Hello everyone!
This is a blog for our course. It is interactive and easy to access (vs. Blackboard or Moodle –though those are great too!). Like our course site, this blog will be available to you even after our course ends. I also thought it might be useful for us to try something new. Maybe you could design a blog for your own courses. They’re free and simple to design. There might be some cons though I haven’t thought of any yet. For EFL/ESL students, blogs can encourage reading and writing as well as a direct connection to an authentic audience. And they are easy to create –some of your students may have already done so!
This is a blog for our course. It is interactive and easy to access (vs. Blackboard or Moodle –though those are great too!). Like our course site, this blog will be available to you even after our course ends. I also thought it might be useful for us to try something new. Maybe you could design a blog for your own courses. They’re free and simple to design. There might be some cons though I haven’t thought of any yet. For EFL/ESL students, blogs can encourage reading and writing as well as a direct connection to an authentic audience. And they are easy to create –some of your students may have already done so!
For this section, share your thoughts on what we, as teachers, can do to with blogs.
Here are some areas you might consider:
-Brainstorming and prewriting activities
-Peer review
-Vocabulary use
-Sharing and practicing reading strategies
Etc.
First, I would like to comment on the podcast you attached to the e-mail. I really like the idea and I think it is useful, as you mentioned, for difficult texts in reading classes. Listening to the audio with the transcription was very fun, engaging and I think students would love to hear their teacher reading a text for them. They can pause at any time and check the vocabulary they do not understand and replay the parts they find difficult to read or pronounce. However, for shy teachers and those who are not very confident, voice recording may not be a good option for them. With children, it would be nice to read stories to them and have them read it while listening to their teacher and especially if the teacher imitates voices :D :D :D
ReplyDeleteSecond, I think that blogs can be used in many ways. They can be used in reading and writing. For example, a teacher can create a blog and call it something like "Response Tweets" and assign students readings and then ask them to write reader responses and post them on the blog as tweets. Also, the teacher can specify the number of characters to make it similar to tweets and specify the number of response tweets each student should post. This will ensure that students read the assigned text, can express their opinions on the text or answer any comprehension questions and finally focus on their writing errors.
WOW! I like the idea of teacher's recording and audio! I would definitely do that!
DeleteI like Mona's Response Tweets as it will encourage the students to write their comments on the web. I can add to that by encouraging peer review; giving the students a say on their classmate's opinion.
DeleteI never thought I'd blog, and then last semester, I started using Google Sites to put a site for students to use 24/7. It's now a highly developed site with homework listings, links, and just about everything I need in class. You can get a look at it here. It's even possible to manage submissions through it. Though BlackBoard has its own version of this (and it's tied into grading) the format does not appeal to me, and I don't think it resonates at all with design-savvy, fashionable young students. I don't know if I'm exactly the Dolce & Gabana of educational websites, but the site is functional and easy to use. I'm also experimenting with instructional videos on YouTube by doing screencasts using just QuickTime. It's all free (unlike ScreenCast and Vimeo which charge for bandwidth over a certain amount per month).
ReplyDeletePlease not that both videos are not as clear as they need to be. I'm going to repost them at a higher resolution to see if that does not fix the problem.
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/aucegypt.edu/mrstonestudyskills/
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nykTQJtSDUA
I really like the idea of creating a blog or a website for the whole class to share materials. Students always ask me for extra listening materials, stories to read, video links, etc. I personally used e-mails to send them stuff. But, I think that creating a blog will be a permanent reference to them and a useful resource. A nice thing you could also do is create a page on the blog for students to share songs or videos they learned from.
DeleteI can add to that by creating a blog that is based on student creativity ; that is ,they can make their own songs ,plays , write their poems or their meditation all in English. The teacher can review it later ,giving her feedback on their innovative work.
