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Internet Applications
E-mail
WWW
as a resource of information as a medium for sending
and a medium for delivering & receiving information
(synchronous
distance and online learning
& asynchronous)
(Javis; 2002)
1. Information
resources
Real-world site/content site
ESL/EFL site: E-course, supplements
Search engine
2. Language
tools
Dictionary
Language organizer e.g. concordancer
E-mail
Bulletin board or Web board
3. Communication
Mailing list or discussion list
tools
Communication in real time (Chat, ICU)
Use of the Internet in ELT
What language activities can be done by using
the Internet services ?
Range of activities
project work
Exercise
e.g. practising grammar from CAI program
Subscribing for membership of Yahoo
Sending an e-card/e-mail to friends
Searching for information and writing a report
Creating an online magazine
etc.
Mode of Learning
- in class/outside class
- individual/pair/group
- with teacher’s involvement/without teacher’s
involvement
Internet-based task/project
- Two major types = e-mail & WebQuest
- Forms of the results = oral presentation & written text
(paper/web page)
Task
Searching the Internet
Situation: Suppose that you had to arrange an exhibition
on Christmas day.
Task: 1. Search for information and pictures that can
be used for creating posters from Google.
<http://www.google.com/> (15 min.)
2. Check how fast you can get what you want.
Uses of information resources
WebQuests are inquiry-based activities in which learners
interact with information coming primarily from resources
on the Internet.
(Dodge: 1995 quoted in Marco: 2002)
Examples of WebQuest outcome: newsletter, brochure,
Ads, magazine, web pages presenting certain information
A webQuest must have the following steps.
1. An introduction that explains the activity and provide
background information
2. A task that is feasible and interesting
3. A set of information sources needed to complete the task
4. A description of the process the learners should follow to
complete the task
5. Some guidelines on how to organise the information
6. A conclusion that closes the quest
(Dodge: 1995 quoted in Marco: 2002)
Three examples of tasks/project (at KMUTT) that
use the Internet as an information resource and a place
for publication:
- Portfolio
- Resourcing
- E-zine
Task
1. Open http://arts.kmutt.ac.th/lng104
2. Study one students’web site and answer
the questions below.
A. What did the students produce?
B. How such project is good for language learning?
Some interesting real-world web sites (mega sites)
- http://www.newscientist.com
- http://howstuffworks.com
- http://www.historychannel.com/
- http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/
- http://www.nationjunior.com/
- http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
Uses of language tools
Two examples of tasks that use some language tools
available on the Internet :
- Vocabulary card
- Concordancing task
Uses of communication tools
E-mail activities:
Teacher-student e-mail is used for class follow-up, discussing
homework, submitting writing assignment, etc.
Student-student students forge personal links with other students
either in their own institute or overseas (e.g. in English-speaking
countries)
Class-class a group of students makes contact with overseas
group to conduct a survey or similar project work
(usually cultural in nature)
Student-world the use of mailing lists and newsgroups to
exchange information and discuss relevant issues
in ELT-appropriate forums.
Teacher-world the use of mailing lists and newsgroups to
exchange information and discuss relevant issues (e.g. TESL-L)
*Extracted from ELT online: the rise of the Internet, written by
Michael Carrier, 1997.
Task
Online discussion
Instructions:
1. Browse the following web site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Discussion103A
2. Answer the following questions.
2.1 What do the student practise?
2.2 What are some strength and weaknesses
of this task?
Task
1. Get a login and password of Yahoo from the helper.
2. Open http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tshare47.
3. Click “Join this group” and fill in a form to
subscribe for membership of the group.
4. Post a message to introduce yourself to the group
members.
Teacher’s role in project work
- instructor, facilitator, helper, troubleshooter etc.
e.g.
1. provide/suggest resources
2. prepare learning/working strategies
3. prepare language needed to complete the project
4. offer support e.g. guide working process
Benefits of the Internet
How are Internet-based activities good for learners?
Internet-based activities can
1. serve individual differences
2. promote independent/life-ling learning
3. increase motivation
4. develop language skills
Apart from that, an internet-based project can
5. develop thinking skills e.g. decision making,
problem-solving
6. foster cooperative skills
7. enhance other metacognitive skills e.g. planning,
time management
8. enhance computer skills .e.g. searching for info., typing,
creating web pages etc.
Drawbacks
- Too much information
- Unreliable information
- Getting lost due to lack of computing skills and
teacher’s control/suggestion
- Technical constraints e.g. some pages need special
programs to run.
- Unsuitable information/images esp. for kids