Implementing CALL in the Malaysian Secondary Classroom

If you had the chance would you utilize ICT (CALL) in your teaching?
Definitely. I would utilize ICT in my teaching because it makes the lesson more interesting. We could see how students today are very IT savvy. Most students spend their leisure time sitting in front of the computer rather than the TV. Hence, to use the implement ICT is a advantage. During my teaching practicum, I did not use the computer lab or media room to carry out my lessons. This is because the facilities are not sufficient to accommodate the number of students I had. It wasn't only the quantity of the facility but also the size of the lab/room.

Another thing why I didn't have my students into the computer lab/media room was because of their behaviour. In the classroom alone was hard enough for me to handle them, what more in the lab/room? However, if there were any activities that requires the use of the Internet or any other source of media, I had my students to do online researches, find related articles/pictures and have them bring their work to class. From there the discussions were done.

And lastly, the computer labs/media room was so hard to get it booked! Either it was already booked or was not open for use at the specific time when I had my teaching period!



How do you think it would help (or would not help) your students to learn English?
I believe that it would help students learn English. Having a lesson implemented with ICT out beats the traditional way of the learning process. You will not only have chalks and the blackboard, but also a coloured picture, animations, and sounds. One thing, it attracts students' interest to learn.

As i mentioned earlier, most students are born to sit in front of the computer for hours! If they can do this at home or at the Internet cafes, they should be able to do this is class to. In relation to that, students will definitely learn English when they use the computer for educational purposes or even for games.


What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages implementing CALL in the Malaysian schools?
Advantages:
1. Boosts students' interest in learning.
2. The lesson is more 'lively'(with the use of media - sounds and pictures)
3. The lesson is beyond books (with the use of the Internet).
4. Saves a lot of time for the lesson, which enables more activities to be done in the classroom.

Disadvantages:
1. Instructions fail to go across the classroom , especially once students are put in front of the computer.
2. Distractions - Internet, window games (e.g. Solitaire)
3. Insufficient equipment - computers, speakers


What are the barriers in implementing CALL in the Malaysian classroom?
There are several points to reflect on. Firstly, the financial constraints the government has provided to support the implementing of CALL in the Malaysian classrooms. Billions of Ringgits is spent to equip schools with complete facilities, even having built the Smart School around the country.

Secondly, most teachers are not IT savvy. Thus, they refuse to learn and upgrade themselves by going to courses and workshops. They are reluctant. It could be they have the perception of having their lessons successful without the use of computers before this.

Next, will be the maintenance of the computers.


Other comments/ideas
In my opinion, implementing CALL in the Malaysian classroom is a good idea. It had been years since the Smart Schools started and also having each school equipped with computers. But, the overall observation can be concluded as not successful. There are still a lot of causes and effects to consider.

The government and schools really have to work together to come out with a secured plan when implementing CALL in the classrooms. The considerations that are to be looked into will be:
1. maintenance - how, who and when
2. the credibility of the teachers - qualified or not qualified?
3. will the implementation improve as years of time and energy contributed?