
1.	Computer Assisted Language Learning
2.	Using Clarity SnetV7.0 Class Software
3.	Multimedia Language Lab
4.	Benefits of English Language Lab at a Glance
5.	Multimedia: An Educational Tool
6.	Internet Resources Accessed in a Language Lab

1. Computer Assisted Language Learning

Introduction

It has been observed that in India the speech of an average student may not be intelligible enough whether at international, national or the regional level. It is due to many reasons. The sound system from the mother tongue of the speaker invariably influences the way they use English. Additionally, students have grammatical inaccuracies and inadequacies at the lexical level, both in their speech and writing, which affects the meaning of the text produced by them. In order to be able to use language appropriately whether in speech discourse or in writing enough practice is needed in different formats and in different situations. Due to lack of practice in using language in different situations, students generally do not have confidence to express themselves well. To address these needs a complete multimedia lab may be established in educational institutions which can act as teacher support and also provide for self access learning where they can choose to and at the pace more suitable to their individual pace of learning. Modern day innovation in the form of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is an interactive method through which both the learner and the teacher can achieve their goals suitably. CALL assists teaching by serving as an additional/virtual teacher and by providing an alternative to the lecture mode of teaching.

Resources for CALL

The vast wealth of teaching and learning materials that is offered free of cost through computer and information technology is successfully used by CALL. The emergence of internet in the early decades of nineties has completely galvanized communities into the concept of one global village. The minimalistic requirements such as a computer, a modem and direct access to internet services has notably bridged the barriers across communities and has also revolutionized communication across the globe. The network that connects millions of computers can also be used for effective teaching/learning of English which over the time has proved to have holistic advantages.

Platform for Language Labs

CALL can be further facilitated by the use of software, dependent on the language lab platform, which creates virtual classroom connectivity. The platform should be user-friendly and should assist the teachers rather than intimidate them. They should be at ease while using the language lab. A well-designed platform which supports most software available in the market is required for establishing language labs. Generally, the software is licensed to be used for 15 learner computers and one ‘Teacher Console’ which facilitates the teacher in monitoring and helping the students from the teacher computer.

The platform should be able to support software that has communicative activities based on different approaches in learning. It should be able to support text files as well as audio and video files. From the ‘Teacher’s Console’, the teacher should be able to facilitate group work between students sitting at different workstations by way of digital ‘student to student’ conversation and ‘student to teacher’ conversation. It should enable the teacher to look at the student screen as and when s/he wants to and as many times. Facility of being able to block them from using the keyboard for doing any other activity is also an important feature which helps teachers to prevent students from getting distracted by the presence of multimedia tools. Teacher should also be able to broadcast teacher screen to facilitate different classroom activities. Recording student performance and storing it are other features that a good platform needs to have. This enables the teacher to use the recording for providing a more comprehensive feedback to learners and also acts as a self-check activity where students record their voice, listen to it and notice their problems. It should also give teacher flexibility to use the method s/he chooses for language development of students. Language lab tools should lend themselves for all kinds of teacher requirement; whether they want to impart individual skills or integrated skills to their learners. Internet connectivity helps teachers to use web based resources as they are or customize them for their students.

The Language Lab Software

The most important point before buying software for language labs is to remember that it should be original in content and should not have any copyright problems. The language lab software is of two types, platform software and learning software.

(i) Platform Software

It is essential for users to know about the mechanisms of platform software. It offers different features and possibilities. The following are the prominent features of a good CALL platform software. It allows teacher to:

monitor all the students without moving from the teacher’s console.
speak to all the students or a set of students at a time.
block the students’ monitor and take control of the keyboard.
conduct on-line examination.
help students listen to and record their voice, and check and compare the recorded voice with the original voice.
transfer video and audio files to the students.
transfer teacher’s monitor to students or a student’s file to another student.
observe student’s monitors, listen to students’ voice and respond.

(ii) Learning Software

Learning software is of two types:

Online learning resources

This comprises of all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serves as specific media to implement the learning process is essentially the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge.

Networking software

This material is designed especially for students who already have some knowledge of English. A variety of language items such as grammar, comprehension, speaking and writing tasks are included.

