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“...The evidence is accumulating that computers are having a decided impact on the way our
schools and society organize, communicate, and make decisions.” (Nathan,1985).

Based on the quotation above, integrating ICT in ESL classroom is one of the efforts to boost the
learning. ICT has been widely used especially with the help of various purposeful software support
tools. In education field, software support tools are list of programmes that promoted instances which
could help us in teaching and learning process. Depending on the capabilities of the tool and the needs
of the situation, these programs can offer several benefits. Firstly, it is said to improve productivity.
Tasks can be completed quickly and the free time can be rechanneled towards working with students.
Secondly, it improves appearance of work where teachers and students can have materials that resemble
professional designers. In fact, students will appreciate to receive attractive-looking materials and find it
rewarding and challenging to produce great-looking products of their own. Thirdly, software support
tools also help in improving accuracy. It helps teachers to keep precise, accurate records of events and
students’ progression. Fourthly, this tool actually supports interaction. Students can interact among them
while using certain software. These qualities can encourage many creative, cooperative group-learning
activities. Actually, there are many software support tools that are available nowadays. However, they
still differ in purposes, benefits they offer and their utility for teachers. Some examples of software
support tools are material generators and planning and organising tools.
Material Generators is nice to have to help teachers and students produce instructional materials.
Some of the examples are Desktop publishing software, Test generators and Test item banks, Worksheet
and Puzzle generators, IEP generators, Graphic document makers and PDF and forms makers. Here, we
will explain more on material generators based on an example which is the Puzzle generator. This
puzzle generator is found and can only be utilized in the internet. The software cannot be downloaded.
This software is so simple and easy to be used in the classroom. The teachers do not have to explore in
deep about the skills of utilizing this software since it is so easy and it consumes less time to be able to
produce the puzzle. In addition, the activity is so popular; the teachers do not have to waste so much
time in explaining the instruction of this activity.

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• Example of Puzzle Generator, Retrieved From:-

http://www.armoredpenguin.com/wordsearch/

Besides, this software tool is suitable to be used during the set induction in order to attract
pupils’ interests toward the lesson or it can also be used during the closure activity, in order to test their
understanding of the lesson. Puzzle generator may suit all pupils’ proficiency levels. The teacher may
not give the clue to the advance or the intermediate pupils yet the teacher could give clues for the weak
pupils in solving the problem. This software also has its own disadvantages. The activity may be very
bored if the teachers do not construct puzzle based on the pupils’ proficiency levels. However, this
software cannot be used if there is no internet connection; the teacher has to prepare beforehand in order
to implement the puzzle activity. Lastly, this activity has its limitation which is focusing on the
vocabulary aspect of language only. Actually, this software tool can be related to the Humanistic,
Cognitivism and Constructivism theories. Based on the Humanistic theory, the puzzle activity is a very
non-threatening activity, where the pupils are usually familiar with this kind of activity and it is
basically not new to them. Therefore it helps to lower the pupils’ anxiety leading to lower down their
affective filter that hinders them from acquiring the knowledge as what proposed in Krashen
Hypothesis. In addition, through this puzzle activity pupils have to search for correct vocabulary on
their own and construct their own way of solving problem which is in line with the claims of
Constructivism theory.

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• Example of final product of Puzzle Generator

On the other hand, planning and organizing tools include outlining and concept mapping
software, lesson planning software, and scheduling or time management tools. One example of this tool
is called Kidspiration.

• Kidspiration Software

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It is created for younger or primary school learners. Kidspiration develops thinking, literacy and
numeracy skills using proven visual learning principles. In reading and writing, Kidspiration strengthens
word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. Kidspiration helps students to
develop strong thinking skills, strengthen reading and writing skills and build conceptual understanding
in math.Some of the features in the Kidspiration software are Picture View, Writing View and Math
View. In Writing View, students expand their ideas into written expression. Kidspiration's Picture View
is used to build graphic organizers including concept maps, webs, bubble diagrams and Venn diagrams.
In addition, according to Jean Piaget in his 4 stages of children development, children at the age of 7 to
12 years old are concrete learners. They need to experience and see while they are learning. Therefore,
teaching aids used must be colourful and attractive enough to them. Thus, Kidspiration software offers
all those to the children for meaningful learning. Research shows that visual learning is one of the best
methods for teaching thinking skills. Visual learning techniques which is graphical ways of working
with ideas and presenting information can teach students to clarify their thinking and to process,
organize and prioritize new information. Visual thinking and learning utilize graphical ways of working
with ideas and presenting information. Research in both educational theory and cognitive psychology
tells us that visual learning is among the very best methods for teaching students of all ages how to think
and how to learn. This software tool, Kidspiration, is based on proven visual learning methodologies
that help students think, learn and achieve. With the powerful combination of visual learning and
technology, primary students learn to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new
knowledge, and think critically. Yet, have to remember that this software has its own limitation. We
can’t simply drag ideas around the map or print directly from the software.

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• Example: Picture view can be transformed into written form

Based on the explanation above, it is proven that actually software support tools help those
especially teachers to lighten the task of preparing teaching and learning materials. It is not just to make
the task easier though, but the most important thing is in helping the learning become more effective. As
what always said, learning language is always boring. So, let us bring ‘new life’ in ESL classroom so
that our new generation will enjoy learning language.

REFERENCES

Book:-

1. D.R, Margaret & H.D, Aaron Farris, (2010), Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching.
United States of America, Pearson Education, Inc.

Websites:-

1. Charles G., 2007, Why use Software Support Tools. Retrieved January 26, 2010 from:
http://www.ithinktoo.com/Design%203/software/software.html
2. The Online Teacher Resource –Why settle for just a few material makers?. Retrieved January 26,
2010 from: http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/
3. Inspiration Software,Inc (2010), Kidspiration-The visual way to explore and understand words,
numbers and concepts,retrieved January 29, 2010,from http://inspiration.com/Kidspiration

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