Looking back at what we have learned and tried during the course, I can divide the benefits into three categories.
The first one would be the topics and tools I have already explored, mastered and used more or less successfully in my teaching like blogs, WebQuests, interactive power points, some online tools and learning styles. Still, the opportunity to match how I have put them in practice against the course's goals and standards was invaluable experience because of the acknowledgment it received .
The second one would be the methodologies and tools I have only heard of and read about but never had the chance or time to try out like some of the skill building websites, rubrics and PBL. The pedagogical rationale and motivating tasks provided detailed insight, precise guidance and clear direction how to apply them in my work and consequently improve it.
And the third one would be the completely new concepts for me like ABCD objectives and social bookmarking as well as new tools like Nicenet, Snapgrades and especially ANVILL. These opened new doors for me and provided new sources of inspiration how to start implementing them in my lessons and reach a new level of language teaching.
It is difficult to choose from these and decide which one was most important and precious. Each of them will find their own way in my teaching, very likely as a combination of more than one. After finishing the course, I will go on carrying out my mission of finding new and functional ways how to use computers as effective and creative tools in teaching English as a foreign language and education in general with this course being a significant and indispensable part of it.
Rachel
ReplyDeleteHello, Nada,
Sincerely, I am so impressed of your point view which you classify to the three statements. As a course participant, I can’t agree with you more, because I am also benefited from it. Although I knew there are lots of tools that I can use for my teaching, I never have a chance to use it. As we know, people are always lazy if there is no stress, so I never force myself to use it. I know tools are so powerful to teaching, but I always give myself lots of excuse when I am busy. This is a great chance to force me to try it. In total, I agree with what you discuss here. By the way, also, I learnt a lot from you. Thanks for all your generous advice. It’s really a great experience to work with you as project partners.
All the best,
Rachel