Friday, April 19, 2013

Calling or Blending?

The definition of CALL  (Computer Assisted Language Learning) on Julia Gong’s article is  (1)the search for and study of applications of the computer in
language teaching and learning
”.

On the other hand according to wikipedia (2):  Blended Learning,  is “a formal education program in which a student learns at least in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace” , 
and/or " is a form of education that combines face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities". 


Students may ask you if an activity is Blended or CAL-Learning, or which definition includes the other one?


From my point of view CALL is a concept that includes Blended Learning  just for the definition or academic discussion. Firstly,   we’re moving toward  smart phones every day (processors inside the  phones), and  you may use a computer in the classroom with no Internet connection at all. Finally,  the second definition of Blended Learning implies a need of at least partial face to face contact, on the contrary if you conduct a completely online course,  like ours for example, you are using  CALL for the class. 

Do you agree?

2 comments:

  1. Hi Luis,
    Thanks for providing us with this accurate definition. I find them to the find and easily understodd. I agree with you and believe that Blended learning is more interesting and creates a social atmosphere unlike CALL where every thing is run on computers.
    Have a nice weekend
    Said Hassan

    ReplyDelete
  2. Said,
    Thank you for sharing your ideas

    Luis

    ReplyDelete