BLENDED LEARNING

BLENDED LEARNING

The blended classroom is designed to meet the individual needs of student by allowing teachers to personalize instruction. This strategy can be used for any subject and any grade level.  Blended learning combines face-to-face and online instruction. It allows students to work with teachers in school and have online resources at home. It is similar to the flipped classroom, but with more emphasis on in-class work with the teacher over video/home content. Students work on projects at home, and in class. In class, they can ask the teacher for help, and continue on the project at home, with online materials for help. By having online materials available, students have access to support when out of the classroom. Students access some material at home and complete some work at home, while leaving more time during class to get into deeper context with the teachers.

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Advantages of Blended Learning, that are:

1.            provides for individualized support for the students
2.          students can access material at anytime, anywhere, to review the material
3.         provides richer, more interactive learning experiences
4.          provides more time for collaboration with the students and teachers
5.           Parents have access to what students are doing.
6.           more and more colleges and even workplaces are using this model
7.          gives students more time to learn - extends the learning beyond the end of the school day

Disadvantages of Blended Learning, that are:

1.        Teachers will need time to create and/or select content.

2.        Teachers will need training on using this method of instruction to make it effective

3.       Students will need to be shown how to access, use the technology and what is expected of them
4.        Students need to be able to do work outside of school hours

However, to decrease the disadvantages from Blended learning, the teachers have to be trained on using this method of instruction to make it effective and students need to be shown how to access, use the technology and what is expected of them.

References:

1. https://www.middleburyinteractive.com/curriculum-courses/blended-learning
2.http://olecommunity.com/blended-learning-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-trending-in-k-12-education/
3.http://moodle.unitec.ac.nz/mod/page/view.php?id=214273
4.http://elearninginfographics.com/6-blended-learning-techniques-infographic/
5.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L75oPzauAlw
6.http://www.christenseninstitute.org/blended-learning-definitions-and-models/
7. http://kevincorbett.com/2013/07/4-blended-learning-models/

ICT TOOLS, ROLES, AND APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION

Nowadays ICT has been an important part of human beings. We almost use ICT in every single activities especially in educational activity. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) content in English enables students to develop and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in their composing, responding and presenting, and as part of the imaginative and critical thinking they undertake in English. The ICT content has been incorporated into the content of this syllabus to ensure that all students have the opportunity to become competent, discriminating and creative users of ICT and are better able to demonstrate the syllabus outcomes of English through the effective use of ICT.

In their study of English, students are able to apply their existing knowledge of word processing, multimedia, ways of formatting and presenting texts, simulation software, graphics and electronic communication and further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of these technologies. They learn about the ethics of information communication through technology.

Educational ICT tools can be divided into 3 categories: Input source, Output source and others. Input source for example: visualizer/ document camera, PC, tablet, application software. Output source for example: projector, interactive white board, printer, and monitor.

The roles of ICT in education are, through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students, teacher can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students’ comprehension. And teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration.

3 MAIN ADVANTAGES OF ICT TOOLS FOR EDUCATION

1.       Through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students

2.       Through ICT, teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students’ comprehension

3.       Through ICT, teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration

3 MAIN DISADVANTAGES OF ICT TOOLS FOR EDUCATION

1.       Setting up the devices can be very troublesome

2.       Too expensive to afford

3.       Hard for teachers to use with a lack of experience in using ICT tools

E-LEARNING

 After we submitted e-learning materials to Mr. Hartono via e-mail. We are supposed to do summary about e-learning. 

      E-learning (also called electronic learning) is any type of learning that takes place through or with a computer. E-learning is primarily facilitated through the Internet but can also be accomplished with CD-ROMs and DVDs, 

Streaming audio or video and other media. 

   

 The purpose of e-learning is to allow people to learn for personal accomplishment or to learn a professional degree, without physically attending a traditional university or academic setting. E-learning can be applied for all levels of schooling from grade school to graduate degrees, and is versatile enough to accommodate all learning styles

According to Onno W. Purbo (1998) at least, there are three things a positive impact in the educational use of the Internet are:

a) Learners can easily take courses anywhere in the world without borders or boundaries of institutions.

b) Learners can easily sit on the experts in the field of interest.

c) Lectures / study can easily be taken in various parts of the world without relying on the university / school where the students learn. In addition, the current library also present a more dynamic Internet and can be used in the entire universe.

