Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Week 10
Robert, you have asked us to write about what we did and what we learned throughout the course.
I really don't know where to begin. First of all I learned a lot about myself - that I love working with new technologies and I enjoy them very much.
All the "brave new world" you, your guests and my colleagues have shown me - encourages me to keep on trying to find ways to adapt my lesson plans to my students as best I can. I am more optimistic now that I will find a way to teach them better.
I really liked the fact that the course was a mix of technology, mothodology, pedagogy and theory.
As Charbel pointed out, I too developed a habbit of entering Nicenet almost every day to see what's new and waited for the next surprise that was coming at the beginning of each week.
Thank you very much for this rare opportunity. I hope you enjoyed it too.
All the best,
Nourit
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Week 9 - Final Project, Learning styles and Multiple Intelligences
Hello all!
I have mix feelings. After peer reviewing and final project submitiing - is it really over? I have so much more to learn. I even didn't have the chance to "digest" all that was presented to us till now and
I have mix feelings. After peer reviewing and final project submitiing - is it really over? I have so much more to learn. I even didn't have the chance to "digest" all that was presented to us till now and
its almost over. I will also miss our discussions and brain storming. It was so interesting to "hear" you all and "see" the similarities and differences in our points of view, in our students and our cultures.
On the other hand it will make my life easier and I will have more time to devote to my students and familly. These last two years I spent most of my weekends and nights studying and I miss being with them without the worry about how am I going to complete my assignments. Futhermore, although it sounds paradoxical, I will have more time to build better lesson plans for my students and to be more attentive to them.
As for multiple intelligences and learning styles :
The amount of information about learning styles is overwhelming. Therefore, one must choose what is suitable for his/her purpose and stick to it, while changing some as he/she goes along and reflects on the lesson plans' successes and shortcomings.
I think that I might try to implement the above with the ABCD model, bearing in mind what Richard M. Felder and Eunice R. Henriques said, that "the challenge to language instructors is to devise ways of augmenting their verbal classroom presentation with nonverbal visual material—for example, showing photographs, drawings, sketches, and cartoons to reinforce presentation of vocabulary words, and using films, videotapes, and dramatizations to illustrate lessons in dialogue and pronunciation."
To summarize it all, I believe that we should balance between teaching/learning with new technologies while retaining some of the "old school" advantages which are also important in developping our kids linguistic and social skills.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Week 8 - Facebook won
On Thursday I exposed my 8th graders to their final unit's project with a WQ . I explained - again - what we are going to do and how it is going to be done, in our regular classroom. Then, we went to the computers classroom where I already wrote the URL and the instructions on the board. Part of the instructions was that - as Nada suggested - they need to call me after they enter each page and task so that I can grade them accordingly. Unfortunately, most of them opened facebook (and games), although I forbade it and in spite of the fact that it cost them points.
I must admit I am disapointed and frustrated.
The "lights in the tunnel" are my 10th graders who, in spite of their difficulties, are showing interest and a will to learn.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Learner Autonomy and the One-computer Classroom - Week 7
I do not have the possiblity to do a one-computer classroom lesson. However, I can take three of my classes to the computer lab and have them sit in half a circle with a computer in the middle. It might work with a small class of about 13 students. I shall have to see about that. It would be great to have at least a projector for the board but one must take whatever there is and do the best with it.
I plann to try it with the book report ppp and see how it goes.
As for learner autonomy - I wish my kids would want to be autonomous. It is a process that I intend to insist upon, because I think this is the best way they will be able to internalize what they learn.
I had a very interesting week - autonomy wise:
The first experience was with my 10th graders. We learned in the computer lab. They all connected to Nicenet and I directed them to the link that can help them practice for next week's test. Sure, some of them didn't work or only "half" worked, but at least they showed me that they know how to connect to the site and find the link they need. They tried but I know that they need close personal help. Unfortunately, I can do that in a limited way when I have to attend to all. In spite of this, most of them did work and showed interest. It was a very fulfilling experience.
