Abstract:

The effectiveness of a computer program, CUES, designed to improve adult ESL students' essays was tested both formally and informally. The formal measures carried out in both the experin7eiital and the control groups included: 1) holistic ratings of both groups' pre- and post- intervention essays, and 2) a comparison of pre- and post-intervention thinking-aloud protocol analyses. The informal measures included a questionnaire administered to the students and critical comments about the program garnered from the students' responses in a 500-ivord essay entitled, "Assess the program CUES." This research provides an opportunity for the author to examine critically the research methods used, and to conclude that both formal and informal evaluation measures provide a balanced assessment of CALL software.

Author: Mary-Louise Craven