There are some software available which use scanned copies of books as their input material. Such software is not highly interactive and therefore does not fulfill the purpose. The programs to be installed in language labs should be easy to handle for the teachers who may not have strong computer skills; have good audio and video files that enable students to listen to samples of good speech that have clear voice accent and pronunciation. The instructions to the users should be precise, grammatically correct with clarity of sound and vision. It should have competence activities at various levels, having appeal at global level and should relate to local culture. A good language software needs to be skill-focused. It should include activities on vocabulary, grammar and use of language that helps learners in making appropriate lexical and grammatical choices in their everyday communication. The programme should have activities that focus on language skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing developed through contextual activities on everyday communication. In addition, the programme should include some methods for testing these skills with scope for feedback and remediation.

On surveying the market, it was found that there is a range of language learning software available that have scope for authentic reading from newspapers, the Internet, fiction, etc.; writing; building soft skills; and promoting personal development. These software programs majorly address areas as report writing, grammar, study skills, pronunciation, intonation, fluency and language skills. These programmes are rich in audio/ video content and can be connected to the local network in a computer lab.

It is advisable to buy the platform and the software for the language lab from the same source to avoid compatibility issues. Additionally, it also helps in gradually updating software while being able to use the same platform.

This is just the beginning. CALL supported by internet resources is on the path of revolutionizing how we teach and learn in the 21^st century wherever we are in our country.

2. Using Clarity Snet V7.0 Software (installed in the Language Lab Computers)

The Clarity Snet V7.0 software enables teacher to manage the classroom and communicate with them without leaving the teacher’s computer. It is a network based teaching software which enables a teacher to remotely control, monitor, broadcast, and assist students through teacher’s computer. The software will enable teacher to

· broadcast the desktop and voice to students

· allow students demo software to be shared by the teacher and other students

· monitor and take control of the students' desktops

· stream many kinds of video files and camera pictures to students

· record desktop operations to a file and play them back to students

· remotely shut down students' computers

· send files to the students

· send messages to the students

· collect files in the defined directory of students’ computers

· distribute interactive quizzes; and

· prevent students from accessing unlimited web sites and applications.

Logging on to the Clarity Snet

To start a class, the teacher must login to it software and help the students to connect to the teacher’s computer.

Steps to log in:

· Double click on the shortcut icon on the desktop.

· When the login interface pops up, the teacher will provide the correct user name and password. If the password does not match, the teacher will not be allowed to login.

· The teacher's name will be displayed on each student's desktop so that each student will know which teacher to connect to.

· Click on the advanced button on the ‘Login’ dialog, select one or more channels ranging from 1 to 32, and then click ‘Login’ to enter the operating platform for teacher side computers.

Title Bar

From the Title Bar one can

· view the software name and version

· drag and drop the main window

· minimize the software clicking on the upper right-hand button

· restore the program by double-clicking on the tray icon or right-clicking on the icon and selecting ‘Show Window’ from the pop-up menu.

· configure the software

· view ‘Help’

· close the software.

Function Bar

To start a function the teacher needs to click on the function's icon. To stop a function that is running, click on the same icon again. Each Function Icon has four states -

· Normal state - function is ready to be executed.

· Hot state - the mouse pointer is on the icon.

· Down state - the function is executed.

· Disable state - the function is disabled.

The main functions of the software can be divided into five parts:

· Class - Manage Class Model, Sign-In and View Mode.

· Show - Screen Broadcast, Voice Broadcast, Voice Chat, Student Demonstration, Net Movie and Camera. Remote: Monitor & Control, Remote Command, Remote Policy, Silence and Silence Off.

· Group - Group Management, Group Chat and Group Teaching

· Quiz- - Create Quiz, Start Quiz, Quiz Grader and Instant Quiz

· File - File Distribution, File Collection and File Submitting.

· Others - Screen Record and so on.

Class

This allows the teacher to manage the class model of the whole classroom, set the view mode of the class icons and register the class.

Class mainly includes three parts –
Manage Class Model

The Class Model feature is used to show all the students who have joined the class. With Class Model, teacher can view the student list, view student state, view student property, select students to start function, add students, delete students, and edit student names. (The teacher can manage the Class Models by deleting an existing Class Model, exporting a Class Model's member list to plain text file, and saving to another file).

· Student State (state of student computer)

The Class Model feature uses computer icons to indicate the students and the different states of their computers. For example, one computer icon indicates one student, and a black computer icon indicates that the student has not connected to the teacher. If a computer icon becomes bright, it means the student has logged in.

· Student Property

The Student Property feature can remotely collect students' summary information for the teacher: computer name, IP address, MAC address, operating system name and version, CPU speed and memory size, and any applications and processes that are running.

