Computer-Assisted Instruction Introduction
Welcome to my CAI evaluation of a web-based language-learning system!
CAI, or Computer-Assisted Instruction, is a form of instruction where the computer is the device that provides the instruction. Many examples of such systems exist these days that can help learn almost anything, from learning how to use software, fix things around the house, perform a specific medical procedure or learn a language. The CAI system I am evaluating here is one that will help me learn a language, specifically, Mandarin Chinese.
The purpose of this portfolio is to describe the CAI system that I used to learn a language and what I hoped to learn. After experimenting with the CAI system, I will describe how my learning process was going and what I have learned after experimenting with the system. You will see video and image screenshots of my experience so you can actually see what the system looks like.
I used Camtasia, a screencasting application, on a Mac to record the video screenshots. I then took all resulting video and imported them into iMovie, where I further edited and finalized the movies, and I finally uploaded them into YouTube. The traditional Chinese musical piece used in the movies, entitled The Kingdom of the Chinese, was purchased royalty-free on the site Shockwave-Sound.com.
I hope you enjoy learning about my experiences!
Comments
Rhyon Caldwell, M.Ed.,PID,MTA,MOS,ACA,IC3
26 October 2011, 11:37 AM
Robert,
I noticed you were in attendance. I watched the whole 1:28 hour recorded lecture by Dr Terry Anderson. What did you think about the LANDING (i.e. elgg) site? Do you think it's a good tool for a social learning environment? I went into the landing and "lurked" around as Terry put it. I'm not convinced it’s a robust social learning tool. It has a look and feel of 10 year old system design. It has affordances, but at what cost? I haven't given it a fair trial yet, but so far the features seem to be comparable to E-Lab Portfolio (ie Mahara.) The idea of following a person’s blog, controlling personal data, banning objectionable material... are similar to joining a group in Mahara.
Terry's raised the point of critical mass as a key issue when adopting a disputative technology in an educational institution. To me, it's like trying to start a fire in a wet field. If you start several small fires around a wet field nothing catches. But, if you focus all your energy on 1 spot then it’s easier for it to catch on. The Landing does have hundred of subscribers, but as Terry showed the “tail” graph of user participation, it’s a problem. Most users are like me, “lurkers”. This could be in part to the fact that several courses require students to create an account for a mark. Those people have not bought into the idea. Maybe there is a reason for that! I’m not trying to be a naysayer, about social learning, just that the tool may not be the best selection for the job.
I’m installing elgg (the Landing software) at: elgg.rhyon.com to give it a fair evaluation. I found the technical support is lacking compared to other systems I’ve installed. (ie Mahara, Moodle, Wordpress) After reading up on the tool, I found out that it’s not the most popular system on the market for social blogging. That title goes to Wordpress. I setup a Wordpress server to test out as a comparison at: wordpress.rhyon.com. There are over a million subscribers to this product. The added advantage is that Wordpress is portable, configurable and scalable. Giving it additional affordances and a universal appeal. Students can take their Wordpress site away with them an re-purpose it in the future. On the home page of elgg they only boast 7 high level institutions use their system. I think elgg is relatively simple but might not be the best choice for a social learning environment.
Just my opinion.
Robert Perez
26 October 2011, 10:10 PM
Hello Rhyon,
I agree that both the Landing and Mahara have similar features, as they both have blogging, connections and you can follow people in Mahara as well as in the Landing. These features are also useful in a system such as Mahara, because many people can produce relevant content in a blog that they may want to include in a portfolio. So, there is definitely an overlap in both types of systems.
Mahara, however, is mainly used as an e-portfolio tool, and this is where it excels. For example, you can easily create different views of your portfolio depending on your audience. You can definitely create a portfolio using the Landing, but it would be more difficult.
By the same token, as a social networking app, the Landing is richer than Mahara. However, I do find the Landing's look and feel to be somewhat more clunky and awkward than it should be. The location of the features seems to be arbitrary; I find it hard to find what I need to do. Social networking sites such as Facebook are definitely more user friendly. I agree that many people use it because they have to, not because they think the tool will do the job.
So, in short, I do agree that the Landing is probably not the best tool for the job. With so many systems out there, I would say use what is out there already, such as Facebook or LinkedIn. It has most, if not all, of the features of the Landing and many people use it and are comfortable with it. Plus, it allows students to build a larger network of connections, which helps in their careers, as they would have access to a larger social pool. I just don't think Elgg can compete with the likes of Facebook or LinkedIn.
Just my two cents.
Robert