I think I can also
invent my own saying that “One man’s expenditure is another man’s income”. The end
of something signifies the beginning of another.” As this course comes to an
end, my new pedagogical practices have just begun. Looking through the
different topics, I can hardly leave out any since all were relevant and useful.
The most successful topic was on Project-Based Learning in which I learned that
engaging learners in project tasks not only stimulates learning but also helps
students retain and apply as much knowledge as possible. The most useful topics
were on One-computer classroom and Learner Autonomy, interactive lectures and
large classes. These topics linked directly with me, especially because I teach
in a context with limited technology, as well as a class with large number of
students, in which technology might not be sufficient. This topic gave me a
clue about handling large classes with one computer. I also learned the need to
promote learner autonomy in my classes since then it will be a lot easier to
conduct classroom discussion through established groups. This will in away make
my work a lot easier since my role will be to guide rather than lecture.
Learner autonomy also turned out to be useful because it instills into learners
a sense of responsibility.
In my classes, I will
use different technology tools to facilitate and enhance active learning.
Particularly, I will use webQuest and Padlet as the major tools. Besides, I am also
greatly reconsidering the place of mobile phones and mobile phone apps in my
classroom. Mobile phone is an essential technology tool in my context because
it can be charged and used in a classroom that has no computer. I could use my
phone to develop the learners’ communication skills especially listening,
speaking and writing. Using smartphone apps that suit my topics is yet another
thing that I will explore using my mobile device. I look forward to building a
base of resources for teaching as well as adding resources and materials to the
technology tools that I will use.
With this week gone and the
course ended, another journey of a thousand miles has just begun!
Greetings Daniel!
ReplyDeleteI liked your sayings very much.
I can also say that this course and the technology tools we learned about made me reconsider my teaching practice.
I quite agree that the part of the course where we were introduced to the idea of how to teach classes with limited techological possibilities is admirable.
I now think differently about using mobiles in a classroom and really believe that there are tools after all that can enable us to promote learner autonomy.
Thank you for your posts.
Maria (Russia)
Hello Daniel,
ReplyDeleteI also think that Project Based Learning is a great exercise for students and a way they can relate knowledge with practice. What you mention about guiding rather than lecturing is what all teachers dream of. I wish the day will come when my students are independent, are eager to know more, and are intrinsically motivated. I think this can be achieved if their training with different teachers is consistent and we all have the same goal.
Hello Daniel,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice saying, I like it. I am the same as you my pedagogical practices have just begun. For me everything was excellent, all the topics and the partners of course, you were great with all the accurate comments on every topic.
Before this course I did not let the students the cellphones in class because I thought they were only distractors. Imagine now, I ask them to take the cells out and use them in class.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth (El Salvador)