To view a student's property information

· Right-click on a student icon.

· Select ‘View Student's Property’ from the menu.

· Click on the ‘Information tab’, ‘Application tab’, or ‘Process tab’ to view different properties.

· Raise Hand by Students

If the student has a question and needs to ask the teacher for help, they may draw the teacher’s attention by using the ‘Raise Hand Function’. If the Raise Hand function is executed, the student's icon on the teacher-side computer will change into a Raise Hand status.

· Delete Class Model

ü Click the Manage Class Model icon in the main window to launch the Manage Class Model dialogue.

ü Select the ‘Target Class Model’ from the ‘Class Model’ list in the Manage Class Model dialog and press the ‘Delete’ button.

ü Press the ‘Yes’ button in the confirmation dialog box.

· Activate Class Model

ü Click the ‘Manage Class Model’ icon in the main window to launch the ‘Manage Class Model’ dialogue.

ü Select the ‘Target Class Model’ from the ‘Class Model’ list in the ‘Manage Class Model’ dialog and press the ‘Activate’ button.

ü Press the ‘Yes’ button in the confirmation dialog box.

· Students Register

ü This function allows students to check into required online lessons.

ü To Prompt Students to Register

ü Click on the ‘Student Register’ icon on the ‘Function Bar’.

ü The teacher can then select the information that the student will be required to complete.

ü Then press the ‘Start’ button in the ‘Student Register dialog’.

ü The ‘Student Register dialog’ will appear on the student's screen.

· Stop Student Registration

ü The student will fill in the registration information in the ‘Student Register dialog’.

ü The teacher clicks the ‘Stop’ button on the right side in the ‘Student Register dialog’.

· Registration Report

Student registration details can be exported to a file. When all students have registered, do the following:

ü Click ‘Export’ in the ‘Student Register dialogue’.

ü Select a path and a file name for saving the information.

ü Click ‘Save’ in the File ‘Save As’... dialogue.

· View Mode

In Class Model area, student icons can be viewed in three modes

ü Thumbnail mode - Thumbnail mode is the default mode for applications. When this mode is selected, students' computer desktops are displayed as thumbnails in the Class Model area on the teacher side computer.

ü Icon mode- When this mode is selected, students are displayed as icons on the teacher side computer, and the status of the icons shows the current status of the students.

ü Detail mode - Detail mode provides the teacher with advanced information about the student side computers, such as names, IP addresses, MAC addresses, etc for currently running programs.

Show

The Show function is the main function of the software. With the Show function, the teacher can send to the students all kinds of information in real time, via several means. The ‘Show’ function is mainly composed of the following components:

· Screen Broadcast

· Voice Broadcast

· Voice Chat

· Student Demonstration

· Net Movie

· Camera

[Discussed in Chapter 4]

· Remote –This helps with remote management and control methods as described below:

· Monitor & Control helps the teacher monitor and control the student activities remotely, and provide individual students with remote tutoring.

· Remote Setting facilitates setting the system properties remotely for all students.

· Remote Command helps to remotely run or close all students' programs, and perform shut-down, reboot operations.

· Student Policy remotely controls students’ usage of some applications, websites, and USB Disk; s/he can also block students’ instant messages.

· Silence and Silence Off remotely blackens students’ screens to control their attention.

Using Monitor & Control

Using the software, the teacher can monitor the desktops of the students. The teacher can simultaneously view multiple students' screens, each in its owner window, even in a windowed or full screen view. The floating monitor control bar can help you scroll from one screen to the next, auto scroll to the next screen after a specified time, reset the window position, and change the display mode in each monitor window. The teacher can take control of a student's desktop or share control with the student. It also has the provision for talking privately with a student, while controlling his desktop.

Monitoring Students

To monitor a student:

· Click on the student's icon in the ‘Class Model’ area.

· Click on the ‘Monitor’ & ‘Control’ button in the ‘Function Bar’.

· The student's monitor window will be displayed on teacher desktop.

The software can simultaneously monitor an entire class of students. However, it cannot display all the students’ monitor windows on the screen at the same time. The default number of monitor windows is four and the maximum is sixteen. Nevertheless to change the monitor window count

· Click the ‘Option’ button in the ‘Title bar’.

· Select ‘Monitor’ from the ‘Set List’.

· Change the maximum monitor window count in the setting page.

While monitoring students, the software displays a floating control bar at the top of the desktop.

