TECHNOLOGY TOOLS: WEB2.0 WONDERS

Hello dear colleagues and students,

          I do love technology, and these web2.0 wonders are no exception.

They're free, easy to use and fun in & out of class.

Please find out yourself how the tools can be effective ways for teachers to teach and better ways for students to learn and move toward their autonomy:


*  http://www.glogster.com/  

 
* http://typewith.me/

  
* http://taggalaxy.de/

 
* http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/


*  http://newsmap.jp/    
    
 
* http://www.tenbyten.org/10x10.html

 
* http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/essaymap/

 
* http://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp

     
* http://www.wordnik.com/  

 
* https://corkboard.me/vOjpLp5aLD

 * https://soundcloud.com/


Enjoy teaching and learning with technology!


Safaa





 

FAMOUS QUOTES

Dear all,

       "Quotations" is an effective way to get us to reflect and develop our critical thinking skills. Do you agree or disagree? And why?......


Please share your best quotes.

Here're mine:

Resource:

http://slideshop.com/PowerPoint-Famous-Quotes


THANK YOU

 

Brainstorm acrostics- Macbeth

Acrostics – words and phrases to describe characters

-   M – milk of human kindness

-    A – ambitious

-    C – cousin, conscience

-    B – blood-thirsty

-    E – evil

-    T – troubled, tempted

-    H – hated, hallucinations

 

 

Please find more about Macbeth characters by following this link:

http://popplet.com/app/#/438635

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 10: Final Reflection (The door is open)

Greetings to all dedicated educators,

 The webskills class may end so soon but with a fresh new beginning and with an effect that will last forever.

So much has happened since I started the course on the first of October 2012.

Many & useful are the learning stations I've gone through and successful are the teaching practices and the technology tools I've tried.


* Week 1 set the stage for a smooth transition through the course: getting personal, ground rules for discussion & fair rubrics for posting.

The best was creating my own blog, the fostering self-expression, self-reflection and cross-cultural and awareness technology tool through the course.


* Week 2 put many and useful "Search Engines" and their effective use in my own classes into my consideration.

NOODLETOOLS

 

http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html 

 

made it easy for me to choose the best search for my information need: INFOMINE, WIKIPEDIA, GOOGLE, INFOTOPIA, Virtual LRC, MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY and THESAURUS and many others. 

 

Though for 20 years, I've been using the SMART Model for behavioural objectives, I've found the ABCD Model quite easy to follow with Robert's support and refining. It's a must to link the objectives to the assessment and to promote students' "HOTS":

 

 

 

 

 

 

The online slide show at http://www.slideshare.net/ashleytan/writing-specific-instructionallearning-objectives-presentation was a very helpful starting point in planning a technology-based lesson for my project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Week 3 websites strongly built the Aural / Oral Skill. My favourites are One Stop English, Esl.about, ESL-galaxy, esl-lab, and EnglishBaby.

 

Delicious.com was delicious in storing useful links and in sharing with colleagues, stakeholders and students. Having many followers to my DELICIOUS page

http://www.delicious.com/serenityprof 

 

has increased my motivation. Through the course, I added and in the future, I will add more and more to the list.

 

Reading and analyzing past sample project reports

 

https://sites.google.com/site/webskillsuo/home/assignments/week-3-1

 

 gave me insight into the details of my final project.
 

 

 * Week 4 websites integrated the Reading / Writing Skill. Breaking News English and its partner sites work best in my context. There's no internet access. So I download the authentic materials and use them not only for integrating the 4 language skills in each lesson, but also for exam purposes.

My students also find interest in 

 

 http://a4esl.org/,

 

  http://fog.ccsf.edu/~lfried/ 

 

  and

 

http://www.manythings.org/.

 

Reading e-how's article "How to write a technology enhanced lesson plan" and sample lesson plans from Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Instructional Technology paved the way for creating a technology-enhanced lesson plan using Google Docs and for describing the issues in my class that technology might help with (taking notes & conveying messages).

 

 

* Week 5 was fair enough with rubrics, the alternative assessment tool and with http://rubistar.4teachers.org/, I could create a story writing rubric for my students

 

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=2248689&

 

 





Robert's feedback about the rubric was always there to help me improve.

