A Summary of a Comparative study

Blending classroom instruction with online homework: A study of student perceptions of computer-assisted L2 learning


This study was conducted by NURIA SAGARRA and GABRIELA C. ZAPATA. It was published by the European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of using an online workbook on the attitudes of second language (L2) Spanish learners toward this pedagogical tool over two consecutive semesters. The Participants of this study were 245 second language (L2) Spanish learners between 18 and 25 years old. The participants were enrolled in multiple sections of two following undergraduate Spanish courses. During the third week of second-semester, the participants were given a language background questionnaire and proficiency test to measure their knowledge level. The treatment consisted of the participants attending four hours of classroom instruction and completing one online homework per week, for a total of 24 weeks, during two following semesters. Classroom instruction included communicative activities, group discussions, audio and video, and cultural readings. The online workbook contained of grammar and vocabulary activities, a listening activity based on the textbook’s CD-ROM, a content-based reading and immediate feedback. Language assessment tests were given to the participants as a final exam to measure the effect of the instructional treatment on L2 learning through the two semesters of the study. Finally at the end of the treatment ( end of third semester), the participants completed a computerized survey to conclude their perceptions concerning the electronic workbook. The results of these tests indicated a significant increase in grammar scores. In addition, the results of the Survey on student perceptions Shows positive findings of student perceptions about the online workbook, emphasizing its benefits in terms of accessibility to the material, user-friendliness and instant feedback. Also, most students like the usefulness of the online workbook for language learning, particularly in the areas of grammar and vocabulary acquisition. Although, the survey also revealed some negative aspects of the use of the online workbook, such as the amount of time needed to complete the online exercises.

Questia online library overview

http://www.questia.com/

Overview:

Questia is the first online library that provides 24/7 access to the world's largest online collection of books and journal articles in the humanities and social sciences, plus magazine and newspaper articles. Its resources are selected by professional collection development librarians. Undergraduate, high school, graduate students, and Internet users of all ages have found Questia to be a valuable online resource.

Questia Offers:

• The world's largest online collection of complete books, journals and articles, searchable by word, phrase, title, author, or subject.
• Scholarly, high-quality books and journal articles from over 300 acclaimed publishers in the humanities and social sciences
• Unlimited use of the books and articles in the collection no matter how many others are reading the same materials .
• Tools to write notes in the margins and highlight passages as if you were working with actual physical books.
• Easy-to-use tools to create footnotes and bibliographies.
• Hyperlinking of footnotes and bibliographies across titles for instant access to other related titles.
• high-tech customer service.
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (The library is never closed)
  
  This online library provides many different e-resources such as:
  
• Book Profiles
• FREE Encyclopedia
• Journals
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Contributors List
• FREE BOOKS
  
  Users can easily subscribe to this service for a reasonable monthly fee or tri a free trial for 72 hours and receive newsletters in their e-mail about every thing new in the library in addition to writing tips, searching strategies and brain tests and quizzes. Some resources are provided for free ( Questia Reading Room) and some require a fee.
  
• It has many categories to choose from such as:
• Art and Architecture
• Communication
• Economics and Business
• Education
• History
• Law
• Literature
• Music and Performing Arts
• Philosophy
• Politics and Government
• Psychology
• Religion
• Science and Technology
• Sociology and Anthropology

Questia provides many features for its users such the ability to read online and as a subscriber to Questia, you get your own personal workspace which enables the subscriber to:

•Create and Manage Projects
•Track Your Research
•Review Your Work
•Produce Instant Bibliographies

Also, Questia library provides Questia Facebook that enables users to interact with other people in their life.

Questia Requirements:

• Operating System Version:
  
• PC: Microsoft,
  MAC: Microsoft Windows(Vista, XP, 2000, NT)
• browser: IE 8.0 ,Mac Microsoft Internet Explorer(Version 6.0, 7.0)Mozilla Firefox(Version 2.0+)
  Microsoft WordOpen Office (Free)Word Perfect**
• Word Processor:
  Mac: Microsoft WordOpen Office (Free)Word Perfect, Microsoft WordApple Works.

Customer Support:

In addition to online help services, If the users encounter any problems the FAQ can't solve, they can turn to the Customer Support team to help which is Available all week days except Saturday through online chat, e-mail or telephone, Questia team is dedicated to ensure customers get the best possible Questia experience.

Literature Review

Teaching in a Web Based Distance Learning Environment:
An Evaluation Summary Based on Four Courses

The problem:
The Center for Research on Learning and Technology at Indiana University conducted an evaluation on four online courses offered by another university to provide criticism concerning strengths and areas where the university can focus efforts to improve its online courses.