Group

The Group function allows the teacher to divide and save all the students into several different groups to perform personalized teaching activities based on the actual situations. The Group function consists of the following components:

· Group Management - allows the teacher to divide the students in the ‘Activated Class Model’ into different groups in order to perform ‘Group Chat’ and ‘Group Teaching’ activities. It provides new operations and modifies grouped operations.

· Group Chat - allows all students to do text or voice communications in

groups

· Group Teaching - divides all the students into groups and then perform

different teaching functions accordingly.

Quiz

The software enables the teacher to quickly perform teaching evaluation activities. It includes the following major function components:

· Quiz Maker - a tool for the teacher to create, edit or save quiz papers. The quiz paper consists of different question groups which can be created by the teacher. Each group contains several questions which can be categorized into 4 types: one-answer question, multi-answer question, alternative question, and essay question.

· Start Quiz - includes quiz paper distribution, quiz and quiz paper collection. In special cases, the teacher can also use it to suspend a quiz for later resumption.

· Quiz Grader- allows the teacher to evaluate the students' quiz papers, give

appropriate scores, add annotations and send the results to the corresponding students.

· Instant Quiz - allows the teacher to launch a quick one-question quiz or in-class survey and give results immediately.

File

This part includes the following functions:

· File Distribution - allows the teacher to distribute file or directory to multiple students.

· File Collection - allows teacher to collect files in the defined directory of students’ side.

· File Submission Management - allows the students to submit their work to teacher.

Others

There are some others functions:

· Screen Recording and Playback - allows teacher to record operations into a file for playback later.

· Manager Request Help - allows students to send a request for help to the teacher.

Digital Multimedia Language Lab

3. Multimedia Language Lab

What is a Multimedia language lab?

In principle, a multimedia language lab system is a collection of tools that enable a teacher to create student activities, assign student activities, and monitor and evaluate student progress. Additionally, a multimedia language lab system enables students to execute activities (including listening and speaking activities). In general, for any subject, a lab differs from a regular classroom by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to facilitate hands-on practice with the subject materials as they do science labs. This applies to multimedia language labs too.

What does hands-on practice mean for language learning?

Basically, Multimedia language labs facilitate a broad range of activities that involve students in reading, writing, listening, and speaking the target language. In a multimedia language lab, students are supposed to play an active role. They

· listen to (and/or watch) multimedia materials in which native speakers of the target languages are speaking in an authentic context.

· record themselves and listen to themselves speaking the target language.

· converse with their fellow students in pairs or in groups using the target language.

Why use a Multimedia Language Lab?

The underlying role of the multimedia language lab has not changed dramatically over time: As mentioned earlier, the role of multimedia language lab is to help students to master their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in a new target language.

While the traditional role of the lab has not changed significantly, both the technology of multimedia language labs and the teaching methodologies employed in multimedia language labs have changed dramatically. Today, multimedia language labs are more supportive of communicative learning and student interactivity. While most multimedia language labs use a dedicated room, there are portable options too. These portable systems can be taken from one room to the other.

There are growing numbers of multi-discipline labs that help facilitate learning in a variety of different subjects – including languages. And, in this era of computers, networks, Internet, and the ICT (Information and Communications Technology), there are possibilities for having virtual multimedia language labs, in which students and teachers participate from a mix of self-study classrooms, libraries, and at times from their homes.

There are three main layers of functionality that are associated with multimedia language lab systems:

· Media Player/Recorder - Years ago, the audio cassettes and the recorder were the basis of almost every multimedia language lab system, but today, this it has been replaced by a computer program – called a virtual recorder or media player/recorder - that runs on a personal computer, and enables students to listen and watch multimedia program materials and record their own oral or written responses. Media player/recorders are functionally similar to audiocassette recorders, but without the fuss and bother of tapes!

· Intercom System – Many multimedia language lab systems include an Intercom function that lets teachers remotely listen to students, talk with students, and organize students into pairs or small groups for collaborative projects. Communications can be configured as one-on-one, one-to-many, or one-to-all.

· Computer Management System – If a lab is equipped with individual student computers, it is really helpful to be able to share screen information among stations. This capability allows teachers to broadcast their own screen (or that of a model student) to all students. Also, teachers are able to remotely monitor student screens and even take remote control of student computers. Most systems also include a “Blank Screens” function, that lets teachers blank student screens and lock all keyboards and mouse – to take students away from possible distractions and force their attention towards the teacher.

