Hubbard's integrated evaluation framework for CALL resources

(Reflection on reading week 2)

Unlike what many people do with an ad hoc checklist when they evaluate CALL resources, Hubbard gave us some ideas of evaluating the computer courseware by developing an “integrated evaluation framework”. The framework consists of three components – operational description, teacher fit and learner fit.

Operational description provides an objective and detailed view of the operation of the software and it also determines the teacher fit and learner fit. Teacher fit shows how the developer’s assumptions about language and learning as manifested in the courseware correspond to those of the evaluator. And the idea of “Learner fit” suggests that learners’ characteristics are influential in determining their learning behaviour and success.

In short, Hubbard’s framework allows courseware evaluators to tailor-make their own criteria, and so evaluation can be done more context-dependently.

In the discussion board and lesson, there were some discussions about 'user-friendly'. For me, a courseware is user-friendly if the users can easily operate the courseware by themselves, or even without anyone teaching them how to use. Otherwise, learners would lose their interest (or patience) in using the courseware. I think this is especially true for young or begin learners.