Search Engines & CMC

Search Engines

    Hello everyone! So i'm back with another post. As for today's topic as what you have seen above, you might be familiar with this when I mention Google, Bing or Yahoo. Yes, this is a web tool that allows users to enter keywords and find info on websites that contained its database. Each own search engine has its own databese.

One of the examples of search engine, Bing

     In addition, there are 4 types of search engine that we must know. They are listed below:

1) Database: it is a storage where all indexed webpages are stored

2) Web crawlers/spiders: "crawls" all over to find and compile indexes of webpages

3) User interface: a user-friendly application/site/page where users may input query and search results are presented

4) Information retrieval system: a system used to match the user's query to indexed webpages found in the database

Specialized search engine

- search engine that is tailored to search for a specific area

- eg: Google Scholar

Meta search engine

- search engine that matches the user's query to multiple search engines

- eg: Metacrawler, Savvysearch

Surface, Deep and Dark Webs

CMC

So, what is CMC actually? CMC stands for Computer Mediated Communication, is any form of communication or interaction between two or more people via separate computers through network connection. For example, like Twitter, Facebook or WhatsApp. It started in the late 1190s with the introduction of Communivatice CALL. In addition, this program is implemented for long distance teaching or learning.

a) Asynchronous CMC

• Communication is not synchronised
• messages are not exchanged or replied to immediately
• eg: emails, internet forums, most social media used this

b) Synchronous CMC

• Communication is rather synchronised
• messages are faster can be exchanged and replied to
• eg: internet chatrooms, video/audio conferencing

c) CMC and Long-distance learning

• allows teacher and learner to interact without being in the same location
• eg: Skype

d) Collaborative learning

• Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning
• can help enhance peer interactions and group works
• eg: Google Docs, Google Drive

e) Authentic Communication

• CMC offers learners easy access and opportunity to communicate with other learners

     Alright, that is all for today's class. I've got to learn many things regarding the search engine itself and other webs that I have never heard before which is totally cool! I can't wait for the next class with the new topic and lectures. Bye for now, untill we meet again. Annyeong!

Call?.....CALL!

     Hi, everyone! Back with today's topic which is Introduction to CALL. So what is CALL actually? Is it the one when you're calling people with your phone? Uh-oh no, CALL stands for Computer Assisted Language Learning that defines as an approach to language teaching and learning in which the computer is used as an aid to the presentation and assessment of material to be learned. However, this program is rarely used nowadays because now we have Internet and use it every single day.

     Software used in a CALL environment can be designed specifically for foreign/second language learning or adapted for this purpose. For example, most language textbook publishers offer educational software (CD-ROMS) of some sort, whether it is meant to support a paper textbook or to stand alone for self-study. In addition, our lecturer also explained about the progression of CALL in the class. There are 3 types of the theories that being implemented; behavioral CALL, communicative CALL, and integrated CALL. So, what are these actually? 

1) Behavioral CALL 

- The first phase of CALL, conceived in the 1950s and implemented in the 1960s and '70s, was based on the then-dominant behaviorist theories of learning

- Computers did not get bored or impatient with learners and it could present material to the student as his/her own pace and even adapt the drills to the level of the student.

- Can provide immediate feedback 

- Efficient record keeping

2) Communicative CALL

- The second phase of CALL was based on the communicative approach to teaching which became prominent in the 1970s and 80s.

- The focus is on using the language rather than analysis of the language and perfect grammar. It also allowed for originality and flexibility in student output of language.

- Greater student involvement

3) Integrated CALL

- Starting from the 1990’s, tries to address these criticisms by integrating the teaching of language skills into tasks or projects to provide direction and coherence.

     Many educators (Jonassen 1996, Salaberry 1999, Rost 2002 in Lai 2006) indicate that the current computer technology has many advantages for second language learning. From here, we know that CALL programmers can provide student ways to learn English through computer games, animated graphics, and problem-solving techniques which can make drills more interesting. Not only that, they can decide on their own which skills to develop and which course to use, as well as the speed and level by their own needs. Alright, that's all for today's topic. See you at another time fellas! Annyeong!

Blogging!

     Hi everyone! So as for today's topic that we have learned is "Blogging". In this class, our lecturer showed us some examples of various blogs as for the starters. Then, she continued explaining several terms such as weblog, tutor blog, class blog and learner blog. Each of the blogs has its own specialties and uniqueness.

     So what is weblog? It is a frequently updated website like an online journal. Meanwhile, a tutor blog is different compared to weblog, in which this blog is run by a teacher of a class. The contents of the blog are syllabus material, course information, homework and education related.

This is the example of tutor blog

     Then, there is also a class blog where it is a blog that being shared between class members. This particular blog can be used as a collaborative discussion place. The last one is the learner blog; the students' personal blog like what I have right now. So, why do people use blogs? These are the reasons that I can list down:

1) Express yourself and Share your passions

The landscape has changed but there are still countless blogs that serve as a platform for people to voice their ideas, thoughts, and feelings.  

2) Share your knowledge

This is what basically the tutor blogs do. If you're someone who loves to teach, starting a blog can provide the opportunity to educate others.

3) Refine your writing skills

The more you write, the better you become at it. Indeed, blogs are one of the suitable platforms to refine your writing skills! 

    From this lesson, i got to learn on how to start and build your own personal blog also exploring greatness in the world of blogs where you can express yourself in writing. Alright, that's all for today's post, till next time. Annyeong! 

First Class!

Week 2, first class     
     For this class, Internet Technology for Language Learning (ESP6013), our lecturer Madam Azidatunnoor briefed us a little bit regarding the coursework for this subject. This is what we called our guidelines in order to excel this class. The assessment are listed below: 

• Quiz (20%)
• Blog (20%)
• Podcast (10%)
• Educational videos (20%)
• E-learning courseware (30%)

      At first, I thought that the use of Internet mainly for social and entertainment purposes or to gain information for education purposes. However, Madam Azidatunnoor proved me wrong when she told the whole class that this subject is more than that. She explained that we use the technology to teach others to learn English language alongside this modern world. Since she asked us to make a blog, I must say that I'm very excited for this class because I used to have a personal blog back then where all my thoughts and pictures were posted there. Therefore, I'm going to make sure that my current blog will be handled properly for this subject. 

Get to Know Me

    

    Hi, everyone. This is my homepage or a blog that dedicated to Internet Technology for Learning. But before going further into this subject, I am going to introduce myself first. Sometimes it is hard to introduce yourself because you know yourself so well that you do not know where to start with. Let me give a try to see what kind of image you have about me through my self-description. I hope that my impression about myself and your impression about me are not so different. Here it goes.

    My name is Nur Insyirah but generally called by everyone as Syirah. I was born in Kuala Lumpur but I'm currently staying in Hulu Langat. I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life. There are many things I like to do, to see, and to experience. I like to read,  I like to take pictures, I like to sing and dance. I like photographs because they capture a moment that's gone forever. I like to see the sunrise in the morning, I like to see the moonlight at night; I like to feel the music flowing on my face, I like to smell the wind coming from the ocean. I like to look at the clouds in the sky with a blank mind, I like to do thought experiment when I cannot sleep in the middle of the night. 

    Well, as you can see I'm pretty sure comfortable doing anything. You name it, I'm willing to do it in order to enjoy myself. Then, I guess that is all for my introduction. Annyeong! 

Quote of the day

“Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.”

- Lao Tzu