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..