Technology at its best....

My main reason to be a part of this course was to be technology savvy, so that I would be the right kind of teacher for GenX.

I'm happy to say that with the help of this course, my instructor and my friends, over these seven weeks I've learnt a lot. Week seven was devoted to Learner Autonomy, One Computer Classroom, Mobile Assisted Language Learning, Padlet and Partner Sign up for the final project. Sophia has said that it has been a 'roller-coaster' ride for her. I couldn't agree more, for it has been the same for me too. Moreover, the 'Discussion' thread has decided to boycott me...I don't know why!! But, I will not give up and keep trying till I can have at least one post on the thread.  I miss out often on the energetic discussions and then have no option but to pour out my frustration to Courtney.

We are all aware of 'Learner Autonomy', but for me the readings gave me a more scientific insight into it. There are so many facets to it than just independence of the learner. In our country, I know many conservative teachers frown upon the term, for they think  it talks about a teacher becoming redundant. I wish everybody would read Dimitrios Thanasoulas and Henri Holec's articles, which will help break this myth. How enriching their experience as a teacher would be ! The students not only become critical thinkers but at the same time develop responsibility to learning, problem solving, team work and so much more.

In most of our classrooms where there one computers, articles like - "Strategies and Applications for the One Computer Classroom" and "ESL Activities for the One Computer Classroom" are immensely relevant. With our classes being so large, all this while I thought it was a handicap to the use of technology. Now, after reading these articles, being led through PADLET by my instructor, I've found one computer to be quite a good resource. I've learnt how to use it in class for a specific topic with the web tool Padlet. I'm quite sure that my students would be thrilled to use it. The ones who find Story Writing to be a boring task, and the ones who are inhibited and shy away from a task would find Padlet in a one computer classroom to be interesting, creative and motivating. I'm not going to reflect on Mobile Assisted Language Learning, because no Indian school will allow the use of mobile in the classroom, even in the presence of the teacher. So, in my social context it will be irrelevant, although I'm sure in many countries it is acceptable.

I'm honoured to be partnering Sophia for the peer review of the final project. I already have a rough line on the project, and need to fine tune it before I upload it for my partner to review. I'm apprehensive of her views...will she like it? I know she will guide me if I go wrong somewhere, so I need to work hard on it.

Best wishes to all my classmates on their projects. 
Happy writing......

Week 6: Reading & Introspection.....

'Teaching Large Classes' and 'Using Technology on Teaching Large Classes' are two topics I can easily identify with. The average strength of the classes in our school is between 50 - 60. So, this weeks resources helped me to introspect on my methods and techniques that I already apply, and the ones that I had never thought of and can now try out in class. Some strategies and skills have already been used by me, like Role -Plat, Group Activity, Demonstrations, Think-Pair-Share, Question-Answer, and so on. The other aspect of using technology in large classrooms  - online website like Wiki, Blog, Web quest, Blackboard has never been used. So, to try that out would be quite novel not only in my class but in my school. I do understand now that technology will not only facilitate a large classroom but also help a teacher to tackle it better. What I like best after reading the resources provided that, I need not completely transform my classroom to a technological one, like one in the ICT lab. Keeping the conditions of my school, following the social condition, I can make a 'Blended Classroom'. I thank my friends here who gave me this term, as I often advocate for a blend of the traditional and a technological classroom.

Creating an 'Interactive PowerPoint' again was an eye opener for me. As I had created Power Point before, primarily for Professional Development Workshop and other projects, I thought I knew all about PPT. Yet, this task for the course gave me a new insight into it. As I said, it made me introspect, revise my technique, change my skills, and made me understand my class better, for, what I was creating was for them. It was highly invigorating and exciting for me, as I could almost visualize my learners sitting in pairs in front of their monitors trying out the tasks. This is what I want for them, break out of the obvious, the text book, try new things and do them happily. I believe that a happy learner will learn best. I can see many critics here who will nod their knowledgeable heads, that, I will never be able to keep to the curriculum and time frame of the syllabus. If planned with prudence, I'm confident that we teachers can give our learners the best.

