the whole aspects of English which includes grammar, vocabulary reading and writing as well as listening and speaking.
What sort of things is the application user is expected to do with regards to the learning content?
The learners are expected to learn the language by exploring it. Foe example, the website provides links to several other websites that will help the learners to learn the language.
What sort of computer skills does the users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?
The users need to have very basic computer knowledge such as typing, clicking the mouse, and drag and drop. This is because I believe that by it would be easier for the children to access the site and it will not demotivate them to go on exploring the website.
While u r playing; accessing; assessing; the application, does it remind u of anything that you do in the class room, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in a self study.
While exploring the website, there are several things that reminded me of the time when I was in school. Such as reading newspaper and magazines and playing games.
Can u pin point some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application
One theory that i managed to point put was, The silent way. The silent way theory promotes autonomous learning that leads the students to become and independent learner. The website is not too rigid in expecting the students provide the answer or complete the exercise. I noticed that, none of the exercise had any time limit.
How well is the constructivist’s theory of learning applied to the children website?
The constructivist’s theory stated that children learn from their experiences and that they could relate from their experience. In other words, children incorporate the knowledge that they had learnt with their previous knowledge. For this website, they provided links to the previous lesson, this will help the students to relate what they have learnt previously with the now topic / lesson that they learn. For example, in the website, they provided several links to magazines and newspapers. By providing this, the learners will feel more natural in learning the language. This is because they are reading something that they read daily e.i newspaper and magazines, hence this will help them to assimilate and associate what they have learnt with what they are learning.
In the 1980 n early 90’s there was a major debate on “whether the computer is the master or slave to the learning process". In relation to your evaluation- was the computer a replacement or merely an obedient servant student?
From the evaluation, i see that the computer is merely an obedient servant for the students because it helps the students to learn the language better and not instructing the learners on what to do and what not to do. The computer helps the students to become a better learner. The learner is his/her own master in the learning process.
Would you like to use the application in future? Why?
Yes, i would like to use the application in the future. This is because the website provides a lot of link to other websites. This allows the learners to learn beyond what they learn in the website itself. This is good because it helps the learners to develop their thinking and make them a critical thinker.
Suggestion and recommendation.
I would suggest that the website should include more pictures and animation to attract learners. I noticed that the website is rather plain although the content is well covered, it only lacks of visual stimulation.
Referencaes:
"http://www.philseflsupport.com/learningstyles1.htm"
"http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar"
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_silent_way"
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(learning_theory)"
