Week 10

It is difficult to believe it is the end. I have learned a lot. My lessons look different now. I cannot imagine teaching a lesson without at least one activity based on Interent. I love the interactive PPP and blogs. Students enjoy them too. I have also introduced listening to authentic materials as kind of routine for my students. I do lots more speaking activity in my classes. To my surprise it does not involve too much time if you know where and how to look for things. I am exteremely happy that I had a chance to participate in this course. 

Ula

Week 9

This week I concentrated on the final version of my project report. I feel pretty unsure if it is good enough.

the second thing was reading about different types of learners. The concept was notnew to me but the catogories differ from those that function in Poland. In my opinionit is very important to realise how different learners are. This way teaching will be more effective. Taking part in the Nicenet discussion encouraged me to think how new technology can help me work with different students.

The course is about yo finish. It is the time for looking back and analising benefits. I can frankly say that my teaching should change. I have already started introducing elements of new technology. I reread some articles and rethink certain ideas. There is a long way ahead of me but I strongly believe the last 9 weeks have "inplanted " new approach to teaching and I only hope to have time enough to follow the route I have just started.

Week 8

A very stressful week. Firts I had to complete my report and send it to the wiki. I still feel very uneasy about what I have written. I hope it is what Donna expects us to do.

Next task was to download the online tool and describe it on the Nicenet. Then I realised that I'm doing quite a lot because every group I teach has either a blog or a nicenet. I am proud of myself. Anyway I have noticed changes in my approach to teaching. I find a lot of joy and satisfaction when I see my students enjoying the activities I have prepared.

Now Istill have to evaluate my partner's project. Unfortunately I have to wait till she publishes it. I hope it will be soon so thet I ahve time to read it.

Week 7

This was the week full of activities connected to the project. I gave asignments to students (to warch a given video, write questions, prepare for discussion). and I liked the outcome. Stdents answered to my posts. We correceted the questions they wrote and they spoke during the lesson. I found this activity very effective because they were eager to speak. I also liked the reflection they wrote on my blog. I think this is a very useful and easy tool to work with.

I liked the Padlet alot. I think this is a perfect way to infrom students of important things, give them additional reading or listening tasks.They can also add their own links and share things they like.

The learner autonomy topic is quite important. I think it is very difficult to "create" an autonomous students but it is not impossible. We, as teachers. must show them ways to become independent and responsible for their own development, but what they will do with it, it depends on them

Week 6

I have started working on the project with great enthusiasm but with a lot of worries at the same time.

I created a tutor blog and I informed the class about it. Their reaction surprised me because they were very interested in the idea of working on the blog.

I posted the first assignment which was to watch a short documentary, write what they learn and write 5 questions. I'm going to use these questions on Tuesday to make the class speak.

I'm very eager to see what will happen,

Week 5

It is difficult to believe the first half of the course is almost over.

This week I finally learnt how to make rubrics. I was a bit upset that the idea of rubric appeared here and there and I still couldn't use it. The WebQuest and the idea of alternative assessment are new elements which I hope to introduce in my everyday school routine.

I liked creating my first WebQuest. I realise I can use it in many different ways, not only in teaching English. i think it is a very good tool to motivate students to do any kind of research. the only thing that bothers me is a restrictive access to the computer classroom in my school. This means that I will have to ask students to do the research at home.

I am happy I have a clear idea what I want to do as my project work. I ahve noticed that most of my course colleagues have chosen WebQuest. For me speaking is the most important problem so I decided to use class blog and Nicenet . I don't know what Donna will say to it. If she suggests I should change my idea, I am ready to think of something else.

I am already looking forward to the next week's assignments.

Ula

Week 4

It is difficult to believe that week 4 is almost over. It was a very interesting week for me. First of all I found the reading materials extremely interesting and useful. I was looking for simple ideas how to teach reading or writing using the Internet and the tips presented in the articles answered most of my questions and doubts. On top of it, I was really happy to see the article by Mr. Krajka who teaches at the university I graduated from and who is well known expert on methodology in Poland.