It is unfortunate that, since my students are going to start their examinations from 20th November, I won't be able to 'Implement the Change' in the classroom.  I have already mentioned in my last week's project  step 4, how I would like to enhance the creativity in my learners using technology while they write Letter Writing. I thank Courtney for her positive feedback, and , this has inspired me to refine my skill.  My plan was to use emailing and follow it up with Web Quest. However, after going through Diana's interactive PPT on letter writing, I decided to bring some change in the process of implementation. Brainstorming would be more effective in my class than research, I thought. I've often seen, that when students are asked to research they are somewhat confused as they don't have much guidelines. They keep copying from some websites and think their research work is done. In such a  situation, much learning and understanding does not take place. So, taking a leaf out of Diana, I would like to pose my students with relevant and pertinent questions while brainstorming. Next I would show them some video's on formal and informal letters and share some links in the class on letter writing. I believe this will help my students, before  they start emailing on the topic given to them. The big question - will I finish this before their terminal/end of the year exams? I definitely will, if I plan out the lesson and pace out the tasks.

Thank you Courtney for showing confidence in me...hope I can deliver. I thank Diana for sharing her knowledge on Letter Writing....I believe sharing enhances our learning, and we if stop that, our learning also stops.
Benjamin Franklin had aptly said: " Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

Beast wishes to all.

Rubrics, Project Based Learning and Web Quest...

It has been a week of extensive reading and brainstorming for me. All my time other than teaching, has been devoted to technology. Such is the thirst for knowledge !

Project Based Learning...why didn't I ever search for it? What an amazing way to get creative and make a class interesting! Turning a teacher-centric class to a learner-centric one, giving the students to work with the freedom and novelty that they require, promoting community among the class members, and giving meaning to learning that normally goes on in the classroom. I know my students develop language and literacy skills by working on a product that exists beyond the classroom. Even in a multilevel classroom, there can be groups of learners doing different projects. The best thing about PBL is, the teacher's presence in the class is not overt, she acts as a facilitator and a mentor.

Rubrics works extremely well in a learner - centric classroom. Peer evaluation is common in our school ,but using Rubric to emphasize that the point of language learning is communication for meaningful purposes, would be a scientific way of teaching & evaluation. Any of the 4 skills can be tested through Rubrics. 'Rubistar' is an easy web tool and very effective.

Web Quest...there came the challenge for me. Very creative, but had to do real struggle to operate. It was a struggle between Man and Machine, and Man won. I was able to create a project for my class on the web quest and the whole rigorous process was highly satisfying. I now agree that it's going to be greatly motivating for both Teachers and Students.

Trying out the technology tools this week, I think I've approached the middle of a pyramid from its base. My target is to be at the top of it. There is still so much to learn and lots to work on, yet I'm not daunted, for the end result I'm sure is going to be 'DELICIOUS'.  

"My Heart Leaps Up..."

Week 4 has been all about reading ...reading ...and its application in the form of Lesson Planning, Project Task and Discussion.

I started by going through the reading resources on 'Using CALL in Reading and Writing'. I've particularly enjoyed and found 2 of them very effective for my classes - "Using the Internet in ESL Writing Instruction" by Jarek Krajka and "Three Extensive Reading Activities for ESL/EFL students using EBooks" by Mei-Ya-Liang.

The first article extensively discusses how the three basic articles of Web pages, E mail connection and Class websites can help the students to develop their writing skills. This article has become close to my heart, for I can identify with it and more or less know exactly how to use it. I've shared the link in 'Delicious Pages' , written about it in the different threads if 'Nicenet', incorporated it for my sample Lesson Plan...and would like to write more about it for my final project, hopefully.

The second article is based on improving Reading skills. The author gives importance in the selection of choosing books, reading and sharing books. I've found the links on creating a story map and advanced story map quite effective.

I've reflected on the technology of Writing that I will be using for my class of advanced language learners, in 'Project Task Step 3'. And improving the Writing Skill of my students is the issue, that is the main thread of discussion in my sample Lesson Plan.

So, my task has just started...with a lot more reading to do. Every article gives me a new insight to my experience as a Language teacher, and I keep thinking of the ways in which I can use them my classes. This is what I love, think about my young learners...how to give them the best so that they are able to face the world with all the right kind of ammunitions!

I remember  the words of Francis Bacon: " Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man."