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

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

he suggested  three phases of CALL and he explained each one of them. the main goal that he was talking about is archiving normalization to  the point where we don't know that technology becomes  invisible. and taking this to the classrooms and institutions is what  he aims for. He suggested that:

CALL will reach this state when computers (probably very different in shape and

size from their current manifestations) are used every day by language students and

teachers as an integral part of every lesson, like a pen or a book. Teachers and students will use them without fear or inhibition, and equally without an exaggerated respect for what they can do. They will not be the centre of any lesson, but they will play a part in almost all.

he also listed stages of normalization:

1. Early Adopters. A few teachers and schools adopt the technology out of

curiosity.

2. Ignorance/scepticism. However, most people are sceptical, or ignorant of its

existence.

3. Try once. People try it out but reject it because of early problems. They can’t

see its value—it doesn’t appear to add anything of ‘relative advantage’

(Rogers, 1995).

4. Try again. Someone tells them it really works. They try again. They see it does

in fact have relative advantage.

24 S. Bax / System 31 (2003) 13–28

5. Fear/awe. More people start to use it, but still there is (a) fear, alternating

with (b) exaggerated expectations.

6. Normalizing. Gradually it is seen as something normal.

7. Normalization.

here in Saudi Arabia before technology had almost nothing to  do with teaching but know days what bax is talking about as changes to achieve these normalization with technology  is starting to emerge in the Saudi educational society .computers and different technologies items is  being presented here  in schools teachers are aware of the importance of CALL, and i do see that as a student in  YUC  and in different schools in my era .it's hard and new thing at the beginning but it will become easier to accept  I would say by the Saudi teachers  and students. Lately I have  been hearing new ideas like using iPods and laptops in the classrooms as  teaching and learning technologies in Saudi Arabian schools but who knows where will it get in few more years  am  guessing for the best enshAllah.