This is the first post on my own blog and it is very exciting. I used to think that running a blog is the matter of extremely diffucult technical aspects and never had an idea of learning how to create one. However, I liked reading posts on the English Language Teaching Global Blog of Oxford University Press and wondered how teachers can take advantage of blogging technology in addition to just being tuned to the latest news shared by other educators on the official websites devoted to EFL teaching issues.
Now that I started the University of Oregon’s Winter 2014 Webskills online course I discovered that it takes only a few simple steps to build a blog of the very design and content that I want. At the same time I clearly see that much effort and time is required to maintain the quality and relevance of the blog's content in the long term. But as always, any efforts will pay back. For example, when trying to add a photo to my profile I came across a Keep Calm poster generator, which can be introduced to students to have a little fun with writing their own motivational slogans in English.
I am looking forward to using my blog for reflecting on my ideas and sharing the knowledge of useful EFL teaching resources in my posts for the next weeks. As for the reasons to use blogs in my classes, I find the idea of doing project-based activities most attractive. I do realize that it involves much preparation work but thanks to the acticle "Blogging for EFL" I know what it is all about.
Dear Tetiana,
ReplyDeleteI have found your blog and I like this cute design! :) I do agree with your idea that we need to work a lot and spend lots of time, and efforts yet the fruit of the work is so sweet and tasty! :) I hope that we will all be so happy we have had this chance in our life to participate in this course.
I would especially like to thank you for sharing with us the blog "English Language Teaching Global Blog of Oxford University Press". I have looked through it and I like it a lot. There are articles, webinars, ideas. It's really great! I hope you won't mind if I add it to the list of my favourite blogs? :)
Wish all the best to you and never hesitate to ask for help. I am always ready to help if I can. I will also ask you to give me a helping had if I do not understand something, ok? :)
Thank you.
Jurga.
Dear Jurda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving such a nice comment. I am really glad you have found something useful on my blog:).You are always welcome to address me, whenever you feel like discussing EFL teaching issues, or any other sort of things:)
Let's keep in touch.
Tetiana
Hello, Tetiana. Your blog is really attractive, I love the color you chose (I tend to favor pink and purple over all other colors) and the format is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you (and Jurga); it's essential to make an effort to run and monitor a blog, but it is indeed rewarding. It's funny how online teaching and learning, where we are "not really there", implies more work than being in front of a class. I think using these blogs for reflection will help us look back on ideas we've had and how to apply them or change them. And yes, creating a blog turned out to be a matter of simple steps, yet the content can be as complex and challenging as we'd like, and that's one of the many advantages we have to give our students something to think about, or activities where they have to solve problems or analyze what they read in order to give a well-rounded answer, etc. These possibilities are really fascinating and I find myself extremely engrossed!
Congrats on your beautiful blog!
Lupita.
Dear Lupita,
DeleteI am delighted to receive a comment on my blog from you. It is great that apart from occupation and interest in professional development we both share the same colour preferences. I am looking forward to our doing further progress on the web skills course.
Regards,
Tetiana
Hi Tetiana,
ReplyDeleteI have just read your week1 reflective blog summary. The blog is simple and neat. I have visited the Oxford University Press English Language Global Blog. It is very informative. Thank you for sharing it.
I wish you and all of us courage to face the workload ahead of us and manage and maintain our blogs.
Best
Foli
Dear Foli,
DeleteI am glad you find OUP Blog interesting. Actually, the whole massive collection of online teaching resources provided by UOP is superb.
I think that exchanging ideas (and resources) between fellow teachers is the best way of enhancing the professional competency,so I tend to share my knowledge and experience with both my students and colleagues. I hope we all will make an advancement due to mutual assistance and support.
Best wishes,
Tetiana