DeleteThere seem to be three types of blogs that are useful for the classroom: tutor blogs in which the teacher posts, learner blogs which are created by individuals or small groups, and class blogs which involve the entire class working toward a common goal (Campbell, 2003). I rather like the idea of a class blog that serves as a virtual space for a pen pal situation - an international language exchange in which the class can communicate with another class practicing English somewhere else in the world. This could encourage autonomy and a higher investment in the learning process as well as an increase in motivation by selecting their own discussion topics (making sure, of course, that they're appropriate!) and for allowing personal interaction with other students their age. How do we implement error correction in this sort of situation, however? Do we correct directly on the blog or do we give individuals feedback on their posts or perhaps look at some mistakes as a whole class and correct together? To give feedback on the blog somehow seems invasive to me and might hinder the flow of communication, but maybe I'm wrong. Regardless, I love the idea of using blogs in the ESL/EFL classroom, especially because they are available at any time to any student with internet access.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a very interesting idea to create a blog for language exchange especially if students chose the topics. As for the questions you raised concerning error correction, I suggest that the teacher prints out samples of students' posts to discuss the errors and correct them with the whole class. If the main target is language and not content, students can post anonymously in order to avoid embarrassment when doing the correction. I also agree that we have to integrate new technologies into teaching because this can effectively serve the learning process and facilitate student/teacher communication.
DeleteActually this is a very interesting idea to implement in order to kind of eliminate grammatical and mechanical problems students commit while responding online. I usually advice them to revise their comments before posting them, yet a number of errors are committed that need to be fixed. Raising their awareness by discussing them in class might help.
DeleteGiving the students the opportunity to use blog for language exchange as in Sarah's idea about pen paling can be quite captivating as I remember as a child I used to write to many pen pals from all over the world :England , Greece , Korea and France. I used to love the English language as it enabled me to communicate with people from all over the world. I became keen on excelling more in English to communicate more with the outside world.
DeleteI like your posting anonymously idea coupled with correcting errors as a whole-class activity. Thanks, MonaMo!
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ReplyDeleteWe could consider two types of submissions to the blog-- one that's formal in terms of vocabulary and grammar, the other that's more about expression and ideas.
ReplyDeleteFor example, what I do in my vocabulary class is give groups three vocab words we already learned that week then ask them to write a sentence for each on their area of the white board. Afterwards, the whole class "visits" the sentences and we comment on and edit them. It's easy to edit because it's on the white board. The last step is making each student responsible for posting a sentence on our Google+ Classroom site. When it's all done, we have a resource of sentences created by students in one place that they can refer to when they want to revisit a vocab word. My students like to use the site to prepare themselves for their vocabulary quizzes. I imagine this could be easily adapted for reading or writing skills. Perhaps a summary activity?
The point of that last paragraph was to show how well-written/proof-read submissions can be posted on a blog as a resource for students to use if they would like--and it wouldn't consists of any "on-the-blog" error correction.
The other option is more creative expression.
For example, instead of focusing on the grammar and the vocabulary, we could ask students to comment on that last reading we read. It would be guided in that the teacher could instruct them on how to comment on the reading by using guided questions. Examples could be: "connect the ideas of the article to your own life" or "point out a writing strategy you noticed that author of the article did really well" or "share ideas on how this article is relevant on a global aspect" etc... these kinds of submissions to the blog wouldn't be graded in terms of grammar etc... but there would be a rubric of sorts that assesses how well they were able to understand the reading and how well they were able to express ideas. Students would receive feedback individually and not on the blog.
If we're focusing on grammar and spelling and vocabulary, then I think it's very important that there aren't any errors as they will be posted publicly.
If we're focusing on ideas and sharing our reflections, then I think it's the content and thoughts that matter.
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ReplyDeletewould like to suggest something that uses project-based learning--more specifically, a virtual poster board session.
ReplyDeletePoster board sessions look fun and, ahem, educational of course. They require research skills, presentations skills, the proper vocabulary, reading skills, and writing skills. It also requires skills like cutting paper and gluing pieces together... unfortunately. Of course, there is something really nice about having a tangible project at the end of your hard work, but there's also something nice about having your project immortalized in cyberspace.
I think by using a blog, students could work on their group projects on their own blog sites and then on the due date it would be a huge "Blog-Launching Party". Perhaps this is starting to sound more like a website than a blog idea? I wouldn't want students to get bogged down in creating a website, and I think blogs are much easier to use and learn to use. I'm sure there's a way to make it all work.
