In-Class Assignment

Hot Potatoes...all that I can say about this application is that it actually so so so 'HOT' as its name. Well, I am quite surprised and impressed at the first stage when I realized that there is such application for language activities. Sometimes I also wonder how people create such tool..and I believed that there would be more interesting and wonderful applications for creating language learning materials and activities, but to make thing simple, just let it be to those who are computer geeks because they are always great at designing IT applications.

Each application (or anything that is created by human) actually has its own pros and cons. After few weeks exploring into this quite famous application where I have learned on how to use J-Cloze, J-Match, and J-Mix; I finally found that it is very useful, helpful, multi-functional, creative, interesting, fun, and flexible. For examples, I just need to type the text(s) at the spaces provided and the application will do the rest such as jumble up the texts or rearrange the texts in non-sequencing order. Furthermore, this application also can be designed with various colours, animation, wonderful backgrounds and so forth. However, despite of its undeniable strengths, Hot Potatoes application also got its own weaknesses. First, for illiterate computer user like me..I would like to say that this application is quite complicated to be used and if I were to be good at it I need to call a personal mentor or instructor who can teach me slowly step by step on how to make use of it or otherwise I would rather suggest to use simple worksheet rather than got headache with it. Second, it is less user-friendly. What I mean by less user-friendly here is that this application actually easy for designing learning materials but the processes required are a little bit tricky, especially when it comes to publish the materials on the web. For instances, those who want to use this application should be among the people who are so patient (unless if the person is computer geek) because they have to always use trial-and-error method until the materials are successful published on the web; because if there is certain mistake occurs at the setting then the materials might not work properly or it may cannot be used at all.

Above all, still this application brings many advantageous than its disadvantageous. I think I may use this application as part of alternatives to design learning materials for my future students later on, Insya'Allah...