krmlin

2006-11-02T10:03:00.000+10:00

Reflection on construction of “Australian Native Animals” Website
After my website with Hot Potatoes activities was finished I had a chance to cool down and to look around for other sites. My major disappointment was that I felt that I could have done better – technically and pedagogically. Being under pressure to submit the assignment on time has taken its toll.
What would I change?
•I would definitely spend more time reading Queensland syllabus and then weave it better through the content of my website and activities.
•I didn’t realize that I could have put more links to “scaffold” HP exercises (mental black out or just being inexperienced).
•From the other sites I have picked up a very clever idea – use tales or stories (they can be linked, too) in order to give your students more confidence with the future exercises).
•Instructions for HP tasks should have been even clearer, as the possible age group of learners would need lots of support.
•Because of the time pressure activities were not proof read and the result is obvious - some errors, which you do not see yourself.
•My “Bird” crossword puzzle definitely needs to be expanded, some nice clue pictures of Australian birds would be very appropriate there, too.
•I should have done a multiple choice exercise, as it would be very practical for students to read more and to come up with their own answers (at least they would feel this way).
•Assessment strategies could have been better worked out. Now I think that the whole point of the website would be learning and practising rather than being marked. At least it could have satisfied both of the mentioned above purposes.
Despite of all the mentioned above “missed enhancements” I still believe that my website would be a valuable tool for learning English.
It is simply incredible that I have managed to tame the Technology. Thank you, Debra and students of the group. It has been very challenging but very rewording, too. I will definitely be using blogging and HP activities further for ESL teaching.
Well done, everyone.

2006-10-20T14:52:00.000+10:00

You can find my Australian Fauna website with HotPotatoes here:http://www.geocities.com/juliebagneneko/index.html?1160228210680

2006-10-19T21:32:00.000+10:00

It is wonderful and incredible - I had some HP problems, gave up, blogged Robee and she agreed to help me within a couple of hours. A bit later, Mahsa seeing my "cheerful" mood, helped me to solve my 1 week old probled within 5 minutes. So THANK YOU DEAR GIRLS. This problem is over!
And, Oh, yes, I am very close to post all HP activities today :) Considering that they were almost ready 2 weeks ago - a huge progress.
See you all with your plates tomorrow.
Julie

2006-10-14T22:20:00.000+10:00

My HP activities remind me the English proverb that says something like: " Not to see the forest behind the trees." After the battle with inserting HTM files to my webpage and I have understood that it was too early for throwing hats into the air. My pictures looked like a puzzle with different geometrical shapes and irrespectively of all my good will and efforts they are still there. On the top of this "minor" trouble, I can't insert the names of my animals under the pictures. At this stage (almost 11 pm), I chose to give up. Just for the sake of pure interest: has anyone managed to tame the posting of picture files with a description to your website? Would REALLY love to finish toying with it.

2006-10-13T16:18:00.000+10:00

I have come across a very useful article about Web-Based Testing (WBT) and Computer-Based (CBT) tests. Carsten Roever states that WBT can pinpoint a test taker’s ability faster and with greater precision than paper-and-pencil test. However a good WBT should “comply” with the standard requirements of any language test: reliability, validity and practicality. It should also start with defining the purpose of the test and what skills are going to be tested. He warns that pretty pictures and animated images do not define test quality.
As my HP assignment was done for the low-stakes assessment, I will just cover the pros and cons for them.
Positive aspects:
+ A teacher doesn’t need to be a programmer and doesn’t require complex code writing.
+ WBT require just a standard browser for their display
+ HTML’s contain elements that help to create common types items
+ Testing is affordable as once the test is written, it can be uploaded to a free server (www.geocities.com – sounds very familiar )
But
- WBTs have lack of security, thus cheating is possible
-It is impossible to maintain confidentiality
Link to this article is http://llt.msu.edu/vol15num2/roever/default.html

2006-10-09T14:25:00.000+10:00

I have shaped up my 2nd website and HP activities. I an having a trouble with drag-and-drop tasks. On some reasons just can't make them work and get right scores. Need some help in order to finish it and start working on a rationale.

