BBI 3423 LANGUAGE AND ICT

1. BBI 3423LANGUAGE AND ICT Assoc Prof Dr Tan Bee Hoon Tel: 8946 8798 E-mail: tanbh@fbmk.upm.edu.my (First face-to-face meeting, 18 December 2010)

2. Course objectives Students will be able to: • explain the relationship between language and ICT • outline in brief the developments in ICT and computer technology, and • use the computer as an aid in language development.

3. Overview of the course (1) • This course in Language and ICT looks at the relationship between developments in ICT and developments in language. The course will consider computer-mediated communication and the role of the computer in supporting language development.

4. Overview of the course (2) • The course covers the basic principles of designing computer-based slide shows, including the appropriate use of language. In addition, since this is the only course that relates to computers in the BA (English Language) programme, students will first be introduced briefly to the history of computer development, parts of the computer and basic computer operations.

5. Overview of the course (3) • This course helps students gain awareness of the ways in which computers impact and assist language development.

6. Course Texts • Module: The BBI 3423 module on Language and ICT is being updated. PPL will inform you as soon as it is available. In the meantime, you can refer to these slides for content for the Mid-semester Test. • Book: The Language of ICT (Tim Shortis, 2001), Routledge

7. Role of the Computer in ICT Computers are needed to: • integrate the use of ICT texts, especially multimedia texts • store and distribute software / programmes: CDs • disseminate information globally: Internet

8. Role of Language in ICT & Multimedia Language plays a central role in • constructing ICT texts • writing computer programmes

9. ICT Texts (1) ICT texts are used in • Dissemination of information • Commercial: e.g., Internet advertisements, business sites • Research: e.g., Online journals, articles, news reports • Educational: e.g., CALL software, video conferencing, online conference classes

10. ICT Texts (2) ICT texts are also used in • Social interaction • Synchronous/Real-time: e.g., chats, IRCs • Asynchronous: i.e., not real-time: e.g., email

11. Studying Language in ICT: Use of language in ICT (1) • Programming language • coded language: commands for the machine translated into verbal language for human users • not covered in detail in this course

12. Studying Language in ICT: Use of language in ICT (2) • Electronic communication • Nature of electronic text • Cognitive and social impact on users • Evolution of computer-mediated discourse • Linguistic aspects • Social aspects

13. Technical properties of electronic text • Plasticity • Links • Tagging • Searches • Templates • Footprints • Virtuality

14. Technical properties of electronic text:Plasticity • ICT, especially word processing, generates screen text or soft copy • Soft copy • impermanent • alterable, available to be remodelled or combined

15. Technical properties of electronic text:Links Electronic text can be • copied and combined with other types of compatible ICT text and image => allows creation of large systems of information • multi-modal with animated combinations of visual, auditory, graphical and verbal information => the heart of multimedia

16. Technical properties of electronic text:Tagging • Electronic text can be tagged so that particular sequences of information are associated with other types of information, e.g., • text can be framed by commands so that it has particular status and appearance on screen • words in computer language corpus can be tagged with their parts of speech • Tagging enables searches of linked information

17. Technical properties of electronic text:Searches • Searches can be conducted through matched patterns of code, allowing vast archives of text to be searched quickly • Strings of text can also trigger electronic responses, e.g., in spellchecker, a text string not recognised will trigger a dialogue box of options; inclusion of certain words in websites will make it inaccessible to certain users

18. Technical properties of electronic text:Templates • Templates approximate types of human communication, e.g., • ATM machines create flow diagram that model counter service in a bank • Word processors use document templates that prompt writers for information like addresses in letters

19. Technical properties of electronic text:Footprints • Many IT texts make electronic records that can be traced and reused, e,g,. • Basic level: text can be stored • Faxing produces records of when and where fax is sent • Word processors record length of time spent on a document • Internet stores build databases of purchasing habits of customers, credit card information, etc.

20. Technical properties of electronic text:Virtuality IT texts can • create parallel world that simulates the real world without constraints of physical context • have live real-time links with disparate and geographically remote audiences, information and media • enable people to communicate without disclosing cues about their identity like their gender, voice or appearance

21. THINK What are some social and ethical implications of the nature of electronic text?

22. Social and ethical implications Nature of electronic text • allows ‘doctoring’ of texts • enables plagiarism • challenges traditional notions of • authority • permanent documentation

23. Social and ethical implications • Dynamic nature of ICT language • creates gap between experts and novices • contributes to digital divide

24. Homework Activity • Explore this Website which contains a glossary of ICT terms: http://www.johnlamper.btinternet.co.uk/ecdl/ict_glossary.htm • Look for examples of • metaphors • terms formed through affixation, blending, etc.

25. ASSIGNMENT 1 Identify twenty terms (words or phrases) that have taken on a new or additional meaning as a result of the development of the computer. Present a list of these terms, with BOTH their original and new /additional meanings in the context of ICT.

26. ASSIGNMENT 1(b) Examples: Mouse • A furry rodent • (ICT term) – a point-and click device Virus • A harmful organism capable of growth and multiplication only in living cells, that cause various diseases • (ICT term) – a computer program usually hidden within another program that usually performs a malicious action such as destroying data

27. ASSIGNMENT 2 Computers are being increasingly used in language learning and education. The Internet offers a variety of sites that can be utilised in creative ways by language teachers. Language learners can also find useful information on the Web to help them in their language development.

28. ASSIGNMENT 2(b) Using a Search engine* and appropriate key terms, identify ten Web sites that you find useful for language development or Language learning. *Examples of search engines you can use are: • Google.com at http://www.google.com • Alta vista at http://www.altavista.com

29. ASSIGNMENT 2(c) For EACH website you identify: • Provide the NAME of the site and the Web address or url. • (Example: Guide to Grammar and Writing http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/ • Specify the target audience (e.g. language learners, language teachers) you are selecting the sites for. • For each site you choose, provide a one-paragraph description of the site and what it offers the target audience.(In other words, say why you think this site would be useful.)

30. Send assignments to: Pusat Pendidikan Luar (PPL) (necessary for their records) Assignment 1 must reach PPL 1 week before the mid-semester exam. Assignment 2 must reach PPL 2 weeks before the final exam.