The same with the previous weeks, this week 4 was also designed for discussion, task, and blog reflection. However, I found this week's discussion is getting more challenging. Therefore, I decided to start working on things that I am familiar with. I started my task by describing my own classroom problem. Actually, I am still in doubt whether I have to focus all assignments
based on the classes I have taught, the class I am about to teach on
the next semester, the class project I choose for my final report or it
can be any classes I deal with. Therefore, I combined between my previous experience and the anticipated problem I might deal with. For the next classes I am going to teach, I guess it would be much and less similar because the students I am about to teach will be the same students.
After I have completed my Classroom Problem description, I started to read the materials provided by our great instructor, Mr. McClelland then I went back to the Nicenet to learn from other groupmates. I wanted to learn from their reading and discussion in order to check my understanding over my own readings. After commenting and responding to groupmates' discussion, I wrote my own opinion on the Discussion part. By doing so, I feel more confident about my own learning.
I tried hard to complete two assignments on the same day because I had problem with my connection at home. I can only access the internet on wifi connection at work. Since Friday was The Chinesse New Year, we celebrate it as one of Indonesian national holidays, so I should not go to campus on Friday to work on my other assignment. Finally, I managed to completed 2 assignments on Nicenet, Discussion and Lesson Plan for the Google Doc.
Besides running out of time, my health is also not good. I have been working while I am having fever but I believe this is a very worthy learning. I do not want to skip any process of learning on this course.
Today, I can manage to get connection to work on my Blog reflection and start to reflect on my week's learning. The recent learning I have this week is the use of Google document and how to share the document. Thanks to the assignment on making the Lesson Plan, I know how to share document on the Google Doc. Once again, Thanks to Mr. McClelland ;)
In addition, all the websites that the instructor shared are also very handy. I have used many websites for helping me getting good material to teach but the instructor has more and more. Besides, the websites he shared are more topical and they ease me to save time in choosing which to use. Mr. McClelland shared more than what I can browse. I even got confused which to choose; all websites have their own advantages.
However, without reducing my grateful over all the resources for teaching provided by the course, I am still in my opinion that technology cannot help to the fullest if the teacher and students cannot work well on it. I hope I will not be one of those who is not knowledgeable to using the technology for language teaching and learning.
Dear Baetty,
ReplyDeleteI agree that this week's tasks were pretty challenging. In addition, this week we are having 5 days off for the Chinese New Year celebration. But unlike your situation, I had more time to work out on my assignments since I have Internet access at home. However, I must say that you did a great job! Your posts on Nicenet were very clearly written. I also agree with you that technology will be a waste if we do not use it well. I hope the best for you.
Dear Lupita and Baetty,
ReplyDeleteBoth of you did great job this week.
Baetty I know that the situation is challenging, I do agree with everything you said but as teachers we have to start making a change. The process of motivation starts by the teacher and ends with the teacher. It starts by creating the basic motivational conditions and our circumstances will never have change if we don't try as trial and error is also another way of creativity. You are not obliged to follow others but try to make learning motivating with what you have in hand. All issues you mentioned when describing your class are challenging and serious but at least try to work on one of them.
We are nearly in same situation and circumstances.
Regards
Ouarda
Dear Baetty,
ReplyDeleteI have been struggling to get back on track with the course, and I have to say that I truly appreciate your comments on nicenet.
I share your view about learning from the articles on the course homepage as well as from the other course participants. I discovered some very useful websites that I would have missed if it weren't for all of you.
I also share your view that technology itself cannot solve a problem entirely. It can serve as a tool to approach a problem from a different perspective. Sometimes the use of technology can be challenging for the instructor. It does require careful preparation and anticipation of things that can wrong. I found that part of the lesson plan particularly useful - the part dealing with back up plans if technology does not work well. But, technology is motivating for students, probably more so than course books and traditional work books.
I believe we make great progress in our own professional development with this course. It was the first time for me to use a google doc, as well. Great!
Dear Milena,
ReplyDeleteI hope you will manage all your catching up with the activities. Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate your sharing and wish to be able to manage my time to read your and use the resources that you have mentioned. You are right, this course will certainly contribute alot to our academic and professional development.
Cheers,
Baetty