Contribution of Animation in Learning the Vocabulary

                   

              In the article of TOJET (The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology), the impact of technology on education is understood. In this article, Kayaoğlu et al. investigate the effects of learning vocabulary with animation and without animation. Different results of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and traditional learning are seen very clearly. They use scales for investigation. As a result, using animation enhances the test scores of student and also contributes to their motivation and achievement in learning vocabulary. Kayaoğlu et al.(2011) point out that

“With the global interest in computers, innovative teaching methods have been oriented to foreign language learning environments. Computers have potential advantages to both the teachers and the student. Animation, though one small part of the computer revolution is very important part of high technology”.

They mention the collaboration between technology and learning environments. Using innovative teaching methods like animation helps to increase the degree of learning. Student can be more motivated with these methods and they can participate in lesson very actively. With the aid of technological tools like animation, students more focus on lesson and they understand the content very easily.  Lesson is interactive and it addresses the senses like visual, verbal and audial.   Kayaoğlu et al. state that

“Rather than the traditional method of teaching, computers combine the features of projectors, tape-recorders and lecturing. This means that students can process knowledge of language through different channels simultaneously, which is the outcome of CALL”.

The authors also mention the usefulness of computer assistant language learning (CALL). According to them, CALL enables diversity opportunity for student in learning the vocabulary of foreign language.  By using computers, student gain the knowledge of language quickly and they develop their skills in using both technology and skills. CALL also turns book oriented class into the student oriented class. Student oriented class is very important learning process for students.  They involve in class activity very actively and they have self- confidence.

            To sum up, positive influences of using animation in learning vocabulary is seen very clearly.  In this technology era, teachers should mix innovative tools with curriculum activities in class. With the aid of this collaboration, teacher can enhance the student achievement and motivation in learning process.

  Kayaoğlu et al. (2011). A Small Scale Experimental Study: Using Animations to Learn Vocabulary. The    

  Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 10(2), 24-30.

 

                                                      Coursekit in, Blackboard out

Joseph Cohen, Dan Getelman, and Jim Grandpre- students at the University of Pennsylvania- left the school to launch a new education system startup called Coursekit. Coursekit was thought in June of 2010 and has officially launched 6 days ago (on November 29). The history of Coursekit is very interesting. Coursekit founders frustrated with blackboard like many students and they think to create social service instead of blackboard. Coursekit founders slogan is that ‘make your course come alive’. This system lets teachers create student groups to work on project, email students, post the syllabus and reading materials for their courses, and record their grades.

Co-founder and CEO Joseph Cohen points out in the article by Techcrunch that “It is really a Blackboard replacement with a heavy emphasis on social networking” and he adds “Our goal is to turn courses into communities online. Because when that happens, amazing things follow: people share ideas, make new relationships, ask questions, and get to know each other”.  It resembles the Pointcarre system in VUB. In VUB’s online system, students share ideas and ask questions to each other or professor in forum and professors share files, videos or documents in document box and they adjust the online syllabus according to their calendars and announce it. So online systems like Pointcarre and Coursekit are academic social network that these systems help professors and students communicate with each other easily.

 http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/27/coursekit-1-million-seed/

Learning with 3D

Today, 3D learning resources and tools are used increasingly in schools. This technology needs 3D glasses for each pupil and 3D projector.  Studies about the influence of 3D in classroom show that it has a positive effect on student’s understanding and focusing on lesson. So it brings successful scores for students. Also, 3D learning tools help shy student to involve in class activities. Even teachers realize the impact of 3D on student concentration.

According to the study, which was conducted by international research agency on behalf of Texas instruments DLP products, 740 students were assessed by researchers in schools of Turkey, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, and the UK. Researchers test the students before and after the lessons. This technique of test, which is done before and after the lessons, shows us differences between 3D and traditional teaching methods. On average, “86% of pupils in 3D classrooms improved in test results, compared to 52% of children using traditional teaching methods. It also found that attention levels soared - with 92% of the class paying attention during 3D lessons compared to 46% in the traditional learning environment”.

It seems to me that 3D will take the place of traditional teaching methods. It is used in some schools in Europe but it should be used by other part of the world. With the aid of 3D resources, students have long term learning. By experiencing virtual world, students more concentrate on lessons and they improve their scores. Also students interact with each other and this interaction enhances the attentiveness of student to the lesson. Even quiet students, who cannot involve in class activities, answer the questions of their classmates.

Students learn everything about lessons virtually and they cannot forget it easily. As an example, Students learn about the functions of the body in biology lesson by experiencing it in virtual world. 3D brings biology lesson to real life. Prof Anne Bamford who is the  Director of the International Research Agency points out that

"Children can see how things function. Instead of learning about the heart statically they can see it in a solid way, literally see blood passing through the valves, see exchange of oxygen, rotate it, tilt it and zoom in".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15115059