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The integration aspect involved in the design of CALL products is an important issue to consider. Design of CALL products is a complex, evolving process that requires integration of ideas and elements for success. Levy discusses three perspectives designers need to understand in CALL development. The language teacher’s perspective requires considering how to integrate classroom traditional learning with computer learning—in or outside of the classroom. If able to, designing a curriculum as a guide or template seems to be the best route to allow flexibility in using CALL. The idea of horizontal integration from the language learners’ perspective is essential to CALL design also. Knowing learners’ technical backgrounds, experience, and predispositions is necessary to determine the amount of learner training required when designing CALL activities. An institution-wide perspective is the third one that involves what can be referred to as vertical integration—the policies, technical support, and learning environment of institutions. These areas are necessary considerations in designing university LMS’, for example. Together these three perspectives emphasize the need to integrate various components in designing CALL products.
Richardson’s chapter on RSS feeds was very informative and useful! With my adult ESL students I would be interested in using a couple RSS feeds. One might be on the topic of the recently devastating Haiti earthquake. It’s a relevant current event item that stirs thoughts, emotions, and ideas for many people. Using the various articles from newspapers, blogs, and/or volunteer organizations could be CALL tools to improve/practice critical reading and thinking, collaboration skills, and vocabulary growth. Another RSS feed might be on American culture. Again, a relevant topic of interest with the same language learning applications as the first RSS feed idea. As for myself, there are endless topics that interest me. Word of the Day feeds, news feeds, travel feeds, Texas Hill Country feeds, to name a few. I definitely see the power in RSS feeds!
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Alison, you made very clear conclusion of the Levy's work! It is easier for me to understand than the book. I'm also interested in the RSS feeds you listed above. When I was in China, I didn't often read news in Enlish, but now I did , and it really helps.
ReplyDeleteHI Allison,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement regarding horizontal integration is essential to CALL design. The learner’s technical backgrounds, and experience will determine the amount of training required. This is an important consideration, especially when the learners are from third world countries or poverty stricken areas. I agree that RSS feeds are a great idea to implement with an adult ESL group. I have just begun to work with RSS feeds and the amount of information I have gotten is overwhelming. I am learning to start small and manage the feeds I receive.
Patti J
It is fun to think about the type of rss feeds we could have. I think I would like to have a malamute rss feed. I agree with with Ling that your response gave a very clear summary of the reading. The Levy book is sort of difficult to get through.
ReplyDeleteAlison, I like your ideas for RSS use with adult learners. My goal is to work with adults as well. I'm still having a hard time getting my head around these new technologies, but as I get more comfortable using them, I hope it will become easier to relate their function to classroom use. Thanks for your creative thinking :)
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