Lastly, the settings on each group's blog would only allow comments from users who are signed in--this would control for possible misbehavior such as bullies or not commenting at all.
Possible projects include : presenting a short-novel they read; critiquing an article; elaborating on the cultural aspect of a reading.
I really like the idea of having students experience blogs by creating their own and sharing the links with their classmates and the teacher as a course project. The teacher can then choose the top 3 blogs and ask the rest of the class to vote for the best blog. This, I think, will motivate the students and boost creativity.
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DeleteI think students creating their own blogs is a great idea! This would save them lots of trouble communicating and motivate them alot!
DeleteMany students complain they don't find convenient time to all the group members, and I think blogs can help eliminate those complaints. This is also a good way to document their exchanges in case any issues pop up after the course ends.
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ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of online platforms as an extension to learning beyond the classroom. Besides its authenticity, students enjoy using modern tools in learning and they usually become highly motivated with their assignments when they are online. Blogs and wikis are the only online tools I am familiar with. In my classes, I usually create wikis, which serve a number of purposes:
ReplyDeleteFirst: Students are usually updated with the presentations, sheets, assignments that are related to their classes. So, if they need to revise any concept, they have the material already uploaded.
Second: As language teachers, we frequently use videos for listening as well as other purposes. So all my videos are shared in on a page which is easily accessible by my students.
Third: Students can upload their presentations and their work on the wiki; therefore it will be accessible to all class members.
Fourth: There are discussion boards like the one we are using. Consequently, students can be requested to respond to posts as well as write their reflections on any topic. The teacher can monitor their fluency as well as their grammatical and mechanical errors if committed while writing. She , then, will give some feedback n such issues.
I believe it is important for teachers to fit in the students' world and create motivating, and authentic means to develop students linguistic skills.
I really like the blog Idea. First, it is easy to use. Second, it is much better than blackboard at needs less time to access and it won't have network problems due to over usage.
ReplyDeleteBlogs can be used by teachers in several ways. For me, as a study skills teacher in the IEP, I might use this to help the students develop both their paraphrasing, summarizing and outlining skills. I can post for them a reading and they can post their summery or paraphrased notes. They can also evaluate each others' work through comments. further more, Blogs could be used for writing prompts. Students can post their essays. The idea of peer editing can be used here. Students can edit each others' work.
Also in a school setting, this could be a great idea for parents to follow their children's development and see the teacher's comments on their work.
Also this could be used to have the students summarize the week events and the assignments so that absent students wont feel left out and their parents could keep up with the events too!
For vocabulary use this is going to be very interesting. Two important vocabulary words and their meaning can be posted every day. each student is required to write a sentence in which the words are used meaningfully. They can read each others' sentences and this way they will get idea about what the word means in context. Teacher's feedback on the sentences is gonna be available for every one to read.
Teacher can also post an interesting picture on the blog and students can write a paragraph describing it. They can read each others descriptions. This way creativity can be fostered through looking at others' different perspectives and thoughts.
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ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not a frequent user of blogs, I believe they can be used in a variety of tasks. Since some teachers are afraid of sharing their Facebook accounts with students for privacy reasons, blogs are the best alternatives to create another community learning experience. Students can post questions to their teacher or their peers over the academic year period.
ReplyDeleteIt is also a great way of communication before and after presentations. In the context where I work, class time does not always allow students to give feedback on their colleagues' presentations. By doing this on a blog, students will have more time to reflect on their students' performances, ideas, grammar and other language points. For this purpose, teacher can even post checklists to guide the students. This not only works well with shy students who are hesitant of sharing their feedback, but it is a training on how to give warm and cold feedback which is a key feature of critical friendship circles.
As Erika mentioned, blogs help learners work on their project collaboratively. If blogs are used to develop writing skills, students will have access to their writing and monitor their progress over the years. Thinking of debates, it is really interesting how students become highly engaged during them, but once class time is concluded they get frustrated. A blog can be a great tool to post more arguments or final conclusions of those debates then.
Teachers can use blogs to share videos or pre-reading questions. In my teaching experience, those warm-up activities fill a good chunk of the class time, so by sharing those in advance, teachers can have more control on those activities, especially that some videos can require more explanation or multiple times of watching..