the last week and new start

When I started to write my reflection on my blog, I didn’t know what I should write. I felt like that writing it was another task. However, after that while I spent a week doing something and completing tasks, I wanted to write my reflection and read other teachers’ reflections. Although I was not a big blogger (actually I was not diligent), I got much energy that made me encourage to go ahead by reading teachers’ comments and writing my story. At week 2(as I remembered), when I read a teacher’s final report from a country in Africa, I was really excited that I could share his memory and trial and errors using technology in his classes. Though I read his paper, I felt like as if I participated in his class. After that, I could focus on this course and discussions. It was very meaningful experience to me. During joining this course, I moved to a new school and met new students. Actually, I ‘d like to apply tools to my students, but they were on vacation. Therefore, I planned what I should teach from now on and filled in the plan report. Now I opened the writing class after school in the name of ’Writing Blossom’ that is the same class on my nicenet site. I started my class from last week and are teaching how to write. Although my fantastic course ended, I am excited about new start with technology tools. Thanks to my great instructor Donna and teachers, I didn’t give up. Thank you everybody. I’ii miss you all. Lucky Soo.

I thought, worried, reflected and expect.- WEEK 9

During this week, I read the articles about learning styles. When I plan my classes, I usually think about the teaching styles. That is, I think that I prepare the classes according to the topics and lessons. As I was reading the articles and other teacher’s discussions, I changed my point of view about teaching students. And I think that sometimes my students who have reflective learning styles felt uncomfortable doing some activities. To me, tasks of this week were very meaningful. Especially, I finally completed my final report. Frankly speaking, I am not satisfied with it , but I was excited that I can solve my problems using technology tools from now on. I moved to a new school and met new students, so I couldn’t try applying my tool to my classes. Therefore, I filled out the plan report. Now, just one week left. I had very great great memories with many teachers and Donna. I learned the passions as an English teacher from them. I am proud of my co-workers  (If I can call them like this). Thank you all. Soo.

I' ve got many excuses.

 I am passing through the long tunnel of WEEK 8. It was very hard for me to think about the plan report. Actually, many things happened to me feeling tired during this week. I cried out “I don't have enough time, I am busy and I am tired!” for myself. However, as I looked back on this week, I couldn’t manage my time efficiently. While I planned my report, I couldn’t decide which direction I will go. Therefore, I spent too many days thinking from the purpose to the process. Meanwhile, I got an advice from my partner. And then, I realized that the purpose of my technology’s tool is obscure. In addition, I read many teachers’ drafts of reports as well as my partner’s. I am planning the writing website ‘nicenet’ to enhance the overall writing ability from the structure to logical content. Step by step, I will present the topic such as ‘writing a sentence’, ‘pros and cons’ and so on. I am excited again imagining my class using this tool and communicating with my students actively. I will be no longer worried the following two weeks (week9,10). I am teaching and will teach continually. no more excuses. Soo.

I need lots of positive energy now : Week 7

 
   As time goes by, I am realizing and learning many things that I should know as a English teacher. One of this week's discussion is about using one computer and mobile devices in class. In my classroom, there is one computer for teachers. I usually use the computer show some video clips and reading materials. Indeed, students are banned from using the computer by my school's rule. Therefore, when I planned a class that students participate in actively, I should prepare various worksheets or move to a library or another room which has a few computers sharing other teachers. However, these days, I  don't need to move other places and encourage students use their phone for searching more information and recording the dialogue.

I have learned many things like treasures for 6 weeks and I should plan the final project for the rest of the three weeks. Actually, though I am really trying to keep up with the pace of other teachers, it's not easy. As I wrote, Now I need the positice thinking that I can do it. No pain, no gain. I believe in myself.

Interactive Powerpoint- Week 6

I usually use powerpoint in my classes. It is easy to present the objectives of the class and show video clips to students. If I prepare what I am goint to teach in the powerpoint slides,  I don't need to face toward the blackboard to write something while I am teaching. Above all, the lecture using powerpoint can attract students attentions. However, I use powerpoint to present my lecture in one way. My students simply understand the content  visually. After I read the articles about INTERACTIVE Powerpoints, I got to know many things. There are more advantages of using powerpoints than I knew . First, students can navigate more information visit websites linked to the powerpoint slide. Of course, teachers should search webpages  and find proper meterials  related to the topic in advance. Plus, students can get feedback through powerpoints. Like a quiz show, students can select category that they want to know, solve the questions and get anwers clicking the buttons. In short, I realized that powerpoints can be a powerful tool to make students autonomous learner. I will learn how to make powerpoints professionally from now on. If possible.

Thoughts about Alternative Assessments and PBL :Week 5

 

 

  Even if many korean students are learning English for many years, they have difficulty speaking and writing English. That's why they've had few chances to communicate with other students and English teachers in the class. As an English teacher, I have thought what I should do to motivate my students to immerse English class and be autonomous students. First of all, I think that students should participate in the class , plan what they do and achieve something for themselves. For that, teachers need to be a facilitator to guide them. For example, if teachers present a proper rubric of writing an essay, it will be a very helpful resource for students to learn how to write. The site 'Rubistar' to make a rubric is amazing. Next, while students do meaningful projects with other members, they are motivated more and enjoy leaning English as a language not a boring subject. I realized that students can learn many things from peers rather than teachers. Lastly, to make students autonomously, teachers should study more, plan and prepare more materials before the classes compared to the teacher-centered classes. To show a 5-min long video clip concerning the class, I should search video clips from Youtube all day long. As I join this course, I am thinking many things about my classes.

Soo.

Thoughts about my classes (Week 4 in webskill course)

As time goes by, I feel like developing with other English teachers in this course. Even, I am thinking about my classes  all day long. Since I am not a native speaker teacher, I need some devices to have my students listen to the native speaker's pronunciation and intonation. Therefore, I usually use some video clips from Youtube site and movies in my classes. They work for motivating students to focus on the classes. So, I sometimes spend many hours to search proper video clips for my classes. In Korea, most of students have smart phone. I sometimes plan my classes using phone. One day, I had students translate English textbook using QR code. Most of smart phone have this application , so I tried the activity using QR code. Students took a QR code like a camera, and then traslated the sentences that are presented in their phone. They were very interested in this activity. I think that this class was very useful in the end of the reading class.