There are also some disadvantages about e-learning:

Lack of Control– Learners with low motivation tend to fall behind when using eLearning as there are no set times to be doing it and they are responsible for the organization themselves. A lack of routine or fixed schedule can mean eLearning becomes complicated with various deadlines often given to different people at different stages of their learning.

Learning Approach – It doesn’t appeal to all learning styles so some learners will not enjoy the experience – especially strong activists and pragmatists.  It is still a challenge to make 

E-Learning appeal fully to these groups as different people learn better or worse using different styles. Some may prefer images, some prefer just reading words and some prefer to talk about or actually do a task in order to learn.

Isolated – A lot of questions are a lot easily answered when face to face with someone when you can guarantee an instant answer. ELearning often doesn’t allow that with trainers often having to answer numerous questions all of the time and only doing it within working hours – where a lot of learners may prefer to do their learning out of working hours. This feeling of isolation can often demotivate individuals as they feel they don’t have the support and reassurance that the physical presence of a trainer provides.

Technology Issues – With heavy reliance on computers that eLearning brings, comes the potential risks that comes with it. Firstly, you need to ensure that all learners have a device that is able to support the training modules. Some eLearning tools require software such as Flash that devices like iPads don’t support. So all requirements need to be set out at the beginning. Poor internet connection and unavoidable general random faults also can interrupt learning and so need to be planned around.  This is especially true if it is a global roll out as Internet connections and power reliability changes dramatically between countries.

Computer Competency – Some employees might not be too comfortable using computers, especially if their jobs don’t require them to. Therefore even if the software is user friendly, the very idea of using the software can be daunting and demotivating for some. Therefore these employees are likely to learn a lot less than they would from a physical course

One thing that should be emphasized and understood is that learning cannot completely replace conventional learning activities in class. However, e-learning can be a partner or complementary with conventional learning in the classroom. E- learning is an independent "basic thrust" electronic learning activities, but this type of learning activities still require adequate interaction in an effort to maintain its quality.

Sources:

1. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140715064821-11282346-indonesia-higher-education-e-learning-management-strategy

CALL (Computer Assist Language Learning)

Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is an approach to teaching and learning in which the computer and computer-based resources such as the Internet are used to present, reinforce and assess material to be learned. It usually includes a substantial interactive element. It also includes the search for and the investigation of applications in language teaching and learning. Except for self-study software, CALL is meant to supplement face-to-face language instruction, not replace it. CALL has also been known by several other terms such as technology-enhanced language learning, computer-assisted language instruction (Davies) and computer-aided language learning but the field is the same. 

Behavioristic CALL

In the 1950s and implemented in the 1960s and '70s, was based on the then-dominant behaviorist theories of learning. Programs of this phase entailed repetitive language drills and can be referred to as "drill and practice" (or, more pejoratively, as "drill and kill").

Drill and practice courseware is based on the model of computer as tutor (Taylor, 1980). In other words the computer serves as a vehicle for delivering instructional materials to the student. The rationale behind drill and practice was not totally spurious, which explains in part the fact that CALL drills are still used today. Briefly put, that rationale is as follows:

* Repeated exposure to the same material is beneficial or even essential to learning

* A computer is ideal for carrying out repeated drills, since the machine does not get bored with presenting the same material and since it can provide immediate non-judgmental feedback

 * A computer can present such material on an individualized basis, allowing students to proceed at their own pace and freeing up class time for other activities

    Based on these notions, a number of CALL tutoring systems were developed for the mainframe computers which were used at that time. One of the most sophisticated of these was the PLATO system, which ran on its own special PLATO hardware, including central computers and terminals. The PLATO system included vocabulary drills, brief grammar explanations and drills, and translations tests at various intervals (Ahmad, Corbett, Rogers, & Sussex, 1985).

       In the late 1970s and early 1980s, behavioristic CALL was undermined by two important factors. First, behavioristic approaches to language learning had been rejected at both the theoretical and the pedagogical level. Secondly, the introduction of the microcomputer allowed a whole new range of possibilities.

Communicative CALL

    On the communicative approach to teaching which became prominent in the 1970s and 80s. Proponents of this approach felt that the drill and practice programs of the previous decade did not allow enough authentic communication to be of much value.

