A New Beginning...

Finally we have come to the last day of the course. It is a mixed feeling. I am really feeling happy and contented as this course has given us the opportunity to learn, to share, to explore and also to collaborate in the whole teaching-learning experiences. On the other hand I am feeling sad as this course is going to end. We will not be able to communicate with one another, learn from one another and so on. But as our bonds have already started, I am hopeful to carry on with this bonding with my fellow participants. I have already made friend with Orquidea in Face book and have sent friend’s request to some of my fellow participants here. So even outside this course, we will remain in touch!

We had learnt a great deal about the different situations in which learning takes place. I started my first blog as a part of this course. But now I enjoy my posting on my blogs. I learnt about many new sites and portals which has enhanced my knowledge and also has made my teaching more fruitful. We learnt how to develop the language skills through the Interactive Web. This has a real impact in my teaching as I have started using some of them in my classroom situations. Further we had learnt about how to create technology enhanced Lesson plans and also how to create Rubrics and Interactive Power Point. This course threw enough light on the concept of “One Computer Classroom”, which is so helpful in dealing with my situations in my classroom context. We were given enough knowledge about issues like, the various Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligence and so on. So I feel this course has opened up a new horizon before me which has given me strength to face the challenges and also to motivate and guide my learners in the positive way. I am thankful to Robert for his endless support, guidance and encouragement which had made the course a smooth affair. I am thankful to the RELO, American Embassy, New Delhi, India for the sponsorship and the University of Oregon for providing us with all the opportunities to take part in the course, to learn and to grow professionally. Thank you all!

A New Step Forward...

The course is almost getting over as we have just one week to complete the program. It has been a wonderful journey so far as we have learnt a lot of new things. Even though I was aware of the different websites or web links, I had seldom used them. Google was the only search engine that I used most of the time. But now we have been introduced to so many new sites to explore, to seek materials, to prepare teaching-learning materials. I really want to thank Robert for all his support and guidance and also for making the whole experience such an enriching one.

The whole course has thrown light on so many important aspects of teaching-learning that we were always aware of. We had to teach the Language skills, the vocabulary and grammar and so on. But this course has introduced us to effective use of the Web through which our jobs as teachers, facilitators got easy. I had always used my own Laptop in need. But the concept of “One Computer Classroom” had provided new ideas as to how to deal with my classroom situations. Learners autonomy, large classrooms, Learning styles, Multiple Intelligence etc are some areas which we have always handled; but our newly gained knowledge will surely enhance our teaching skills to make teaching-learning more meaningful.

But as we are moving towards the fag end of the course most of us are feeling sad as we will cease to get those learning opportunities that we had been getting for the past nine weeks. It was always very enlightening as we were always given new areas to explore, new technological support as our aid. But once this course gets over, we will not get them anymore. But on a positive note, this is a new beginning; a beginning towards the exploration of new epistemic domains. Whatever knowledge we have gathered here, we can use them as the stepping stone and climb the ladder of knowledge. As a group, all of us had worked together, had great time in sharing and also in helping and encouraging one another. I have a strong hope that this friendship will never end and we will always be in touch with one another. Amen!

Nizara

Importance of the Speaking Skill...

Hello everybody!

Today I am going to share my experiences in Thailand and how now I realize the importance of Language skills in our life. I had been to Thailand to participate in an International Conference where I had presented a paper on Innovative Learning. It all went off well and people appreciated my paper.

But my real concern with the English speakers of the land. Even the best students and some of the teachers even could not use English fluently. Thailand is a land where the majority of their earning comes from Tourism industry. But to my utter dismay I found that the people could not communicate in English. Even the Hotel people are not proficient with the speaking skill. Thus on a serious note I thought that the government should take up some projects to train people the English language skills (especially the speaking skill) to get over the constraint of communication. I talked to some of the teachers regarding this and even told them about the online teaching and learning tools. How technology could be used to enhance one’s efficiency in the use of the language. And I tell you the knowledge that I gained during this course really made me deliberate on this aspect with greater ease!!

But the land is a real exotic land and the people are very warm and hospitable. It is very rich in scenic beauty. Phuket is a real feast for the eyes. The Temples at Bangkok are so beautiful and your souls will surely find real peace there.

On another note, this week's posts were highly beneficial for us as teachers. We learnt about ANVILL and other online tools and exercises that we can use in our classrooms.

That is all for now. Will post later..

Steping towards the Project...