2006-10-06T16:20:00.000+10:00

In a light of coming Hot Potatoes assignment with following rationale for it, I though it would be useful to do some readings on language learning tasks using technology. According to Carol A. Chapelle the most suitable tasks for lg learning are those which learners will encounter outside the classroom. So, then there comes a question of what can be considered a task and how to define if in a CALL context. As per researchers the tasks should be goal oriented and engage learners in goal-oriented behaviour. Tasks for lg learners require them to accomplish something using target language. According to Breen (1997) task need to be just goal-directed, irrespectively of what will be accomplished. However, I strongly agree with Pica (1993) who points out that in order to make tasks more authentic teachers need to use communicative approach via which students will construct and interpret linguistic meanings.
What are the features of a good authentic task? To start with they need to remind situations which can be encountered by a learner in a real life.

As per the teacher’s perspective, it requires a good frame, which consists of the following features:
*Goal . The teacher should check if is a communicative activity and what will be the outcomes.
*Process. How learners are engaged in the process.
*Topic. What specific fields are covered: every day, academic, etc.
*Location and duration: Where learners will be accessing the task sand for how long.

The second lg task construction also needs to be accurate, complex and fluent, as Skehan (1996) suggests the task-based instruction should be done for learners in such a way , so that they develop the effective language balance between fluency, accuracy and complexity.

2006-10-03T16:12:00.000+10:00

I have looked at HotPotatoes website. I am not sure how I will cope with the technical part of it. Being a lg teacher, I always have this fear of start looking into formulas or long instructions. So, I just wonder, if anyone has already mastered the mashed potatoes and can give some HELP with creating tasks. Or, may be there are some other alternative (hopefully, easier) programs?
PS Wasn't it wonderful to have a week off due assignments? I really enjoyed it and even planted some succulents foreseeing the 4 Level water restrictions.

2006-09-29T16:10:00.000+10:00

Creating Interactive Activities

Social interaction is a very important part of the language learning. It can take place between students, student and a teacher or between classes/schools. The quality of interaction is significant and it had been proved by a research that student –student interaction is usually not that productive. In order to improve the quality of interaction a teacher should establish clear goals, carefully plan future activities and tasks, so that each student would contribute towards the team’s objectives. After the goals have been established, a teacher should integrate computer technology in the task and also scaffold every step of the future task. Sometimes technology will play a secondary role and will help to create the unique environment for any assignment (eg writing, speaking etc)
Using computers has it pros and cons. The positive aspect of using computer vs a teacher would be a constant access to the task, an instant feedback to learners, endless repetition of the task. However, some software doesn’t provide an authentic interaction, but just drills. In order to avoid the drill exercises, a teacher can create more tasks, which would compliment the original one. Eg, involve some creative exchange in the target lg while students are still performing the original drill, introduce more decision-making and problem-solving tasks, institute such extra activities which would live to collaborative projects.

2006-09-28T22:03:00.000+10:00

I have just finished reading the article by Leo van Lier about ecology and affordances in teaching and learning (courtesy of Debra). It is simply amazing how something which seems to be well known, in this instance, LvL was talking about brain and cognition theories, can be transformed into a new and revolutionary idea. Van Lier, using Vygotsky’s Zon of Proximal Development (the ZPD) is talking about ecological linguistics as “a study of language as relations (of thoughts, action, power), rather than as objects (words, sentences, rules). “ According to van Lier the process of language learning is not a straight forward transmission of knowledge from a teacher to a student. Ecological educators see language and learning as relationships between learners and the environment, which gives both of them “affordances”. In every day life those are presented by opportunities for interactions and learning to the active, participating learner. The linguistic world to which learners have access provides plenty of demands and tasks which can be used by a good teacher for structuring meaningful activities. This approach avoids seeing learning as something that happens in person’s head. Rather it connects cognitive processes with social processes.

Leo van Lier “From input to affordance: Social-interactive learning from as ecological perspective”.

2006-09-28T21:59:00.000+10:00

I am catching up with readings. I love to read, as per reflective readings … very useful.

Written Interaction

Working on my WebQuest I have decided to challenge my imaginary students with writing diaries. From Methodology I clearly remembered that this is the task which develops thinking, as well as grammar, vocabulary, etc in writing and speaking. The others aspect, which is more relevant to the current course is interaction. As Vygotsky has stated all human learning is mediated through interaction with others. In my case, via writing a journal “Discover Australia” students would be able to
*Learn to think in a new situation (which is a dream destination of every teacher.)
* Develop speaking, as they would have to discuss the ideas, facts, pictures for their journal
* Improve writing (definitely), as it is well known that the only way to learn how to write is, actually, to write!
* Elaborate their computer knowledge and skills.
* Fosters the sense of community.
* Experience authentic social interaction.