Many multimedia language lab systems also include extra utilities for remote powering on and powering off student computers, for launching programs or websites, for restricting student access to applications, for communicating in a written chat message style, and many others.

· Lesson Materials (the content)

Multimedia language lab Systems typically does not include any lesson materials. Lesson materials may be created by teachers (using authoring tools provided with the multimedia language lab system), may be re-purposed from existing materials, or may be sourced from content providers.

Multimedia Language Labs and Role of Teachers

There will always be some students who are able to work individually and master any subject – including the learning of a foreign language. Having said that, most students will benefit immeasurably when they have someone to help guide them through the learning process.

4. Benefits of English Language Lab at a Glance

Advantages to Teachers

The English Language Lab is a network based teaching software designed to improve teaching environment in the computer labs. English Language Labs enables a teacher to remotely control, monitor, broadcast, and assist students in teacher PC directly. With powerful functions and friendly user interface, English Language Labs not only facilitate the teaching process but also bring fun and efficiency to learning. They have been greatly used in schools, colleges, and the Universities in the West. It has been observed that they bring the following benefits to teachers. The language labs

· allow for creative work

· save time for more challenging topics

· replace ineffective learning activities

· increase student contact time for discussion

Advantages to Students:

As each student has his/her own console with a headset, they have one of the main advantages of practicing on their own i.e. in other words privacy. So they can do their pronunciation, listening, reading, writing & speaking comfortably on their own. If they have any doubts they could discuss with the teacher directly from their own console, instead of disturbing the entire class. Moreover, the virtual recording feature in language labs helps them to listen, repeat, record and compare, which may be considered as one of the most important aspects of any Language Lab. Besides, they also bring immense benefit to the learners as they enable them to:

· work at their own pace and also control their learning path

· learn from an infinitely patient tutor that does not have problems of repeating things for learners.

· actively pursue learning and receive feedback

Using Multimedia as teaching tools benefits both teachers and learners in the following ways. Multimedia tools can be conveniently used for

· drill and practice to master basic skills

· the development of writing skills

· problem solving

· comprehension of intangible mathematics and science concepts

· simulation or promoting life like environment in the class itself when teaching science and mathematics

· manipulation of data for different purposes

· acquisition of computer skills for general purposes, and for business and vocational training

· communication to understand general population and students

· accessing information in remote locations helping both teachers and students

· individualized and cooperative learning

· management and administration of classroom activities.

Main Functions

Screen Broadcast

Screen Broadcast is one of the key functions of English language lab software. Teachers can broadcast the screen to one or more of the students in a class in either Full Screen or Windowed mode. It also can transmit teacher voice and system sound at the same time.

Voice Broadcast

Voice Broadcast is such language lab software that generally allows teacher to broadcast audible files (interactions) to all the students through microphones, a headphone and speakers.

Student Broadcast

Good language lab software also allows students to teach other students by transferring their screen & voice. It also enables them to do group work while being seated in their own work stations.

Group Discussion

The feature of group discussion available in the language lab software allows teachers to divide students into several groups. Students in each group can chat with one another. The teacher can select a group to join and chat with another group.

Net Movie

Teachers can play media files on teacher computer and broadcast the media to the entire class. Students do not have to download the media file from the teacher’s disk to their machine. The teacher also does not have to share the media file with students.

Virtual Recording

Teachers can to transfer any media files to students, make them to record & compare their voice with the master track that has the provision for displaying a graphical wave form to improve their pronunciation skills.

Screen Recording & Playback

Good Language Lab software should allow students to record operations from their desktop into a file, and then playback the file to students as in Clarity Snetclass software made available to schools.

Student Screen Lock

Teacher can get the attention of one or more students in your class by locking their mouse devices, keyboards and desktops and presenting them with a simple message on the screen. This would save learners from getting unfocused because of availability of infinite computer applications.

Remote Control

The Language Lab software generally allows teacher to remotely wakeup, shutdown monitor & record students’ PCs with only one mouse click. Teacher is able to block students on surfing internet, applications and using USB storage drives while conducting classes.

Speed Variations

Students can adjust the level of the speed of Audio / Video files according to their levels.

Paperless Examination

Teacher is able to conduct multiple formats of exams like one word answer, multiple choice format, blending texts and images and many more. Automatic grading of each student’s result and transferring the result to every student is also possible that helps students to get immediate feedback along with the advantage of being able to notice their mistakes.

