How Can We Make Use Of Shareware

How Can We Make Use Of Shareware/Freeware In ESL Reading/Writing Class For Adult Learners
-- A Case Study

This paper is concerned with the use of educational shareware/freeware programs in ESL teaching. With the increasing number of educational software applications, ESL teachers now have more options when selecting the appropriate software to enhance their teaching. However, not all of them have enough budget to create a CALL class using commercial software. In this project, I'd like to explore the possibility of adopting shareware/freeware instead of commercial software in ESL class and make suggestions to those who want to integrate the use of shareware/freeware into their ESL curriculum. The application of those suggestions is demonstrated using an authoring shareware program Hot Potatoes.

The way I see how computer technology can contribute to ESL teaching falls into two categories : first is through the Internet, and second is through software. The Internet now, no question about it, has pervasive influence on designing a CALL class. Ideas like distance learning, on-line class, OWL, SchMooz University are all made possible by the development of Internet technology. How about software? Very often we hear language teachers say "There is no good call software." Is it true? I think we should first find out what kind of software is out there for language teachers to choose, then we can be in position to make a negative statement like that. So, this leads to my first research question

"What are the available software programs for ESL teachers to use in their teaching?"

After setting up my first research question, I started to research on commercial software programs and made some basic findings about commercial software. They are
          1. A typical language program is skills based
          2. Most of the software programs are designed for children.
          3. Some software programs are costly.
Based on these findings, I realized there are more issues language teachers need to take into considerations when integrating the use of software into their ESL classes. Issues like if they can get enough budget, technology support and etc to create a CALL class. With these concerns, I narrow down my research within the scope of shareware/shareware so money issue won't be an obstacle here. Then, what I want to find out next is the difficulty ESL teachers may run into when adopting a shareware/freeware program in their lesson plan. So, this leads to my second research question

"What kind of problem should ESL teachers expect to encounter when adopting a shareware program in their lesson plan?"

I think the best way to answer this question is to actually pick a shareware/freeware program and create a lesson plan around it. By going through the whole process, I can experience dealing with problems coming along with the use of the shareware. In this sense, I'd like to demonstrate using a shareware program Hot Potatoes in a reading/writing class. Hopefully, it can help my readers to capture the purpose of my research.

To set up the stage for my research, what I want to find out from the current literature is the theoretical background for the use of available software in ESL reading/writing class. Also, I attempt to put together an evaluation form and use it as a review guide when selecting the model shareware/freeware program for my research.

Healey, D(1999) stated that "reading skills fall into two basic categories: skills that help learners find information from a reading and those that help learners enjoy reading". The first category includes microskills like skim the text for main ideas, scan the text for specific information, predict the purpose in reading, recognize topic sentences and supporting details, analyze vocabulary and so forth. The second category includes readers' ability to cooperate different kinds of microskills to help themselves engage in a imagery dialogue with the writer so that they can enjoy the reading. It also has a lot to do with the content and the presentation of the reading itself. Many software programs can help in all these areas. For example, a software package called SimCity can provide learners with opportunities to build their skimming skill. In this simulation, students will work in a small group and each takes a role like police officer, mayor or citizen. Students will be asked to make the best decisions to run a city based on the information provided by the program. Students need to skim the on-screen information quickly to find facts relevant to their role.

Besides software package like SimCity which is not originally designed for educational purpose, there are some ESL software now used in adult ESL instruction. Gare, S(1998) categorized them as "drill and practice programs such as the Oxford Picture Dictionary CD-ROM (1997); tutorials such as Typing Tutor 7.0 (1996); simulations and games such as Triple Play Plus (1995); problem-solving programs such as A Day in the Life (Penn State University, 1995); courseware (software that is developed as an entire course and has accompanying print materials and assessment tools) such as ELLIS (English Language Learning and Instruction System) (1997); and productivity tools such as word processing programs, databases, spreadsheets, graphics, and desktop publishing programs."

When creating a CALL class using software, teacher need to consider not only the accountability of the shareware but also the practicability. For example, teachers' technical expertise, students' language level, computer skills, school facilities and budget are all important factors of a successful technology-integrated ESL curriculum. (Healy, D and Johnson, N, 1998) 　

Step 1	Load the program on your system. Run the program briefly to become familiar with the program's "flow."
Step 2	Execute the program as a successful student would, avoiding intentional or careless errors. Extend the program when possible by interacting "creatively" as a good student would in testing the cleverness of the programmer.
Step 3	Execute the program as an unsuccessful student would. Respond incorrectly to test how the program handles student errors. If an erroneous response to a task results in the repetition of that task, make repeated incorrect responses. Finally, make other kinds of errors such as typing mistakes, incorrect form of input (e.g., "one" for "1"), content errors, and errors in following the directions.
Step 4	Begin filling out ESL Software Form.

