Week 7: Learner Autonomy, the One-computer Classroom, and Mobile Devices

As I have only one computer at my disposal rather than a computer lab, I was interested to read about "7 Categories of Classroom Computer Use". In fact, I am used to making use of the computer as an administrative and presentation tool. It also serves as intormation station.
As for the "Stratagies and Applications for the one computer classroom" they all are of common sense.
Finally, I consider the paper "Going to the MALL: Mobile Assisted Language" to be an in-depth overview of today's mobiles technologies which can be employed for language learning purposes. Unfortunately, the only gadget mentioned there which I have managed to deal with so far is a cell phone. Mobile language learning programs seem to be a rather motivating and convenient technique, but I suppose the lessons delivered per mobile can only be beneficial as outclassroom activities, primarily intended for self-study purposes.
The resources I have discovered this week are http://padlet.com/ and WordWeb.
One more thing, there is a BBC Learning English Words in the News lesson about my country. It is now that I have realized that the things we learn from news are different from what happens (and how it feels) in reality.

Week 6: Creating Student-centered Classes and Interactive PowerPoint

I was looking forward to learning more about using PowerPoint for teaching purposes, but now I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I have acquired some very useful skills of making my presentations more interective, on the other hand I see a lot of things to improve about the presentations I was pretty happy with before. I should definately find time to add action buttons to navigate between different slides and create more quizzes. From now on, I will also use button B to black the audience's monitor, Ctrl+H to hide the pointer, and F7 to check the spelling. I can also use a variety of presentation templates available at http://www.vickiblackwell.com/ppttemplates.html and http://teach.fcps.net/trt2/links/powerpointgames.htm.

Week 5: Project-based Learning, WebQuests, and rubrics

Time flies but now I can clearly see that each and every week I spend on doing the Webskills course is worthwhile. Moreover, now I can identify it as a skilfully designed long-term learning project - the objectives are clear, the material is interesting, everything is properly scheduled and everyone feels involved and apploaching to the final goal.  It is so great to be a part of Project-Based Learning event!
The two kinds of technology I discovered are RubiStar, a simple tool of creating rubrics, and Webquest (see http://www.webquest.org/ for details), which is inquiry-oriented on-line lesson. I like them both. There is nothing else to add, except for the fact that I have already prepared a rubric to accompany my Technology Enhanced Lesson Plan (reviewed after receiving the feedback from Sean) and started creating a Webquest for my ESP students. The outcome of practical value speaks louder than words alone.

Week 4: Skill-building Websites for Reading/Writing Skills and Technology-enhanced Lesson Plans

Another webskills course week is coming to its end and I can confess that I am gradually getting used to this hectic schedule of balancing between work, home and course duties under severe time pressure. In fact, I find the best examples to follow among my fellow course participants, they all are so diligent, inspired and devoted to what they do that I have no other choice than to get infected with the spirit of creativity and enthusiasm and carry on.

We continue to explore the web space in search for relevant internet ESL teaching resources. This time, trying to find materials to enhance reading and writing practices. When deciding what online activity to choose, it is important to remember what the students need and what the classroon facilities can allow you to bring in (more details in Jarek Krajka's paper "Using the Internet in ESL Writing Instruction").

The results of my exploration of muli skills websites
http://fog.ccsf.edu/~lfried/ - grammar, vocabulary, listening exercise
http://www.lclark.edu/~krauss/toppicks/toppicks.html - ESL Independent Study Lab
http://a4esl.org/ - Activities for Students
http://www.manythings.org/ - Many Interesting Things for ESL Students
include
www.onlinenewspapers.com - a search engine of subject-specific magazine/newspaper articles
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/section/level-two/3935.html - interactive lesson "Using E-mail in Business”
http://www.esl-lab.com/eslbasic/travel-sightseeing-2.htm - listening activity "Giving directions"
http://esl.about.com/od/readinglessonplans/a/newslesson.htm - Understanding Newspaper Headlines
"Job hunting" at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1401/140109-job-hunting-a.html ABCD objective^ after doing vocabulary, reading comprehension and listening activities intermediate students will be able to discuss the problems of job seeking at an appropriate level of fluency.

"How to wrtie a business e-mail" at http://www.tv411.org/writing/writing-work-ged/how-write-business-email/activity/1/2 (activities 1,2) ABCD objective: being given brief explanation (and a few examples) of the basic rules of business writing in English, (low-) intermediate students will perform Yes/No option and multiple choice activities in order to know the difference between formal/informal register and will be able to produce short e-mails choosing the correct professional tone and relevant subject line.
"Science in the news" at http://www.tv411.org/reading/understanding-what-you-read/science-news (activities 1,3) ABCD objective: intermediate students will revise common vocabulary related to ecology and energy issues so that to better comprehend the scientific facts in the news.

Writng an enhanced technology lesson plan was difficult, not because the lesson should have been enhanced with technology but because of planning itself. I feel I am not very good at planning either a lesson, a journey or a birthday party - there is always a risk that something can go wrong, so I'd better try and see if it works well in practice instead of planning in detail what might happen.