Students' Reactions

STUDENT REACTIONS TO THE USE OF INTERNET IN CLASS

About WWW

"The use of computer in class has been useful:
1. Allows student to actually hear more native speakers and how the language sounds.
2. Pictures allow students to see Indian places and correlate what they are hearing to what they are seeing.
3. Give students easier practice in learning how to write the language and all the different letters involed in Hindi (especially since it is so different than the English language.)"
Himanshu

"The multi-media is very helpful in acquiring a language. The visual representations are another beneficial system of learning along with texts and oral exercises. Along with texts accompanying pictures, a re-telling of the text by a native speaker is helpful. Although the first couple times may seem a little fast, it helps to work on pronunciation. It can be repeated several times which is difficult to do in a classroom environment. One difficulty with the texts is a lack of English translation. Although all of the new words may be translated effectively, the general meaning on the sentence may not be understood. An English translation would help understand the underlying sentence structure and why it was used in that particular sentence."
Jeff

"My opinion on email and computer usage in class is that they are both good tools. They do not substitute for classroom teaching but things like WWW provide another tool to help show and explain the language. Being able to use the Kanchi font is also a very nice thing. I think using computers as a tool helps explain and also helps give some students another way to learn by descriptions of things like pictures and also listening to native speakers speaking at a normal rate."
Krishna

"I think that the exercise on the Internet was interesting, although I found it difficult. I had some difficulty making out details in the pictures, but that was expected. The program worked slowly. I suspect the slowness was in handling the sound. The exercises were in structure. It helps to practice describing things."
Micheal

"What I learned on the Internet was how reading and listening to language helps understand what we are studying. Interacting with a language is one of the best ways to improve language skills, plus it's fun and cool."
Jonathan

"The other computer exercises have allowed the incorporation of more interactive learning, combining written and verbal skills. It seems that the range of activites that this class provides allows us, the students, to experience on a small scale what you experienced in learning our first language. Unlike other language classes I've taken, this class,or I should say Gabriela is constantly reminding me that there are multiple levels to learning, that you shouldn't expect to know everything, and relaxing and accepting the awkward situation will allow for a fair amount of comprehension.
Margaret

"I have really enjoyed the last two days in the computer lab. The exercises you developed on the Web are great! I think that the multi- purpose - reading, hearing, interacting, etc. - aspect is going to be a very helpful tool for becoming more comfortable with Hindi. Working on the computer, whether typing with Kanchi font or doing exercises, helps for Hindi to become a true second language. I hope we will continue to be encouraged to do computer exercises."
Marsha

Click here for student reactions to e-mail use.

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