Hi Everyone,
This is the very first time I created a Blog of my own. As I've already got a G mail address, I started my journey from Step 3 in the instruction sheet. It was plain sailing for me as the instructions were very clear in the paper.Once I created it I wanted to do some designing. But I was not able to succeed well in it. I think we have to get involved in lots of experimenting, to achieve things. Therefore I kept it aside for the time being..
Now I'm thinking of how I could use this tool to develop the students' writing skill in the class. As I'm dealing with young adults they are inquisitive about new techniques in learning. Blogs give total freedom for anybody to experiment and comment their ideas, not only for the teacher to read but also to the classmates and to the whole world. I think Blogs could develop learner independence that way. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest draw back in learning English is caused by lack of motivation. These new technological tools like Blogs will increase the students' interest and motivation to use the language. Because, its not only the teacher's feedback they get, but friends', classmates' and outer world's. As a result, they will take extra precautions in doing something right with correct spelling and grammar as they don't like to get exposed with wrong English mostly. On the other hand, I think, Blogs pave a path to the learners to reflect, comment, question, as well as to communicate with each other. When consider on using Blogs in the classroom as teachers, a Blog can be used as an authentic, interesting and a communicative teaching tool.
With all this new realizations and excitement of finding a new tool for teaching, I look forward to grab many opportunities to know the interesting ways of incorporating Blogs in language classes.
Hello Chandy
ReplyDeleteI like your long post becuase, I believe, you not only underlined a very significant contribution of blogging to language classes, as an enhancer of writing skill, but also drew my attention towards its role as a creator of a virtual commuminity,a platform which enables some shy students to express themselves freely. Also, you are very right by saying that such a tool may motivate students to use the language more, without the burden of "passing"or "failing" dilemma.Thanks for the inspiration.
Best Wishes
Sebnem Oguz
Hi Chandy,
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes" Practice to do, comes by doing", so you are doing great through trial and error method. This is how I learned to use blogs. "Alexander the Great was once a crying baby". Perfection is surely the result of trying. It's good to know that you love trying things. I agree with you that today's students feel inquisitive about using the technology and this is what a teacher should utilize in the teaching. Marc Prensky, in his article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, noted that today’s students and young workers have changed radically. They are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach. They are different because they are raised in a world filled with gadgets and online communities. They constantly rely on computers, digital cameras, cell phones, text messaging, weblogs and wikis for their work, study, play, and communication. They embrace technology, and to most of them it’s a way of life.(Prensky, October 2001)
Hello Chandy,
ReplyDeleteThis blog is great; I love it.
How wonderful that you are already thinking of how you can use this tool to help your students' writing skills.
Donna
Hello Chandy,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is really beautiful. The colour is great.
It was really good to know about your experiences as a teacher. Indeed using the blog in teaching and learning process would be an effective tool throughout.
Yes we have embarked in a really enriching journey.
Hope to acquire the maximum.
Regards
Shavila