Questions:
What are the key strengths of the four online courses offered by the university?
What are the areas of weaknesses of the four courses? And how to overcome them?

Methodology:
The evaluation was done on four online courses offered by another major university (which is not specified) other than Indiana University. The evaluation of the courses was based on the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education (Chickering & Gamson 1987) and the human computer interface (HCI) designs evaluation was based on Consistency of web page layout and design, Clear organization and presentation of information, Consistent and easy to use web site navigation, aesthetically pleasing design and graphics. The evaluation was conducted by four doctoral students from the Center for Research on Learning and course evaluations were supervised by Prof. Thomas Duffy, in which each evaluator had the lead responsibility in evaluating one different course in terms of understanding the course from a learner’s perspective. The instruments used to do this were:

• Reading all of the course online materials available including the communication threads in the asynchronous conferencing forums
  
• Occasional meetings: throughout the evaluation process, the whole team would meet to exchange notes, discuss their analyses, and identify trends in the data.
  
• interviews: in three of the four cases, a couple of evaluators Interviewed the instructors in person in order to help answer some questions aroused during the evaluation process as well to understand the design and structure of the course from the instructor’s perspective.
  
  Results:
  The four courses strength points were in:
  
• Encouraging Active Learning: the four courses provided authentic real-world assignments.
  
• Encouraging Student-Faculty Contact: by encouraging students to contact them via email and phone.
  
• Respecting Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning: by encouraging students to convey their points of view in the courses in addition, they included learning exercises filled with real-life examples which represented varied perspectives.
  
  Areas that needed improvement in the four courses:
• Encouraging cooperation among students: the interaction between students seemed to some extent. It was recommended to follow the guidelines for asynchronous conferencing to help overcome this problem.
  
• Giving prompt feedback: the feedback became progressively delayed as the semester progressed. It was recommended to give feedback to students within a week of an assignment submission date.
  
• HCI Design: one course in particular required a lot of enhancements to the interface in order to make it more usable (user-friendly) for the students. In addition, the majority of courses could use some improvements in breaking up heavy text pages with appropriate formatting and images.

Some general recommendation for improving the online courses:

• The university should provide chances for and encourage instructors to share their practices and experiences with each other through faculty development workshops, seminars, etc. and offer awards and recognition for motivation.
  
• Instructors and students should be aware on the importance of asynchronous conferencing tools by using them more effectively in their courses.
  
• Encourage instructors to implement course management strategies that do not compromise the quality of the instruction.
  
• Give access to development resources to all School faculty members who are teaching online courses for decreasing their dependent on their own HTML coding skills to develop online materials.
  
  

Wireless Video Conferencing: CIT MVIC II

Wireless Video Conferencing:
CIT MVIC II

Video conferencing (also known as VTC) is about connecting people and ensuring that they are communicating efficiently with each other, in spite of their location.
IVCi is a website that provides help and guidance for different organizations or any customer to make the best decisions for their video Conferencing needs and ensuring the highest return on their investment.

By using an IVCi video conferencing solution, the customer will be able to:
· Increased Productivity: in which the customer can have a face to face meeting with anyone, anytime and anywhere.
· Cost Savings: this will save travelling cost.
· Time Savings: this reduces "downtime" and increases "quality of life" for traveling personnel.
· Products: IVCi will help to determine the best system and products to use for the customer.
· Networks: IVCi will help evaluate customers network options.
· Services: IVci provides many customer services such as, System Architecture and Design, Equipment Installations, Maintenance Contracts and IP Video Consulting.

IVCi Video Conferencing (VTC) Solutions feature award-winning products from:
· Wireless Video Conferencing: CIT MVIC II (Mobile Video Interactive Companion II Wireless Video Conferencing System)
CIT MVIC II enables high quality video conferencing wirelessly, in other words video conferencing is not limited to a designated video conferencing room.
This is a mobile, wireless video conferencing system that supports two-way high-end group system quality and performance. MVIC II can operate as a stand-alone video conferencing system or work as an extension to your existing video system. Available with TANDBERG, Sony or Polycom codecs.

The MVIC II system:
· Provides high quality two-way wireless video, audio and data transmission.
· Supporting H.320 (ISDN) data rates from 56-384Kbps @ 30 frames per second and H.323 (IP) data rates from 56-2Mbps @ 30 frames per second.


System requirements:
· Subscription to a high speed internet wireless connection (WiFi 802.11b/g with WLAN diversity system with encryption).
· MVIC II is compatible with any standards based H.320/H.323 videoconferencing system worldwide.