5. Multimedia: An Educational Tool

(Adapted from Multimedia as an Educational Tool available at http://www.cemca.org/EMHandbook/Section2.pdf)

For many of us, the lure of computers is a powerful one. However, many of us also refrain from using computers for fear of failure. We want to hone computer skills, but are scared to make the effort because we lack those very skills. Too many of us, especially in the field of learning, are caught in this modern tug-of-war.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the concept of multimedia took on a new meaning, as the capabilities of satellites, computers, audio and video converged to create new media with enormous potential. Combined with the advances in hardware and software, these technologies were able to provide enhanced learning facility and with attention to the specific needs of individual users.

A primary application of the interactive multimedia for instruction is in an instructional situation where the learner is given control so that he/she may review the material at his or her own pace and in keeping with his/her own individual interests, needs, and cognitive processes. The basic objective of interactive multimedia material is not so much to replace the teacher as to change the teacher's role entirely. As such, multimedia must be extremely well designed and sophisticated enough to mimic the best teacher, by combining in its design the various elements of the cognitive processes and the best quality of the technology. With today's multimedia courseware, once a programme has been designed and built in with the appropriate responses, it should be flexible and permit change and alteration.

Defining Multimedia

‘Multimedia’ is a term frequently heard and discussed among educational technologists today. Unless clearly defined, the term can alternately mean a judicious mix of various mass media such as print, audio and video or it may mean the development of computer-based hardware and software packages produced on a mass scale and yet allow individualized use and learning. In essence, multimedia merges multiple levels of learning into an educational tool that allows for diversity in curricula presentation. Multimedia may be taken as a combination of computer hardware and software that allows the user to combine video, animation, sound, graphics, etc. to make useful and a coherent program on a computer.

The Need for Making Multimedia Courseware

Of what use is multimedia in education?

Besides being a powerful tool for making presentations, multimedia offers unique advantages in the field of education. For instance, text alone simply does not allow students to get a feel of any of Shakespeare's plays. In teaching biology, an instructor cannot make a killer whale come alive in a classroom. Multimedia enables us to provide a way by which learners can experience their subject vividly. Having simultaneous graphic, video and audio, rather than in a sequential manner is the key to providing this experience to the students.

Why use multimedia at all?

Technology does not necessarily drive education. That role belongs to the learning needs of students. With multimedia, the process of learning can become more goal oriented, more participatory, flexible in time and space, unaffected by distances and tailored to individual learning styles, and increase collaboration between teachers and students. Multimedia enables learning to become fun and friendly, without fear of inadequacies or failure. Moreover, under conditions of constant under-funding, multimedia can provide an enhanced or augmented learning experience at a low cost per student to provide long-term benefit. Multimedia enables learning through exploration, discovery, and experience. The appeal of multimedia learning is best illustrated by the popularity of the video games currently available in the market.

Advantages of Multimedia

The pedagogical strength of multimedia is that it uses the natural information-processing abilities that we already possess as humans. Our eyes and ears, in conjunction with our brain, form a formidable system for transforming meaningless sense data into information. The old saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words" often understates the case especially with regard to moving images, as our eyes are highly adapted by evolution to detecting and interpreting movement.

For example, a photograph of Ganges in Varanasi, apart from being aesthetically pleasing, can contain a wealth of information relating to the culture, religion, geography, geology, climate, history, and economics of the area.

For the student, multimedia courseware scores over the text-based variety because it looks better. If the courseware includes even a few images, it gives relief from screens of text and stimulates the eye, even if the images have little pedagogical value. The inclusion of non-textual media into courseware adds pedagogical value to the application. For example, a piece of courseware describing a dig at an archeological site would be more valuable to the student if images of the location such as where the digging and scanning took place are included in the course structure.

Practical Disadvantages of Multimedia

Multimedia requires high-end computer systems. Sound, images, animation, and especially video, constitute large amounts of data, which slow down, or may not even fit in a low-end computer. Unlike simple text files created in word processing, multimedia packages require good quality computers. A major disadvantage of writing multimedia courseware is that it may not be accessible to a large section of its intended users if they do not have access to multimedia-capable machines. The financial and technical issues also need to be addressed. Developments in multimedia are very high and the process of developing effective multimedia takes time. Time spent on developing the costs multimedia package requires money so that the true cost of an interactive programme mounts with each delay. For these reasons, courseware developers should think very carefully about the type of multimedia elements that need to be incorporated into applications and include only those that have significant value. Further, using multimedia for education implies that the user must possess a minimum level of computer literacy in order to exploit the capabilities of this medium for learning.

