Assignment 2- Website Evaluation

The chosen ESL website is http://a4esl.org

1. What does the application attempt to “teach”?

The application “teaches” English as a second language using flash supported quizzes and crosswords. It provides exercise for grammar and vocabulary. It also contains the general knowledge, science and trivia quizzes which is a very good approach as the users do not only learn the language, they also are learning about general or common knowledge. The topics provided in the website are also varied such as Physics, and Everyday Words. It also promotes the user to self directed learners as the application can be used independently.

2. What sorts of things is the application user expected to do with regards to learning the content?

First of all, users need to know their proficiency level in order to choose the right exercises for them. Then, users also have to determine their main weaknesses, so users could choose the topics that they need to improve. Reading skill is needed for user to read the questions and instruction. However, the website is very user-friendly as it guides users step by step, so users only need to read it carefully. Answers for every exercises also provided, therefore users could check and revise the question.

3. What sorts of computer skills is the application users expected to have in order to operate/access/use the application?

In order to use and operate the application, users expected to have basic computer skills such as typing and clicking the buttons. Then, users need to know how to browse the website by using web-browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Opera. The web-browser also need to have Flash Player plugins in order to access the exercises. Other than that, the website is very simple and easy to use.

4. While you are “playing” / “accessing” / “assessing” the application, does it remind you of anything you do in a classroom, or with a teacher, or with a fellow classmate, or in self-study?

Yes, whenever a teacher finished teaching a component of grammar, she will give us a task sheet. The exercises more or less in the same way with the website exercises. The effects and method are the same but the website seems to be more convenient and easy to use. In fact, it would be more interesting even though it was the same with the task sheet.

5. Can you pinpoint some theories of language learning and/or teaching underlying the application?

Based on the exercises provided, I feel that the website use the theories of the Direct Method. I said it because in the vocabulary section, it uses pictures to help users identified the answer. It was stated by Brown (2001) that Direct Method associate objects or pictures in teaching vocabulary. There are also translation method applied in the website in the bilingual quizzes. Users have to find the right translations for every words according to the topics.

6. How well is the constructivist theory of learning applied to the chosen website(s)?

The website applied Vygotsky Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). In my point of view, the website try to scaffold users in learning second language. It facilitate users while answering the exercises. So, it parallel with the ZPD as stated by Atherton (2005), learners can do with help, not as a permanent state but as a stage towards being able to something on our own. This is what the website tend to do, its help users to be able to do something on their own.


7. In 1980s and early 1990s, there was a major debate on ‘whether the computer was “master” of or “slave” to the learning process (Higgins and Johns, 1984). In relation to your evaluation – was the computer a replacement for teachers, or merely an obedient servant to students?

The word “replacement” for teachers absolutely wrong. There are nothing could replace teacher. Its not just about learning a language only, even in Islam, it told us to find a teacher to learn. Computer is a device that could enhances teacher's methodology and instructions in order to make it more interesting. Computer also not an obedient servant to students, as it help to facilitate the students to learn. Computer is just like others teaching aids, it is used to help teacher delivers their teaching, and help students to have more understanding. Teacher is a must for every learners.

8. Would you like to use the application yourself in your future work?
Yes? Give reasons:
No? Give reasons:

Yes. I may use it in teaching as an additional activities for my students. The application is very simple but organised. It needs only a short of time to load and easy to operate, so I do not need much time to explain to the students on how to operate it. Besides, the variation of topics and level might be very useful for me in teaching a mix ability class. In conclusion, it is very practical.

9. Suggestions/Recommendations:

There are pros and cons of every aspects, So we have to choose the best that suited with our needs. In terms of practicality, the website definitely met the requirements. But in terms of attractiveness it definitely lack. If the website use some colours, pictures or animation it definitely very nice and could attract the users. But it might affect the practicality as it might consume a lot of time to load and also hard to operate. So, which is our needs? For me I choose the practicality in order to achieve my objective to teach the students. Additional exercises in other topics might made the website more valuable. Recently, the exercises is not too much.