 

The readings and Nicenet empowering discussions about PBL and WebQuests have deepened my understanding of how these can be of great help for students to collaborate and move toward their autonomy.
 

 

 

 

 

Alas! I couldn't take time from my busy schedule to create a WebQuest. But I made use of two WebQuests serving in teaching my second year secondary students Shakespeare' Macbeth. One was created at http://questgarden.com/151/37/2/121114083403/ and shared by my partner in the course, Rajindeer and the other I found at Zunal. I'll give WebQuests a try next term. I don't like to be missed out.  

 

Popplet, the brainstorming technology tool  was a blessing to meet my students' needs.

 

 

* Week 6 was my station to learn more about interactive classes and interactive PPT. I've done a superb job as my dear inspiring instructor, Robert entered his comment in Jupiter Grade about my creating an animal idioms interactive PPT.

 

The phase 1 implementation of my mini project started with my first year secondary, 40 mixed-ability girls' class in M.L.S. That was the time when my students walked the walk of implementing a technology-related change. 
 

 

* Week 7 I learned and shared with my e-classmates what I could do to encourage greater learner autonomy in students, with and without technology.

 

I posted to WallWisher a PPT link about "Approaches to learner autonomy in language learning":

 

 

http://www.slideshare.net/irwyn12/approaches-to-learner-autonomy-in-language-learning-presentation-786825

 

the Language Learning Express software at

 

http://www.learnware.se/index.htm

 

 

and the roles of the teacher poster.

 

I continued phase 2 implementation of my mini project. I shared and uploaded my students' final products to my blog: "Connection to the Outside World"

 

http://serenitywebskillsreflection.blogspot.com/
 

 

* Week 8 came with a lot of exploration to the teacher resources that enhance students' learning.

 

I've decided to use Google Docs to create a Traffic Survey for class use:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dC1GRDh6RGo0UFJxbW85MWxIdl9oTXc6MQ

 

my own Inspiration Software to create a book discussion guide and multiple resources on my blog.  

 

As usual, Robert is there with his encouraging words and constructive feedback.

 

Thank you so much Rajindeer for being my peer and for reviewing my project first draft.
 

 

 

* Week 9 has come with a lot of connections between learning styles 

and technology which facilitates learning, differentiates, raises motivation, creates student-centered learning and adds fun.

My partner's comments helped me to improve my draft before submitting the final version of my project on November 30, 2012.

I did the course evaluations.

 

 * Week 10 brought the Self-Evaluation with the Levels of Technology Integration, LoTI Framework tool to my attention. The survey questions helped me become self-directed and improve pedagogically in the future. Student learning and creativity will be my high priority:

The readings made me full, the discussions made me empowered, the writings made me exact and the practices made me perfect.

So "Building Teacher Skills Through The Interactive Web" is not just a course to take, it is the course to be taken.

Let me finish my final reflection with Louis Pasteur quote: " Science knows no country because knowledge belongs to humanity and is the torch which illuminates the world".

Many thanks to the University of Oregon, E-Teacher Team, to dear instructor, colleagues, e-classmates, and students.  

Safaa

 

Week 9: Learning styles - technology connections

Greetings from Egypt to all,

      Approaching the finishing line of the Web Skills Scholarship, Fall 2012 has provoked a lot of emotional intelligence.

 

 

 

 

I must acknowledge that both teachers and learners have needs to be met and skills to be honed.

 

Language is the most important feature of communication, an essential skill of 21st century. So through the course, I feel the need to find an empowering way to teach the language and integrate its four skills and a better way for students to learn authentically and on their own and move toward autonomy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My students and I benefit from technology tools such as Popplet, Google Docs, Delicious, WallWisher, emails, and Google blogs to facilitate, differentiate and create student-centered learning. Students in the process raise their motivation and have fun learning the language.

 

 

 

 

The school term to come is when I'll give WebQuests a try in teaching Drama and incorporate students' multiple intelligences. So students can hear it, see it and do it.

