Sunday, February 9, 2014

Week 5

Halfway through. I can't believe it. Another rich week. Although nothing was new to me in terms of knowing about all these innovative approaches of teaching and learning and therefore assessing, I have not yet seriously implemented any of these techniques in my teaching due to several challenges mainly availability and access to technology in my school. Revisiting these tools allowed me to get a deeper insight and a different perspective from the one I had eight years ago. Back then, I was merely impressed by the technology and the attractiveness of certain tools more than the usefulness and the pedagogical benefits for my students. Today, and thanks to this course, I think I have technologically matured and I am more than ready to implement technology not for the sake of technology but as means to solve long existing issues in our classes such as authenticity of materials and communicative settings as well as realistic alternative assessment and autonomy in learning. Now things are becoming more engaging and more concrete especially after I shared my problem and solution for week 5 and the unexpected amazing response and suggestions from my course mates who are willing to embark on a technological multi-dimensional cross-cultural experience in teaching English.
Karima Nazirdeen from Sudan, zeljko andrijanic from Serbia and Alexandra Duarte from Portugal have all expressed such enthusiasm about the idea that there is no room but for going ahead with the project and start working on a project that would involve all our students in a true authentic learning experience.
So let's get it started .

2 comments:

  1. Hi Karim,

    Wonderful insight!
    That's the way to go: ahead. Very pleased that my challenge of the first weeks has baeen heard and accepted. 4 already? OMG!!! We have to exchange emails and commit ourselves to this and fast!
    BTW: I like your webquest, Karim. Mine is unfinished too for the time being. They are fantastic educational tools but do take time to complete. We'll manage to complete it as usual :)
    Greetings from Portugal,
    Alex

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  2. dear Karim, first of all , I liked the idea of involving students into blogging and writing skills. This is excellent oportunity to show that writing is much more interesting than they thought about it.
    I thought it was three of us! WOW we're really great , I wish Karima welcome to the world of technology and innovative ideas. As I posted previously, I suggest Skype meeting (zeljko_kv) or brainstorming via e-mails (teacher73yu@gmail.com).
    greetings from Serbia
    zeljko

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