Our
ESL program just got a bunch of computers and we're wondering what
kind of software we should get. Could you recommend some?
I
get this question from teachers and administrators in other programs
about as often as I hear "Why doesn't the printer work?" in my labs.
The answer to the latter is usually simple: It's not turned on.
The former takes a bit more work, and my first task in addressing
it is to qualify my approach. As forthcoming as I'd like to be with
a handy list, I cannot responsibly answer this question without
first knowing the full context in which the software is to be used.
Otherwise, I would be assuming that a generic set of tools be used
to achieve whatever result is possible with them.
Software
makes the lab
No.
It doesn't. The single most important component determining success
in a computer lab--as with any classroom--is teacher preparation.
It's not the software or the speed of the network or the efficiency
of the operating system or the lab coordinator or anything else
more than the degree to which a teacher is trained and ready to
confidently and competently use activities in the labs that support
learning objectives. I don't know a CALL (computer-assisted language
learning) lab director who doesn't preach this.
The
more software titles the better`
Again,
no. In my experience, the 80/20 rule applies to CALL: 80% of computer
users utilize 20% of any particular program. They focus on quantity
over quality--that is, how many programs they have, not how well
any one may be able to satisfy their needs. Consider this example:
How much do you really know about the navigational features of the
Web browser? Or, how many users know how to use their trusted word
processor to number pages, insert headers or footers, add annotations,
create an index or glossary, place and arrange objects such as graphics,
tables or spreadsheets, use or create styles, format columns, etc.?
Most importantly, how many of these features do most users need
but not use because they never bothered to learn?
Have
I mentioned that exploiting a few titles costs less than buying
many?
Where
do I find ESL software?
Though
the floodgates have yet to open on a gush of useful, effective ESL
software, there's enough for most users. The Web is an excellent
place to look for software simply because any title worth its bytes
has a Web site. Start with the cheap stuff: CELIA (the Computer
Enhanced Language Instruction Archive) at La Trobe University, Melbourne,
Australia, makes available for downloading ESL and FL shareware
and freeware for Macs and PCs. Programs are categorized by language
and then by use (reading, grammar, etc.). It's at
www.latrobe.edu.au/www/education/celia/celia.html
If
you're not used to evaluating software yourself, see what others
use and for what purposes. "Connections for Computer Assisted English
Language Learning," compiled by Richard Chantrill, provides access
to ESL software reviews:
www.cltr.uq.oz.au:8000/~richardc/reviews.html
What
titles should I get?
We
return to the question that I stated at the beginning would require
a bit of work to answer--context:
1.
What platform are you using? The platform is the operating system,
such as Macintosh, Windows, DOS, UNIX, LINUX, etc. The version
used is also important to know. For example, software that runs
on Windows 95 or 98 might not run on version 3.11.
2.
What's your hardware configuration? Software has varying requirements
for the computers on which it runs. Hardware requirements, usually
listed in the product description, might specify minimum installed
RAM, processor speed, hard drive size, FPU (floating point unit),
CD-ROM drive, MPEG card, a network connection, etc.
3.
Are your computers networked? Do they utilize a server (in a local
client-server environment)? Some large, high capacity servers
can serve, or "run," applications for multiple clients (other
computers on the network). Sometimes an entire CD can be copied
to a network data server and run by many clients on the network
who do not have the physical CD. Though this arrangement can offer
greater speed and flexibility, it's costly and requires technical
set up and administration. Running individual CDs on computers
is easier.
4.
Who are your students? We have to consider their age, language
and computer proficiency, and their specific language needs. The
lower the language and computer proficiency of students, the simpler
a program must be.
5.
How much computer experience do your teachers have? Do they have
access to training, or are they comfortable learning on their
own? How steep a learning curve would they be comfortable with?
Don't choose software for which you can't provide or obtain training
for teachers.
6.
How much specific experience do your teachers have in a CALL environment?
Remember that teaching in a computer lab differs significantly
from teaching in more traditional environments. Many programs
now offer teachers release time for CALL training, preparation,
or materials development.
7.
What are the specific learning objectives for your students? Although
many programs can be considered multi-skill in their use, some,
especially content programs, do emphasize some skills over others,
and address specific interests and language levels.
For
another discussion on this topic, see "A Place to Start in Selecting
Software," an article published in the CAELL Journal (8:1, Winter
1997/98) by Deborah Healey, Oregon State University, and Norman
Johnson, Lane Community College. It's also available on-line at
osu.orst.edu/~healeyd/cj_software_selection.html
Recommendations
Without
answers to the above questions, I can't recommend any titles. I
can, nonetheless, offer a short list of possibilities from which
to choose in accordance with the environment of their use.
Focus
on Grammar, Exceller Software (exceller@aol.com,
607-257-5634). This interactive series, based on the texts of the
same name, consists of four levels: Basic, Intermediate, High-Intermediate,
and Advanced. Each level contains a significant amount of practice
material in the grammar areas offered, with activities such as "Recognizing"
and "Discovering" the grammar and reinforcement exercises involving
reading, listening, and writing. (Mac/Win, CD, networkable on fast
networks.)
Pronunciation
Power, English Computerized Learning (info@englishlearning.com).
This interactive program presents 52 phonemes aimed at intermediate
to advanced English learners (though we have used it with all levels
at CELOP). Students can study the production of models, hear example
sounds in initial, medial, and final positions, discriminate minimal
pairs, and record and compare their own pronunciation. Although
it offers a wave display of sounds for students to graphically compare
their recordings with the model, I haven't found this feature to
be particularly practical or useful. (Mac/Win, CD, not networkable.)
NewReader,
Nameless Software (John McVicker: mcvicker@ohiou.edu,
740-594-4609). NewReader, a HyperCard-based program, reads texts
you make available to it and applies ready-made vocabulary and grammar
activities, including cloze, grammar search, jumbles of sentences
or paragraphs, timed reading, etc. It's easy to use, students find
it a fun way to read, and it's proven to be one of our most popular
programs in the MLL. (Mac only, floppy disk.) For Windows, John
McVicker suggests Text Tanglers by Vance Stevens (E-mail: vstevens@emirates.net.ae).
ClarisWorks
(now called AppleWorks), FileMaker,
Inc. (formerly Claris) (clariscr@aol.com,
800-325-2747). Every lab needs a good suite of programs. This well
integrated package allows you to easily create text, drawing, paint,
spreadsheet, and database documents. It's a terrific value and far
less complicated to use than, for example, Microsoft Works or Office.
And cheaper. (Mac/Win, CD, networkable.)
Hollywood,
Theatrix (800-795-8749). In this authoring environment students
choose characters, voices, sets, and movements for a play, then
write the script. It's a fun and open-ended writing activity for
all levels, one best done in pairs. See sample plays at the Web
site. (Mac/Win, CD, networkable.)
Mavis
Beacon Teaches Typing, Mindscape (415-897-9900). This typing
tutor offers a game-like interface and builds skills essential to
anyone who will spend much time on a computer. (Mac/Win.)
Encyclopedias:
Encarta (Microsoft), Compton's
(The Learning
Company, 800-227-5609), Grolier
(custserv@grolier.com).
If your school doesn't subscribe to an on-line encyclopedia, such
as Encyclopedia Britannica at Boston University, then you need the
CDs. With indexed audio, text, and graphic content, they're excellent
for research projects. (Mac/Win, CD.)
Longman
Dictionary, Exceller Software (see above). Similarly, if your
school doesn't subscribe to an on-line dictionary, such as the OED
or Merriam Webster's that Boston University subscribes to, then
you need these CDs as well. (Mac/Win, CD.)
