Week 1 reading Warschauer

Warschauer, M. (1996). Computer-assisted language learning: an introduction. In S. Fotos (Ed.), Multimedia Language Teaching (pp. 3-20). Tokyo: Logos International.

The three phases of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

Warschauer described the there phases of CALL as behavioristic CALL, communicative CALL, and integrative CALL.

Behavioristic CALL was the "Drill and kill" form of CALL. This was when computers were really in their infancy during the 1960s. The computer never tired and unlike the students it never got bored either. That is not to say that it does not have its uses. Learning the ABC is rote memorization after all. The computer was viewed as a tutor.

Communicative CALL came about in the 1970s and 1980s when microcomputers started appearing (The youth of today would consider these microcomputers as museum pieces with feeble capacities and a bit large to put it mildly. For those with an historical interest can click here.). It was thought that the "drill and kill" techniques did not provide authentic communication. Communicative CALL was intended to rectify the problems of the earlier CALL. One intention was to use computers as a stimulus. Now computers were also used as a tool, a workhorse.

Integrative CALL came about with the advent of multimedia computers and most of all the Internet. Computers have improved enormously and are continuing to make advances that will make them even more useful in the learning environment. Now there is synchronous software to enable communication with video link as well. An example of this might be Windows Live Messenger or SKYPE. Students are able to interact with peers in different countries for the cost of an Internet connection.
Software is very interactive these days. No doubt things will get even better with time. Software today is very different from the drill and kill approach of bygone times.

I suspect in the future smart phones will play a much bigger role in learning. There must be very few people who do not have a mobile phone these days. It is only a question of time before these will be exploited for learning.