The second experience was with my difficult 8th graders. I decided to give it a try - again - and do a "pre-WebQuest" activity that will prepare them to what their project will be and how they will have to proceed with it.
I started the lesson in our regular classroom. There, I explained what we are going to do. I showed them a picture of the first page of the WQ and explained it in general. I described the lesson we are going to have which is the very similar to the lesson plan I wrote for the course - Search for map of their neighborhood, write down the directions for getting from their home to school. They had to work in pairs because there are not enough computers for everyone. I did not have a chance to show them the evaluation rubric for it because they were too agitated. Furthermore, the last time I tried to explain it to them and maybe get them to contribute to it too, they did not show any interest.
It was more than I expected. Most of the kids liked to idea to find their homes. The class was very noisy but mostly in a positive way. When they finished their task they enjoyed looking at the pictures of their homes and showed each other.
I hope this will encourage them to work better.
Me - I got a headach and enjoyed it very much.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Creating Student-centered Classes and Interactive PowerPoint - Week 6
I must admit I have a bit of a problem with the title of this week's assignments - "Creating Student-centered Classes...". I think that we put too much emphasis on child-center, pupil-center, student-center. I am speaking (writing) only about the semantics. In the last few decades we shifted all our focus on children and sometime we forget that it can harm them in the long run. Our language changed according to that change.
Well, this is obviously not what I wanted to talk about, so I'll try not to be side tracked.
Robert - Thank you very much for "forcing" me to learn and create technology based lesson plans. Although it is not easy, it is so interesting and fun. I created, for the first time, a PPP (I suddenly feel so old ) and I think it will be of great help for me as well as for my pupils. I will try it on Thursday, when I have the computer class "booked". In addition, I will add it to my Nicenet class. I still have to see how I can save files in the school's computer.
I found the articles about teaching large classes with technology. Not every technology that suits small classes can be used in large ones, but I think that the other way around - is easier. I liked and will adopt some of the techniques. It is, obviously, something/s I have to try and see what fits and what don't - but it's part of the fun.
The only thing I regret about this week is that I didn't have the time to finish the WQ I have started and that I didn't master the online assessment yet.
"See you",
Nourit
Well, this is obviously not what I wanted to talk about, so I'll try not to be side tracked.
Robert - Thank you very much for "forcing" me to learn and create technology based lesson plans. Although it is not easy, it is so interesting and fun. I created, for the first time, a PPP (I suddenly feel so old ) and I think it will be of great help for me as well as for my pupils. I will try it on Thursday, when I have the computer class "booked". In addition, I will add it to my Nicenet class. I still have to see how I can save files in the school's computer.
I found the articles about teaching large classes with technology. Not every technology that suits small classes can be used in large ones, but I think that the other way around - is easier. I liked and will adopt some of the techniques. It is, obviously, something/s I have to try and see what fits and what don't - but it's part of the fun.
The only thing I regret about this week is that I didn't have the time to finish the WQ I have started and that I didn't master the online assessment yet.
"See you",
Nourit
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
WebQuest: My Neighborhood: an ongoing creation with Zunal WebQuest Maker - and more - week 5-6
I couldn't resist creating a WQ for my 8th graders although I'm short of time. I don't know if it will work but after my 10th graders enjoyed working with Nicenet, I felf that my ultimate challenge is the 8th grade class and how I can make it work.
I didn't finish it yet because I was also looking at all we have to do this week. I admit I was dizzy at first. There is so much to learn. Where to begin?
So, I decided to skim and scan everything first and then "dive in" . The first surprise was an answer to something I thought about in bed the night before - how can I test them and evaluate it on the net?
http://pages.uoregon.edu/tep/technology/assessment/onlineassessment.html
The answer is there but it seems so overwhelming.
I also never used power point presentation either. I always looked at this tool as a rather shallow one. I guess I was mistaken, Especially when it is a part of a long term unit.
Well - I'm going to study all of it (or untill I fall asleep).
"See you soon".
I didn't finish it yet because I was also looking at all we have to do this week. I admit I was dizzy at first. There is so much to learn. Where to begin?
