Week 8: Reflection

This week was really challenging. We had so much to do! However, the tasks were interesting and useful. First of all, I liked the technology tools we have explored. They can help teachers make their daily practice more various and more interesting for students. I think one of the best websites in our list is Tools for Educators. Although I didn’t use it for the week project, I am familiar with it and use it quite often to create crosswords, word searches and bingo games. I especially like that this website allows creating crosswords not only with clues, but also with pictures. Such crosswords are much more interesting for young learners.

I think all teachers like crosswords because they allow students to memorize new words in a fun way. Therefore, I would like to share a link to a Split Crossword. You can download it from http://curriculumproject.org/teacher-training-2 (look for Activity 11.11 – Communicative Crosswords: CrossWare on this website). You enter the words and the program generates a split crossword. In the classroom students have to complete the clues for their half of the crossword. When they have written the clues, they work with a partner who has the other half, asking for and giving clues so they can both complete their half of the crossword. I think this is a very useful activity for students. When writing clues, they can use synonyms and relative clauses and in this way learn to use the strategy of paraphrasing. Besides, when they are working with a partner, they have to explain the meaning of their word without saying the word and listen to each other and guess the word their partner is explaining. Thus, they can develop listening and speaking skills. Although it might be difficult to use Split crosswords with complete beginners, higher level students (from elementary onward) can really benefit from them. For example, I often use Split crosswords with Advanced level students and in my English Language Methodology classroom to help students memorize different terms related to the field of English language teaching.

As for the final project, I am happy I have finished my first draft. Now I am looking forward to getting my partner’s comments so that I could prepare the final draft. However, even now I know I should make some changes. While reviewing Sawako’s project, I understood that I am missing some things in my project. So I am ready to make changes right now.

Anna

Week 7: Reflection

I have finally finished my WebQuest! It is about Communicative Language Teaching and is created for pre-service EFL teachers. It took quite  a lot of time to find all the materials and put them all together, but I really enjoyed the process. Unfortunately, I won't be able to try this WebQuest with my students because my lectures have already finished. I will send my students a message asking to access the WebQuest, but I don't think they will do the assignments. I am going to use this WebQuest next academic year.

This week I have learned about a new tool - Padlet. I was so excited about it that I decided to use it in my WebQuest. I registered at Padlet.com and linked some pages to my WebQuest. I want my students to use Padlet to share the results of their work, but the tasks they have to complete are not very creative. I am not sure I've chosen the best way to use Padlet because I think it is best used for showing students' work such as videos, slideshows etc. or for doing group research. Anyway, for the time being, I think it's ok to try to use it at least in such a simple way. 

This week topic was Learner Autonomy. It is directly related to my final project as the use of WebQuests can foster learner autonomy in the classroom. Thus, in my WebQuest students are supposed to complete the tasks on their own. As we do not have an opportunity to complete the WebQuest in class, I decided to ask students to do it at home and use the knowledge obtained for a class discussion. Unfortunately, it means that they will have to work individually at home, but I will use some group work in class when we discuss what students have learned. 


Anyway, as I won't be able to try the WebQuest right away, I would really appreciate your feedback and comments. You can access my WebQuest at
http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=196138

Anna 

Week 6: Reflection

I have been using PPT in my teaching for some time and I have always tried to involve students in my presentations. I have tried animation in order not to reveal the content of my slides at once. I have also used Think, pair, share technique and Concept Test technique. However, I didn't know about such techniques as Blank Slide, Quick Write and some others. Therefore, I enjoyed the readings and tried to use some of the tips provided in my PPT. 

Also, I didn't know that it is possible to create your own interactive game in Power Point.  I thought you need some special computer skills to do something like that. Creating your own game in PPT is a time consuming task; however, once you have your own template, you can always update it to include new questions and tasks for students. So it is worth it.

As for my project, last week I decided to develop a WebQuest about Communicative Language Teaching. However, I was extremely busy this week and couldn't finish my WebQuest. Moreover, I think I will have to opt for a project plan. My lectures finish this week, which means that I won't be able to try my WebQuest. 

Anna 

Week 5: Reflection

I can't believe we are in the middle of our course! Looking back I can say that I have learned quite a few things. Among them there is using blogs, Delicious, various search engines...

This week we focused on Project-Based Learning and Alternative Assessment. I enjoyed the readings. They refreshed my knowledge on the topics in question. I used Rubistar to create a rubric for an oral presentation of an academic article. How come I never knew that there were such tools on-line? I always created all my rubrics in MS Word, which took so much time!

Having looked through some sample WebQuests, I decided to change my original plan for the final project. Now I am going to create a WebQuest that will let my students explore one of the themes I usually lecture on. The WebQuest will focus on Communicative Language Teaching. The students will have to read some on-line articles and watch some videos in order to get ready for a round-table discussion about Communicative Language Teaching. Actually, I was planning to do a bonus assignment and create the beginning of this WebQuest, I registered on Zunal and started working on my WebQuest, but unfortunately didn't have time to finish it... 

Anna