This week, I was supposed to finish the first draft of final task.
As I haven't taught since this course started, I created an interactive web plan.
Fortunately, I had an easy start with Linda who approached me first. :)
I have tried several web tools from the beginning of this course, so it took a while to decide which tool I should use for this final plan. Finally I chose Socrative.com and Nicenet.org and started to create a plan to overcome the major problems that my classroom has. : Big class size and lack of individual feedback.
What I like about this task was that I was asked to write down not only the tools I am going to use, but also the related problems that I would face while using the tools and how to solve the problems. Also, I had a chance to think about the expected response of related people such as colleagues, parents, students, and administrators at school. When I took other teacher training courses, I was only asked to come up with the plan and that was all. So the plans were too fantastic for me to actually use in a real classroom. When I actually tried to use what I planned, I faced unexpected problems (whether they were related to students or colleagues) ,and finally I could not put my plan into action. Through this detailed plan, I learned that it was so important to think from different angles so that I could minimize the restriction to my classroom.
Another task was to create a resource that I would use in my classroom using several tools. I chose a website called 'Tools for Educators' and made a board game using it. I thought teaching students how to manage learning materials can enhance student autonomy in that students no longer have to wait for their teachers to provide them with resources. If students can make board games about the target language, teachers give students opportunities not only to learn the target language but also to have the ownership of their own learning and I think this can be a very good life skill that students can use throughout their lives.
The new semester begins next week. I am nervous and at the same time anxious about what kind of students I would have in year 2015. With the knowledge and wisdom I learned over the last two months would hopefully make a valuable change to my classroom ahead of me. :)
Dear Minjung,
ReplyDeleteI have just finished the review of your project. Your plan is great. Congratulations. I made some comments but even if you don’t make any changes it will be worth the maximum points.
In my opinion in your project you made much more than the expectation. You have a project plan with another built-in project. :-)
Socrative seems so attractive that I have already registered and I decided to create some exercises myself, too. I am looking forward to trying this tool out with students next week. Thanks for the idea.
Good luck with the new semester!
Best
Linda
Thank you so much for giving me your time and energy for my plan. I could not have improved my plan in it hadn't been you. I appreciate it a lot!
ReplyDeleteI hope you best of luck and keep smiling!:)
Sincerely,
Minjung