So, I decided to skim and scan everything first and then "dive in" . The first surprise was an answer to something I thought about in bed the night before - how can I test them and evaluate it on the net?
http://pages.uoregon.edu/tep/technology/assessment/onlineassessment.html
The answer is there but it seems so overwhelming.
I also never used power point presentation either. I always looked at this tool as a rather shallow one. I guess I was mistaken, Especially when it is a part of a long term unit.
Well - I'm going to study all of it (or untill I fall asleep).
"See you soon".
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Technology related lessons and rubrics - Week 5
Since I last reflected on my 10th graders - WE DID IT!!
Instead of waiting for them to enter Nicenet, I took them to the computer room and we all went in, saw what I already prepared for them and experienced some of the links. They were excited about it and asked to continue working this way. It was also interesting to see the look of surprise on their home-room teacher when I told her what I plann to do. She had no idea language in school can be taught with computers.
I also tried to take my 8th graders and work with them. It didn't go well. I think that I need to plan it better and put some strict boundaries as to what they have to achieve in each lesson. Everything must be graded and very straitforward.
After giving it a lot of thought, I think that a Web Quest might be better suited for them. As a fairly heterogenous English student's class with a lot of behavioral problems, I believe that they need to be divided and given a chance to work in small groups. Although I didn't create one yet, I already explained to them that they will have a special project they will need to do, instead of a test. I did not go into details about what it would entail nor what it will be like but I started by explaining the method of assessment. I also told them they would be active participants in writing some of the rubrics. In addition to it all, I want to encourage them to work by telling them they were chosen as a model class to experiment this method and that we will present their work in class and show it to their parents.
Instead of waiting for them to enter Nicenet, I took them to the computer room and we all went in, saw what I already prepared for them and experienced some of the links. They were excited about it and asked to continue working this way. It was also interesting to see the look of surprise on their home-room teacher when I told her what I plann to do. She had no idea language in school can be taught with computers.
I also tried to take my 8th graders and work with them. It didn't go well. I think that I need to plan it better and put some strict boundaries as to what they have to achieve in each lesson. Everything must be graded and very straitforward.
After giving it a lot of thought, I think that a Web Quest might be better suited for them. As a fairly heterogenous English student's class with a lot of behavioral problems, I believe that they need to be divided and given a chance to work in small groups. Although I didn't create one yet, I already explained to them that they will have a special project they will need to do, instead of a test. I did not go into details about what it would entail nor what it will be like but I started by explaining the method of assessment. I also told them they would be active participants in writing some of the rubrics. In addition to it all, I want to encourage them to work by telling them they were chosen as a model class to experiment this method and that we will present their work in class and show it to their parents.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Returning from a school trip - Week 5
I have a lot to write about.
First - I would like to thank all of you that encouraged me on my previous post. I'm sorry I didn't answer till now and I want to tell you that your advices means a lot to me!!
I will address them more in my next blog this week but I would like to address the trip first, also as a reflection for myself.
As I am new to this school, I was told that this excursion is supposed to teach students to take responsability, to teach them how to cope in nature and how to cooperate and help each other. As all of our school trips it is also meant to allow them to see and know our country "by foot". A lot of them don't travel much and therefore do not know other parts of Israel and its history, apart from their own surroundings.
The hidden curriculum is to teach them values of cooperation, helping each other, be aware of each other's needs, cleaning their surroundings etc...
We went on two field trips - one each day. At night, we camped at a special campground designed for pupils to come and experiment. They had to divide into groups of three and raise a tent we provided for them. This process was not so easy for some of the kids who didn't find "roommates" . Thus, we could see the compassion of some when they agreed to add a "rejected" child to their tent.
Unfortunately there were other cases too, where you could see who are the kids who are less good natured (all part of the experience). This is were we had to come in and mediate in order to reflect to them what is happening.
