Final Reflection

Before taking the course, I thought information technology was an asset only for those adults who greatly depend on it in their job since most of the teenagers considered the computer and the Internet as channels for fun. Similar to other schools, my students are asked to finish on-line exercise regularly but they performed badly in the last few years. Parents kept complaining that their child/children spent most of their time on on-line computer games. It seemed I was not supposed to assign on-line homework any more because both the teachers and the students were burdened and overloaded.

I wondered if my students would be attracted and benefited by the tools, software and activities introduced in the course and the answer was shown soon. My students are usually hungry and sleepy right before lunch and their concentration span is very short. One day, I showed them one of my Hot Potatoes tasks which is about articles and they were awakened and they blinked their eyes!

My students have experienced not only Hot Potatoes but also others such as the PPT file ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ for grammar revision, Inspiration and Lingonet for vocabulary and oral practice, Wiki and Audicity to produce their own radio drama, and Photo story 3 to share their life and experience through digital stories. Some students learn better with hands-on activities and they reacted positively and actively. I know computer-aided language learning can be fully developed when teachers and students are ready to step out and look for new teaching and learning methods which are interactive and insightful.

Thanks Paul for introducing and demonstrating the tools and activities in class. They are undoubtedly meaningful to all teachers.

 

Another Gorgeous Day!

(My students suggested darkening the photo.)

The students were suggested going to the MMLC to amend the script before recording so-called the last version of their radio dramas. They were extremely concentrated as if they were taking exam. It was another greatest moment shared between the students and the teacher.

One group encountered a technical problem and they were unable to move on. They could have done the work at home but they insisted to try to tackle the problem and eventually, they made it. I was truly impressed and again, pleased to see how IT plays such a positive role to motivate and arouse the students’ interest in learning.

Different from their routine on-line English practice, producing a radio drama provides the students with an unique and interactive learning experience which pulls them to self-access learning. 

It is marvelous, isn’t it?

 

Audacity and My Students

One of the ideas for my term paper is Audacity. It helped me a lot several years before when I set exam papers, but I haven’t used it for about two years since firstly, the ready-made materials are better. There are not too many but enough resources provided by publishers and it is truly handy to choose suitable ones for paper setting. Secondly, teaching assistants greatly help reduce teachers’ workload. Frankly speaking, Iwould not have used it again if I had not taken the course.

But I have to say, Audacity is not just for setting papers. I started my project two weeks before and when the students tried to use Audacity in the MMLC, they were thrilled and filled with joy. You can’t imagine how beautiful the picture was but I was deeply touched. I believe they enjoy recording and listening to their own voice and I thought I might have made a good choice for them.

That day was wonderful and the experience and feeling is great too. I expect another great day.

 

Digital Story – Birds

Bird Garden

Bird Garden

This is my story, my first digital story. Working on it, I remember my good old days.

The Chosen Topic – Bird Garden

I had planned to talk about my teaching experience at first since I spend most of my time on work and it is a hot topic that usually interests all my audience – colleagues and students. Starting to prepare the script as well as the photos for my digital story, I focused on everything related to my teaching but suddenly, some photos drew my attention and they were taken with my beloved family and friends in the past. Looking back, I have not changed much but others do. Spending just a few hours a week with them, my family and friends never complain. I feel sorry but glad to have them around me. Thus, I decided to work on the topic – Bird Garden, a place where my father always visits and my friends will be interested in.

The Final Story Script

As mentioned, I changed my mind. It ended up with two scripts but I just worked on the latter. I first looked for suitable and lovable photos that I wanted to share with others and I wrote my scripts according to the order of the photos. I amended the script twice before reaching the final story script because new ideas kept coming out.
After converting the project file to a video file (WMV), I planned to make some changes to the script and add three more photos but unfortunately, my computer suddenly shut down for no reasons and I could not retrieve the project file.

