what is CAL?
Computer assisted learning (CAL), as the name implies,
is the use of electronic devices/computers to provide educational instruction
and to learn. It can be used in virtually all fields of education, combining
knowledge with computer interaction (HCI) and cognition, ranging from TV/DVD. It
can also test attainment at any point, provide faster or slower routes through
the material for people of different aptitudes, and can maintain a progress
record for the instructor.
Computer-assisted
learning (CAL) may be defined as any learning that is mediated by a computer
and which requires no direct interaction between the user and a human
instructor in order to run. Instead, CAL allows the user to follow a lesson
plan or may allow self-directed access to particular information of interest. It
has been claimed to improve knowledge retention and achievement scores.
It
is also known as computer assisted instruction (CAI). By playing and using
materials stored on DVDs, mobile phones, and other web-based resources,
learning becomes more attractive and dynamic, and offers the students
entertaining avenues to showcase their listening and learning skills. It boosts
the students’ confidence in solving the tasks they are assigned and therefore
improves the quality of what they have learnt.
Computer Assisted Learning or CAL
Advantages:
Self-Paced/
Self-Directed Learning
- If they want to repeat some task or review some
material.
- They can also skip over a topic if they already know
about it.
- Students can choose what they want to learn and in
what order.
- Web-based adaptive educational systems (WAES), for
example, adapt to the student, and provide different levels of data,
assessment, and feedback for the student’s perusal.
Improved Computer
Skill:
- Students will develop and improve their computer
skills
- Students will be encouraged to use computers more in doing their work.
Visualization:
- Student becomes more alert when a computer-based
learning/test is going on.
- More attentive when learning the lesson.
- Students are better motivated visually by multimedia
materials and listening is supported by seeing.
Learning Efficiency:
- Students are able to pick up concepts or skills faster
and with less effort.
- Students will require less teacher time.
Sensory Stimulation:
- Computers encourage learning as they promote
enthusiasm and provide stimulating environment.
Communication
Development:
- Chats and videoconference help in the development of
writing, speaking, and communication skills.
- They provide speaking practice through debates and
opinion chats.
Content/Lesson-Centered:
- Unlike a traditional class that is teacher-centered,
the computer-based class shifts the student’s attention from the teacher to the
lesson/content being taught.
Enthusiasm:
- Makes the class more appealing and interesting.
- It maintains students’ attention and stimulates their participation in the class.
- The computer also has the advantage of not tiring or
becoming frustrated with the drill and practice activity's repetition.
- It can deliver the desired material as text, audio,
visual or any combination of the three.
- Through the use of more advanced technologies such as
hypertext, links and the internet, the learners experience can be further
customized and enhanced providing a more complete learning experience.
Disadvantages
If the students (particularly older students) are not
computer-literate, computer anxiety is another issue the teacher will have to
deal with.
With a computer-based self-assessment class students
can be overwhelmed by the amount of data they are handling.
There is also an undesirable state when the students
become so excited with what they are seeing on the computer that they hardly
pay attention to what is being taught.
The teacher should try to maintain equilibrium in
student-computer interaction. The teacher should regularly check the students
to make sure they are learning by asking questions on what is being taught.
Technical knowledge and acceptance of technology.
Students may have problems affording the equipment and
programs to effectively use or implement.
In many cases the learning may be taking place in
remote regions where there is a question of availability of the hardware and
software or a suitable environment to implement or use a computer in.
There may be issues and barriers regarding the
practical awareness and/or the acceptance of the technology for a successful
implementation.
The role of the teacher in the incorporation of
Computer Assisted learning as a methodology for teaching English.
Although its possibilities are alluring working with
technology is guaranteed to be fun and attention-grabbing it has been
challenging for educators to make the most of CAL. Technology in the classroom
is a moving target, a constantly evolving landscape. There’s always some new
technology or educational tool in the works.Our role has gradually evolved from “sage on the
stage” lecturer to that of guide and coach in a digital landscape of
information overload. Learning is no longer solely confined to the classroom,
as students can access it anywhere at any time. Our task has become to show
students how to make meaning out of this deluge of tools and information. The
sobering reality is that most of the jobs our students will have don’t even
exist yet.
CALL can be part of your learning experience too,
giving you many convenient opportunities to connect with other teachers and
build your personal and professional networks.
What language skills does CAL target?
CALL (Computer Assisted Learning) helps students of
the 21st century to develop academic skills and approaches, in the acquisition
of knowledge incorporating the use of devices such as computers among others;
to assist in learning processes effectively. The skills that are strengthened
in computer-assisted Learning are:
Speaking skills
Listening skills
Reading skills
Writing skills
ICT Skills:
Constructivist Approach:
Cognitivist Approach
Collaborative skills
Critical Thinking skills
Basic Goal of Computer Assisted Learning
The basic goal of CAL is to stimulate and develop the
assimilation/learning capacity of students, increase the effectiveness and
productivity teachers with the help of computer based technology and update
students’ knowledge to current trends as most of the concepts outside the last
decade are gradually getting out of date. Computer technology should therefore
be an integrated part of the education system. Another objective of CAL is to
develop easily understandable and attractive tutorials and demonstrations of
the field they are employed in.
The framework suggested for understanding the
application of computing in education depends upon seeing all computer use in
such application as in one of three modes. In the first, the computer functions
as a tutor. In the second, the computer functions as a tool. In the third, the
computer functions as paychecks a tutee or student.
Computer Assisted Learning Assessment Tools
Multiple Choice Questions:
Fill-in the Gap:
Find the Answers
Scrabble/Crossword Puzzles
Online Interactive Chat:
Drills:
Web Quest:
Adventure Games:
Listening Exercises:
Tips to Incorporate CAL Tools Effectively
Now that you have a host of resources at your disposal
as you’ll soon discover below how can you incorporate them into your classroom?
Here are some ideas.
Technology must support the lesson, not the other way
around. Your instructional goals should always drive your decisions about
technology.
Create stations. Give your students specified areas in the room to
store their devices. That way you can put them aside when you need to focus on
something else.
Solicit student feedback frequently. Your students will know best whether the technology
they’re using supports their learning. Be sure to survey them often and make
adjustments as necessary.
Choose tools that work best for you. Not every tool works for everyone. Try out new apps
and tools often.
Computer Assisted Learning: Where Teaching Meets
Technology
These tools are easy to use and present limitless options for incorporating technology in a meaningful way.
- Ipads
- Augmented reality
- Duolingo
- Fluent U
- Kahoot
- QR code
- University websites
- Online dictionaries
- Social media platforms
- Blogs
Types of Computer Assisted
Learning
|
Terminology |
Meaning |
|
CBT |
Computer Based Training/Test |
|
CAI |
Computer Assisted Instruction |
|
CAL |
Computer Assisted Learning |
|
WBT |
Web Based Training/Tutorial |
|
CALL |
Computer Assisted Language Learning |
|
WBI |
Web Based Instruction |
Types of activities develop with the use of CAL
|
|