 

I do believe that the best is yet to come with technology from   

 

. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/icts/

 

 

                                   and  

 

http://www.edsurge.com/

and from sharing and exchanging projects with an elite of professional dedicated teachers.

 

For the completion of this course and project work, I first need to thank God for making this work possible and second need to thank the Web Skills Team of the American English Institute at the University of Oregon and especially Robert, my inspiring teacher and my passionate classmates. Your discussions were really empowering.

 

 

 

 

 

Safaa,

 

     EGYPT         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teaching Through Biographies

Hello dear students,

            In today's class, unit 1: Famous Egyptians, lesson 5: Communication, you were wonderful giving talks about the persons you like the most.

As biographies raise your interest, please go to the link below, explore the example biography framework given at:

http://712educators.about.com/cs/biographies/l/blbioframework.htm


and the rubric given at:

 http://712educators.about.com/cs/biographies/l/blrubricbio.htm

and choose a person who is famous or who you know well and fill in the framework. He / She can be alive or from history. Then write a paragraph in 80 - 100 words. You can find more about famous people at:

http://www.widgetserver.com/syndication/l/?p=1&instId=5dead9b2-e4e4-4ac2-8d4c-d5d293913ce5&token=f0f1410e80a105463c305ba30d701d89bd060be60000013b31cbaf8d&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.famouspeoplelessons.com

Thanks,

Safaa


        

Week 8: Teacher Resources Online

Hello everyone,

          I owe much to the Web Skills team and to every participant in the course. I learn a lot from you all.

In week 8, I made full use of Google Docs. and created a Traffic Survey for class:


 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dC1GRDh6RGo0UFJxbW85MWxIdl9oTXc6MQ

The survey helps students to make notes and give suggestions for improving road safety in their area. I shared the link with students through email.

I also put into effect my Inspiration software, the powerful visual learning tool to create a book discussion guide to help students summarize the main points in a book. The need makes you find every possible way to finish your work. I wanted to share the file with you, especially those who are teaching literature. So I saved it as a GIF file and was able to upload it here.

I'm a subscriber to SlideShop Website and I receive free slide templates every now and then. This is how I make use of the resource for week 8. I used one of the animated slides to create the timeline for my project and I used another one before to consolidate a teamWork unit for 2 nd year secondary together with a YouTube video. I shared all that in the blog posts down.

After creating my blog in week 1, I shared many links with students to make them improve their pronunciation through the pronunciation Poem with OUGH. You know the English Sound System is the most difficult for EFL learners. The links are found in the blog post entitled: Have fun learning English.

Every week I hone my web skills, but in week 8 I've the best of practice.

Thanks for all the useful sharings in the resources of week 8.

Safaa

 

TEAMWORK: The Benefits of International Cooperation Assignment

Hello dear students,

Today's class about TEAMWORK carries a lot of meanings:

Please follow the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9mdHMtxOjY&feature=relmfu and do an internet research about the benefits of international cooperation.

Thanks

Safaa




 

Guinness World Records - superlatives (regular and irregular)

Hello friends,

        Today we revised adverbs of degree, and adjectives: comparatives and superlatives.

Please visit Guinness World Records:

                        http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/

and explore records (Hall of Fame) to write 5 sentences of your choice under the heading:

That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard!

You'll turn in the assignment sheet to me after tomorrow.

Thanks

Safaa 

Term Project: A Book Discussion Guide Sample

Hello dear students,

           Please study closely the mind map below and find about the  points you're going to include in your term project to produce a book discussion guide:















You can work individually, in pairs or groups to produce the project.

The final product can be an oral presentation (use Popplet, PPT slides), a term paper, or a poster.

I'll discuss and show you the rubrics in class time. Your project is due 15th, December, 2012.

For any questions, I'll be available during class / break time or through emails as usual.

I expect to display your products in the Harvest Day Festival at the end of the year.

Thanks,

Safaa



 

Popplet, technology tool - Samples of students' products

Greetings to all E-Teachers,

                As I promised in my blog post for week 7, here's how Popplet personalizes learning and engages students with the content.

Please find out yourself how brainstorming and mind mapping can unlock your & your students' creative geniuses. 

