1.

0 Introduction

Since the early 1960s, ideas about language learning and teaching have witnessed dramatic
changes in some very fundamental ways. In recent years, ESL educators found that the traditional methods
are less effective and attractive especially for younger learners. A new approach for the teaching of ESL is
needed in regarding to the high development of technology and changing paradigm of learners. Hence,
technology has now become increasingly a part of language learning and teaching. Especially, with the
technology of Internet and many more multimedia computer facilities, the notions of ‘cyber learning’,
‘virtual environment’ and ‘e-learning emerged paving away for more technologically effective means of
teaching and learning the English language. Currently language learning through online materials sparked
interest a number of ESL teachers and learners. This is because the language learning process can become
more effective and meaningful to learners. Besides that, it also enables students to become active learners
and allows students to accommodate a variety of learning styles.
It is essential to evaluate the online material in order to find out whether the material is appropriate
for a specific group of language learners. Normally, the online material evaluation involves certain
criteria’s such as the general information of the material, authorship of the material, accuracy of the
material, currency of the material, content of the material, purpose of the material and finally the design of
the material. For the purpose of our assignment, we have chosen a website entitled “The Grammar
Aquarium” (http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/freeexercises.htm).
The aim of this website is to promote language learning specifically on grammar aspect. In
addition, the website also provides explanation on certain grammar items and exercises. In our website
evaluation, first we will discuss on the features and the design of the website where in this criteria we’ll
look into the depth of information, the links and the features such as forum, activities and lessons. Besides
that, under this criterion the website will be evaluated in terms of its attractiveness and design. Next, we
will evaluate the website based on the authority and validity criteria where it is important to know the
author of the website and the purpose of him creating this website. Furthermore, we will look into the
accuracy of the website in terms of its spelling, grammar and content. Then, the currency of the
information of the website will be evaluated in order to find out when the page was first written and when
was it last updated. Finally, under the criteria of target audience or learners, we will discuss about who
the targeted group are and whether the website has met the learners need.

2.0 Evaluation of the Website

2.1 Features and the design

The website consists of exercises for each grammar items which are made using HOT
POTATOES software. The feedback will be provided immediately after the learner completed the question
for every exercise and all the exercises are free for non-commercial use. On the other hand, explanations or
notes are also provided for certain grammar items in order to make the learners to have better
understanding on certain grammar items. Besides that, the website also consists of forum (message board)
where learners can post their inquiries on grammar items as well as their comment about the websites. This
feature actually provides opportunities for learners to interact with the author or other learners who’s using
this websites.
In terms of the design of the website, it gives learners less pressure about English learning and it
makes the language learning easy and interesting .The use of the color is very smart, soft one to be the
background and dark one to emphasize the content. The usage of the pictures is very attractive, too. Besides
that, the website is easily navigable because it helps the learners to move from page to page, link to link
and item to item easily without getting lost or confused. This is because the pages are linked consequently
to each other.
Finally, from our observation we found out that the website is not easily downloadable. This is
because some pages in the website take a long time to download because they contain large graphics or
other media files and those files are essential for the purpose of the page.

Example of exercises:
 2.2 Authority
The author of this website is Rob Wilson an English teacher working in
Valencia, Spain and the purpose of him creating this website is to provide a free resource for
students and teachers of English. Besides that, his intention is to share information with all the ESL and
EFL learners.

Besides that, there is no additional information provided on the author such as his years
of experience, education background, email address and phone numbers. In order for the users to
ask questions or contact the author, users can use the grammar helpline to send their messages.

2.3 Accuracy
From our observation, we noticed that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes
in the pages of this website. The content of the website is appropriate for Form 2 students. The
author has done a good job by providing detailed grammar exercises to the learners. The content is
useful for both students and teacher as the information can be used in teaching and learning. The content
are appropriate for both teachers and learners as the information can be used for teaching and
learning.
However, the information or explanation for each grammar item is given by other
webpage. For example, when student click on reflexive pronoun, students will be link to other
website and when they click on adjective they will link to
http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/ADJECTIVES4.cfm.
 Thus, it offers teachers and student a lot of good idea from different websites. All the
information match the learners need but it does not cover the topic fully this is because the notes provided
for each grammar item are short and brief. Nevertheless, the information provided is sufficient and
it covers the syllabus requirement. Besides that, the information are organized and labeled clearly
for students as some of the notes are presented in table form. The progression of the topics is
meaningful within the site and the content of the linked site are appropriate for students need. Lastly,
the activities in the site and interaction within the site increase learner’s instructional value.

2.4 Currency
The website doesn’t have the date of publication as well as the dates for any
cited information and it is updated on May 2005. The information in the website is outdated.
However, in the EFL and ESL forum the messages that are sent by other learners are replied as soon as
possible.
 2.5 Target audience / Learner
The target learners that are appropriate for this website are teachers and learners
of ESL and EFL. This is because the objectives of this website meet the needs for this specific
group.

3.0 Relevance of the website to KBSM syllabus

It is essential for English language teachers to use different resources of materials other than
printed materials such as textbooks and supplementary books. In order to avoid using the same printed
materials in language learning classroom, teachers can integrate the use of technology to make the teaching
and learning process more effective. For example, teacher can use tans of online material resources in the
Internet for effective teaching.
Based on the website that we chose, the grammar components are suitable and appropriate for
Form Two intermediate level students in Malaysian classroom context. This is because all the grammar
components which are required in KBSM syllabus for Form Two students are available in the website. For
example, Form Two students need to learn noun, adjectives, articles, pronouns, tenses, verbs and so on.

Although the materials are appropriate for form two students, there is some part that can be
adapted to make the learning more effective in Malaysian classroom context. From our opinion, we would
like to integrate pre-computer work for this particular website while using the website in language learning
classroom. For example, in the online material, pictures and a brief explanation that are related to the
grammar item are presented at the main page of the website. By doing this, students will have a clear
picture on what they are going to learn. Besides that, most of the exercises provided in the website are easy
for form two intermediate levels students which are not challenging for their level of proficiency. This will
make the students bored and make their learning less meaningful. We suggest that, more challenging
exercises are given that match their levels of proficiency. Not only that, different type of exercises such as
matching, fill in the blanks, and etc can be integrated in this website. Students also can work in pairs when
they engage in more difficult task that is provided in this website. This make the students engage in active
learning and make the learning process more interactive.
As a conclusion, it is important for teachers to evaluate the online material in terms of its
effectiveness to make their students learning process more effective. Then teachers can adapt the online
material in order to suit the KBSM syllabus. Thus, online materials in the website can be useful resources
in language learning context and as well as a tool for effective teaching.