2014年4月26日 星期六

elearning 5- distance classroom #TLO 110


Working in groups you recently posted an activity to VoiceThread. Now, choose an activity posted by a different group that addresses a communication mode that you would like to give more attention to with your students. In your blog, identify which group’s activity you chose. Briefly describe the activity with any changes you would make to fit your goals and classroom environment. Include any assessment challenges this activity presents in a distance classroom, and how you would adapt for that so that you know how well all students are doing regardless of their location.

After viewing all 5 voicethread posts, I will like to give my attention on the group 2 activity which using different ways to describe the weather.

Group 2 activity contents are followed

Teacher
1.using ichat to post video announcement to meet at park near by on Friday
2. within the video, instructor will announce various questions

Students
1. email to instructor
a. check weather broadcast  and answer the questions from the instructor's announcement
b. confirmation if he/she will attend.
c. Clarify the instruction if there is any questions.

Learning goal of language
future tense,days of the week, numbers ,urban location,direction,clothes,food

Assessment
1.email-understand the content of the video
2. understand the weather broadcast
3.respond in culture appropriate way to the invitation

I like the instructor can post the video to announce the task with target language.  The activity design is very creative.  Instead of asking students to check the weather forecast, students will use it as subtle way and apply to their daily use.

I also like the assessment of this activity.  Students will need to learn all the materials through the technology with the target language.  Teacher won't be the main key person to show step by step learning weather but students will need to find out what they need to understand.  Teacher is serving a role as facilitator.

If there is anything I would like to change, instead of ichat I will use the text message.  The reason is not everyone have a Apple computer or device.  Since it is asking weather broadcast and if attend, I will simply sing up the Goolge voice and ask student call in to leave a message.And student can read the target language.

Secondly, if there is anything I would like to adopt in my classroom.  I will like the first part of activity which is announce the date of visiting and students will check the weather with broadcasting. This is a very interesting activity.  When I teach the weather unit, I will add this activity into my lesson plan.

Thank you, Jamal and Jiun, for sharing and providing the good idea.

2014年4月8日 星期二

elearning 2 # 102 PLN


*As a language teacher, what would be the value of connecting with others in the way educators in the various videos for this section have described?
*What are you already using? or What platform do you think would be best for you and why?
*Based on what you have learned, have you joined any PLNs or discovered any PLNs that you would like to join? Why or why not?

Connecting with others language teachers, will learn more and construct our knowledge,produce information and bring the  concept and perspective to the classroom.
I have been use facebook,Edmodo and emails to connect with other teachers. The best platform will be email currently.  It is instant and easy to reply.  And most of teachers are not at social media a lot.  Email works better.

Edmodo is a great tool.   I can find my group there and read what other teachers' questions.  I also have discovered Yammer from this course.  If this platform is still opened after course, I would like to keep it contact with everyone.  

2014年4月6日 星期日

elearning 4 - technology and Me # 108


Describe your experiences in working remotely in groups for this course. What worked, what didn’t, what challenges did you face, what solutions did you come up with? When you consider developing group activities in Distance Learning (DL) environments, what issues/concerns do you anticipate with respect to assessment of group work?
The facilitators are very nice and helpful. It is pretty lonely and fell I am working along at this course.
The class and quiz schedules are hard to follow.  For example, I wanted to work ahead. But I do not know if I have done it or been missing somewhere.  Same as the quiz.  I hope it will have some indicators or color changes to show the completing work or submit successfully. Right now, I have to back and forth to check the the main course platform, yammer and paper to check if I missed anything. 
It is hard to find my group members and  one get one response back.   I am a little bit frustrated.  But, so great to have so many different types of communication tools.  I can keep bugging them.  I hope they will not feel I am annoying or pushing teammate. 
I will send a course actual calendar and put the  homework or work on each day as suggestion to notify to my students. It must turn in I will use different color or font to show the urgent.  If I can ( I do not know if there is a design  )have a push notification as pop up for 30 mins ago  and 5 mins (similar as iphone app)before the due date 
For the last question "what issues do you anticipate with respect to assessment of group work?"  Some people will do more work than the other. The grade will come out equally.  It will have potential unfairness assessment during the group work.

2014年4月5日 星期六

elearning 3- communication-3 modes #104



Think about what you now know about the modes of communication and the ways you have learned and applied what you have learned so far in this course. Consider your own practice and describe the ways that you are integrating the three modes of communication:
1. Is there one mode that you tend to focus on more than the others?
2.What can you do/change to more intentionally include all three modes in student learning?
3.How do you think a distance learning environment will impact your practice?

For communication 3 modes, I tend to do more with interpretive and presentational than interpersonal mode. I think because it only has a limited time to absorb huge information through dictation, writing and reading. Those already take the most of school days.  Most students are passive and not ready for the independent learners yet.

The difference I will  do next time will be more intentionally focused on interpersonal mode.

Will a distance learning impact my practice? I think it will all depend on students numbers. Interpersonal mode is easy to do on distance learning environment instead of classroom. Students can find anyone who can speak target language around the world instead of one teacher with multiple students. Students can record their conversation or simultaneous chating on line.   And, most of time who wants to do distance learning is very goal orientated.  On the other hand, if distance learning is at school setting which has a very tide budget.  That will be different ball game.

Motivation,self-discipline and goals are keys to determine the success.

2014年4月2日 星期三

eLearning 1 Google Hangout #101



Those are the questions:
1. How did you feel about connecting with new colleagues in this kind of online format (Google Hangout)?
2. What challenges, if any, did you face in meeting with your group?
3. Share at least one interesting thing you learned from a colleague and/or in the process
4.  If you were unable to connect in the Google Hangout, describe your experience trying and how you intend to remedy this in the future so as to be able to participate in synchronous group activities.

My post:

I think Google Hangout is a great tool to use during the online course.  Sometimes, I was not sure the tasks or technical problems. Google Hangout is a great way to connect people. Currently, I do not have any bad experience on this. I can share my doc, my screen and get the instant message feedback.  Even,I can play around and be humorous using my image.  It is huge fun to use it.  In addition, It is a excellent way to expand my social network and to know people who are in the same filed.  During the Google hangout time, everyone seems nice and willing to help.
The most challenges I am facing are the time zone, schedule differences and technical issues.

When the group was unable to connect, it is very anxious and worried.  However, email and phone are great tools to communicate as well . The other remedy is "patience".