Language Learning Blog Evaluation #1

Language Learning Blog Evaluation #1

Software/Website Title: ReVerb Spanish: Review, Relearn, Recall Spanish verbs

Website URL: http://www.reverbspanish.com/

Grade/Age Level: Secondary/Adult, Intermediate-level Spanish speakers

Language & Content:

I actually found the blog ReVERB Spanish while reading a different language learning blog. That author was raving about Reverb Spanish’s posts, which covered THE misunderstood nuances of common Spanish verbs. Reverb Spanish’s about section says the blog is not just about any verbs, but the verbs that appear as synonyms in a dictionary but are not interchangeable in real life. Its description makes me think of some of my students who use a thesaurus way too much and often come away with some funny sentences due to choosing imprecise words. This blog seems to help Spanish learners correct this.

The content of the blog primarily involves Spanish verbs, although other topics are indirectly covered through the explanations and their importance to utilizing the verbs correctly. Each blog posting is titled based upon the concept being discussed, like the recent posting “Verbs like GUSTAR”. The visual presentation of the blog is underwhelming, which quickly causes the reader to focus upon the postings or leave.

The author’s choice of exclusively explaining the concepts in English is somewhat of a drawback, although I am definitely able to understand the topics more quickly. If the author decided to present the explanations in a combination of English and Spanish, then the reader would gain some benefits from the added exposure to the second language. In this case, the reader is reading about the new concept, rather than interacting with it.

In addition to the blogs, the website also provides Spanish verb drills, albeit at a fee. I did not pay to see of what value they were, but I did not anticipate much excitement when thinking about drills. I did find their podcasts, which are FREE, to be very helpful. Most of the blog postings have a podcast associated with it. The content of the podcast I listened to, titled ser versus estar, was similar in content to the written article. However, I found myself much more engaged during the podcast. This added feature is great for students who are more audial learners. The podcasts had simulated conversations which utilized the verb in context and were great for listening to the correct pronunciations.

The most interesting aspect of the blog was my realization of all of the mistakes I’ve been making! The blog does a great job of explaining the verbs in different contexts and their changes in meaning when combined with other words. The language goal of the blog is more focused upon how to better use the words I already know rather than learning lots of new vocabulary.

However, I think there needs to be a production element for the language goal to be best achieved. If the author provided speaking situations or reading comprehension passages to practice and gauge the readers’ understanding, then the readers would be more likely to use the language correctly. This might be the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Unless the reader pays for access to the verb drills, the entire website is language input. Otherwise, there is no access to practice or the subsequent feedback.

The strength of the website is when it forces learners to focus upon the depth of their language learning rather than breadth. Many language learning blogs have a common vocabulary feature like “word of the day” or “word of the week”, which provides little elaboration and therefore will be less likely to be used the reader. The difference in ReVerb Spanish is that it provides multiple contexts of how a particular word is used so that we can communicate more efficiently. Plus, it may just be a personal opinion, but I personally have the most difficulty with learning verbs and how to use them. Other parts of speech, like nouns and adjectives (although prepositions can be a stinker) come easier to me. This website is effective for me because it addresses my specific needs due to the narrow content topics.

The website is easy to navigate, especially when using choosing the verb categories. The unappealing visual design is a plus here since there is no opportunity for distraction. However, I would think that some minor visual changes would cause readers, especially those who are looking at multiple blogs for one to regularly read, to stick around longer. Another improvement would be to add an output or production piece, so that readers can practice the topics they are learning.

Egbert and Warschauer: Reflection #1

Key Points from Egbert (2005)

The focus of CALL is based upon the language learning and not the technology itself. “Put learning first” would be a CALL motto instead of educators just trying to be technologically savvy. The narratives and literature have recognized CALL’s benefits but its main features is that it “inspires positive attitudes toward technology in those who use it” (5). Later on, the author says, “teachers should not use the computer simply for its own sake” (11). So as teachers are designing a lesson, they must first think of the appropriate standards and then how CALL can support these.

The author stresses that each area can have its own content-specific language and structures that are important for learners to know. Language teachers and content-area teachers must know each other’s field to best meet their students’ needs. This also helps teachers not “water down” their teaching but instead adapt it to make the learning more accessible to language learners.

Reflection on Egbert (2005)

One of the general guidelines for language teaching was to allow learners to participate in the learning decisions. Just like teachers who appreciate the ability to design their courses, students would benefit from have a choice in their learning, which is where CALL can really shine. The students can use many different types of computer and Web 2.0 tools to accomplish different tasks.

I love how the article mentioned that educational technology needs to be effective and efficient to use in the classroom. I might not use it as often if that was the rule at my school! However, there are definitely lots of positives to technology. Students are often more engaged in their learning through technology. Collaboration is often much more effective through technology. However, it makes teachers reconsider some of their current technology uses as to whether we are just using a computer to say we are using a computer.

The tips for designing content-based language instruction are very similar to the idea of Sheltered Instruction (the SIOP model, read more about it here http://www.siopinstitute.net/about.html) Its main premise is that language learners should be accessing, acquiring, and producing language in content-specific topics, which will help their overall language abilities improve.

Warschauer Key Points (2010)

“English no longer belongs to the U.S., England, Australia”. A vast majority of English speakers speak it in EFL settings. Students need to be using English to discuss their own environments rather than just English-speaking environments (like Korean students discussing Korean government rather than just Great Britain) Students learn best when they carry out meaningful tasks in an environment that represents their own personal interests and how they will have to use the language in the future. CALL is no longer just drill and practice, but reading about and interacting in authentic language learning opportunities. Use CALL to have a “voice in the world”.

The students in computer-mediated learning classes are the most highly motivated. 200,000 new blogs are created everyday throughout the world. Personal topics are the most frequently blogged about. Computer-mediated communication bridges the gap between speaking and writing. Blogs help allow a “democratic society exist” by publishing ideas and providing a forum to discuss those ideas. (instead of just newspapers and town hall meetings). Blogs can be the baby steps between informal (like chatting) and formal tasks (like essays).  In second language acquisition, you learn what you notice. Using print in English will help students with this.

However, don’t let the overall media communication tasks (like recording, formatting a blog) take the focus away from the language learning. Language educators have the tools in our hands to help students acquire global literacy.

Warschauer Reflection

Warschauer reiterated some of the same ideas as the Egbert article in that the focus should be upon how we can use technology to learn, rather than just learning about technology. His discussion about blogs makes me want to open up this concept to my classroom. I normally had thought of blogs as a distance learning opportunity, but I think it would provide a different avenue for some students to share their thoughts in a less stressful manner. For instance, instead of just meeting in small groups to discuss a chapter, the students could post their thoughts for others to read and interact. I think his discussion about the authenticity of blogs is valid, especially so the students’ audience expands to other people than just the teacher.

I loved the idea of the Simple English Wikipedia and already thought about how this would provide a general knowledge tool that is more accessible for ELLs.

First post

Testing. Testing. Hey, it works! Hi everyone. I look forward to our conversations during the CALL course.