Use of Multimedia in an Educational Setting

Traditionally, the primary source for obtaining any information would be the encyclopedia generally available in the library. But with access to interactive multimedia, the students collect various textual materials about things from sources on a CD-ROM. In addition, the student may be able to copy an image too on what he wants to know about. The learner may even open a site which might add to the information s/he is seeking and blend this information into a report/ or an anecdote.

Besides, teachers should find multimedia of great use in delivering their lessons. For example, a history teacher could use a multimedia CD to create a lecture on the non-violence movement by using film clippings and audio tapes on Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King, also by incorporating other audio visual information with text to make the subject come alive. Simulated learning can take the place of actual hands on training by using all features of interactive multimedia. Training can thus take place individually at the learner's pace and on his/her own time.

6. Internet Resources Accessed In a Language Lab

This chapter lists some useful internet resources that can easily be accessed in a network ready language lab. There are a lot of resources that teachers can easily use in the classroom available on the Internet. These materials if used discreetly can go a long way in not only acquainting the Internet surfers with the latest knowledge but can also help them in achieving whatever the objectives of the teacher may be of using them. The chapter also provides URL links to the sites that teachers can follow to register their accounts.

Blogs

A blog (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.

URLhttps://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=blogger&passive=1209600&continue=http://www.blogger.com/home&followup=http://www.blogger.com/home&ltmpl=start#s01

Wiki

A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Examples include community websites, corporate intranets, knowledge management systems, and note services. The software can also be used for personal note taking.

URL

http://www.wiki.com/

Internet forum

An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where members/ visitors can hold conversations in the form of posted messages.

URL

http://theinternetforum.co.uk/

YouTube

YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February of 2005, on which users can upload, share and view videos.

URL

http://www.youtube.com/

Google Earth

Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called Earth Viewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a company acquired by Google in 2004. It maps the earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3Dglobe.

URL

http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

RSS

RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works— such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a "feed", "web feed", or "channel") includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship.

URL

http://www.rss.com/

Podcast

A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication. The word replaced webcast in common use with the success of the iPod and its role in the rising popularity and innovation of web feeds.

URL

http://www.podcast.com/

Skype

Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chats over the Internet. It also offers applications such as the interactive board that can be used for teaching.

URL

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/

Twitter

Twitter is a website, owned and operated by Twitter Inc., which offers a social networking and micro blogging service, enabling its users to send and read messages called tweets.

URL

http://twitter.com/

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking service and launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile.

URL

https://www.facebook.com/login.php

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a business-related social networking site. LinkedIn is mainly used for professional networking and is quite useful for people in the same profession who get connected through LinkedIn. It helps in sharing viewpoints with networked members and also in finding people who you want to connect to.

URL

http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups

Twiducate

Twiducate is a free resource for educators. Developed in 2009, the website creates a medium for teachers and students to continue their learning outside the classroom.

URL

http://www.twiducate.com/login.php

Delicious

Delicious is a Social Bookmarking service, which means individuals can save all their bookmarks online, share them with other people, and see what other people are bookmarking.

URL

http://www.delicious.com/

Picasa

Picasa is an image organizer and image viewer for organizing and editing digital photos, plus an integrated photo-sharing website, originally created by Idealab in 2002 and owned by Google.

