Before, this course, I have experienced the use of blog. First, it was just a platform to share daily experience. It gradually turned out to be a language sharing platform and I made some friends online who are language lovers.
Blogging is a very useful tool no matter what you do through such a way. It can be used to share our experiences. For teaching purposes, it can be a discussion forum and a Q&A session. Exercises and quizzes can be carried out there too. I usually teach grammar in the blog and students can leave comments or ask questions about the items they have interest.
I think it can cater every student needs, especially, for some autistic learners and slow learners. Students can use the blog any time they like. In so doing, no one will hinder the pace of the lesson flow in the daily class. I do think that using blogging to teach is a trend in the education for the future.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Some Reflections on the Second Life
Actually, I came across the Second Life last year. The seminar was held by the British Council. My school did not buy such programme because of the management issues.
However, it is a very good programme for students to learn English through a more interactive way with others worldwide. Even those autistic students can benefit from it because they do not need to meet the “friends” face to face but with another identity in the virtual world.
However, teachers and parents guidance is needed because the Second Life is too powerful for students to learn. They may have no idea where to go and what to learn. But I think secondary students can manage it.
However, it is a very good programme for students to learn English through a more interactive way with others worldwide. Even those autistic students can benefit from it because they do not need to meet the “friends” face to face but with another identity in the virtual world.
However, teachers and parents guidance is needed because the Second Life is too powerful for students to learn. They may have no idea where to go and what to learn. But I think secondary students can manage it.
Some Reflections on Mark my Words
I have some comments on the software—Mark My Words. It is a useful tool to mark compositions, especially for secondary students. If I am approved to use such a powerful tool in marking my compositions, my life will be much more easier.
Be that as it may, what I can manipulate this software is show the marking process to my students. They will know what their compositions marking will be like. However, the crux is on the correction process. I have to underline their mistakes and write down some symbols. The students have to think how to correct the mistake by the symbols given. It is a learning process and it is essential.
By the way, the software is fantastic and it can be a very good reference for both teachers and students.
Be that as it may, what I can manipulate this software is show the marking process to my students. They will know what their compositions marking will be like. However, the crux is on the correction process. I have to underline their mistakes and write down some symbols. The students have to think how to correct the mistake by the symbols given. It is a learning process and it is essential.
By the way, the software is fantastic and it can be a very good reference for both teachers and students.
Week 5 Reading – Theory Driven CALL and development process
Suggested by Levy’s (1997) article, some CALL projects were not driven by theories. In view of this, he carried out research in this area and suggested two types of practitioners of CALLS. They are proceduralists and formalists.
For the proceduralists, they focus on the technology for learning. They solve problems by writing programmes and testing them with learners. In this manner, people will understand more about CALL. However, the formalists are prone to solve problems by using theories in CALL context.
In fact, both parties have their own disadvantages. For the proceduralists, their move will lack of the support from theoretical basis. On the other hand, for the formalists, sometimes, it is hard to find any theories to support the resources to cope with the problems.
To strike the balance between the two, we, teachers, should bear in mind that we have to use both ways to compensate the pitfalls of the two. Don’t too focus on theories but on the other hand, we should consider other options available of using CALL.
For the proceduralists, they focus on the technology for learning. They solve problems by writing programmes and testing them with learners. In this manner, people will understand more about CALL. However, the formalists are prone to solve problems by using theories in CALL context.
In fact, both parties have their own disadvantages. For the proceduralists, their move will lack of the support from theoretical basis. On the other hand, for the formalists, sometimes, it is hard to find any theories to support the resources to cope with the problems.
To strike the balance between the two, we, teachers, should bear in mind that we have to use both ways to compensate the pitfalls of the two. Don’t too focus on theories but on the other hand, we should consider other options available of using CALL.
Week 4 Reading—Language learner behavior in virtual environment
Roed (2003) first pointed out that people usually behave differently when they communicate with people online compared to face-to-face interactions. In this paper, text communication among students in the virtual environment was analyzed.
From the research, the writer found that learners have much more confidence in communicating with others in a virtual world instead of the real communications. It is because on the one hand, people usually judge others from one’s appearance and for those who are not very attractive in appearance, they may suffer from low self-esteem and seldom talk with others. On the other hand, low proficiency in L2 will hinder students’ participation. With only the text messages, those with low L2 speaking proficiency can communicate with others “fluently” and they can get rid of the problem of anxiety.
Be that as it may, the virtual environmental is not without its drawbacks. Suggested by Roed, students found it was boring when they have to wait for a long time to get responses because typing takes time. Therefore, it will hinder the pace of communications. It may also create some sorts of misunderstandings due to the lack of body gestures and the tone of the utterances.
In conclusion, though a virtual environment provides another good platform for students to learn English, I still think face-to-face communication is of the utmost importance. Communication should be carried out with the real people but not the virtual ones.
