EDT6203 : WEEK 13 (FIELD TEST)

Report on Group Project

Name: Amerlia & Asma

Courseware: (Website) E-Lessons for Our Buzzy Bees

Courseware Link: English House

Topic: Simple Past Tense: Regular and Irregular Verbs

Target group: 11-15 years old students

Introduction

We started the session by introducing ourselves. We said that both of us are students from Instructional Technology. We have developed  a web based course. It is called Buzzy Bees. This website focuses on English subject and we would test their Simple Past Tense (Regular and Irregular Verbs). Then, we asked the children to run and explore further on the website. If  there were any difficulties, they could call us for assistance.

Field Test Observation

Some of them started browsing effortlessly by clicking each page/link provided from the top to the bottom while others went directly to the page which interests them the most and try it enthusiastically.

These were the pages that were provided in the website :

·        Welcome page

In this page they could see the picture and also the information about us as teachers-in-charge for the website administration.

·        Sing Along La-La-La

This page contained five videos where students can practise their grammar skill (regular and irregular verbs). There was one fill-in-the-blanks activity for each video. Students clicked the link while we prepared for a blank paper to be given to them. Then, students attempted at least half of the questions and went through the video until the parts they were answering to check for their answers. They repeated the same steps for other video(s) to make sure the link workable.

·        Online Practices

In this page, students were asked to do the online-based exercise. The exercises were given in two types: the fill-in-the-blanks and MCQ. We generated both tests using application from testmoz.com. Students were required to write their name in the column for the administration record. They could check their marks instantly at the end of their submission.  

·        Reflection

There were no students attempted this page as it required them to record their voice which at the time, there was no microphone be provided. Thus, the children could not test the recording function. We did however explain to them the kind of reflections that they can record for submission and other features available once the recording’s done which is via facebook/email/save as mp3 or wav format. This feature encourages the students to enjoy other means of learning. They can always email the web administrators for the feedback of the reflection recording or perhaps get their English teacher at school to help.

·        Notes for Revision

We understood that Simple Past Tense is not a new topic for our target group. It can be seen that some interventions took place because in our initial planning we have seen the potential that this website can be used for classroom, group, pair as well as for individual participation. Basically, we were doing a quick checking to recall their knowledge in Simple Past Tense .This was what we thought as a proper step when we began the class (by giving some verbal examples) in the Set Induction stage.

For individual participation, the contents were prepared in the power point slides for the summary. The page was also complemented with three exercises for revision. Students were to complete these exercises in a blank paper and check for the answers in the links given.

·        Storytelling Time

The students were given two comic strips and they need to complete the stories in the Simple Past Tense. They could check the answers from the link given or once they submitted for their web-based story.

·        Answer

This page contained the answers which were not web-based i.e. those from the paper-based exercises.

·        Games

Almost all the students were attracted to this page. We could see that this was where the website’s heart lies. Those interactive games were all related and amplifying the knowledge of the regular and irregular verbs they have learnt. They played the games eagerly and they found their motivation when they finished the challenges.

Evaluation

The evaluators were representing the range of our age group target (11-15 years old) and it was done in 2 parts. Initially, Dr. Rose has given the students an 'Evaluation Form' during their short briefing.

We also conducted a short interview with them to gain their verbal feedback which we truly found very beneficial on the running of the courseware.

From their limited time experience these were the points we have recorded :

The Strengths

1.     Cater all types of settings – classroom, individual, pair, groupwork

Principally, this is our aim.

A courseware that functions with complemented features for all types of settings.

2.     Cater all types of facilities – with/without internet access, mic, speaker

We also aim at using the courseware to fit the kind of available and unavailable facilities.

Our courseware can be maximized at both fortunate or unfortunate settings. There should be no complaint since our courseware always offers exercises to be done.

3.     Variety in approaches – oral recording, web-based, paper-based, listening and video viewing

Our courseware is at our best to amplify all the important skills in students. We offer the multi-skills such as reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing.

4.     Meeting their basic expectations like clear instructions, clear learning objectives and relevant exercises/ games about the topic.

We were glad that the contents managed to support their learning at school and able to test their understanding of the topic. We could see that although they were in their school break mood, they did take this courseware evaluation seriously and scored most of the games. They have quite good command in English and able to locate themselves around the website pretty easily and the topic (Simple Past Tense) was already at the fingertips! 

5.     All agreed that there was no spelling or grammatical errors found in the courseware. 

We have been making sure that all instructions consist of correct grammar used and spellings. This is to add credibility to the courseware itself.

6.     Recommending the courseware to be tried by others.

We received a very positive feedback that overall everyone felt happy with their exploration and satisfied to suggest our website to others. 

The Weaknesses

1.     Songs and videos were not really appealing or outstanding as they should have been. 

This issue was not really surprised us. We were taking into consideration of all aspects why the audio-video backfired us.  Some of the PCs we were using were not equipped with speaker or headphones and caused trouble when the evaluators were going through the exercises at the same time. Therefore, we have asked them to browse other exercises while waiting for their turn to use the speaker or they might as well share it with the person next to them. When they played the sound loud, the rest could not really enjoy on the videos to check for their answers as the room setting was inconvenience with noise from others as well. We did inform them however that all those activities in the courseware are for self-learning or self-discovery where they can learn without the presence of the teacher. For all the answers to their exercises, they can check with the link provided.

2.     The paper-based was quite tedious and hassle

We understood that the evaluators were expecting for everything to go online or easy access with their keyboard. They didn’t like the ideas to have pen and blank paper next to them for them to write their notes or answers. (We received straight and upset smiley face for this feature!)

But our justification goes beyond this. Thinking of a less-equipped classroom or language lab in an institution, a teacher may only have a laptop and a projector, not individual computers for everybody. That was the solid reason why there’s a mix of practices - web as well as paper-based practices.

3.     Not much step-by-step self access instructions

We admitted that we unforeseen the specific instructions for weak students. Those who have limited exploration skills (only do things when they were being told) took sometimes to maneuver around the courseware. So this kind of self-access instructions should be dictated/written clearly perhaps in our welcome page to strike their attention.

Reward

As our heartfelt thanks to our evaluators who have been browsing our website efficiently, playing and scoring the games smartly and expressing their honest, constructive comments for our immediate attention, we were very happy to reward them with a bag of gift. This warm token of appreciation was included with a gift card with our special note reminding them to share about our website with their friends and to visit us again in the future for more updates on the exercises and perhaps to learn new other topics as well. 

Thank you once again from both of us and Thank you to Dr. Rose too, for the 'Field Test' platform and all related arrangements before we publish this website to  the bigger set of learners.  

Pictures of the day