ryanologi

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The Concept of E-learning
E-learning (also called electronic learning) is any type of learning that takes place through or with a computer. E-learning is primarily facilitated through the Internet but can also be accomplished with CD-ROMs and DVDs, streaming audio or video and other media.

We live in an era where everything in our live cannot be separated from computer and technologies. In school, computer and technologies can be used as the media in learning.

In this essay, we will talk about CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)

The definition of CALL:

CALL is any process in which a learner uses a computer and, as a result, improves his or her language.

The reasons why ELT teachers use CALL:

- Computers can do some of the work of the teacher and provide great assistance to the learner even without the presence of the teacher (Pennington and Steven, 1992).
- New technologies have seen computers become smaller, faster, and easier for the teacher to use (Evy, 1997).
- At present, well-designed CALL software is readily available to the teacher. Technologies allow computers to do multimedia applications, incorporating video, sound, and text, and this capacity allows the learner to interact with both the program and other learners. (Felix, 1998).
- The computer offers great flexibility for class scheduling and pacing of individual learning, choosing activities and content to suit individual learning styles. (Oxford and others, 1998)
- The computer can provide a meaning-focused, communicative learning environment, which serves the purposes of communicative language teaching.
(http://web.warwick.ac.uk/CELTE/tr/ovCALL/booklet1.htm)

Types of CALL Programs


Types of CALL Activities

- multiple-choice & true/false quizzes
- gap-filling exercise/cloze
- matching
- re-ordering/sequencing
- crossword puzzles
- games
- simulations
- writing & word-processing
- concordancing
- web quests/searching
- web publishing
- online communication (synchronous and asynchronous)
(http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CALL/unit1.htm)


We, as a user or learner also can get advantages when we use CALL. The advantages are:
1) CALL can adapt to the learners' abilities and preferences.
2) CALL can adapt to the learners’ cognitive and learning styles.
3) CALL can adapt to the learner’s self-paced learning. CALL can be used for remedial work for slow learners and to accelerate learning for fast learners.
4) CALL offers individualized and private learning.
5) CALL, with branching capability, provides choices and paths for learning, allowing learners to work independently.
6) CALL allows learners to control their own learning process and progress.
(http://web.warwick.ac.uk/CELTE/tr/ovCALL/booklet1.htm)