This week I learned how to design two magnificent tools in teaching English. One is for assessing the students' performance, that is rubrics. The other for conducting active, collaborative, autonomous and student-centered teaching context. Rubrics are just great in constructing the students knowledge and motivating them to reflect on their own learning. Rubistar is a magic website to design your rubrics, just sign up for a free account and one click and your rubrics are ready to print off or save on your computer. I also, learned how to design a webquest. It is the technology - based project that get every one involved, the teacher and the students. Zunal is an interesting website to create webquests. It was really a challenge for me to make my webquest motivating enough starting from choosing the topic, then going through choosing images and resources. that was really amazing especially when I finished it and i saw it ready for effective English learning. I can not wait till I bring all of this into action and see what drawbacks I will face and try to overcome them.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Technology Enhamced Lesson Plans
This week I read an article by Krajka about using the internet in teaching writing which was quite helpful in presenting different writing genres that can be taught by using the interent. I used one website mentioned in the article which can be only used with high levels. So, I suppose that there's not much variety in websites that build writing skills because you always need to relate them to Ss' levels and needs.
Also, I designed a technology based lesson plan which included a number of websites that supports the grammar part in the lesson. Nevertheless, I always find writing lesson plans are quite tedious. I don't know why? !! I always tend to use a checklist or short notes and I always believe that the best plan is not to have a plan..:))) what do you think?
It is worthy mentioning, however, that it does not mean that I underestimate planning. Planning will remain the key of successful teaching. Remember, When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Cheers!
Also, I designed a technology based lesson plan which included a number of websites that supports the grammar part in the lesson. Nevertheless, I always find writing lesson plans are quite tedious. I don't know why? !! I always tend to use a checklist or short notes and I always believe that the best plan is not to have a plan..:))) what do you think?
It is worthy mentioning, however, that it does not mean that I underestimate planning. Planning will remain the key of successful teaching. Remember, When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Cheers!
Friday, 8 July 2011
Using technology in teaching speaking and listening skills.
This week was really interesting for me and I have learned a lot. First of all I am very excited to use the delicious tool and I am keeping on it every page I intend to use in the future. Moreover, I am planning to build a bank of listening exercises using Randall's website in two different ways: one of them is to provide extra supplementary activities and the other as a way of listening assessment which I see better than using something from the students' coursebook ( as the students may anticipate it) and also easier than looking for listening test in other books and waste time finding the relevant level.
Also, I have explored a number of speaking activities some of which I already use to teach pronunciation tips such as the BBC website and practice speaking activities such as One Stop English ( which provides a good number of role-plays and intonation activities).
One point that I need to think about is using videos from youtube as a topic for group discussions or brainstorming or more effectively storytelling. I came across a short film on youtube that I believe would be very interesting if students see it and then write a story board or tell the story in details especially if the actors do not speak on the clip. The issue here is that I need to edit the video to fit the class Egyptian culture but I do not know how to hide a scene or cover it or even clip it out. So, if you know the way please help and that would be much appreciated!!
Hala
Also, I have explored a number of speaking activities some of which I already use to teach pronunciation tips such as the BBC website and practice speaking activities such as One Stop English ( which provides a good number of role-plays and intonation activities).
One point that I need to think about is using videos from youtube as a topic for group discussions or brainstorming or more effectively storytelling. I came across a short film on youtube that I believe would be very interesting if students see it and then write a story board or tell the story in details especially if the actors do not speak on the clip. The issue here is that I need to edit the video to fit the class Egyptian culture but I do not know how to hide a scene or cover it or even clip it out. So, if you know the way please help and that would be much appreciated!!
Hala
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Criticism
Hi all,
Some of the criticism given to Bloom's theory is that it is sequential. The taxonomy follows a strict order. i.e it goes from the knowledge to comprehension then to the application in a very fixed order. On the contrary, studies showed that in many cases we do not follow this pattern while learning. So, we may start with comprehension then we move to evaluation then go back again to application, etc. In other words, it is seen as a web rather than a hierarchy. Moreover, the taxonomy is too precise. It categorizes human mind into three spheres while the study of what human mind is like is still at the beginning and no one is sure yet about the final concept of how human mind works. Finally, it focuses on individual learning processes ignoring other factors that might affect one's learning such as, motivation classroom management and social background.
waiting for your comments.
Cheers!
Some of the criticism given to Bloom's theory is that it is sequential. The taxonomy follows a strict order. i.e it goes from the knowledge to comprehension then to the application in a very fixed order. On the contrary, studies showed that in many cases we do not follow this pattern while learning. So, we may start with comprehension then we move to evaluation then go back again to application, etc. In other words, it is seen as a web rather than a hierarchy. Moreover, the taxonomy is too precise. It categorizes human mind into three spheres while the study of what human mind is like is still at the beginning and no one is sure yet about the final concept of how human mind works. Finally, it focuses on individual learning processes ignoring other factors that might affect one's learning such as, motivation classroom management and social background.
waiting for your comments.
Cheers!
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Bloom's Criticism
Hi guys,
Speaking of stating learning objectives, I came across an interesting issue. Blooms taxonomy has been criticized on a number of points. Before discussing them with you, have you got any ideas!!! feel free to share.
HalaSaturday, 25 June 2011
First time I create a blog
It was much easier than it sounded...still need to explore the options and see what applications could be used for teaching English purposes.
About me!
Dear Colleagues,
I have just created my blog...a first time experience...hope I am doing well. I am Hala Ahmed..EFL teacher..from Egypt.
I have just created my blog...a first time experience...hope I am doing well. I am Hala Ahmed..EFL teacher..from Egypt.
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