WEEK TEN

So here we are in the middle of week ten our final week in this gorgeous course .This week is like a review of the whole integration of technology in class.What works and what hasn't been tried yet .The course has empowered me with great tool s and resources regarding CALL .Although my real practice of what I have learned is just in its early stage I find it encouraging .Finally I got the feeling that my students and I share the same world .In the past during my speaking lessons it was like we come from different worlds .Now my students are interested and motivated to take part of the class .i cant wait to practice other technology tools I haven't yet used .

I think  I'm going to suggest a similar course or at least workshop for my faculty ,to enable my mates get advantage of technology .I'm already sharing what Ive learned and trying to establish a wide understanding for the importance of CALL .

I hope that I continue contacting with those Ive met through the course ,it has been a great opportunity to participate in such a fruitful learning experience .

Best wishes

Batool

WEEK 9 !!!!!!!!!!

Week 9 has begun what a course !!!!!So fast ,so many touching topics ,such interesting issues and days run !!!!!
Learning styles ,I thought they were only three !!!Now I know they're nine !!!!Thanks to technology all different individuals may engage in my English class .

I'm thinking about Janines question is it possible to encourage students to adopt other learning styles?How?
Well I believe it is possible the question is How !Probably changing strategies ,developing learner autonomy and doing much group work .
I myself find group work a way to discover other MI and different learning styles .?Getting to know which learning style one has tells you how you best learn .Which reduces time and effort .
Looking forward to see how the course ends I cant imagine ,they have been almost 9 great weeks every time I enter nicenet I learn something new .

Batool 

Another Great Week Coming

So sad time is running fast !The topics  in this course are so interesting one hardly catches up !I  always feel I need more time for more practice every time I'm exposed to a new web tool .
This week was the first time Ive heard of ANVILL ,I didn't know a virtual lab even exists !
Its wonderful to apply such technology in our classes where not much equipment is available .Developing listening and speaking has always been at the top of my concerns ,I thought about using Skype to connect my students with others from different parts of the world ,I never thought there was another option .
Although I feel ignorant ,but I'm willing to learn from Jeff and surfing the web more about creating a virtual lab .
I feel so surprised I need some time to react again .

This technology is changing not just the way we teach but even the way we learn !
Batool

Autonomous Learning,
I was just talking to a friend of mine the other day when we discussed student centered learning .I said we should keep on the old suit ,this generation is DIFFERENT ,we should teach differently .
Its just that one hesitates when exposed to a new experience .Teacher autonomy as Samuel states is a challenge .I myself cant remember I witnessed a learner who is autonomous .But autonomous learning seems like the place where we are going .Frankly speaking I don't mind giving up some teaching responsibility .
CHEERS
Batool  

MY PROJECT !
Well as for my project I'm willing to engage my students in speaking activities to :
1-encourage them to speak .
2-improve their accuracy .
3-improve their fluency .
4-create a social communication forum where students exchange ideas express them selves in a free environment to encourage them to use English to communicate outside the class .
I'm planning to use the PPT Ive designed after updating it by adding sound clips + a suitable webquest + a blog and a Facebook group that exits already .
I'm looking forward to harvest the fruit of technology in my class ,wish me the best !
Batool

PPT !
Week 6 ,is already here .
What interesting topics for this week !
LARGE CLASSES !The issue we always complain about over here .Now there are many ideas to get those dozens of students into real learning thanks to interactive PPT !
This course is really beneficial for me .I'm learning how to be a better teacher with not a lot of technology .
I appreciated the essays about large classes so much Ive printed them out for my colleagues to read and benefit as well .
I also liked the idea of out of class activities ,as sometimes the class time is not enough to achieve most tasks ,so office hours and pre-session assignments would both get students involved and reduce time .
I'm looking forward to complete my project although I'm not teaching now but I'm willing to use PPT and TPS techniques to reach a more interactive learning .I'm also planning to use webquest though not the one I first designed !As Ive mentioned earlier on Nicene  my students are university first year English students of elementary level.I'm planning to teach speaking using technology .
Ive seen some of my course mates interested in teaching speaking as well I'm looking forward to cooperate share and learn from them .
Batool
 

Here we are week 5 !
I find this week the most exciting.Ive created my first rubric ,though not perfect but a hundred miles walk begins with a step.Ive also created my webquest .Webquest is such an interesting way to create technology enhanced lessons I'm glad I learned about !
The textbook doesn't always match the students needs and interest ,here comes the contribution of good webquests ,it gives designed lessons that match the needs of the students ,with a variety of technical features .
My favorite part is that you can add any needed material weather audio or video ,images or even rubrics.
The most important issue though is planning .PBL requires a great deal of planning and effort .The students them selves can participate in designing a PBL ,which means they begin the learning process even before the traditional class starts ,which is helpful for the teacher and encouraging for the students .