For the software evaluation from, Bradin, C (1999) mentioned two main aspects of reviewing a program: Feasibility and Quality. Feasibility includes considerations like "

In this section, I'll briefly describe the five stages of my research process. The details are stated in the relevant sections.

At the first stage of my project, I researched on current literature about using software in ESL field, criteria for software evaluation, and software review.

During literature review, I found many websites dedicated to shareware/freeware downloading; some are specialized in educational programs while the others are for general purposes. In the Sources, I list some websites which I think the most helpful to ESL teachers. 　

I selected 7 shareware/freeware educational programs (please see Findings) and evaluated them with the following guide list:
Criteria for Shareware Evaluation
       Feasibility- required facilities
       Quality-Is the goal of the shareware clear?
                    Is the content accurate and up-to-date?
                    Is there a strong link between ESL pedagogy and the use of the shareware?
                    How much control are the students allowed?
                    How flexible is the shareware?

There are mainly two reasons why I selected Hot Potatoes: It provides more flexibility to teachers and students and it has strong links to ESL pedagogy. (Please see detail in Findings)　

This is the second part of my project. [Show me the Lesson Plan] In this four-week reading/writing class, I attempt to incorporate the exercises written with Hot Potatoes in reading skills, vocabulary reviewing and grammar point practice activities. By doing this, I actually experienced the process of using shareware/freeware in ESL teaching and hopefully can provide some constructive advice to those who are also interested in exploring the same topic.

After researching on the available shareware/freeware programs distributed on the Web, I found they basically fall into seven categories. Here I put together a list to describe generally what these programs are designed for. This is not at all a thorough list of the available shareware/freeware programs but I hope it can give my readers a general idea about what kind of shareware/freeware are out there for ESL teachers to choose.

Among these programs I located from the Web, I found some shared features of them.

1. Most shareware/freeware are skills based
Like commercial software, educational shareware/freeware programs also typically offer work in reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary. The advantage of this classification is that it's easier for teachers to locate what they want to use in a particular language skill class. The draw back is that it doesn't allow teachers to change the content in the program. As a result, teachers have to adjust the teaching materials accordingly.

2. Most shareware/freeware takes form in a self-guided, self-paced exercise.
For example, in Grammar Fitness, each sentence contains up to four underlined choices, one of which is a wrong answer, a common error in usage, diction, idiom, grammatical relationship, or punctuation. In response to a wrong answer, the computer shows the corrected sentence and explains why it is right. Obviously students can do the exercise on their own without teachers' direction.

3. Many shareware/freeware programs are designed to assess students' comprehension.
Probably because of the test-like nature of most of the shareware/freeware programs, they tend to be used for assessing students' performance or helping students prepare for tests. SAT GRE Crash Course is a typical example which is designed to prepare students for standardize tests like SAT and GRE.

4. They come in small file size.
File size ranges from 53k to 15MB or so.

5. Many of them are distributed in zip file.
Since the most economic way of distributing programs is through the Internet, creators of these programs usually put them on the Internet in zip file so it can save the downloading time for those who are interested.

6. Many of them are created by language teachers
For example, the writer of Heaven and Hell, Rolf Palmberg, is a senior lecturer at the Department of Teacher Education at Abo Akademi University in Finland; and the writers of Hot Potatoes, Stewart Arneil, Martin Holmes and Hilary Street are experienced language teachers at the University of Victoria in Canada.

Now I have a big picture of what kind of shareware/freeware programs are available for ESL teachers. My next step is to select one of them and demonstrate how to integrate it into an ESL class. After trying out several programs, I chose Hot Potatoes for my demonstration. In the following section, I'll brief introduce this program and explain why I chose it over other programs.

Hot Potatoes is a actually a suite of six programs that automatically transformed teachers' words into an interactive web page using HTML and Java script. The six applications are:

1. JBC- This application creates multiple choice answer quizzes. Teachers can include a written text, with a reading time limit, and questions can have up to four answers. Teachers can also input feedback leading the student towards the correct answer. (Show me an example)
2. JQuiz- This application creates short answer quizzes. Learners type the answer in the text-field and receives feedback from the computer. (Show me an example)
3. JMix- This application creates jumbled sentence exercises that are very similar to ones that can be created with paper and scissors. (Show me an example)
4. JCross- This application creates crossword puzzles 20x20 letters in size. (Show me an example)
5. JMatch- This application creates listing exercises and matching exercises. (Show me an example)
6. JCloze- This application creates gap-filling exercises. (Show me an example)

With the help of this program, teachers who don't know HTML or Java script can also easily create exercises or games for ESL learners to practice language skills. Now the question comes down to why do teachers want to use this shareware program in their class anyway? I assume this is usually the first problem that calls for teachers' attention whey consider using a particular shareware/freeware in their classroom teaching. As far as I am concerned, there are two main reasons:

1. It provides immediate interactivity compared to paper-based exercise.
Like one of the creators of Hot Potatoes, Holmes, said "The main difference between computer-based and paper-based exercises is the immediate interactivity. For example, if you write GOOD multiple-choice exercises in JBC, with useful, detailed feedback for every answer, then the student can work through the exercise, learning as he or she goes; it's a little like having a teacher at your side all the time, checking all your answers and helping you. With a paper-based exercise, you have to wait for the teacher to mark it, and no teacher is going to respond to every wrong answer on every student's paper, giving helpful comments; that would be impractical."