It was really difficult for me to write the lesson plan because first I had to decide on the subject and then choose one or two activities from numerous possibilities offered by various websites. I tried to connect the activity with the course I teach and I'm going to teach the lesson the following week. I'm very curious what will come out of it.

The next task was connected with the project we are going to work on. The suggested websites were very helpful in choosing the issue I want to work on. I have a clear idea now what I want to improve and I'm already considering different ways of dealing with the problem. I hope next weeks will help me to "materialise" my ideas and put them into practice.

Now I'm really looking forward to the next week and assignments.

Week 3

This week I found a lot of interesting reading materials. I started with the oral / aural web search and found interesting teaching materials. I also realised how important it is to use authentic materials. I'm getting more and more aware of the fact that during my lessons I am too bound to using the textbook. In the past I searched the net find something interesting for my lessons but I got discouraged because it took a lot of time and the results were disappointing. Now I know many websites which provide me with various materials and I have already started using them The students have noticed the difference.

I enjoyed reading the reports of projects from previous courses. I realised the complexity of the project I am going to make but at the same time I know how to think about my project, what goals I would like to achieve, in what direction I want to go.

Unfortunately I have not managed to create my delicious account as I had some problems. I wrote to Donna and hope to solve the problems.

To sum up I like the course as it develops and though there is quite a lot of work, I do enjoy it. I am looking forward to the following weeks.

Week 2

The second week is almost over an I am very satisfied with  my job.

In the beginning of the week I found the instructions about the assignments. I started with reading about objectives and ABCD model. It was quite complicated for me in the beginning so I moved on to  Bloom's Taxonomy and I got lost even more. It was too theoretical and I didn't see the idea behind it. But after continuing reading more and more and looking through more articles I realised it is important to know how learning process develops. This way we can better understand our students and see on which level they are. I printed out a page with the  Bloom's Taxonomy and put it over my desk. 

Next I continued with web searching. I was astonished at the number of various search engines ans websites for teachers and students. I must admit it was difficult in the beginning to find some information or materials but after several attempts I managed many things. I know I am just starting my adventure with proper web searching and it is still a long way for me. I don't feel discouraged though. I feel like in the beginning of a long journey looking for surprises and being aware of some obstacles.I have already used some of the materials  during my lessons and I found them very useful.

Writing the objective was another challenge. I carefully read again the examples on the reading list and Donna's post. Then  I wrote my own. Donna draw my attention to being more specified about rubric evaluation. I hadn't realised I could use rubric to evaluate grammar tasks. But apparently it is necessary to be more specific to my students. I believe I must work on this aspect of my evaluation system.

Finally, I must say that I was very happy to check my grades and see the results. It gives me motivation and strength to continue the course and face new challenges next week,

Week 1 - How did I start

Hi Everyone,

I am very happy and honoured to participate in the course with so many international and experienced colleagues. 

This is my first blog although I have heard of this tool before. Frankly speaking I didn't understand the idea of blogging before I read the articles from the reading list. I believe that having my blog during the course will help me discover the advantages of using blog for my professional puposes.

The begining of the course were pretty stressful for me. I logged in as soon as got the necessary information on my email and I saw a lot of different tasks for the first week. I felt lost and upset but decided to wait till Monday. And then a huge relief. Donna sent her first email with detailed descriptiommn of the first week's activities. I just followed her instructions and everything was obvious.

Now I feel really safe and ready to cope with new challenges. The thing that worries me most is taking part in discuusions. I am not used to debate on things online and I love seeing the person I'm talking to. But on the other hand after the introductions and small talks on line I see how to do it. I must admit that I first read some of your posts and see how to do things. Thanks a lot for your help and support. I find it wonderful that we can learn from each other.

I wish you all a lot of success and joy while working for the course.

All the best,

Ula