Smart Builder

Hi everyone! 

It's been quite a time since I have updated my blog as my group member and I were quite busy with the courseware project. So today I'm going to share a little bit of my experience in creating educational courseware project using SMART BUILDER. SmartBuilder is an e-learning tools where it allow us to create courseware for attracting students' attention with colourful images, videos and buttons. Moreover, in this software its also allow the creator to create exercises. There are many types of the exercises such as :

🙌 Multiple Choice Questions

🙌 Sorting

🙌 True/False

SmartBuilder

In several weeks before, my teammates and I were assigned by Madam Azidatun our last project for this semester which is educational courseware project where we need to create a courseware for education purpose. Firstly, we have to choose suitable topic before we proceed with the storyboard. My group chose "Safari Park" as our topic.

Before we start with our courseware project, Madam Azidatun had taught us on how to use this software. At first, I was quite shocked and feeling uncomfortable as this is a very time I've seen this kind of software with all the various buttons as well as I could not understand what is all about plus it has this scripting button to make sure it interacts with the next pages. I have to learn it slowly by listening to Madam's instruction and luckily I could manage to do it with Madam's guidance.  

Action Block used in SmartBuilder to create instruction

Secondly, comes to hardest part was when our group had difficulties in downloading and running the software in one of our group member, Jasimah's laptop. We used her laptop to download the software but sometimes it cannot run  and often her laptop will shut down by itself. We were quite scared because at that time we already halfway done with the scripting button and adding the images. Afterwards, we always click  the "Save as" button to avoid data lost in our courseware After that, we've written our report where it included with our objectives of the courseware and storyboard as well where it was done by Jasimah while Rina and I were assigned for the SmartBuilder software. 

Overall, alhamdulillah we have successfully done with our courseware project and report. Without Madam Azidatun's guidance we will not be able to complete our courseware project, therefore Madam thank you very much for everything you had done. 

So I think that's all from my experience in using SmartBuilder software to create educational courseware. Below I posted our group courseware project. 

Safari Park

Canva

Hi everyone,

Last week our class has learnt about how to create a beautiful and amazing infographic using CANVA. This website is a free-graphic design tool. It is user friendly interface which is drag-and-drop interface and we can assessed to over a million images,graphics and fonts. 

Canva

Besides creating a stunning infographic, this website can easily create presentation as well. Canva’s free presentation software gives access to hundreds of beautifully designed layouts to create presentations on any topic. Simply choose the perfect images, fonts and colours to make the presentation by uploading any of of our own images or choose from a million stock images.

PowerPoint vs Canva

During last week class, our lecturer has taught us in creating infographic by using CANVA. My experience in using CANVA was hard at first because I am not quite familiar with the interface. I was confused on how to drag and drop to create the infographic but afer sometimes, I got a hand of it by exploring it one by one as well as take a look of other example of infographic in the internet. Below, I post one of my infographic using CANVA :

Jellyfish Infographic

That's all for today entry. Thank you.💕👋

Powtoon

Hi,

     In previous week our class has been introduced to another software, but this time was about presentation and video-making software which is :

Powtoon

😶   Basically this software serve us various type of characters, objects and animation with beautiful designs of templates that can be used to create presentation or educational video. Besides, it is user-friendly as the interface is easy to use and all the buttons are well-organised. 

😶    During last week class, Madam has explained about Powtoon and show us on how to use it for our next assignment. For our next assignment we have to create any educational video by using this amazing software. In a group of three, we decided to choose Dinosaur as our topic. At first, I tried to create a simple animation in Powtoon and it is easy to use as the beautiful templates, objects, characters and layout have been served all we need to do is click and put it in the slides. As easy as ABC, but the problem about this software is we need to set the time and voice over so that it will tally with the slides. In addition, before we put all the objects, background and characters we have draft our storyboard so that it will be convenient for us to place the objects accordingly. 

PowToon

😶    What I have gained from this assignment is, there are several advantages and disadvantages using this software. 

Advantages

- It is user-friendly with all the animations, characters, objects and layout have been prepared.

- It is free

- Create beautiful, colourful and amazing presentation

- Easy to add videos 

Disadvantages

- Takes time to learn to use it

- Limited styles with free plan

- Since it is online software, it cannot be used if  the connection is not stable

- It is quite slow in editing text

Overall, Powtoon has it own pros and cons but, it is easy to create a simple and colourful presentation given with beautiful designs and transitions.

