USING WEBSITES IN THE

CLASSROOM

KPE 348 Computer Assisted Language Learning

A. Hardi Prasetyo
 Using websites in the classroom
 One of the easiest and least stressful ways of
getting started with technology in the
classroom. Why?
 Large and constantly expanding collection of
resources
 Various levels, various topics
 Various media (from just simple text until sites with
multimedia)
 Authentic or ELT specific materials
 Using websites in the classroom
 Advantages of this technology:
 Less risk of troubles (what you need is a browser
and an internet connection)
 No constant internet connection is needed
 Using websites in the classroom
 Possible uses of websites:
 As printed pages, with no computers
 With one computer with an internet connection
 In a computer lab with a set of networked and
connected computers.
 ELT Websites or authentic materials?
 Both can be used, it depends on what you want to
achieve with it.
 Note:
 ELT websites: provide valuable opportunities for more
controlled language work, e.g. Randal’s ESL Cyber
Listening Lab http://www.esl-lab.com/; Activities for
ESL/EFL students: http://a4esl.org/; English:
http://www.english-for-students.com/; Learn English:
http://www.usingenglish.com/students.html; Linguistics:
http://www.ohio.edu/linguistics/esl/index.html
 Authentic websites: provide ideal opportunities for more
authentic and natural.
 How to find useful websites
 Search engine:
 Google: www.google.com
 Yahoo: www.yahoo.com
 Altavista: www.altavista.com
 Ask.com: http://www.ask.com/
 Clusty: http://clusty.com/
 Lycos: http://www.lycos.com/

 Subject directory/subject guide:

 Yahoo: http://dir.yahoo.com/
 Specialized search engines and directories
 http://webquest.sdsu.edu/searching/specialized.html
 How to find useful websites
 Meta search engines
 Dogpile: http://www.dogpile.com/
 Kartoo: http://www.kartoo.com/en_index.htm
 Metacrawler: http://www.metacrawler.com/
 Mamma: http://www.mamma.com/

 Others:
 Answer.com:http://www.answers.com/bb/
 Yahoo! Answer: http://answers.yahoo.com/
 How to find useful websites
 Images:
 Flickr: www.flickr.com
 Google image: http://images.google.com
 Istockphoto: www.istockphoto.com
 Video:
 Google video: http://video.google.com/
 Yahoo video: http://video.yahoo.com/
 Youtube: www.youtube.com
 Teachertube: www.teachertube.com
 TeacherTV: www.teachers.tv
 AOL Video: http://video.aol.com/
 Audio: podcast:
 ESL Podcast: www.eslpod.com
 Download podcast using iTunes Player, iTunes U
 ESL Independent Study Lab:
http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/toppicks/toppicks
.html
 ESL Independent Study Lab – Content Study:
http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/toppicks/content.
html
 Web resources:
http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/tesol98/webresou
rces.html#misc
 Blue Web’N:
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/
 4Teachers: http://www.4teachers.org/
 Or other websites of your own choices, there are
 How to evaluate websites
1. Accuracy:
a. Who wrote the page? Is this person an expert in the
subject matter  check the qualification, experience,
look for an ‘about me’ link
b. Is the page content reliable and factually correct? 
cross-reference with other similar websites and
encyclopedias
2. Currency:
a. Is the content up-to-date?  check factual
information against other reliable sources
b. When was the page last updated?  check factual
information at the bottom/top of the page
3. Content:
a. Is the content interesting and stimulating? 
consider the content from your learners’ point of
view
b. Is it attractive and easy to navigate?  check the
color combinations, the logic of the links and visual
structure
4. Functionality:
a. Does the site work well? Are there any broken links?
 Be sure to check all pages, and follow all links to
all pages you intend to use
b. Does it use a lot of large files or alternative
technologies (e.g. Flash)?  Check how quickly it
loads for learners; check sound, video and animation
work.
 Reference
Integrating the internet in the classroom:
http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/usia/home.html

Finding information on the Internet:

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Inter
net/FindInfo.html

Searching the internet: Recommended sites and search

techniques: http://www.internettutorials.net/search.html

Dudeney, G., & Hockly, N. (2007). How to teach English

with technology. Longman: Harlow, Essex, England.