Week 5- Reflection


This week has really broadened my horizons!There is no doubt that new ways to assess learners are required since the process of teaching and learning is in constant change because learners change and teachers as well. Learning to create my own rubrics was very helpful.Assessing my students oral tests/book reports and written assignments by using RubiStar has become more motivating because it is not difficult to create a rubric, and students understand better why they have  received a specific grade.

Reading about Project-Based Learning and Webquests was very interesting too.Creating projects is something we are always trying to do at my school so that leaners become more motivated to learn English.Working with authentic materials for projects really makes students get more engaged.Using Webcasts is a great way to encourage learning in my opinion,because students are guided to explore internet.

This week I also had to reflect on how to solve the issue I had described previously during this course.Because using blogs to teach/learn is something I have been doing and enjoying a lot as a learner,I decided to use a classroom blog to motivate my students.I hope students get motivated to practice more reading and writing by using a blog.

Thanks.
Érika

Week 4 - Reflection

On week 4 I had the opportunity to read interesting articles on Reading and Writing which helped me reflect on how to help my students improve these skills.These articles also contributed to help me look into the websites with a different perspective,which is: help students improve these skills with technology in a meaninful way but always keeping in mind that the teacher's guidance is very important in this process.
I also prepared a Technology- Enhanced lesson plan for an activity, which helps clarify our objectives.
Describing an issue or problem I want to solve with the use of technology has also been very enriching.
I feel I have been producing more and more.

Thank you.
Érika
Brazil

Movie Review: DVDs and Videos

Movie Review: DVDs and Videos

Week 3 - Reflection

Certainly, I have been learning a lot,

I have created my delicious account, which I am sure is going to be very helpful and enriching.I have been reading about interesting activities for listening and speaking and I wish I can use them in my classes.

Reading has become more interesting and sharing as well.Using this blog has helped me become a more effient web user

I hope I can continue doing well on this journey.
Thank your  instructor for your support.
Erika.

Week 2 - Reflection

On the second week I could go through some of new search engines. New ones for me, of course. Most of my research on the web has been done by using Google, but from now on I want to start exploring new ones.

I have explored and really liked one participants’ suggestion which is a search engine for famous peoples’ biographies. I became very interested in it because I often use this topic in my classes. Needless to say, I am going to share it with my students. Another search engine that called my attention was www.propublica.org which I believe my students are going to use it for reading about class discussion topics.

This week we also described a class we are going to use in the last project. Little by little I hope I can make things work.
I would like to thank  my coursemates for their sharings and my instructor for his support.

Thank you all!

Érika Carvalho.

New Blog for Summer Course

Week 1- Creating a Blog

I had created a blog before for this course but probably something went wrong.My instructor asked me to create another one and here it is.

So far, I used to think I was a great web user but I just realized I still have a lot to learn and explore.Thanks to this course, I am starting my offical blog.
My goals, as an English teacher, is to use this space here to reflect on my teaching skills, learn how I can make my students' learning more interesting.I noticed I have a lot to learn with this course participants and my instructor as well.

Most of my students enjoy using the web so becoming a better web user is essential.Although I have participated in a lot of teaching courses and training, this one is certainly a big new challenge I have to face.

As a learner, I hope I can improve a lot by sharing with all participants.

Thanks,
Erika Carvalho
Brazil