From the research, the writer found that learners have much more confidence in communicating with others in a virtual world instead of the real communications. It is because on the one hand, people usually judge others from one’s appearance and for those who are not very attractive in appearance, they may suffer from low self-esteem and seldom talk with others. On the other hand, low proficiency in L2 will hinder students’ participation. With only the text messages, those with low L2 speaking proficiency can communicate with others “fluently” and they can get rid of the problem of anxiety.
Be that as it may, the virtual environmental is not without its drawbacks. Suggested by Roed, students found it was boring when they have to wait for a long time to get responses because typing takes time. Therefore, it will hinder the pace of communications. It may also create some sorts of misunderstandings due to the lack of body gestures and the tone of the utterances.
In conclusion, though a virtual environment provides another good platform for students to learn English, I still think face-to-face communication is of the utmost importance. Communication should be carried out with the real people but not the virtual ones.
No more infringement on Copyright
No more infringement on copyright
Intellectual Property Department. (2007). Hong Kong's amended copyright law: a guide for teachers and students. Retrieved 28 Dec 2007 from http://www.ipd.gov.hk/eng/intellectual_property/copyright/edu_guide.pdf.
I usually use video clips, movies, songs to facilitate my English lessons. On the one hand, it is easy for me to prepare my lesson. On the other hand, it can motivate students to learn English in a different way. However, after I have read the leaflet, I really understand I have infringed the copyright.
The leaflet stresses some changes from Copyright Ordinance which affects students and teachers and the ordinance helps to make reasonable and fair use of copyright works for teaching and learning purposes in suitable circumstances without violating the copyright laws.
From now on, I have to pay attention to the issue of copyright before I use any materials related to intellectual property. Acknowledgement is one of the solutions to cope with such problem.
Intellectual Property Department. (2007). Hong Kong's amended copyright law: a guide for teachers and students. Retrieved 28 Dec 2007 from http://www.ipd.gov.hk/eng/intellectual_property/copyright/edu_guide.pdf.
I usually use video clips, movies, songs to facilitate my English lessons. On the one hand, it is easy for me to prepare my lesson. On the other hand, it can motivate students to learn English in a different way. However, after I have read the leaflet, I really understand I have infringed the copyright.
The leaflet stresses some changes from Copyright Ordinance which affects students and teachers and the ordinance helps to make reasonable and fair use of copyright works for teaching and learning purposes in suitable circumstances without violating the copyright laws.
From now on, I have to pay attention to the issue of copyright before I use any materials related to intellectual property. Acknowledgement is one of the solutions to cope with such problem.
Week 3 Reading Reflection
Week 3 Reading
Warschauer, M., Shetzer, H., & Meloni, C. F. (2000). Internet for English teaching: TESOL Alexandria, VA. [Chapter 7]
Overall objectives are very important for lesson planning. However, many teachers overlook this element and the lesson may suffer to a certain extent. The writer discusses the five learning goals that the teachers should bear in mind.
1. Active and Creative Mastery
By using technology in language teaching and learning, teachers can motivate their students to learn actively using multimedia.
2. Autonomous Learning
Students can have an opportunity to understand how to “learn to learn” by means of technology in language learning. It is essential for them to learn in the future.
3. Collaborative Learning
We are in the age of the Internet. It is essential to make students learn through teamwork with others. Therefore, collaborative learning is a must. Students have to learn how to use the Internet to discuss and do something in the manner of teamwork with other students worldwide.
4. Cross-Cultural Learning
Students need to study with other students of different nationalities. It is natural for them to experience cross-cultural learning. With such learning, it can broaden students’ mind.
5. Critical Learning
There is myriads of information on the Internet and it is vital for students to learn through the Internet critically. Therefore, critical learning is very important in the era of web learning.
By reading the article, I know that it is important to think the overall objectives for the lesson planning.
Warschauer, M., Shetzer, H., & Meloni, C. F. (2000). Internet for English teaching: TESOL Alexandria, VA. [Chapter 7]
Overall objectives are very important for lesson planning. However, many teachers overlook this element and the lesson may suffer to a certain extent. The writer discusses the five learning goals that the teachers should bear in mind.
1. Active and Creative Mastery
By using technology in language teaching and learning, teachers can motivate their students to learn actively using multimedia.
2. Autonomous Learning
Students can have an opportunity to understand how to “learn to learn” by means of technology in language learning. It is essential for them to learn in the future.
3. Collaborative Learning
We are in the age of the Internet. It is essential to make students learn through teamwork with others. Therefore, collaborative learning is a must. Students have to learn how to use the Internet to discuss and do something in the manner of teamwork with other students worldwide.
4. Cross-Cultural Learning
Students need to study with other students of different nationalities. It is natural for them to experience cross-cultural learning. With such learning, it can broaden students’ mind.
5. Critical Learning
There is myriads of information on the Internet and it is vital for students to learn through the Internet critically. Therefore, critical learning is very important in the era of web learning.
By reading the article, I know that it is important to think the overall objectives for the lesson planning.
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