Unfortunately, they were not enough pupils to take charge of the whole process so we - the teachers - ended up cooking and cleaning with only some of the students who came to do their part. At night we allowed them to party a little bit and then "put" them to bed and guarded in turns. It was the first time they heard foxes and wild dogs and where a bit anxious. Now they understood one of the reasons why it is important to clean and leave no food lying around!!!
The other teachers said that compared to last year the kids behaved a lot better. I guess they learned something.
Overwhole, I enjoyed it. Most of the kids behaved well and we - the group of teachers and field instuctors - bonded and had a lovely time working together. I came home with sore muscles and a great smile.
First - I would like to thank all of you that encouraged me on my previous post. I'm sorry I didn't answer till now and I want to tell you that your advices means a lot to me!!
I will address them more in my next blog this week but I would like to address the trip first, also as a reflection for myself.
As I am new to this school, I was told that this excursion is supposed to teach students to take responsability, to teach them how to cope in nature and how to cooperate and help each other. As all of our school trips it is also meant to allow them to see and know our country "by foot". A lot of them don't travel much and therefore do not know other parts of Israel and its history, apart from their own surroundings.
The hidden curriculum is to teach them values of cooperation, helping each other, be aware of each other's needs, cleaning their surroundings etc...
We went on two field trips - one each day. At night, we camped at a special campground designed for pupils to come and experiment. They had to divide into groups of three and raise a tent we provided for them. This process was not so easy for some of the kids who didn't find "roommates" . Thus, we could see the compassion of some when they agreed to add a "rejected" child to their tent.
Unfortunately there were other cases too, where you could see who are the kids who are less good natured (all part of the experience). This is were we had to come in and mediate in order to reflect to them what is happening.
Unfortunately, they were not enough pupils to take charge of the whole process so we - the teachers - ended up cooking and cleaning with only some of the students who came to do their part. At night we allowed them to party a little bit and then "put" them to bed and guarded in turns. It was the first time they heard foxes and wild dogs and where a bit anxious. Now they understood one of the reasons why it is important to clean and leave no food lying around!!!
The other teachers said that compared to last year the kids behaved a lot better. I guess they learned something.
Overwhole, I enjoyed it. Most of the kids behaved well and we - the group of teachers and field instuctors - bonded and had a lovely time working together. I came home with sore muscles and a great smile.
Friday, October 29, 2010
10th graders test - Week 4
They didn't. Only one of the pupils tried to enter and see what's on Nicenet.
I am not giving up. I think I should plan a lesson in which they will enter and
get familiarized with it. Hopefully, that will help.
Unfortunately, they didn't learn as well as I hoped for either.It seems I have to give them a lot more homework because they do not have enough learning habits to help themselves.
we'll see.
I am not giving up. I think I should plan a lesson in which they will enter and
get familiarized with it. Hopefully, that will help.
Unfortunately, they didn't learn as well as I hoped for either.It seems I have to give them a lot more homework because they do not have enough learning habits to help themselves.
we'll see.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Week 4 - Nicenet
Tomorrow my 10th graders have an English test. I wondered how I can give them more exercises to learn from especially since we don't have a lot of time' since I am not allowed to photocopy materials (budget cuts) and since that some of them are dysgraphic or just slow.
I decided to open a class page on nicenet that provides sites for them to learn and exercise from. It's only it its early stages but it can help them for tomorrow's test. In the future, I will plan it ahead and put it in a more organized way (which I am not), but in the meantime if you want to look at it, please go to nicenet.
The key to my class is: H304956G59.
Please bear in mind it is directed to a certain class' needs according to the test they will have to answer tomorrow.
I would very much like to hear (read :)) your comments.
Furthermore, I am very curious to see whether they will use it for they are not used to practice in that manner. I will update you on the outcome.
I decided to open a class page on nicenet that provides sites for them to learn and exercise from. It's only it its early stages but it can help them for tomorrow's test. In the future, I will plan it ahead and put it in a more organized way (which I am not), but in the meantime if you want to look at it, please go to nicenet.
The key to my class is: H304956G59.
Please bear in mind it is directed to a certain class' needs according to the test they will have to answer tomorrow.
