WEEK 10 - Thoughts and feelings

This was the least demanding week in terms of work! Inevitably when things come to an end we tend to think what we have gained from the experience. Well, I am very pleased to be part of this diverse teaching circle. I gained a lot of knowledge regarding web skills and teaching languages. Our instructor Mr. Robert Elliott guided as through smoothly from the very beginning till now, supporting us when we needed it.
I have learned  and tried a lot during the last weeks; I particularly enjoyed nicenet, webquests, blogs, padlet, rubistar, delicious. What happens with integration of technology to the classroom is that teachers need to try and learn through trial and error. I intend to implement many of the new tools I have encountered in this course the next school year. I'm thinking of creating a new syllabus during the summer and adapt my material.
What I want to explore further is how to handle a class wiki, how to create a web page for my class and understand the use of platforms like moodle as well.
I wish to thank everyone for their participation and for sharing interesting ideas! Special thanks to Robert, our instructor for the organization, clear guidance and support.

THANK YOU ALL!

WEEK 9: Almost there!

So, we're heading towards the end of the course! During week nine, we had to submit the final project and study multiple intelligence in relation to technology. Gardner's theory on multiple intelligence is famous among teachers worldwide. For some years it had been the topic of discussion in educational seminars, conventions or conferences. Obviously it is helpful to know the learning styles of your students and cater for their needs. In addition, the integration of technology wtih this theory further increases a teacher's chances to create and teach lessons in a way that would make his students feel contented. However, technology and multiple intelligences are not panacea for dealing with problematic situations in a classroom or for making our lessons more attractive.

Gardner's theory also reminded me of NLP. Neurolinguistic Programming also takes into consideration, among other things, the senses. NLP examines how the human mind processes information using the VAKOG model (from the initial letters of the sensory-specific modalities: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, gustatory). For further reading I recommend you this link http://books.google.gr/books?id=JgIKNzpAnd8C&pg=PA31&lpg=PA31&dq=VAKOG&source=bl&ots=yLF8jXOjhK&sig=0etNZMJrKov_rFjWw_I8DnfjBa8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=cZCrUZHwLInUswaM6YDYBQ&ved=0CIcBEOgBMA0#v=onepage&q=VAKOG&f=false
but mainly the book it comes from: "IN YOUR HANDS" NLP in ELT edited by Jane REVELL, Susan NORMAN. I have used some of their ideas in my teaching. Another book recommendation is Handing Over: NLP based activities for language learning by Jane Revell & Susan Norman.

WEEK 8 - A super-woman?

This week was really chaotic. On the one hand the completion of the first draft of the report, the deadlines of the tasks and discussions, on the other hand, end-of-year examinations at school keep me extremely busy! On top of that my 3-year-old daughter constantly asks for my undivided attention!
I feel I need more time to absorb everything I'm exposed to in this course. I'm rushing and what I get is just a glimpse of what is out there to explore!
I created a Nicenet class site (http://www.nicenet.org/ICA/class/conf_topic_show.cfm?topic_id=891096
) to engage my students more in the next school year. I'm planning to enrich it with tasks and topic discussions during the summer break when I'll have time to organize things.
I also did my very first Webquest which I included in my project plan. http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=198421.
I learned about various online tools for teachers and will explore more ANVILL and its possibilities. That's all for now.

Maria

WEEK 7 - Full Steam Ahead

We are all working towards the completion of our projects or project plans (like me) which are due to be read by our peers next week! My partner in the peer reading process is Julio. I have started my webquest.

This week we discussed about Learner Autonomy and One-computer classroom! We had a lot of reading to do, which helps us exchange ideas and experiences. I liked the following table as it clearly indicates the behavior and the characteristics of autonomous learning!


I'm also including the following slide from this webpage http://www.slideshare.net/irwyn12/approaches-to-learner-autonomy-in-language-learning-presentation-786825., I find really true.


We also worked with PADLET/WALLWISHER, a powerful, intriguing tool which works as a Wall or real-time wiki. People can post pictures, thoughts, videos, presentations, share ideas and create something together!

WEEK 6

This week's task was the most challenging for me. I didn't have enough time to try a lot of things regarding interactive PowerPoint presentations. My laptop where I keep my work stopped working today and I don't know if I would be able to upload the PowerPoint I have created in time.

Regarding my final project, I have to follow the plan rather than the teaching project since exam period begins in a week and I can't possibly implement my ideas. As I have written in nicenet the previous week, I intend to create a web quest for improving my students' presentation skills and their fluency. Towards that direction, I think it is a good idea to direct them into watching two different successful presentations, one with the aid of technology (let's say using powerpoint or prezi) one without. While watching the presentations they can fill in a chart I will give them with DO's and DON'Ts  of good presentations. Then in pairs, discuss their ideas and share with the whole class. I also plan to implement K-W-L chart which I learned last week!
That's all for the time being.

Maria

WEEK 5- My thoughts on Alternative Assessment, PBL, Webquests, Rubrics

What I realized this week is that during the years I have been teaching and trying to evolve professionally I have tried several things which I haven't formally been taught. Now, thankfully through this great course I'm attending, I am guided on how to employ and implement web tools into my teaching.
Rubistar was a discovery for me as well. I haven't created rubrics before and I think that it will help my students realize more specifically what I expect from them.
Webquests was something I had only heard of but now I think I am starting to have a clearer idea about it. Once I try it out, I'm positive that my students would love it and benefit from it.
As far as PBL is concerned, I'm quite familiar with it and really enthusiastic whenever I use it in my classes, which is quite often.
When it comes to Alternative Assessment, I came across some practical ideas while studying the suggested articles. Here is a nice link:  http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/tannen01.html
I am definitely going to insert K-W-L charts (what I know/what I want to know/what I've learned)  strategy to enable me to gain an awareness of students' background knowledge and interests and assess the content material learned.

Maria

We celebrate EASTER today and we say "HAPPY EASTER" in the Orthodox church! 


 

Week 4

Our Easter Break has just started here in Greece! I'll be back to school on May, 13th. Hurray!

I forgot to tell you to watch and maybe use in your lessons the video I used in my enhanced with technology lesson plan: http://vimeo.com/56093731 It's really great, as it cleverly transfers messages to viewers using animation!

Maria