Below I posted one of the PowToon presentation that I have created with my group members

⇓

Thank you for watching!

💖💖💖💖💖💖

Podcast

Hi,

for the last two weeks we have been introduced to new topic which is PODCAST. It is an audio or video file that can be listened via internet or download it as MP3. Besides that, using PODCAST also can boost student listening skill by listening to their favourite topic and create their own podcast

😶  Throughout the class I have found that the podcast can be listened in web called SOUNDCLOUD, where various type of genre have been listed such as sports. comedy, entertainment as well as education.

Soundcloud

😶  In this lesson we have been assigned by our lecturer to create our own podcast and post it in our blog. It was quite an experience to create it. I have to record it using voice recorder application in my smartphone and the process of recording was slightly problem. The problem arose when I spoke too fast and twisted my tongue as well as noisy environment such as motorcycle and car speeding their vehicles. 

Voice recorder :Iphone 

😶 In addition, I have found that I have to edit all of the recording by using audio editing tools such as AUDACITY. It was quite hard at first as I did not familiar with the editing software plus with the confusing interface, I have to explore and asked my friends who experienced in using this editing tools. 

Audacity

😶 There are many of the advantages that I could gain from using podcast especially in language learning. For example, we can improve our listening skill and creativity to create our own podcast to make it interesting. Besides, we could improve our pronunciation to make it better. 

And here I present to you my own podcast. I hope that everyone could gain some information from this :

Baju Kurong  

Instructional Courseware Design

Hi,

Before raya's holiday the new topic has been introduced to our class which was Instructional Courseware Design. It is basically about creating instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skill more efficient, effective and appealing. It can be sort out by figuring out the needs of:

😉 the learner

😉 defining the learning objectives

😉creating some intervention to achieve objectives

As for the development of instructional coursework I have learnt that there are 5 steps that need to be taken look at

💞 Analysis

- Identifying the objectives, the learner levels and needs

💞 Design

- Developing plans and strategies targeted to achieve the project goals by creating a storyboard of what the course would should like

💞 Development

- Developers assemble content and assets based on the blueprint in the design phase while the creators develop graphics and materials to be integrated into the courseware

💞 Implementation

- At this step, the procedures have been developed for the courseware and training for the facilitators will be provided to use the courseware.

💞 Evaluation

- Evaluating the impact of courseware. There are two parts of evaluation phase which are formative and summative .

Formative 

Formative evaluation is a method of assessing a program while the program activities are in a progress.

Summative

Summative evaluation is a method of assessing a program at the completion of a program.

There are several benefits that I could gain from instructional courseware design such as it can promote effective learning, saves time and trouble as well as cost effective while there are also the drawback of it. For example, time-consuming to implement the courseware as we need to design the storyboard and develop it. 

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) & ESL

Hi there,

    In previous lesson I have learnt about Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) and ESL. CMC is any form of communication or interaction between two or more people via different computers through network connection. It started in the late of 1980 and 1990 parallel with the introduction of Communicative CALL as well as the usage of e-mail and forums have became widespread. There are two types of CMC which are 

Asynchronous CMC

Synchronous CMC

Asynchronous CMC

The communication is not synchronised which means the messages are not exchanged and reply immediately as the other users are not available at the same time. Example of asynchronous CMC are :

E-mail

Blog

Synchronous CMC

                                  

The communication is synchronised as both of the participants are available at the same time. The messages can be exchanged instantly and allows direct communication so that we received the feedback immediately. Example of Synchronous CMC are :

Instant Messaging

Video Conferencing 

    In the late 2000s, CMC was being implemented for distance learning as synchronous CMC allowed teacher and student to interact with each other without being in the same place but, it is not recommended to learn through video conferencing or e-tutoring. This is because, for me learning environment is very important in order to fully maximised the learning process as well as the teacher's presence in the classroom.

Collaborative Learning

    Collaborative learning is a learning that occur by using computer as it can enhance the interactions between students and group work. It is not limited only for discussion for the students but it could be a platform for the student to increase their problem solving skills by using Google Doc, Google Drive and Blogs Messenger. 