I would very much like to hear (read :)) your comments.
Furthermore, I am very curious to see whether they will use it for they are not used to practice in that manner. I will update you on the outcome.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Week 3 - Delicious
This week was indeed delicious. I feel a bit like an infant that learns something new each day.
The only thing that I wonder about is the abundance of information and how to organize it. There is so many great stuff out there that I want to implement in my teaching. I intend to sit down on Tuesday and with the aid of Ritalin/Concerta - think about how to incorporate some of it into my lesson plans. I did not yet buid the lesson plan based on the ABCD method and I believe it would help me a lot if I start from scratch and rebuild my lessons accordingly.
As for Delicious, I must admit that I was frustrated at first. I guess I didn't save the information as I should have and it was erased. I had to understand what I did wrong so as not to repeat my mistake. It took me a few hours to figure out how I want to proceed, what I want to put in, how to save tags etc. Now it seems so easy that I don't know why it took me so long (it's time I recognize my limitations, at my age...ha ha ha). Anyway, the only question I am left with right now is how to put in the URLs of my colleagues so that we can share informaiton more openly. I will see to it this evening, after the day's work.
Have a great, sunny, smiley day,
Shalom,
Nourit
The only thing that I wonder about is the abundance of information and how to organize it. There is so many great stuff out there that I want to implement in my teaching. I intend to sit down on Tuesday and with the aid of Ritalin/Concerta - think about how to incorporate some of it into my lesson plans. I did not yet buid the lesson plan based on the ABCD method and I believe it would help me a lot if I start from scratch and rebuild my lessons accordingly.
As for Delicious, I must admit that I was frustrated at first. I guess I didn't save the information as I should have and it was erased. I had to understand what I did wrong so as not to repeat my mistake. It took me a few hours to figure out how I want to proceed, what I want to put in, how to save tags etc. Now it seems so easy that I don't know why it took me so long (it's time I recognize my limitations, at my age...ha ha ha). Anyway, the only question I am left with right now is how to put in the URLs of my colleagues so that we can share informaiton more openly. I will see to it this evening, after the day's work.
Have a great, sunny, smiley day,
Shalom,
Nourit
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Week 2 - ABCD
I woke up two hours ago thinking of the class I want to apply the ABCD method to. By the way, I am targetting this class but as I see it - this method and any other that helps organize long term objectives is a must.if I don't want to be distracted from the curriculum and final end of the year's program.
This method, however, is fairly easy to follow or at least to plan.
As I mentioned on Nicenet:; "According to the ABCD model I would like my 27 low level English students to be able to look around and describe their (or any) neighborhood. This, in order to enable them to understand, to give and to receive directions.They will learn it through reading their book, answering questions, planning a class trip somewhere and by drawing or building a model - either of their place of residence or an imaginary neighborhood. Given the learning and motivational state of the class, I will be satisfied with 75% mastery of learning material".
Dhika gave me the idea to use pictures. I think I might take pictures of places around the world and edit them so that the students can choose where to go and describe it with their new vocabulary. Another idea I got from you - my dear colleagues - is to apply it to grammar purposes.
I wondered about the learnig/teaching model I should apply.Unfortunately, based on the class's performance and behavior up untill now I am skeptical as to their ability to work in pairs or groupes. I am trying to apply some of the Mixed Focus Model in which, as Karl Rogers suggested, It is important to put an emphasis on the process rather than on static knowlege.
It is not an "instant" process. The class needs a lot of work on both knowledge and behavior. I just hope It's the right way.
Time will tell.
This method, however, is fairly easy to follow or at least to plan.
As I mentioned on Nicenet:; "According to the ABCD model I would like my 27 low level English students to be able to look around and describe their (or any) neighborhood. This, in order to enable them to understand, to give and to receive directions.They will learn it through reading their book, answering questions, planning a class trip somewhere and by drawing or building a model - either of their place of residence or an imaginary neighborhood. Given the learning and motivational state of the class, I will be satisfied with 75% mastery of learning material".
