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Sunday, April 8, 2007

Online Test

On my last tutorial class, I have to take the UJI ICT test for ASAS LEVEL. UJI ICT is one of the online tests that prepared for all students in UKM. At the beginning, Dr. Norizan has given us the guideline on how to register the online test. Before that, Dr. Norizan has explained further to us about the new information on the online test. She gives ideas for us to use it in our last posting.

Here, I want to share with all my readers about my experience using the UJI ICT. First of all, this is my first time using UJI ICT test for ASAS LEVEL. At first, I think it is so difficult to register to this test. When I know the guideline from my lecturer on how to use it, I feel it is quite easy. I was so surprised to see the test is in Bahasa Melayu. This is because most of the online tests are already in English. The questions are unfamiliar for me because I have to translate it from English words. Then, I just try to make it on my own knowledge and experience about the computer. The questions are not so difficult but it just tests my thinking in using computer. I need to know further about the computer components, the programs and so on. A part from that, I know that these tests include more ability to absorb on students thinking.

Firstly, it can provide immediate feedback. Through this, I can know how far my thinking is. I don’t have to wait for along time to get the result. For example, when I have completed my test, I can receive immediate score reporting, faster and more flexible result. In addition, it also easy to use compare to pencil-and-paper tests that need to go and take for the test on schedule. I also have to write and make it complete before I can submit it. All this terms, take more time to do it. Through UJI ICT, I can do it at any time and any place. I can already get immediate feedback and don’t need to wait until three month. UJI ICT also provides randomization security features because all students need to use their own password to take this test. For me, UJI ICT is very useful to test students’ ability on computer.

I want to give 10 marks to this Language and ICT course. First of all, I think this is because of the lecturer that has been teaching me. The entire lecturers are very kind, helpful, dependable etc. So, I feel comfortable to ask question or provide some opinions that are related to this course. Dr. Norizan also gives supports for me to learn more about the ICT courses. Furthermore, she wants us to apply our own knowledge and experience for further use. I have improved better on using ICT from this course. Before this, I can’t type faster on my document and never heard about the blogger yet. I never know how to use other reference to find other useful information just like Online Databases. I also learn about chatting and e-mail that I have rarely used it. Sometimes I have to present my work in tutorial class. If I have to present it on public, I have a lot of confident because I have already got some tips from it. I have expressed more knowledge and information that are available for my study. I enjoy this course very much because all the parts have it own attraction which is useful for me. I want to apply all the useful criteria until I graduated later.

In addition, I really satisfied all the parts of this course. This course has improved better and has good features to provide information for the student. I really appreciate all the contents that I have learned. Thank you to my best lecturer Dr. Norizan. I have no comments to give on other parts of this course because for me the important components are already there.

Lastly, I want to mention that I still keep my blog and continue blogging after the course. This is because I really enjoy and fall in love to this course. For me, this course is like strawberry that taste delicious and useful for all times.



Online Quiz Results
Top of Form
Results Summary


Online Quiz Results :: Kemahiran Asas ICT
Your Score : 19/30

Online Quiz Results Summary

Your #Attempts
: 1
Total Class #Attempts
: 375
Your Quiz Score
: 19/30
Your Highest Score Ever
: 19
Note: This may not be your final marks. Due to some of the subjective and semi-objective questions (short essay and fill in the blank).
Bottom of Form
posted by Yani at 8:49 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Computerized Testing and Online Language Proficiency Assessement

Despite many unresolved technical and equity-related problems, test-makers are plunging headlong into new computerized methods of administering multiple-choice exams. Unfortunately, simply automating bad tests does nothing to solve their long-standing problems and may actually compound them. Many colleges, universities, and public school districts are using computerized placement tests for example The Educational Testing Service (ETS). Computerized testing praise its ability to provide immediate score reporting and faster and more flexible test scheduling. Besides provide a final score with fewer items in a shorter period of time than conventional paper-and-pencil, multiple-choice tests also offer a greater scope of types of items through the use of graphics and video.

In contrast, there many problems occur when they use computerized testing. First of all, test-makers claims that the scores of computerized and pencil-and-paper tests are equivalent are inadequately supported. Most computerized tests show only one item on the screen at a time, preventing test-takers from easily checking previous items and the pattern of their responses, two other practices known to help test-takers. Most computerized tests show only one item on the screen at a time, preventing test-takers from easily checking previous items and the pattern of their responses, two other practices known to help test-takers. Test-makers may try to use computerized exams to circumvent Truth-in-Testing disclosure requirements. The additional cost of computerized tests is certain to have a large effect on who chooses to take them. Test-takers with the ability to manipulate computer keys rapidly may be favored by long passages that require reading through many screens.

