Week 7: Learner Autonomy & the One-computer Classroom

Hello everyone,

Previously, I was planning to reflect on my project progress in this space, but Padlet task for this week has amaze me and I'll be writing about this super online tool here.

It's my first time to hear about it and I like it and found it very useful especially for assigning projects for my students. I've created my wall on Padlet and post a video on using mobile devices in teaching and learning as part of this online course and I'm willing to use it with my students in the future. 

I've explored the net and learner new information about this amazing tool which I'll share here. Padlet (formerly known as Wallwisher) is a sight that has been around for over five years, but it is steadily gaining popularity in the education world as a great tool for collaborative yet aesthetic efforts. Padlet is a simple enough idea. Start with a wall you create. Then interact with other users via “notes” left on the wall. These notes can be a pictures, uploaded documents, video or just simple text.  What makes it different is the option to be free-formed. There are no real boundaries that users must adhere to; rather the feel of each individual’s wall is left entirely to the community. Signing up for a Padlet account is easy and best of all free! It takes just a few minutes to get started. Go to www.padlet.com to create your wall.   

Also, I'd like to share a link to a very useful video on 32 interesting ways to use Padlet in your classroom. Here it is: http://taccle2.eu/interesting-things-to-do-with/32-interesting-ways-to-use-padlet-in-your-classroom

Hope you will enjoy watching the video and will benefit from it!

All the best,

Houda

Week 6: Creating Student-centered Classes and Interactive PowerPoint

Hi again,

This week's topic is of great interest. Though it's not new to me, it adds a lot to my basic knowledge of creating a student-centered classes and creating interactive PowerPoints. The readings are rich with novel ideas on how to enhance our teaching and make it more attractive. For example, I do like the activities offered in the article written by R. Finnan and D. Shaw, i.e. Think-Pair-Square, Concept Test and Jigsaw variation.

As for creating an interactive PowerPoint, the article “Creating Interactive PowerPoint Presentations for Teachers and Students” refreshes my mind on how to use hyperlinks, action buttons, images and videos, and high contrast colour (black and white). I've created ''Who wants to be a millionaire'' interactive grammar quiz and share it on wiki with the group. I believe in the power of such games in attracting their attention and raising studets' motivation to win and compete. Everyone wants to win and while accomplishing that they study hard for the quiz. I hope my course-mates are going to benefit from my presentation and adapt it to fit their own needs.

Working on my course project is in progress. I'm in the process of searching for good websites for my students and panning how I am going to guide them through an independent learning process outside the classroom. Next week, I'll post more reflection on how it goes with me.

Regards,

Houda

 

 

Week 5: Project-based Learning, WebQuests & Rubrics

I can't imagine that I'm already at the middle of my web-skills course! Time passes quickly and I'm learning new things every day.

This week I come across different readings and engaged in discussions about Project-based learning. I beleive in it as an effective teaching method for building autonomous learning and enhancing motivation. The complexity of doing the task in project-based learning makes learning challenging and motivating. Students can easily feel a connection between what they learn and how to apply it in their real life situations.

Also, I've learned about rubrics and alternative assessment and their effectiveness for both the teachers and the students. Rubrics, for example, gives directions for students to follow and makes the assessment process more accurate and fair for teachers. By referring to a common rubric in reviewing each student product or performance, teachers are more likely to be consistent in their judgments.

Interestingly, I've used Rubristar.4teachers.org for the first time to create my first online rubric. I like this website and I'm planning to use it to create more rubrics in the future.

For my project task for this week, I brainstormed a technology-related solution into my context and I'm in the process of writing a detialed action plan to try it with my students.

Loves,

Houda

Week 4: Reading/ Writing websites and technology-enhanced lesson plan:

This week flies so fast with lots of readings, discussions, writing lesson plans, and reflections.

As usual, I started with reading the three articles assigned for this week and exploring the recommended websites. I enjoyed reading these articles and found them very useful as each one of them has a different focus (i.e. writing, extensive reading & internet-based children's literature). Teaching writing is difficult and students find it very boring; however, I've learned from the readings new ideas and possible ways to make writing classes more appealing, exciting and unpredictable for my students. As this is the era of technology, we (teachers) should exploit it to fit into our teaching goals.

As for the websites, I recommend ESL Independent Study Lab, URL: http://www.lclark.edu/  and Many Interesting Things for ESL Students, URL: http://www.manythings.org/

 My students can benefit a lot from these two websites and use them independently outside the classrooms to practice their language skills and improve their vocabulary.

Another new thing I've learned from this week is how to write a technology-enhanced lesson plans. The readings for this task provide clear guiding into how to write these types of lesson plans. Technology here is ''an aid'' to serve our objectives and teaching goals. 

Added to that, while doing this task, I learned how to create a google doc. This is my first time to create one and I hope it can be reached by Sean and my course colleagues. 

Finally, for the project step, I brainstormed different ideas and decided that the main issue within my teaching context is how to motivate students to read for pleasure outside the classrooms and how to encourage them to use the internet independently to develop their English language competence. 

Looking forwards to learning more exciting things in the coming weeks

Cheers,  

                               

Houda Al-Ruheili