My students have fun doing that technology activity.

Hope you've fun too.

Safaa



































 

Week 7: Learner Autonomy and the One-computer Classroom

Hello E-Teachers,

Are you autonomous teachers or you just want learners to be autonomous?

Week 7 brings the issue of learner autonomy and CALL into my focus.

I've read a lot about that and found that they're inter-related. But I can say that with and without technology, I can help my students become autonomous learners: debates, role plays, writings, simulations, problem-solving tasks, games, puzzles, reflections, researches, and collaborative projects.

For me,  "A good teacher doesn't teach all that he knows. He teaches all that the learner needs to know at the time, and all that the learner can accountably learn at the time given."

In my context, there's evidence that students learn deeply when they're engaged with the content. They recall their prior knowledge, develop learning skills and promote self awareness of learning.


My students and I are satisfied with one period a week in the one computer media lab. Though the social interaction is missing, students have autonomous moves and afterwards interact with the authentic, meaningful materials that are relevant to their needs, interests and expectations. To mention but a few:

* review major grammatical structures.
* develop conversational fluency.
* watch videos and listen to podcasts and do assigned tasks.

I see myself as a guide & a facilitator in the process. I find myself establishing classroom climates that build learner's autonomy and responsibility: personalization, involvement, clear and organized tasks, differentiation, and innovative teaching methods.

Text messaging and emails worked well during the phase 2 implementation of my project. The technology tool, Popplet has personalized learning. I'll display samples of students' final products in a separate post, but here's one to keep you curious:

Enjoy and let the learner-centered approach to teaching your "voice & choice"!

All the best for all with their projects,

Safaa

















 

Week 6: Creating Student-centered Classes and Interactive PowerPoint

Safaa's greetings to all enthusiastic teachers,

           Enthusiastic teachers ignite enthusiasm in their students. This week I raised the slogan "TEAMWORK": Together Everyone Achieves More. 

 

 



 

Improving my web teaching skills makes a big difference in my own life and in my students' own lives. The final project together with the plan for change allows me to integrate the new methods and technology tools learnt and have the following roadmap for execution:

* students: 1 st year secondary, girls' class.

* process: improving writing skill with a special focus on note taking and conveying messages.

* content: students interact with the course content to create mind maps related to:
1. facts about something
2.  summaries:  biographies / autobiographies, articles.
3. book reports / book discussion guides.
4. advice on how to stay healthy.
5. ways of learning vocabulay.
6. holiday experience.
7. fears and phobias.
8. thoughts and opinions about the environment.
9. favourite animals.
10. public transport.

* technology: Popplet, a mind map & a brainstorming tool.

* measurement: evidence of students' products.

Personalization in education through the use of Popplet

The start was easy as my students and I are in the habit of using  graphic organizers which scaffold the 4 language skills. Popplet is similar to the graphic organizer, Spider Web (main idea and supporting details). The differences are that Popplet  allows subscribers to share their work, add images to the written notes, change color, save the mind map as PDF or as a JPEG image and show their names on each popplet created. 

For the last 4 days there was a lot of give and take. Some students were excited. Others were confused. Some others forgot to save their work. Some needed help to choose the topic or to install Adobe flash player. Students who don't have Internet access at home will work with others who have to get the work done. I myself failed to show them a real experience with Popplet while using my Internet USB. But when problems come up, I'm ready with plan B. The next day, I showed them an example of a mind map I created to simplify the process. Anticipating problems, suggesting solutions, learning from mistakes and collaborating with others pave the way for future success.  

                        

 Up till now I don't have any concrete products, but all achievements require time, don't they? I'm waiting eagerly to feel the effects of variety, activity, collaboration, technology, success, challenge and support on making the practice more engaging.

Videos, games, projects, PPPs, clip arts, podcasts, role plays, simulations and service learning are all engaging formula for students. This variety lends interest and allows students to promote and incorporate their mulptiple intelligences and enhance retention.

When we keep our students engaged in meaningful language use, we ensure that their participation increases and learning improves and that classroom problems won't happen.





Happy students' engagement formula!

Safaa