The academic semester in my university is over! I had the last class with my Advanced 1 group last Thursday and the following week they'll be having their final exam. Goodness, how time flies!
This week in the Building Teacher Skills course, I had the opportunity to read about interactive Powerpoint presentations, as well as take a look at techniques and technology that can be used with large classes. Powerpoints can and should provide interactivity both for in-class work and independent study. More than simple slideshows, Ppts can be used interactively by including a video or hyperlink and asking students to anticipate information on an upcoming slide. Interactive games , tests and questionaires can be included using action buttons. Pair and teamwork initiated by including clear instructions and rubrics.
On the topic of Large classes, Celeste was kind enough to refer me to the Flipped Classroom technique or approach. She explained that students listen to a lecture at home (pre-recorded by the teacher). They send their questions to the teacher by e-mail and then in class students "do the homework" in pairs/groups/individuals. The teacher circulates and helps as necessary. She/He also addresses the e-mailed questions. Wow! I can do that by using the University's existing Podcasts in English or by producing and using my own. I'll give this a try in Fall semester!
Project Task 5
Creating a reflective blog or a blog with a theme of their interest (travel, cars, sports, etc.), I believe would be an effective way of motivating students to read and write. Just as we do in this course, students would be asked to create a blog at the beginning of the course and make a weekly post plus at least one other on a classmate's blog. This would make for meaningful practice but it leaves me with the concern of how to assess my students' contributions. Rubrics. I have learnt from this course, can help me with the task. I have already found interesting webpages which provide information and guidelines. I shall continue to research the topic.
Assessing
Student Blogs
http://blogagogy.wordpress.com/assessing-blogs/
http://blogagogy.wordpress.com/assessing-blogs/
A Rubric
for Evaluating Student Blogs
Template :
Rubric for assessing student blogs and comments
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