CALL and I
Though I have been teaching Computer Studies for two years, I am not confident in teaching it as I have not got any degree qualifications in information technology. I am still wondering why my principal asked me to teach this subject. She replied that as I got UIT level, then she was confident that I am capable of teaching it. As a teacher, I know I must be well-prepared for each lesson though I am not good at a certain topic in Computer Studies. I consult my colleagues when I encounter problems. However, for most of the time, I just learn it once from the textbook or find other resources to help me. Actually, I have learnt a lot during the process of getting familiar to different topics. Sometimes, I may think I can’t do it. However, now I know if I have not tried it at all, then I will never know the result. Out of my expectation, I can do it. I am really happy whenever I can teach my students successful about a certain computer application.
After taking this course, I have learned the application of different CALL learning tools. They are very useful during my daily teaching especially for English Language Teaching. I introduced the Millionaire Game to my Primary 5 and Primary 6 students. They were very excitedly when they were making their own Millionaire Game. When I told them that their Millionaire Games will be used as teaching material during my class, they felt very proud of themselves. I interviewed some of the students. They said during the process of making Millionaire Games, they could reinforce their learning of the most recent grammar rules that they learnt during class. They are surprised that English can be learnt in such an interesting and challenging way. Recently, my Primary 6 students were doing a project about pollution in Hong Kong. After introducing Cooliris to them, they really used it to do their presentation. The teachers and audience were impressed with their usage of Cooliris to present their ideas. Some of them even use Wiki to present their findings and report. They think using Wiki can create a sense of ownership among their members. They can post their ideas about how to improve their report on Discussion Section in Wiki. They enjoyed the whole process of doing this project. I really feel glad to see that most of my students can use IT in their English learning. Just like me, I am quite afraid of using IT at the very beginning. With sufficient guidance and assistance by my teachers and colleagues and self-learning, I discover that I can do it. It just the lyrics in the song “ I believe I can fly”- if you can see it, then you can do it. I think if we can use CALL properly, it must be beneficial to our students as well as our professional development in language teaching.
Among all the softwares introduced in the course, Photo Story 3 is the most engaging software for my extra-curricular students. A majority of students actively participated in the process of making their digital stories. Though some of them lack confidence of telling stories in English, they feel less anxious when they are giving guidance and assistance. They enjoy the process of searching photos and background music, writing up their ideas and recording their narrations. They said they had not thought they were able to make a digital story on their own. They are proud of their finished products. They shared their digital story with their classmates. They have a chance to show it to their schoolmates during lunchtime too. They love the ways of sharing their own digital stories among their peers. This will definitely empower to the learning of English and story telling.
