"Application of Bax Normilasation in Saudi Arabia: The how!"

Stephan Bax argues that, "Our aim should be to attain a state of `normalisation' in which the technology is invisible and truly integrated"

     In the article “CALL—past, present and future” by Stephan Bax suggested many ways to "attain a state of normalization in which the technology is invisible and truly integrated". That’s mean to reach a level in using technology in learning to the point that it is taking for granted. Bax summarized that in 3 steps “The first step is to identify the criterial factors which normalisation requires. The second is to audit the practice of each teaching context in the light of these criteria; the final step is to adjust our current practice in each aspect so as to encourage normalisation” .Finally, he mentioned the 7 stages of normalization in CALL from early adaptors, ignorance/scepticism, try once,try again, fear/awe, normalising, until we finally reach normalization.

     About how these changes and means could be applied to our Saudi context I believe that could occur by these following steps. First of all, there are three parties involved and if they work together we will easily reach normalization. The first party is The Ministry of Education who should supply schools and universities with the required and the necessary tools like computers and others. Also, they should train teachers to use these tools the right way. The second party is the teacher who I believe must develop themselves -not only rely on the training- and try to be creative. Most importantly, they should establish a point where students don't even notice technology in their classrooms (normalization). The third party is the students. Their job is to be cooperative and interact with the teachers and with their classmates.

On the other hand, we all as a community must try to observe other countries that are well developed in this area and benefit from their experiences and establishments. Obviously before all of that, we need to put a clear, organized plan that we can follow to reach the normalization we are hoping for.  

I’m really optimistic about what will happen in Saudi Arabia and all the Arab world in the near future. For what I’m seeing, changes in educational technology are happening really fast. For example, when I was in elementary and middle school, the only tools were used in teaching were books and pens and the traditional teaching method. As soon as I entered high school, teachers were using computers, laptops, projectors, and sometimes internet. Now, using laptops in the classrooms is a normal and hardly recognized thing. At least that a start!

It will not be easy, it will not be fast, but we can and we will do it nsha'Allah.

Future Classrooms