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.
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
Enthusiastic teachers ignite enthusiasm in their students. This week I raised the slogan "TEAMWORK": Together Everyone Achieves More.
* 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
Hi Safaa,
ReplyDeleteYes Safaa, you are right! It is a truth that enthusiastic teachers ignite enthusiasm in their students. This week was really provident in the sense of raising the slogan “TEAMWORK”.
You are absolutely prudent in expressing that improving web teaching skills makes a big difference in our own life and in our students’ lives.
How wonderfully you have used mind maps in your post. It was also very exciting to know what you did with your students in this week as a part of your project.
This maxim: Mistakes are painful when they happen, but year’s later collection of mistakes is called experience, which leads to success: has for years inspired and motivated me. Thanks for reminding me of this maxim.
Your images are meaningful and completely matching to the content.
Your blog reflects maturity, excellence, knowledge and versatility.
All the best for your ensuing academic voyage of excellence!
Best,
Jit
Hello Jit,
DeleteThanks for your interest in my post and for analyzing my whole experience. I hope you also have a good experience with good collaboration with students.
Safaa
Hello Safaa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice slogan explanation you chose! It sonds really perfect and true! You also use so many different and attractive tools to create a lively atsmotphere in the ELT classroom!
A ghood start it's a half the work which leads to a perfect goal!
Best wishes,
Egle
Hi Egle,
DeleteYou too have a perfect team of students led by you. Your formula of engaging students is really engaging.
Thank you for commenting and happy implementation without any problems.
All the best,
Safaa
Hi Safa
ReplyDeleteYour slogan really encouraged me.I also liked the way you have expanded the word TEAM. Really you have done a great job.
Regards
Preeti
Hello Preeti,
DeleteThanks a million for that feedback. Really everyone in this course shows and receives encouragement. That does give you a sense to achieve more.
Safaa
Hi Safaa,
ReplyDeleteThe project idea with popplet for improving writing skills of your students sounds good. I have never heard of Popplet before but thanks to you I have checked that out. I might use it with my students in the future.
It looks like you've already done a lot of work with your students in terms of implementation. You stated that everything needs time and that is right. Rome wasn't built in one day the way it is. But it is a great start you've made. Little steps that take you slowly but surely to the goal is better that the great jumps where you can miss the point.
Anyways, I like your idea. And I registered with Popplet. Thank you!
Good luck with your project!
Bests,
Liliana
Hello Liliana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive feedback. Yes. I'm working hard with my students to get everything done before their monthly exams, 14 th Nov., 2012.
Good planning and enough time are all what you need to achieve great things.
Thanks for trying Popplet. I hope it works well in your context. Another tool that is similar to Popplet is:
http://www.spiderscribe.net/
we're here in this course to explore new things, learn from each other and choose what works best to meet our students' needs.
All the best,
Safaa
Hi Safaa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing this great definition of TEAM and for sharing Popplet; I find it very useful, but most of all thank you for being so inspiring with your quotations!
Best,
Colomba
Hi Colomba,
DeleteThank you for the nice words. I hope Popplet can benefit your students. You can also get the same result using
http://www.spiderscribe.net/
Best,
Safaa