Technical Process

A computer system is not perfect due to all those unpredictable breakdowns, like the one I encountered before. However, I feel absolutely fabulous when producing my first digital story. Simply downloading Media Player 11 and Photo Story 3, and spending some time reading out my story in the MMLC, I can tell my story in a different and interesting way. I really think Information Technology contributes to effective and efficient learning and teachers can provide students with wonderful learning experience.

Language Teaching and Learning

I used to think technology was difficult to keep up with and it was my preference for traditional teaching methods, which greatly depend on blackboard, coursebooks and worksheets. To me, teaching with a digital story is a brand-new idea but the experience of producing my first digital story has helped restore my confidence in using it, as well as other technology-related teaching materials, in classroom. I believe my students and colleagues will be pleased to see the change.

 

The Potential Benefits of Digital Storytelling

Carol Tai’s Lego Boy Story

A story could be read out in a dull and tedious way if the storyteller is not good at doing so. Digital Storytelling may help solve the problem of the traditional way and bring a story to life.

Showing pictures and photos, a teacher (the storyteller) may be able to draw the attention or extend the concentration span of the students (the audience). Unlike movies, the teacher can select and filter the teaching content and materials. To the students, they undergo a process of learning listening and reading skills (if subtitle is provided) with a great enjoyment. In order to better utilize the teaching tool, the students are encouraged to produce their own ditigal story.

 

Reading aloud the short story ‘The Wolf and the Lamb’

The Wolf and the Lamb

I am pleased to introduce my first read-aloud here!

Thinking back to the technology-assisted speech activities introduced in the session, I love Audacity/Radio Drama most. Audacity is definitely wonderful since it brings a great enjoyment to the students. With it, not only can the students reflect on their speaking skill, but they are also encouraged to express their sparkling ideas and opinions through radio drama. 

Many don’t like listening and speaking because they have no clues how to do better. I still remember when I was a secondary student, I used a tape recorder to record my read-alouds and I was extremely thrilled. I believe Audacity help arouse my students’ motivation and brush up on their speaking skill.

To make use of the speech activity, I think teachers can guide their students to produce a radio drama after some reading lessons. The setting and the plot of the drama should be in line with the reading texts. In this case, the activity further benefits the students by consolidating their previous knowledge. How do you reckon?

 

Who Wants to be a Millionaire

Using games to teach English is always a good idea that students are motivated and their attention will be easily drawn. When an unattractive and boring PPT file goes with a game, however, it usually ruins the latter.  I like the PPT file demonstrated by Paul tonight. It is fantastic and can be modified to fit in almost all learning contents. I like it, how about you? Try NOW!!!

Millionaire – Phrasal Verbs (Give)

 

My FIRST Wiki

Wikispaces

Undoubtedly, learning English nowadays is easier coz there are lots of resources and materials provided on the Internet. I have just created my first wikispaces account and I think it is good for teachers and students to share and communicate with others through discussion. I am going to post a new discussion topic related to a current issue and the students can always log in to express their opinions. Besides, it enables learning to be done round the clock, and comments can always be given to students regardless of place and time.

 

Inspiration and Reflection on Lingonet

I am amazed by the two different kinds of software introduced tonight.  First, Inspiration 8 IE is again a very useful software to help develop vocabulary with students.

Fund-raising Activities

Second, Lingonet is good for practising words with students and it is so well-designed that learners must always be attracted to attempt all questions. However, a coin has two sides that it is not suitable for introducing new words.  Some post-task activities can be decided to better make use of the software. The first one is to distribute a worksheet with some new words and pictures under the same theme to the students and they decide where to place them appropriately onto the picture.  The second one is to show the students some authentic materials before teaching new vocabulary.

 

Hot Potatoes AGAIN…

Unfortunately, my computer has broken down recently…sigh******

Stealing some HOURS from the school, I finally…HEHEHE…

Quiz: Agreement

(I found a typing mistake in the last question in the morning: Answer B should be ‘are’, sorry!)