WEEK 6

INTERACTIVE POWER POINT

The Power Point has proven to me to be a excellent learning tool in order to give the students the necessary technology for classes that do not have the Internet Facilities or Computers.  It gives the students the ability to interact between each other at any moment during the presentation.

It allows the student to learn quickly and effectively developing their critical thinking and not get bored as in the traditional way of learning. That is why it is important that the Teacher prepares the Templates  they must keep it simple and clear, use color but not too much. Every template should be short and clear so that they stay interested and do not get bored.

Another aspect I read  was improving class discussions so that students can integrate in a group  in order to share with each and the teacher their ideas in person or via e-mail. The Teacher should reinforce their efforts so that the student doesn’t lose hope and continues to try to do his best.

Students must become self motivated to accomplish his work and become committed to their work and efforts on their own and be responsible in order to construct their learning abilities to use what this technology is providing.

Alex.

Week 5

Project Base Learning -Web Quest and Rubrics

Dearest colleagues  I have been working hard these past weeks but I am learning a lot that is true. During this week I read the articles about Project-Base learning , the use of Rubrics and Alternative Assessment and there is no doubt that putting these aspects in practice  will help our students to become autonomous. In regard to this aspect I want to mention that they need to be aware of their responsibility in  the development   of the different activities on line  in order to succeed.       

The Project-Based Learning provides the students with the complex tasks based on challenging questions or problems in which they have investigated, reflected and came up with solutions, decisions and possible alternatives. All of this process has to be done by students themselves with the guidance of the teacher. The Assessment tasks gives the  students the chance to evaluate themselves and correct their mistakes. At the same time they are working in pairs or groups so little by little they become aware and confident about  their abilities and weaknesses and become stronger in their will to improve themselves.  

There are other ways of assessing oneself, using check lists and rubrics which is important to focus on how our students accomplish their assignments. Not forgetting as teachers we have to evaluate the whole process not just measuring their knowledge.

Rubrics is one of the keys for a student to perform well and to get to know exactly what they are going to be graded on so that they motivated to do their best in the different tasks that they are assigned.

Alex.

WEEK 4

 Reading and Writing Web Sites

This week has been one of Investigating  different web sites  especially to improve the reading, writing and vocabulary. Of the articles that I read I enjoyed the articles of Mai  Ya Liang as they were  easy to follow and understand. She also gave us many web sites which contained much more activities, videos, games, stories and didn´t focused so much on reading.  These activities can be used in and outside of the class. I hope to use these activities in the future in order to help me motivate  my students since they do not like to read and these activities by showing them drawings, all kinds of books containing interesting topics in accordance with their age and level of understanding.

 I completed the required Lesson Plan which we do as Teachers. This Plan took me a while as I  never made a Lesson Plan using  the computer  (book marks) from the web sites.  Related to my Project, what is referenced I think that the e books or blog would be  the best way to teach my students, this way they will be able to practice their reading and writing more efficiently.

I looking forward to your comments. Thank you.

Alex

Webskillls Reflection

Week 3. Knowing and Sharing Delicious

I  don’t remember spending so much time on a computer as I have this past week! I read a lot of interesting articles, checked web sites, posted on the Delicious page sent by Colleagues and Donna and it was an exhausting job  but it was well worth it because I realize how easy and fast you can get to information you need when you have this page is an energy saver. I also updated and reinforced my knowledge about pronunciation. Due to this part I would like to share a Web I consider very useful  http://animatedspeech.com  if you’re having difficulties to get into it just click on  www.teachtown.com . this is a great Web with lots of fun activities.

A month ago I didn’t have any idea about what Delicious was. This week I created my delicious site, it wasn’t as difficult to create it as it was to create a blog.

  I joined the wiki, my URL is  http://www.delicious.com/Alexcarattini I really appreciate  if you share  some good sites so that I can  apply them to my Public School and University.

I also read Aleyda’s project that coincidentally expresses the reality of my country due to the restricted areas provided with internet  and the lack of  motivation of the students to learn English.  When I start my next level at the University I would like to try to apply what I am learning overcoming the difficulties related to technology  I mention before. I think the best way to start is with a blog so my pupils and I can share different information , reflections videos, comments etc.

Anyway, My eyes hurt from the computer,   have a great weekend!

 Look forward to your comments..

Hasta la vista

Alex.