According to the article about “Online Language Proficiency Assessment”, English Language become a medium of instruction Science, Mathematics and technology related subjects back into the education system in 2001 because English Language known as an international language for global communication. English language skills are important to enable educators to teach effectively using English as the medium of instruction. This paper proceeds to share the experience at the School of Language Studies and Linguistics of UKM, which was commissioned to develop the English Language training module for in-service lecturers at UKM. What is clear from the outset though is the need to approximate their current English Language proficiency and academic English literacy competency levels. A language competency profiling o these lectures will be useful as the information will guide and inform in their placement of language training modules.

An online test that can be accessed anywhere in the campus, with less anxiety and with apprehension level minimized should be the most suitable approach. The objectives of the UKM Strategic Plan for 2000-2020 which are related to the ICT include UKM spearhead the campus ICT agenda by upgrading the ICT literacy and culture activities, to establish efficient management and service system, to upgrade training and staff development program and to prepare lifelong learning for all. The web-based system learning care platform which is accessible via The University Information System (UIS) is an ideal test bed to develop the online test for UKM academician. Learning care does provide a relatively simple interface for test development, scoring and statistics keeping, which made it a good platform for the development of the pilot phase of the online test. Cloze-type test provides multiple choices for test takers to select the most appropriate response for each gap. It is estimated that test takers would take about 30 minutes to complete the test. Therefore, to ensure the validity of the online test, the test needs to administered in a controlled environment within a specified time frame. The UKM community also needs to be informed about the test so that majority of the lecturers will come forward and self-rate their proficiency level online.
posted by Yani at 7:06 AM 1 comments

Tuesday, March 27, 2007


MySpace Glitter Graphics
posted by Yani at 11:44 PM 0 comments

Online Databases

Firstly, I got the article from Annual Review of Applied Linguistics which in Lisa.net. This article tells that the information and communication technology (ICT) has been used in language classroom for more two decades. This article begins by discussing both the parameters of ICT and the scope of literacies. It is then organized around discussion of the two types of literacies at the intersection of ICT and second language learning and of how new technologies facilitate acquisition of second language literacies and which second language literacies are needed foe learners to participate in an increasingly digital world. Besides that, it has identified a number of issue that need to be considered as teachers use ICT for language learning. In addition, ICT provides a context for learner identity formation through hybrid uses of language, in ways unexpected by teachers and learners. Similarly, although ICT provides opportunities for collaboration and interaction, they are not automatic and instruction needs to be skillfully scaffold for learners to benefit from such opportunities.

The source of this article is British Educational Research Journal. The article discusses the study of the experiences and perceptions of adults learning English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) through ICT in seven different learning centres in England. Strong claims are made for ICT based lifelong learning as an effective way of reducing the exclusion of various groups in society, yet, there is very little research to support these claims. This article reports the findings of such a study in relation to learners from one socially excluded group, adults from ethnic minority backgrounds, who are disproportionately deprived and often excluded by language. The findings show that technology is insufficient to overcome existing inequalities in access to learning, and to engage learners who would not otherwise undertake formal learning, but ICT based learning can reduce some aspects of social exclusion in terms of encouraging minority ethnic group learners to speak more within the host community. ICT based learning offers a space for language learning and practice, which is often absent in traditional ESOL classrooms and in the every day lives of these excluded groups. Learning is a social practice in which the level of commitment of tutors to encouraging the use of these media and creating a safe and private space for learning affects the range of learning activities with which learners engage and the impact of these on their everyday use of English.

Lastly, I found the journal from Emerald that uses Journal of European Industrial Training as its source. This article reports on a research study conducted in the UK, exploring learners’ perceptions of the quality of computer based learning materials. With an increasing emphasis on individual and collective learning to enhance competitive advantage, it is important for managers and HRD practitioners to be able to judge the quality of ICT based learning resources to assure effective learning. Yet, this is often a difficult task and a potential barrier to the use of computer based learning. In addition, learners’ perceptions may affect the quality of learning outcomes. The article presents a learner evaluation tool, a feature of which is the use of qualitative methods to elicit learners’ experiences. Research findings suggest that the factors influencing learning could be both positive and negative, highlighting the complexity and subjectivity of such evaluation. This is an important step towards recognition of how learning might be hindered or helped within the ICT context.