Google Docs

    There are many advantages and disadvantages of using CMC in learning. For example, some of the students' self esteem could be higher as they will not have to speak in front of the other students in discussing about the certain subject. While the disadvantages of using computer as communication in learning it might be problems with access to technology. We know that, not all of the people are able to own a laptop or computer and not all of the places is available for internet connection. Take some example in rural areas as the internet connection might not be able to access from those areas. In conclusion, for me there are the times where the CMC would be very beneficial towards the students but sometimes learning by interacting in real life is very more exciting that filled with the emotions and feeling.💕

CALL & Search Engines

Hi, 

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

    We know that nowadays the usage of internet and technology growth rapidly that can perk the students’ interest in learning especially in language learning. For example, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is a term that used to refers to the area of technology and second language. There are several types of CALL programs such as web-based exercise, games, Microsoft Word, instant messaging to facilitate language learning. This type of computer assisted does have its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, computer can provide immediate and fixed feedback but it cannot provide individualized feedback more than what has been programmed and coded.

British Council : Language Learning

Before we look at the latest invention in CALL there are three stages of the progression:

⇒Behaviouristic CALL

⦁This stage of CALL that developed in 1960 involves repetitive drill and practice for the programme instruction.

⦁Used for Audio-Lingual method and perfect pronunciation model

⇒Communicative CALL

⦁It is developed around 1970 to 1980 focusing on the usage of language rather than grammar.

⦁Students have more control, choice and interaction in answering.

⇒Integrated CALL

⦁The Integrated CALL is  basically a integration of real world material into CALL. It started with the usage of CD-ROM where the large amounts of authentic media can be stored and used as materials for learning language.

The Internet & CALL

⦁ The advancement of CALL is influenced  by the Internet to connect and communicate information as the learners are not just recipients but also communicators and creators. 

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

⦁ CMC can be defined as two-way communication that occurs through the use of two or more electronic devices. 

⦁ There are two types of CMC which are

↪Asynchronous

This type of CMC is where the participants do not need to be online and available at the same time but read and respond as their wanted to. It also does not provide immediate feedback to the participants.

For example ↴ 

Email 

Discussion Boards

↪Synchronous

Synchronous is a direct communication where all parties involved in the communication. It is also called as face-to-face interaction where the participants could obtain immediate feedback.

For examples ↴

Instant Messaging : Whatsapp Messenger

In conclusion, the advancement of the technology does improve CALL and many of the ideas has been changing. This type of language learning could perk the interest of the students to learn language in more interesting way. For example, using games and online learning as well as web based exercise. There are also advantages and disadvantages of using computer assisted such as learning experience for the students becomes more entertaining and fun. One of the disadvantages is the computer could not provide individualized feedback more than what has been programmed and coded.

SEARCH ENGINES

Google and Yahoo have been our choices to use for finding information by entering keywords.Those search engines have their own database and each of them uses software to collect data from the Web to include in their database. There are 4 parts of a search engine which are:

⇒Database 

➸To store references to Webpages

➸ A storage where all the Webpages stored

➸Contains only essential information of Webpages

Database

⇒Web-Crawlers

➸A web-crawler also known as 'bot' or 'spider' is a program that visit Websites and read their pages and other information in order to create entries for a search engines.

➸ The purpose of web-crawler is to provide the search engine the up-to-date data.

Web-Crawler

⇒User Interface

➸ An interface is a set of commands or menu through which user communicates with the program.

➸ Using a simple design and user friendly are the important features in creating an interface. For example, using less photos and words so that the user will not be uncomfortable to search any information.

Google Interface

⇒Information Retrieval System

➸ It is a system that used to match the user's query to indexed webpages found in database.

Information Retrieval System

Blogging

Hi,

    This week we have been introduced to types of blog which are weblog, tutor blog, class blog and learner blog. These types of blog have their own benefit such as it is free and can stimulate out-of-class discussion for both learners and teachers. Besides that, we have learnt that using blog for providing information such as travelling tips, celebrity gossip and news to other people it could actually generate some money based on the blog’s popularity. For example, BuzzFeed, Huffington Post and Insider and Perez Hilton After we have been introduced to the topic we were asked to create our blog by logging in using Gmail. At first, it was quite difficult to comprehend the blog system because I never used it before, but after some time of exploring the blog, I have caught the gist of the idea on how to use it with Madam Azidatun’s guidance. By creating a blog it is actually could give us some benefit such as less money involvement, easier and be a reliable platform to provide information to the readers.

                                                               Blogger

                                                                BuzzFeed 

Head Start.

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Thank you for your patience.💨