Hardware requirements:
The MVIC II is a compactable system, in which it supplies the user with all the necessary components needed for a video conferencing as shown in the features.
MVIC II features:
· MVIC II provides a large laminated table top for storage of laptop PC.
· 4 large wheels for easy maneuverability.
· Pneumatic adjustable camera/monitor height adjustment for the best camera perspective.
· Large handle located at waist level for easy movement.
· Audible low-battery alarm.
· Optional battery fuel gauge displays battery voltage (V); Amount of energy left (%);
· Run Time (hours/minutes).
· MVIC II can be plugged into standard AC power for long term operation.
· Integrated power distribution and surge suppression system.
· Automatic 3 stage battery charger/float system for easy of use. (Connect and forget).
· Automatic Power Transfer from AC (house power) to DC (battery) and reverse.
· Single or dual color LCD (13”-20”) video monitors (main/preview)
· Hand held integrated video inspection scope for 20X -50X magnification and still frame capture
· Spare self-contained rechargeable power system for 2-3 additional hours of usage with gauge
· Integrated MVIC II powered miniDV (VCR) and soft case
· MVIC II is integrated with Polycom, TANDBERG or Sony video conferencing systems.
· Cisco 802.11b/g wireless access with LEAP authentication.
· Integrated hand held palm size mini SD camcorder
· Second digital microphone for large group coverage
· Visual Concert PC allows any image on Laptop PC to be displayed on MVIC II system (Polycom systems only)
· MVIC II Wireless satellite option provides voice, video, and data access to/from anywhere!
• Maintenance for free, spill-proof & leak-proof construction.
• Omni-Directional microphone with 30’ extension.
• Supports bandwidth of up to 2Mbps on IP and 384Kbps on ISDN Networks.
• High Gain Omni directional antennas for 360 degree coverage.
• AES Encryption is available on most video conferencing systems for secure video calls.

Benefits of MVIC II utilization:
· Ease of use as a stand alone video conferencing or as an extension to an existing video system.
· Ease of movement with minimal space requirements.
· The MVIC II camera and monitor can be easily adjusted to the needed height for the video.
· The self-contained rechargeable power system provides up to 2.5 hours of use. It can be recharged from a standard 120/220Vac 50/60 Hz power outlet.
· MVIC II Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera can be remotely controlled by the far end (FECC) videoconferencing participants, eliminating the need for a local operator.
· Enables a live video tour, virtual on the job training or meet the engineering group or CEO. Let your imagination be the guide!
· It can be suited to the customer’s specific application (Distance Education, manufacturing, zoo and aquarium exhibits, law enforcement, convention, surgical suites…etc)
· The system can provide as a small group conferencing utilizing it’s integrated 13 LCD video monitor or be switched to group video conferencing by connecting to existing video monitors or a project system.

Installing a Printer

How to Install a Printer

This video will help you in installing a printer at home.

Connecting and Installing a Printer

Add your comment

Interaction tools in an online course

http://pics.livejournal.com/u057762/pic/00001d79/elearn.com/

Description
• This website is called “التعلم الالكتروني باللغة العربية”
• It Is the first website to teach the most famous computer software in Arabic>
• It provide excellent quality and good resolution .
• Students must pay money for most of the lessons .

Advantages
• It is in Arabic.
• Some lessons are provided free.
• The design of the website is clear and good.
• You can upload your own lesson.
• Lessons are provided as a video.
• The audio and explanation are clear.
• There is a forum for the website.
• Payment through credit card.

Disadvantages
• You have no control on when to start and stop the video.
• The time/duration of the lesson is not shown.
• The forum are limited to the students who paid for there lessons.

Interaction tools
• It has one interaction technique between students and teachers by mail/forum and teachers/students are committed to answer any questions after 48 hours.

http://www.mig33fans.com/

Description
• Mig33 is a software that lets you do more with your mobile.
• It has chat rooms, messenger on your mobile and an international calling card.
• You can Send SMS anywhere.
• On your mobile, Mig33 requires Java and a connection to the mobile Internet.
• The registration is through mobile number.
• This software is very cheap.

Advantages
• mig33 is a global mobile community.
• With mig33, you can chat and send instant messages and emails, make inexpensive international phone calls, share photos, connect with old friends and even meet new ones.
• You can share of audio messages or new outlooks with different icons and font colors.

Disadvantages
• When you use it a long time it may make disconnection or stuck .
• It needs java to operate in the mobile.

Interaction tools
• Mig33 allows you to use chat rooms. Each room can accept huge number of participants.
• It has instant messenger for synchronous communication.
• you can make a call to any one around the world with a cheap cost.

In addition, you can send SMS and e-mail.