    One of the main advocates of this new approach was John Underwood, who in 1984 proposed a series of "Premises for 'Communicative' CALL" (Underwood, 1984, p. 52). According to Underwood, communicative call:

* focuses more on using forms rather than on the forms themselves;

* teaches grammar implicitly rather than explicitly;

* allows and encourages students to generate original utterances rather than just manipulate prefabricated language;

* does not judge and evaluate everything the students nor reward them with congratulatory messages, lights, or bells;

* avoids telling students they are wrong and is flexible to a variety of student responses;

* uses the target language exclusively and creates an environment in which using the target language feels natural, both on and off the screen; and

* will never try to do anything that a book can do just as well.

The history of CALL suggests that the computer can serve a variety of uses for language teaching. It can be a tutor which offers language drills or skill practice; a stimulus for discussion and interaction; or a tool for writing and research. With the advent of the Internet, it can also be a medium of global communication and a source of limitless authentic materials. But as pointed out by Garrett (1991), "the use of the computer does not constitute a method". Rather, it is a "medium in which a variety of methods, approaches, and pedagogical philosophies may be implemented" (p. 75). The effectiveness of CALL cannot reside in the medium itself but only in how it is put to use. As with the audio language lab "revolution" of 40 years ago, those who expect to get magnificent results simply from the purchase of expensive and elaborate systems will likely be disappointed. But those who put computer technology to use in the service of good pedagogy will undoubtedly find ways to enrich their educational program and the learning opportunities of their students.

Source:

http://fis.ucalgary.ca/Brian/BibWarschauer.html

http://elt.wikia.com/wiki/Computer_assisted_language_learning

ICT in Language Learning

Nowadays, technology will develop rapidly and newer, even it is cheaper and stronger will appear to make the whole of the world more sophisticated. Many efforts that people do to make the education more sophisticated, like TV and Radio or mobile phone are used in some school to make learning more interesting and sophisticated. New internet technology will exist to provide connectivity to remoter areas, and software that students could get freely from internet to support education.

In some school, the teachers have shown to their students some application or software that they can use in online teaching. It can make their students to be more creative and make learning more interesting. Some software that the teachers can use are Facebook, it can be used for sharing some URL, link web, pictures, audio, video or making note. Teachers can ask their students to post their assignment, and the teachers can assess their assignment or give feedback.

Although we all understand that ICT is an important thing in this century, we must know well what is the advantages and disadvantages of it for education:

Advantages of ICT tools for education

1.      Through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students.

2.      Through ICT, teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students' comprehension.

3.      Through ICT, teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration. 

Disadvantages of ICT tools for education

1.      Setting up the devices can be very troublesome.

2.      Too expensive to afford

3.      Hard for teachers to use with a lack of experience using ICT tools.

Now, ICT information and communication technology becomes one of the new thing in our life. It can be on our education, communication and also our job.

In learning this subject we need to understand the terminologies such as hypertext, hypermedia, MIS (Management Information System) and multimedia.

HYPERTEXT

                Hypertext is the grouping of relevant information in the form of nodes. This nodes are connected together through links. In this case of hypertext the nodes contain text or graphic.

HYPERMEDIA

                Hypermedia can be viewed as an extension of hypertext and multimedia. It’s based on the concept of hypertext that uses links in the structuring information of the system. The nodes and link concept is used in organisation of information in hypermedia.

MULTIMEDIA

                Multimedia is the combining of different media types for example sound, animation, text, graphic, and video for presentation information by making use of the computers.

(http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/eb045243)

MIS (MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM)

                MIS is a system that provides information needed to manage organizations effectively. It is involves three primary resources:

1.       Technology

2.       Information

3.       People

It’s important to recognize that while all three resources are key components when studying Management information system. The most important resources is people. MIS are distinct from other information systems in that they are used to analyse and facilitate strategic and operational activities

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_information_system)

We as a student and ICT users should use that wisely. Because it can give us some advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are we can access all of thing that we want, we can the information in this world by browsing what you want to know. But there are disadvantages like virus, hacker can broke our laptop or our account on the internet and it can be use to cheat when students doing a test if they don’t know the answer just browsing it.