Annotated bibliography

The Effectiveness of Using Computer in EFL:

An Annotated Bibliography.

Kholoud al-shamrani

The widely spread of technology and computer has led to the development of CALL and to the use of computer as a mediated medium specially in teaching English language all over the world. A lot of books and articles had been written in this subject which deals with CALL and the effect of technology in language learning and language acquisition . Researchers have been interested in this subjects in order to find solutions and new methods and ways to improve the learning process as well as to keep up with the newly inventions in the modern world . Maybe CALL gains such importance because it affected many different aspects of  language learning and teaching. The books and articles selected in this bibliography represent its effect on the foreign language learning . Despite the fact that the authors have different views about the effectiveness of CALL but they do agree that CALL have affected foreign language learning strongly.

Bush , M. (2008 ). Computer-Assisted Language Learning:

From Vision to Reality. Brigham Young University. CALICO Journal.

Examines the history of CALL and how it was started in the first place.

Presents the limitations as well as the strength of CALL.

Examines the relations between CALL and learning a foreign language by emphasizing the value of CALL . The author is bringing together what were written by a number of early pioneers in the field.

The author provides an introduction about learning a second language. He says that learning at small age could achieve kind of perfection rather than learning after the age of puberty . In his opinion, achieving a functional level of communicative competence in a second language is a significant challenge. He focus on this challenge and on its different solutions which can be considered debatable .He thinks solution as "expensive TV based course" which promise to achieve the aim of learning had failed in changing the language-learning landscape but with  the promise of CALL the situation may change as it promise that help is on the horizon. The best way of using technology can be puzzled and he sets different examples throughout the history.

The author differentiate between the position of CALL in the past and in the present by presenting the historical reviews. He emphasizes the value of CALL in facilitating and helping the learning process .He presents the limitations as well as the strength of CALL.

The author examines the challenge that face CALL to continue its move from being vision to being such a reality.He gives as an outline of a study that can help the teachers , researchers and developers to move and process CALL to the next level.

Crane , C. (2005). Teacher Perceived Impact Of Technology on elementary Classrooms and Teaching. University of Missouri- Columbia.

Evaluates the presence of technology in elementary classrooms and highlights its effect on students learning. Also , investigates the role of the  teacher as an important lynch pin in technology integration in the curriculum and investigates how technology in the first place is used and integrated into the elementary curriculum through  three main themes; barriers to technology integration; (2) importance of technology training; and (3) learning environment.

The study focuses mainly on two schools ,one is an elementary school (technology school) that has an intensive technology program and another elementary school (nontechnology school) that does not have an intensive technology program. Also, a survey and interviews were used to develop the investigation .It also reviews selected literature relevant to this study.

Explains the significant differences between teachers’ perceptions of

their roles and responsibilities for using and integrating technology.

 Davies, G.(2014).Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). LLAS Centre for languages .University of Southampton.

Examines the history and the different phases and forms of CALL . Presents the other recent trends in CALL(CD-ROMS, DVDs, the Web)and compare between them in details by tracing the historical development and testing the effectiveness of each one of those trends in learning .

And also presents the professional associations related to CALL all around the world.

Gives a specific introduction about CALL and presents what other have been said about it , like Levy(1997 ). Examines the traditional , explorative ,multimedia and web-based CALL by giving a brief historical view and  sets the strengths and weaknesses for each type with examples.

Jarvis, H., & Krashen, S. (2014 ). Is CALL Obsolete? Language Acquisition and Language Learning Revisited in a Digital Age. TESL-EJ. v17 n4.

Investigates the present state of CALL based on the historical development in the language education profession . Arguing that CALL is obsolete because when the term CALL was introduced in the 1960s, the language education profession knew only about language learning, not language acquisition but the situation has changed now dramatically. And that the subconscious language acquisition has been shown to be more powerful than conscious learning .The author explains that the role of computer also has changed with the development of the internet .Arguing that the term CALL is obsolete, because its focus is limited to the computer, and because of its emphasis on conscious learning.

Kabilan, M.(2009).Critical considerations for planning and implementing a CALL program. Online Submission, US-China Education Review v6 n11.

Discusses the improvement and changes in CALL that affect the planning and implementing of CALL which depend mainly on the critical assessment and decisions that are made by schools. The method of applying CALL must reflect schools' aspirations, students' abilities, interests and needs.

This paper attempts to clarify these issues through a case study of implementation of CALL in an urban secondary school in Malaysia.

Lai, C. , & Kritsonis, W. (2006). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Technology in Second Language Acquisition. National Journal for Publishing and Mentoring Doctoral Student Research.

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of CALL for current second language learning based on the report of the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs’ (2002), that emphasizes the use of the computer technology and its attached language learning programs to assist the students' deficiency.

Explains the importance of CALL that has become a new trend in recently global second language learning instructions. The author points to other studies that represent the advantages of CALL such as Kung , Perrett , Jonassen, Salaberry, Rost, Lee , Robertson et al. , Taylor and Warchauer  .

The author emphasizes that utilizing computer technology and (CALL) programs can be convenient to create both independent and collaborative learning environments which facilitates the second language acquisition . This is among many other advantages. He also investigates the disadvantages of computer such as:1- the financial part . Thereby ,low budget schools and low-income students usually cannot afford a computer if it becomes a basic requirement .2- using computer requires ,from both teachers and learners, a basic technology knowledge before applying computer technology to assist second language teaching and learning. 3-The  software of computer assisted language learning programs is still imperfect. Current computer technology mainly deals with reading, listening, and writing skills.4- computers cannot handle unexpected situations.

Petrie, G.,& Avery, L. (2011). Identifying Our Approaches to Language Learning Technologies: Improving Professional Development. English Teaching Forum.

Discusses the corporation of new technology into the teaching of English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL). Emphasizes that using technologies in the classroom is especially useful for ESL/EFL teachers to consider. The authors describes the new model in contrast to Warschauer’s (1998) model, explains its significance, and then provides activity ideas that teacher can use when incorporating the model into professional development workshops.

Investigates the new approaches and how they were introduced in classes according to the second language acquisition principles ;which aim to create effective learning environment. These principles improved student language learning by providing opportunities for social interaction.

Stepp-Greany, J. (2002). Student Perceptions on Language Learning  in a

Technological  Environment :Implications for the New Millinium. Florida State University.

Examines students' perceptions on the effects of the technology on the foreign language learning experiences and the role and importance

of the instructor in technology-enhanced language learning . It also investigates the relevance of the lab and the individual technological components in student learning .Examines the perceptions through  a field study and a survey submitted to university students enrolled in basic Spanish classes during the first year of implementation of technology-enhanced language learning. The author reports the benefits of using technology in classrooms.

Also presents other empirical works and studies about the effects and the benefits of using technology in learning.  

Some of these benefits are: increased motivation, improvement in self-concept and mastery of basic skills, more student-centered learning and engagement in the learning process, and more active processing,

resulting in higher-order thinking skills and better recall , illustrate concepts and organize factual information , gain confidence directing their own learning , become independent learners.

Ybarra, R., & Green, T.(2003). Using Technology to Help ESL/EFL Students Develop Language Skills  . The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. IX, No. 3

Proves that technology can be used as an effective tool of teaching English language. The authors discusses a variety of research illustrating how teachers can help English language learners develop their language skills through the use of technology. Computers can be used to aide in teaching English Language Learners in core academic subjects, such as reading and writing. Computers can aide in vocabulary development as well as verbal language development.