Assalamualaikum sir,

This is my article review.

Nur Izzati Zarin

2005729936

U8B

27/08/2009

The research’s aim is to find out how a cncept, triadic scaffolds can be used to teach English Language Leaners (ELL) with computers. The research is a qualitative research whereby the researcher recorded the class activity in 3 months. The researcher also collected field notes and conducted a 1 ½ hour interview with the teacher Mrs. M. The audio was later being transcript and analyzed. The subjects of the research are two of Mrs. M’s classes and both of the classes are non-native speaker (NNS) students with little command of English. The software that is used in the lesson is native-speaker software which is connected to the themes of the lesson. In this research, it was found that by using triadic scaffold in the lesson, Mrs. M was able to use the computer as an effective referent to teach the students certain concept of English. It also boosts the motivation of the student as computer serve as a tool which engaged student in a lesson compared to the previous methods that Mrs. M had used.

In my opinion, this research is very interesting because it uses a very important concept to teach language which is scaffolding. Scaffolding in my opinion is a concept that promotes learning through the reinforcing correct behaviour to learner according to their level. By reading the article, I found out that computer may be the most suitable medium to teach language towards scaffolding. Firstly, computers in the eyes of students are visually engaging and can boost their motivation to be drawn to the lesson. Secondly, compared to non-media material (flash cards, board, charts, etc), computers can transform to any desired form and the storage of the material is easier to be managed. For example, computer can be a series of flashcards when the teacher created slides of photo and pictures and at the same time computer can be a board when the teacher typed something and it is showed at the monitor. Finally, the computer can anchor the teacher to manipulate his or her action to draw students’ attention. For example, in the research, Mrs. M used every feature of the computer around the lesson. She used the hardware of the computer to teach the sound /m/, she also used the computer to scaffold the student to understand the concept of turns and plus, she used the computer as an opportunity to teach problem solving skills when the computer is faulty. In other words, I think the last example that I’ve given can prove that computer when it is faulty, can still be functioning as a medium to learn language. This is something clearly provides advantage compared to other medium.

I think the research can be perfected if it was conducted in experimental method. By using experimental method, not only we can see the change in students visually but perhaps the significant of the concept can be proven by having an empirical result that can be compared to the control group. If the experimental result shows positive significant change in the students’ result compared to the control group, it can further strengthen the advantages of using triadic scaffolding in lesson using computers.

The research gives a good insight to our Malaysian school system. Firstly, it shows not only the software of the computers can be beneficial but also the overall visual or building of the computer itself can be engaging. Secondly, I think that Malaysian teachers should realize that computers should not be the main front runner in the lesson but teacher and computer must be hand-in-hand in the lesson. In the research, I found out that the teacher did not let the computer to override her lesson but instead she weaved the computer into the lesson itself. Some teachers are so immersed with the technology until they have forgotten that their touches are still needed in the lesson. Overall, I think the article has benefited me in many ways and it enlightens me on how to use computer on many levels in my lesson.

Citation:

1. Meskill, C. Triadic Scaffold: Tools for Teaching English Language Learners with Computers. Retrieved from Language Learning & Technology, Volume 9, 1^st January 2005.
   

hypertext

Thursday, August 20, 2009

CALL in READING - Hypertext
Hypertext the following article. (See examples)NELSON MANDELA


Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961.After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.
Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged himself wholeheartedly into his life's work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after the organization had been banned in 1960, Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the organisation's National Chairperson.