Here I want to share with all my readers about my experience using TSL Database Online Journal. This is my first time using this Online Journal, so I feel very excited because it can easily access the information that I want. Online Journal gives me more explanation and notification to know further about the Journal. There are many Journals that already there for students to get it at any time. For me, it helps more on my knowledge and experience. A part from that, I can look more on Journal that I have never seen before. In fact, it also gives me a good impact which I can use it for my study. Online Journal can become my reference when I needed in the next semester. In addition, the information that I want to search are related to the topic which I have to prepare for my blog or others work. I also can choose to get a full text or an abstract text of Journals. When I use it, the material or box searches are already there for me. It is easy and useful for all students from different education levels to use it. There are some parts that I feel boring because it is very slow to get access to this Online Journal. I have to wait for along time to make it available at my computer. Although the Online Journal sometime has a bit problem, I like to use it to maintain my own knowledge to further my study in UKM. Therefore, Online Journal is known as a dynamic reference for all users to get extra information.
posted by Yani at 11:33 PM 1 comments

Friday, March 23, 2007

My Yummy Strawberry


MySpace Glitter Graphics
posted by Yani at 4:16 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 22, 2007

My Video Clip

posted by Yani at 11:41 PM 0 comments

My Favourite Song

Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up

Music Code provided by Song2Play.Com

posted by Yani at 11:26 PM 0 comments

My Photo Slide

posted by Yani at 10:00 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Blogging

The article ‘blogging’ and ‘trainee teachers professional development wrote by Malachi Edwin Vethamani described about the use of blogs among trainee teachers. A blog is a “webpage that serves as a publicly accessible personal journal for an individual. Blogs and weblogs is a reasonably new phenomenon among trainee teachers and teachers. Writing blogs is a good way to express thought and feelings. Besides that, journal writing not only allows teachers to organize their thought into systematic reflection about their work but also provides a “cathartic experience”, which will allow them to “let out steam about frustrations”. Blog can be use as a medium to deliver the users opinion to others.

Furthermore, there are three reflections. Firstly, descriptive reflection occurs when teachers plan what they do in the classroom. Secondly, comparative reflection takes place when teachers focus on the theory behind their practices and consider alternative practices they may prefer to use, depending on their students’ needs. Finally, critical reflection, teachers focus on their practice to gain greater self-understanding.

The analysis shows that the trainee teachers have a positive attitude towards blogging. They enjoyed blogging and found blogging to be useful in their learning process. In addition, blogging also gave them the opportunity to express their opinions and help them to develop confidence in expressing their own in expressing their own viewpoints. It has also become an avenue for them to communicate both to their peers and the course instructors. Otherwise, blogging enabled them to recall what they had learned in the class. The trainee teachers were capable of reflective writing and this could contribute to their development as teachers. A part from that, it also develop new pedagogical skills and gain pedagogical knowledge.

In addition, I would like to share my experience of using a blog. For me it becomes my best experience I ever had. A blog is the shortened term for a web log and it is simply an online log or journal. This is my first time using a blog. From my point of view a blog can allow people to comment on my entries. For instance, a blog have a comment side for all people to give their own comment in their own way. Therefore, I will read any comment and approve it when I log into my blog. Otherwise, a blog can be a medium of thought that all people can truly express their ideas or opinions. Ideas that come smoothly and rationally can make me feel so happy to share my comment. Through blogs, I can also expand my knowledge and experience. This is because the use of language becomes the important aspects of using a blog. Usually people prefer to use English Language to provide their own opinions. That’s mean, it is important for me to use the right grammar, spelling and language, as my readers are from other place or background. These can improve my writing skills. English Language becomes acceptable because it have known as an international language. So, people from other place can understand better and try to give excellent ideas.

On the other hand, by using a blog it will save our money because it cost a lot. So, it is very economical for me to use it. Usually it doesn’t take much time to express my feeling. For example I will receive comments within a limited time. Sometimes it can help me to identify options that might better serve my talents and goals.

Through blog, I can also create my own pictures, animation and etc with colourful theme. These criteria make my blog look interesting to read. From all of that, it teach me on how to make it on my own by choosing a beautiful template which have already there. Lastly, my blog will appear with my own decorations any styles. Therefore, I fell so happy and excited creating my blog to get attention from my readers especially my lecturer.

In spite, blogs have some advantages from an organizational perspective. Blog can be an excellent way of sharing knowledge within organization. In addition, blogs also have a positive way of getting feedback, and keeping your finger on the pulse, as readers react to certain pieces, suggest story ideas, etc. sometimes, it also build the profile of the writer, showcasing the organization as having talent and expertise. Blogs also save our time through allow people with little time well-formed, as the writers can post it early and easily. That’s mean, blogs are very economical. They have lots of neat “social” features, such as feedback mechanisms and tracking. Some blog services allow us to post via e-mail and phone in addition to use a web browser. Therefore, we can go through our blogs at any time and any place.

In contrast, there are some disadvantages of using blogs. Most people don’t have very much to stay that’s interesting, and are unable to write down their ideas in the compelling and clear manner. Otherwise, blogger can’t improve their speech skills because usually the people who have most time to write have least to say. Blogs are easy to start and hard to maintain. Writing coherently is one of the most difficult and time-consuming tasks for a human being to undertake. Therefore, many blogs are not updated, thus damaging rather than enhancing the reputation of the organization. Even with many templates blog software comes with; their web designs make most blogs look alike. The search function is often not very good on blogs.

