Eight CALL applications

Eight CALL applications

1. Word processing

Features included in most softwares, especially those used for composition purposes such as Microsoft Word

- It is commonly bussiness focused so it does not have an educational approach

- Errors on spelling and grammar

Some disadvantages are:

Consequently:

Word processing is a great tool as a composition aid, but it does not make learners aware of the linguistic structures

2. Games

With its use

The learners perception is of play and the pedagogical objectives are embedded. The game format has to be exciting for the learning objectives to be achieved.

Games include as well:

Commercial Quiz software

which

Learners enjoy, as it soes not feel like a formal test

Consequently

Games a great oppotunity to encourage learners, to assimilate linguistic knowledge without realizing or getting bored. Games are a pedagogical tool useful for every age range students.

3. Literature

4 justifications for the use of lit. in the language classroom

1. Valuable authentic material

2. Cultural enrichment

3. Language enrichment

4. Personal involvement

Addionally:

Literature develops aesthetic and sociocultural aspects of the subject

4. Corpus linguistics

The relationship of literature to computer-based learning materials

Hypertext and literature

Increases the study and writing of literature

Computers enrich the literary and language learning, making it contextualized

Body of texts. In the classrooms it helps the studnets to look for typical error oatterns, data driven learning, learning grammar autonomously

5. Computer mediated communication

It includes:

E-mail

Netpals

Chatlines

Bulletin boards

Formal and informal communication

Meeting people from different cultures. The motivation has to be extrinsic

Communication is instantaneous. Learners can use typographies such as emojis

Both teachers and students can post

It is a way to re-think the concept of a "classroom2 making it more dynamic

MOO, MUA, MUD, MUSH

Multiuser domain objects oriented

Online environments where moveable objects represent things and people

Consequently:

6. WWW Resources

Focused on commercial purposes software, class handouts and presentations on Power Point

7. Adapting other materials for CALL

8. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mobile telephones

Learners from any culture can adapt any kind of material online to language learning purposes, such as newspapers, games, etc.

small hand-held computer for

downloading and storing information such as documents, databases and

calendar entries.

Includes:

Graffiti handwriting software

REFLECTION:

Nowadays, it is imperitive in the educational field for all disciplines to implement the different technological devices and platforms. In that way, education responds to the cognitive and sociocultural needs of the subject. In the language learning it is specially necessary for teachers to keep up with the latest technologies, as communication currently depends on a great deal on these devices and connectivity. It is important for us language teachers to realize that the grammar translation method is not the only one and that communication is such a complicated process that we have to involve all of the tools at our reach to achieve real communicative and linguistic processes.

Technology today helps to re think the idea of a classroom, test, activity and even teacher and learner. Games, literature, chats, and other devices and applications helps us to involve directly the student into its learning process, to achieve language learning by doing what he or she usually does, to be online.