Wednesday, January 2, 2008

So where do we go from here?


The possibilities are endless as demonstrated in 'ourclass07' In order to teach language one must learn language, that is the language of Web 2. Technology is the language of our learners whether it's text messaging or watching UTube. The methodology we embrace must promote and further students existing skills. We are teaching in a time when 'normalisation' (Bax 2003:24) of technology is commonplace. Whether it's used in the classroom or for extra curricular activities due to budget restraints we must embrace it or we run the risk of being left behind. It places our students in a global context and gives them an extra skill to enhance their language learning. With permission I have provided a link to this students blog. http://boliang.blogspot.com/ Bo posted writing exercises done in class on his blog. It clearly shows the transition from what in fact was a time filler exercise (waiting for late arrivals before starting lesson) to a meaningful dialogue with a wider audience. Making our lessons meaningful is essential for success.
My next blog will be created in collaboration of 'English for Work and Training' students and will provide a portfolio of texts to aid students seeking work. If will have a common subject and will cover all elements of the syllabus.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Biblography

Bibliography

7 things you should know about Blogs, 2005 Educause, Learning Initiative, viewed April 23 2008
www.educause.edu/eli/

Emerging Technologies, 2003, Blogs and Wikis: Enviorments for on line Collaboration, Language Learning & Technology
Vol 7 No 2 PP 12-16 , viewed April 25 2008
http://IIt.msu.edu/vol7num2/emerging

Schvell, W.T. 2003 What is a blog and why do we need them Mens news daily
www.mensnewsdaily.com

Blood, R 2000 What’s a blog and why do we need them? A History and Perspective. Rebecca’s Pocket, Viewed Apr 2008
http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html

Winer, D 2003 Harvard Weblogs, Weblogs at Harvard Law Viewed Apr 24 2008
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu?whatsmakesaweblogaweblog.html

Ochoa, R 2006 Social Software Web 2 viewed Apr 22 2008
http://rosasss.blogspot.com

Davies, G 2007 Computer Assisted Language Learning: Where are we now and where are we going pp 1-19 viewed Apr 29 2008
http://www.camsoftpartners.co.uk/docs/ucall_keynote.htm