TellEli9_1

Since its conversion from a language lab in 1997, the computer lab at the English Language Institute (ELI) has played a vital role in the Institute’s integrated skills curriculum. This has required the Institute both to keep pace with the changing world of computer use and to teach ELI students the computer skills needed for academic success in the university. As a result, the ELI Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) curriculum has evolved over time and continues to undergo change to become a more effective instructional and learning tool. More

Designing Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication System
for Language Instruction
Irshat Madyarov & Iona Sarieva

There is little written on the issues related to the functionalities and features of the Computer-mediated communication (CMC) software specifically designed for a synchronous CMC (chat) of language learners. To date, very few synchronous CMC tools have been developed with consideration of the unique needs of these learners. In this TELL @ ELI publication, we would like to share our thoughts about the features that an ESL/EFL user-friendly synchronous CMC tool should have and would like to call for your input in this matter. More

Integrating Technology: The Perfect Tool
Jenny Schultz

Creating plans and activities that integrate technology into lessons can be quite an overwhelming task, especially for teachers with limited time and resources available to improve their own knowledge of what’s out there. With this burden on my mind, I began my search for the perfect technology integration task that required a minimum amount of effort on my part. Well, it seems that that ideal solution just doesn’t exist. However, I happened to stumble onto a resource that could have considerable implications when it comes to integrating various technology resources into a project-designed task. This resource is called a Webquest. More

Wiki Hypermedia Authoring in the ESL Classroom
Debbie Mitchell & Iona Sarieva

So what is a Wiki anyway? “Wiki” is Hawaiian for “quickly;” however, for Internet users, Wiki is “open knowledge bases which can be improved by anyone” (Media Wiki Development at http://wikipedia.sourceforge.net). Thus, it allows all users, even those with very limited technical skills, to quickly compose, co-author, or edit Wiki Web pages (for more information check the Wiki entry in the WikiPedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki). More