Hello everybody!!
Today I am addressing you from a Foreign country as I am in Thailand to attend an International Conference here at Phuket. So I will not be very detailed about our tasks. However, this week we really leanrt a great deal, especially two very Important facets of education in our context. One is the autonomy of the Learners which necessitates the teacher too have some autonomy. We know that the teachers play a crucial role as a facilitator as well as guide. In both the cases teachers role is immense. All the articles threw significant light in the whole discourse of the educational scenario.

Then the next aspect, which is so close to my context is One Computer classroom. Most of the time I do use it. But this course has given me a lot of idea as to how to go it in a fruitful way.

Well that's all for now. Gotta go. Will keep you posted again.

Nizara

Sharing experience is sharing knowledge..

Hi friends!!

This week is really crucial as we need to implement the change through technology that we visualize during our final project. I really was at a loss as we are in the midst of exams and there is no class to implement such endeavour. But keeping in mind the help, encouragement and guidance of Robert, my fellow friends and also the study materials, I felt that I could work on the project and find the important technology to enhance my teaching. I am working in that line and will come up with proper technological support to enhance the classroom transaction.

I was initially thinking of developing two skills, namely, Listening and writing in my students. But Robert suggested that if I take up both, it might be a bit messy. It was Robert who suggested me to go for enhancing the Listening skill in my learners. So keeping that in mind I am going to incorporate the technology enhanced programs to my teaching to develop the Listening skill in my learners.

Regarding my experiences this week, it was simply wonderful. I had learnt so many new things that took me to surprise. Initially I was not very sure about my involvement in the various tasks like creating the Interactive Power Point. Moreover we were provided with materials on engaging students in large classes. I found it really very crucial also as I teach in huge classes that have 150 students. So after going through the reading materials, I gained very insightful knowledge about involving my students in various works and tasks and also how to do that in a very planned way. Collaborative Learning, Learning through technology etc, are some of the areas that will hugely benefit me and teachers like me.

As we are heading towards the final stage, I am feeling happy and enriched. I am learning things which I had never done before. I am really thankful to the Univ. of Oregon and Robert in particular for extending all kinds of help and encouragement.

EXPLORING NEWER HORIZONS...

This has been a very very productive week as I have been introduced to so many new concepts related to technology. The first such concept is the Project Based Learning which I found very fruitful for my kind of situation. In our classroom situation, the learners are mostly passive even though we try to involve them. The smarter ones interact and the rest of them keep mum. But with the help of PBL all levels of learners will come forward to take active part in it. Thus this is a great concept and to top it all, we are introduced to the Web Quests!! Web Quests are a form of PBL where teachers create the ask statement and designate the resources. Learners work in group and have a specified product. Since our classrooms are huge Web Quests will really help us a great deal.

Alternative Assessment is another newer area that we have been introduced. I have really enjoyed the reading materials as they take us to a newer plane, where we can always think of something new to help our learners learn better.

Creating a Rubric is one area which was both challenging and interesting. I thought of creating one for my learners to assess their listening skills. I had to go through the various rubrics created by my co participant friends to understand how to go about it. Then I had explored in the different areas at Rubi Star which has been suggested to us. Finally I had successfully created one!!! I was really elated at my success..

For many of my friends, all these experiences are normal as they are all well versed in using technology for their normal purposes. But for me, it is simply exploring in newer horizons to get the flavor of new epistemes which will make me a better teacher as well as learner. I heartily thank Robert and my friends here to make my journey into this new web world so thrilling....

Rays of Hope!!!

Hello friends!!!

This week is really very very enlightening as far as our course is concerned. We have been made to use technology in planning our lessons, in discussing reading-writing skills, in projecting our problems that we face in the classroom situation. But one thing that I liked about everything is that we have learnt a great deal about using web based material in our classrooms. I am sure this will greatly benefit both the teachers and students.
When we used to go for Teacher-training programs, all the teachers will share similar problems: the learners' inability to develop the language skills in a traditional English classroom. Even after the change of syllabus, the situation has remained the same. So it has always been a pathetic situation to be a part of such a teaching-learning process where we can't do anything to bring in a desired change.
But now I can see rays of hope!!! Use of web material will definitely change the attitude of both the students as well as teachers with traditional mindset. Once they get the opportunity to use the web-enhanced material, they will be highly motivated to take active part in the teaching learning process. These feelings dawned in me when I was preparing the technology enhanced Lesson plans for my students. Now I know we can surely change the mindset of both the learners as well as teachers as technology, if used in the right way, will enliven the whole scenario and make the ESL teaching more easy.
That's all for today..
Love,Nizara