Week 1 reflections

Greetings everyone! In the inaugural session of TELL, I acquired a comprehensive introduction to the concept, which entails the strategic integration of technology to augment language learning. Furthermore, I was enlightened about the subsets of TELL, namely CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) and MALL (Mobile-Assisted Language Learning). My instructor also elaborated on corpus linguistics and highlighted the potential of incorporating corpora such as BNC and COCA into TELL. The first class served as a foundational overview of the key terminology associated with TELL.

In the subsequent session, I delved into the realm of blogging, which entails creating static websites to disseminate content. My teacher clarified the distinction between a blog, akin to a digital diary or journal, and blogging as a platform. We were introduced to various blogging platforms, including Blogger, WordPress, and Google Sites. Additionally, I gained insight into synchronous and asynchronous learning, with the former occurring in real-time (e.g., Zoom meetings) and the latter allowing for flexible, self-paced learning (e.g., blogging). The authenticity of blog content was also emphasized, with a focus on utilizing genuine materials not specifically designed for language instruction. I also acquired hands-on experience in posting text and video content on a blog, including the use of HTML view (Hyper Text Markup Language) for video integration.

The third session was dedicated to practical application, where my instructor demonstrated the process of creating a blog on Blogger using a projector. We covered the essential steps, including logging in with a Google account, selecting a blog name, and generating a URL address. A classmate was then invited to replicate the process under the instructor's guidance, allowing us to witness the blog creation process firsthand. Subsequently, we explored the customization options for the blog's profile page, including modifying settings, altering the theme, and adding features like a followers list or archive.

This concludes my summary of the key takeaways from the first week of TELL classes.