As a result, computer-mediated application of communication, which uses to log on at any time and any place. It is offering more flexible modes of delivery using computer-mediated communication and making it an attractive teaching-learning tool. There is a growing trend to include online components in teacher education courses in Australian Universities.
posted by Yani at 8:49 AM 1 comments

What is concordance?

What is concordance?
« H E » email
posted Wednesday, 14 March 2007

In my opinion, concordance is a program that helps people to get extra information about the grammar usage in various aspects. If I want to analyze a word deeply, concordancer as a tool of the program can list the word in context. Based on my knowledge, concordance can analyze keywords, find phrases and idioms publish to the web and so on. In the tutorial class, my lecturer has been guided us to visit the URL that connected to the concordance software such as
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/english/wics/wics.htm.

In addition, my friends and I need to analyze the occurrences and the position of a and about in the keywords in context (KWIC). From my knowledge I know that a is called the indefinite article. A is also comes before a singular countable noun. After 30 minutes discussion, I know that article ‘a’ always occur before a noun, adjectives, adverbs and verb. For example, ‘a cry’ is a noun phrase because the head is a noun in this context. In contrast, cry is known as a verb because it can modify an action but after I add an article ‘a’ in front of the word ‘cry’ it’s automatically change the function as a noun. Furthermore, about are both prepositions and adverbs. The meaning is sometimes the same and sometimes different. About (preposition) means ‘on the topic or subject of’. About is also use to talk about place. Besides that, about means ‘approximately’ or ‘not exactly’ when we are talking about the numbers. For example, ‘running about in wild alarm’ is an adverb phrase. The word ‘about’ which occur after running act as an adverb that modify the word ‘moving’.

This concordance software helps the tedious task of analyzing English Language data and greatly extends the potential of a corpus in language Pedagogy. Corpora often help on how words and grammatical construction are used. Teachers, researchers and even language learners typically examine concordance lines to discover how words and grammatical are used. Otherwise, the concordance program help students to look at the systematically of language as an interesting linguistic puzzle. Although concordance software can be used to help analyze the language data available, many may still be easily disturbed by the huge amount of data available. Based on the analysis, results show some development in terms of language production as well as vocabulary range. It is possible to introduce a longitudinal element in future analysis that can be taken from the EMAS corpus collected in 2002. These studies can be regarded as benchmarks against which assess the development of the language program in Malaysia.
posted by Yani at 8:46 AM 1 comments

The similarities and differences of sms, email, and chat language

The similarities and differences of sms, email, and chat language
« H E » email
posted Wednesday, 7 March 2007

In my opinion, there are some similarities of language among sms, e-mail, and chat. In terms on short forms, all of them have it. This shows that there are familiarf and acceptable to use it. Nowadays, the used of short forms become a style to all people especially for the students. Sometimes, it is because to make a sentence look more simple and easy to understand. Futhermore it ifs save a lot of our time by using a short words. For some people, these terms are not become acception because it look dissonant to them. They are unfamiliar with this pattern off words.

Otherwise, grammatical aspects show the similarities among them. For all we know, the way we write in sms, e-mail, and chat includes more errors because of our own attitude. In fact, this is because people nowadays are not aware of using it. They just want to make it complete without checking it grammar. This consists the use of language and spelling. Sometimes, this aspects show that they are not good in their English language. These means that, English become a second language in their speaking, writing and so on. the use of language have a mix of different dialects. These terms express that they are influences from other language. These give a good impact to them about extra knowledge and experience to learn from it.

The uses of new words also show the similarities between them. New words are using to make their sms, e-mail or chat look more interesting. These show more expression about their lifestyle. In order of that, language always changes and consists new words from time to time. Language is dynamic because it always expands and gives futher information about some certain aspects.

In contrast, there are some different aspects in sms, e-mail and chat language. Most of them come across formal and informal style. E-mail is more formal than sms and chat because they are commonly use the spoken languages in the own style. A part from that we also can attach some documents via e-mail which usually some of them are formal. For example, there are some formal message that we get from Yahoo, google and other website. In between, sms and chat are informal message bfecause it contain a simple a easy notification through dialog that they make it.

The differences of them come across a short or long message that we get. Usually, e-mail has a long sentence to say further about it contents. Therefore, e-mail always gives extra information about the whole topic to discuss. In terms on sms and chat, there are shorter than e-mail since its space is limited to just one until three pages only. This is because it contains a small topic to elaborate among dialog.

The last different between them are code switching. This shows that the use of language have a various meanings and patterns. Furthermore, people the use the different dialects in terms on their understanding. Languages that are used depend on a certain boundaries of their country. The use of new words can give further information about some aspects of language.



Comments (1)


1. norjef left...Sunday, 11 March 2007 5:13 amYani, congratulations that you have completed the blogging exercise. You are the only one who has the blog city as your blog. Well done
posted by Yani at 8:15 AM 0 comments

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