Dhika gave me the idea to use pictures. I think I might take pictures of places around the world and edit them so that the students can choose where to go and describe it with their new vocabulary. Another idea I got from you - my dear colleagues - is to apply it to grammar purposes.
I wondered about the learnig/teaching model I should apply.Unfortunately, based on the class's performance and behavior up untill now I am skeptical as to their ability to work in pairs or groupes. I am trying to apply some of the Mixed Focus Model in which, as Karl Rogers suggested, It is important to put an emphasis on the process rather than on static knowlege.
It is not an "instant" process. The class needs a lot of work on both knowledge and behavior. I just hope It's the right way.
Time will tell.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Week 2 - reflection on ABCD and sleep deprivation
What's first - sleep deprivation or ABCD?
I want to be on task, see all my colleagues' posts and comments, but find it very hard to stay awake. I woke up early, after a 4 times interrupted night sleep (10 year old boy with sleeping disorder :) ) and wanted to post my thoughts in my blog. I had it all figured out and now I can't remember half of it - The method, the other methods I have learned last year - the Process Model. the Mixed Focus Model - the way I can "blend" them together...
I think I will continue this afternoon, after work and the children's after-school activities.
"See" you then,
Nourit
I want to be on task, see all my colleagues' posts and comments, but find it very hard to stay awake. I woke up early, after a 4 times interrupted night sleep (10 year old boy with sleeping disorder :) ) and wanted to post my thoughts in my blog. I had it all figured out and now I can't remember half of it - The method, the other methods I have learned last year - the Process Model. the Mixed Focus Model - the way I can "blend" them together...
I think I will continue this afternoon, after work and the children's after-school activities.
"See" you then,
Nourit
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Students blogs
Reflection on blogs as a teaching tool – Week 1
During last year I learned how to build a WebQuest . I liked the tool although I have yet to see when and how I can implement it.
While reading what Campbell, Stanley and Ferlazzo have to say about blogs, I was convinced it is a different but more thorough tool than the WebQuest. A blog gives us the chance to create an ongoing process of learning and dialogue. That is not to say that a WebQuest is not a good tool but it seems to me it is more limited.
As both Campbell and Stanley
As Ferlazzo suggested, I opened a web page on "Jottit" (https://ourworldwidenet.jottit.com/?m=edit ). I found it very easy, indeed, but also more limited than the blog on blogger.com. I therefore prefer the one we use.
From the three blogs mentioned by Campbell and Stanley, I would favor using the tutor blog. Unfortunately, I think that my students are not responsible enough to maintain a blog routine so a learner's blog can be a good one-time exercise (to form it and work on one project) only.They need a framework given by their teacher.
On the other hand, this type of blog can also be used as a portfolio for book reports each of them needs to do. It can be a good platform to read one another comments and learn from it.
I never taught an advanced ESL class, but I imagine that a Class blog can be used as described by Campbell and Stanley
To sum up, I think I might prefer to use a tutor blog, which will enable me to give my pupils more practice in reading and writing.
I must admit, though, that there are a few technical questions I still don't have the answer to such as how do I create a "permanent link" in the blog? How can I monitor my student's work on sites I send them to?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Great - We start (Week 1)
Here we go!! I haven't read all the articles yet, but after following your comments on Nicenet, I thought to start with introducing you to my "bulb" and the reasons I am so excited to be on this course.
I am a happily married (most of the time :) ) for about twenty years and a mother of three gifted children. Two of them are also gifted with ADHD (I wonder where did they get if from?! :) ) and other learning difficulties.
In the course of the years I have found that technology is a great help in coping with gifts such as the above. As I mostly teach students/pupils with learning difficulties I try to encourage them to embrace technology for their benefit. Unfortunately, I do not have enough expertise and the resources our school have for technology is rather poor. Most of the pupils, however, do have computers a home.
As I find it easier to learn and concentrate in front of the computer too, I hope to be able to apply the ideas and techniques I will be learning here.
Good luck to all of you and - Robert, thank you very much for your patience help and persistance.
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