I think that writing journals is a perfect example of changing the attitude to writing, as a solitary and monologic activity. In fact, it is as social and interective as speech. It requires brain storming, collaborative effort, clear communication and at least pair-work.

The last thing that I regret now, is that non of the mentioned above considerations were put on my Teacher Page. At least, I am doing it now.

2006-09-10T16:12:00.000+10:00

I thought I was finished last Wednesday, ALAS, when I tried to post my WQ, most of the pictures mysteriously turned into icons. After some investigations, I have figured out that I didn't save them in my web page folder. So, I started to link them back again - hips of work. I guess, I have learned this procedure for good :)

2006-08-27T22:18:00.000+10:00

I have linked all WQ pages. It was not really easy, as I decided to go a hard way and did it in Dreamweaver. I am, finally, up to the task itself - redscovering of Australia for EFl students. They are about to travel together with Cook, discover Australia and write diaries on ... this has not been decided yet. At least this is my idea for tonight.

2006-08-25T17:33:00.000+10:00

I have downloaded Dreanweaver to my home computer for free for 30 days. It took me about 30minutes + they have offered free tutorials for beginners.

Reflections on CALL 1

2006-08-20T14:16:00.000+10:00

CALL stands for computer-assisted language learning. In 1990 Levy etc have pointed out the need for a CALL theory which would provide a framework for teaching and learning languages with technology. A theory of CALL can help teachers in making decisions about ways to prepare lg learners for the computerized future; can have an important impact on curricula; can evaluate how different students respond to different kinds of technology; serve as a guide on lg learning. Generally, a theory of CALL is considered one of the theories of language acquisition, as principles of lg development remain the same irrespectively of the theories 

As we have stated that CALL is one of the numerous theories in SLA, thus , by default, we would consider lg acquisition a result of a combination of a cognitive mechanism and environmental factors. According to Spolsky (1989) physiological, biological, intellectual, and cognitive skills represent abilities , while opportunity means the learning environment, or amount of time spent being exposed to the lg. The learning environment is an exteremely important component of the learning, as it can be a valid predictor of learning outcomes and teachers and reserches can directly infulence it.

Conditions for optimal lg learning environments. There are 8 of them.

1. Learners have opportunities to interact & negotiate meaning. Knowing that learning is a social process; interaction between people is necessary. Thus negotiation of meaning stimulates second lg development.
2. Social interaction should be purposeful; learners should interact with an authentic audience.
3. Tasks should be authentic, similar to real-world tasks.
4. Learners should be encouraged to produce varied and creative lg. Thus learners would be able to work on their receptive and productive skills.
5. Learners need explicit (task-related) and appropriate (just right amount of assistance) feedback from the teacher.
6. Learners should be mindful and motivated.
7. Level of anxiety should be optimal.
8. Student should be an autonomous learner, however teacher’s role is to challenge their thinking and provide scaffolding.

2006-08-20T13:44:00.000+10:00

Workshop 2 reflections.

2006-08-20T12:36:00.000+10:00

Wow, what a day. I have finally made some sense out of the WebQuests. The last part of the session, where we "created" our own WebQuest pages was extremely hepful. My next step will be to download Dreamweaver and start collecting info on Discopvery of Australia. I really want to do it colourful and interesting for myself and potential students. Thus I need to know how to download and from where wallpaper and where and to find free sound files and how to insert them. May be some of you know some good web pages about Cook, Tasman, ets, whatever info relevant for my WebQuest. Thanks. Julie :) Just this humble smile till Basim explains me how to insert the animated ones.

2006-08-19T13:25:00.000+10:00

2006-08-19T13:23:00.000+10:00

Fun!Fun?

2006-07-22T10:52:00.001+10:00

I love strawberries in Queensland, Australia. They are huge and absolutely beautiful. Sometimes, they even taste nice. :)

Fun!Fun?

2006-07-22T10:52:00.000+10:00