2. It fits students level more closely that other skill-based shareware programs with fixed content.
Like I mentioned in my findings, most of the shareware/freeware programs are skills based exercises. They are designed to appeal to a wide audience, and make general assumptions about learner needs. Teachers can't choose the content for a specific audience and instead they need to compromise the teaching materials to fit in the content in the chosen program. With Hot Potatoes, in contrast, specially created material can use vocabulary or areas of language of immediate interest to learners. For example, vocabulary generated in the course of a lesson could serve as the basis of a crossword to be used in self-access time. In this respect, "Hot Potatoes" holds a distinct advantage.

Other than pedagogical concerns, the second important issue for teachers to consider is technical problems. During the process of writing a lesson plan around Hot Potatoes, I found myself dealing with little "unexpected" technical problems all the time. Little things like getting disconnected during the downloading, having problem unzip the shareware, publishing the exercises on a free website and etc. Most of these problems results from my lack of knowledge on some computer basics which I think it can be remedied by some extra effort.

Like I said in the previous section, I found most problems that I had when using Hot Potatoes came from technical aspect. The program itself is fairly easy to use and it comes with a well organized tutorial which gives users step-by-step instructions. However, the process of downloading can be a pain in the neck to those who are not familiar with downloading software programs off the Internet. So in this section, I'd like to make some suggestions regarding pedagogical and technical concerns and hopefully they will help smooth the process.

1. Setting up the objective of the lesson plan before searching for shareware
Teachers should keep in mind that educational shareware is supposed to help teaching, to make students learn more effectively. It should never be the center of the lesson plan. If teachers can't find the appropriate shareware for their classroom teaching, give up the idea of using shareware and go with other way to present teaching materials. I would say the positive attitude toward this issue is to be open to all the possibilities but don't force the idea.

2. Equipping with all the necessary tools before download a shareware program
There are some helpful tools can help people make use of shareware/freeware by downloading from the Internet, such as GetRight which allows users to download files and resume downloading if errors occur; WinZip which allows users to unzip a zip file before installing the programs. Both of the tools can be download from the Internet for free.

3. Making it a habit to read software review written by other teachers
We don't always come up great ideas of cooperating software into our teaching. And sometime it's hard to imagine what kind of problem we need to take care of when actually using a software program to design a lesson plan. However, through reading software review may get us thinking of more possibility and avoiding some common mistakes . Also it saves us some time to find the appropriate programs for our students. There are many websites provides software review now, such as Language Learning & Technology and TESL-EJ . Or log on any search engine and type in ESL software review, we can find a lot of reviews written by teachers and from software publishers.

I agree that a good shareware/freeware program is not easy to find but it doesn't mean that we need to shy away from the idea of using it in ESL class. We have seen how shareware/freeware can contribute to ESL field in many other researches. In my own findings, we saw there is a great deal of shareware/freeware programs designed for the purpose of language teaching. ESL teachers now have a lot of options to choose from. Especially an authoring program, like Hot Potatoes, provides language teachers more flexibility to incorporate it in their curriculum than other fixed-content programs. My suggestion to those who want to try this technology is: be open to the possibility of using shareware/freeware in classroom, be prepared for dealing with some unexpected problems and be creative. A perfect program may not exist, but with creativity, teachers can make it happen.

Title	Skill	Settings	License	File Size	Description
Heaven and Hell	Reading	Self-directed learning or class	Freeware	53K	A short quiz for students to practice jigsaw-reading skill
Writing Fitness	Writing	Self-directed learning	Shareware	2.1 MB	A self-paced improvement and management program helps students sharpen their writing skills
World News Review	Listening	Self-directed learning	Freeware	3.8 MB	Using authentic radio broadcasts to help English language students practice and improve their listening comprehension.
SpeakOut	speaking	class	Shareware	989K	A game for ESL students. It uses voice recognition so students must speak to play.
SAT GRE Crash Course	Vocabulary	Self-directed learning	Shareware	865 K	Teaching 840 frequently appearing SAT GRE words. It features a study level and five different learning levels.
Grammar Fitness	Grammar	Self-directed learning	Shareware	2.28 MB	A multiple-choice tutorial that helps students cope with troublesome points of grammar.
Hot Potatoes	Authoring program	Self-directed learning or class	Shareware	11.1MB	Enabling teachers to create interactive exercises for the World Wide Web