Bax in this article
critically analysis and evaluates the history of CALL. And gave explanations of
the three current classes of Restricted, open and integrated CALL. He argues
that the three current classes of CALL give a complete examination of
institutions and classrooms than previous examinations. At the beginning Bax discussed
the history of CALL, using Warschauer’s three phases of CALL Behavioristic,
Communicative and Integrative. That he thought seems to have a
number of significant weaknesses, which he briefly discussed with sub-headings
as; Inconsistencies, Unclear criteria, Integrative CALL, What are these
phases? .Then he answered
the three questions mentioned in the article, where has Computer Assisted Language
Learning (CALL) been, where is it now and where is it going?
Changes which Bax suggested and the means proposed
of achieving normalizations.
Bax suggested that we
are currently using the second approach, Open CALL, but that our goal should be
to attain a state of ‘normalisation’ in which the technology is invisible and
truly integrated. Normalisation as defined by Bax is the stage when
technology has become part of every society like “PALL” and “BALL” because
these technologies are totally integrated into education. For CALL to be fully
integrated into language learning, Bax suggested that;
·
Teachers
and students should use it as an important part of their everyday lesson e.g. pen
or a book.
·
They
should use it without any distress and overemphasis.
·
It
should play an important role in the lesson and other aspects of learning that
it will go virtually unnoticed.
·
It will
be normalised when the students’ needs are examined first and using the
computers to promote learning.
Furthermore, Bax described three steps which are needed to be taken for
normalization to occur:
·
Identifying
the important factors which normalization requires.
·
Audit
the use of each teaching context for the identified in the light of these criteria.
·
To make
amendments in our recent practice in each aspect that is required for normalization. Bax stated that following this procedure will give
each institution and teacher a clear framework within which to audit progress,
and within which any obstacles to integration and normalization can be
identified and dealt with.
He also argued that there is need to ethnographic analyses, in order to
understand CALL better.
Explain
how these changes and means could be applied to our Saudi context. (The possibility
of reaching Bax’s normalization, why is it possible, when is it
possible/reached/achieved, how will it be reached, etc.)
Saudi Arabia is fast
growing in all aspects of education and is moving towards normalisation. We can
see in almost all the higher institutions computers can be found. In my opinion,
the Saudi government should provide computers and devices that are needed
by schools to achieve this goal. Teachers should be trained and students should
be exposed to technology every day in the classroom. Normalisation is already
on its way in people’s lives as they cannot do without technology days. Therefore,
more and more effort should be employed in integrating technology in the
educational system.
