How important is it for students to be able to access learning materials on their smartphones? This post looks at some fascinating trends.
Setting up a level test: challenges and solutions
When Clarity and telc first conceptualised the Dynamic Placement Test, a key objective was to devise a democratic test — a computer-based level test available to schools whatever their digital setup. At the same time, we didn’t want to compromise on the technology: it needed to be a test that went well beyond multiple choice questions and gap fills. So within these constraints, the team prioritised three areas.
Interview with ClarityEnglish: Putting the fun into testing and language learning
Andrew Stokes, Managing Director of the Hong Kong-based EFL software company ClarityEnglish, talks to Melanie Butler about testing on mobile phones, the perils of unanswered emails and high tech toasters.
ClarityEnglish and Flash
What is Clarity's policy for supporting and replacing Flash-based programs?
Gulf governments push technology in teaching and learning
Peter Waters explains how working in the Gulf provides unlimited opportunities for teachers to initiate ICT projects — and describes how this positive atmosphere benefits both teachers and students.
Micro-learning and the all new IELTS Tips app
Micro-learning is a new learning strategy aimed at closing knowledge gaps with bite-sized lessons. The new version of the IELTS Tips app, launched last week, applies this theory to IELTS preparation. Test-takers install the app and it pushes out a handy IELTS prep tip every morning for them to read on their way to school or work.
The Chinese approach to language teaching
In this article, first published last month in the China Supplement of the EL Gazette, Jocelyn Wan outlines the Chinese approach to language teaching, and explains how the communicative approach clashes with elements of East Asian culture.
Turning a self-access centre into a social hub
When she took over the self-access centre at Hong Kong Education University, Dr Jessie Choi realised that ‘physical learning material was no longer a strong attraction.’ This is the story of her vision of a new approach to self-access language learning, based on social interaction.
Getting the most out of your ESL software supplier
What level of service should you demand from your ESL software supplier? Samuel Sheinberg draws on 20 years of experience with NAS Software to offer some tips.
Cheating and the Dynamic Placement Test
Can a test run on a student’s device ever be secure? What’s to stop a test taker looking up the answers on the Internet? What, in fact, does ‘secure’ mean in the context of a placement test?