URL

http://picasa.google.com/

7. Some Teaching Websites for Language Teachers

http://www.sitesforteachers.com Sites for Teachers – You will find hundreds of educational websites rated by popularity.
http://www.totalesl.com/ ESL/EFL Lesson Plans - Lesson plans designed and donated by total ESL users. You can share your lesson plans with the world here!
http://www.eslbase.com/ Good for ESL based for ESL teachers and employees - You may find many TEFL links for teachers.
http://www.teachermagazine.org/ Teacher Magazine - News and Information for teacher leaders can be got here.
http://www.wordsurfing.co.uk/- You may find some useful English teaching links/word surfing test, internet test, beginner websites, sounds, movies, games...etc.
http://www.lingolex.com/jstefl.htm/ John and Sarah's Tefl Pitstop – this site is designed more for teachers than students. You may also find some interactive tasks.
http://www.edict.com.hk/vlc/ Edict-Virtual Language Centre - Authoring utilities, concordance, and links found here are motivating for both teachers and students.
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/ Oxford University Press - Teacher's club - lesson ideas, resources and other information, catalogues, etc. Must register to use, but it's free and easy.
http://www.longman.com/index.html Longman - Resources for teachers, ELT Forum, teaching tips may be found.
http://www.gsu.edu/gastate_learning.html/ Georgia State University site. You may get some ideas from academic articles.
http://learning.turner.com/ CNN and Turner broadcasting - You may find some ideas on learning English from news.
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/ - British Spelling rules.
http://www.amity.org.uk/Training/training.htm/ - Training Material for volunteer tutors.
http://school.discovery.com/teachers/index.html/ Discovery School - Great puzzle maker tools and clip art.
http://www.englishclub.com/index.html/ English Club Teachers Site - Lesson plans, teachers forum, TEFL articles, classroom games, etc.
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/ The Internet Tesl Journal - Lots of categorized links to every aspect from theoretical to practical (single best link to everything).
http://www.scholastic.com/ Scholastic Teachers Site - Geared for public school, but some useful info, like teaching with technology.
http://www.refdesk.com/ Refdesk - This site is a link to almost anything. A great starting point for those lessons when students are trying to find information on something. Dictionary links, encyclopedia links, trivia links, links to newspapers all over the world, grammar links and biography links.
http://www.onestopenglish.com/ One Stop English - Good teachers' site. You will find enough information on methodology, speaking and listening activities, writing, lessons, etc.
http://www.englishresource.com/ English Resource - Another good teachers' site. Free photocopiable downloads for ESL/EFL classes are available here.
http://www.insideout.net/ - Companion site from CB (Macmillan Publishers). Extra activities to accompany the CB "Inside Out". Downloadable audio clips, sample video, E-lesson, news of ESL conferences around the world.
http://www.teachingenglish.co.uk/ - Links to other sites + professional development tips.
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/ - Look for lessons and classroom games for ESL teachers.
http://junketstudies.com/rulesofw/ Rules of Writing - Include 11 rules for good written English.
http://esl.about.com/ About English as 2^nd Language - Language center site. Business English for foreigners.
http://gabiscott.com/bigdog/ Big Dog's Grammar - Writing and grammar. Easy English use. It is about a dog's story.
http://www.doghause.com/ Dog Hause - Learn English from quotes about animals.
http://www.cycnet.com/englishcorner/ English Corner - Everyday English use. You will find many Chinese characters on the front page but you fill find English inside.
http://ec.hku.hk/epc/ English For Professional Communication - Business English of the University of Hong Kong site.
http://www.hoadworks.com/ Hoadworks - Loads of English games are available here.
http://www.autoenglish.org/ - Free Interactive and Handout Exercises for EFL and ESL Students and Teachers are available here.
http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/ -Free ClipArt’s, Pictures - Lots of clipart and pictures to decorate your teaching materials are readily available here.
http://www.animationlibrary.com/a-l/ -Free Animation Library - Thousands of free animations are available here.
http://www.gamequarium.com/ -Cool links to ClipArt’s and Animations.
http://www.jpl.org/-Internet Public Library. Loads of stuff. Links to other websites, things like biographies, dictionaries, science and technology, etc.
http://www.crosswordpuzzlegames.com/ Create puzzle games to use in classrooms.
http://www.schoolworld.com Creates dynamic, functional teacher websites quickly and easily. You may find an option for free trial.
http://www.bestsampleresume.com Information on resume writing with many free sample resume templates. Guidance for writing a resume, resume templates and resume examples are available here.
http://www.kentaylor.co.uk/die/ - Many lesson plan links (include drama) are available here.
http://www.uinversalteacher.org.uk/ - Andrew Moore's teaching resource site (Drama, Literature and Poems)

Using ICT in Classroom

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Why Use Language Games with Students

Monday 17 August 2015

Using ICT in Language Lab.

CALL Module for PGCTE

Language Lab - Teacher Platform and Student's Console

1.

Computer Assisted Language Learning

2.

Using Clarity SnetV7.0 Class Software

3.

Multimedia Language Lab

4.

Benefits of English Language Lab at a Glance

5.

Multimedia: An Educational Tool

6.

Internet Resources Accessed in a Language Lab

Advantages to Teachers

Advantages to Students:

Using Multimedia as teaching tools benefits both teachers and learners in the following ways. Multimedia tools can be conveniently used for

Main Functions

Defining Multimedia

The Need for Making Multimedia Courseware

7. Some Teaching Websites for Language Teachers