Week 5 Creating a WebQuest

This week I first saw a web quest and knew what it is; furthermore I created my web quest. Incredible!  I almost gave up making it because some data were supposed to be saved but they weren’t. I even did not know to press save bottom after typing data. How careless I was!  At last it is on the web. I’m not sure whether the level of activity is suitable for my students or not. Well, I just tried creating one webquest as an experiment, that’s all. For my coming project, I needed some practice. However, I can’t deny my excited feeling, like children. Creating my original work is published; what a wonderful experience I had. I really thank e-learning program in University of Oregon for giving this opportunity for me.     Kaori

Week 5 reflection

This week I learned about Web Quest and Project Based Learning. I have been interested in PBL, but in Japan it is used for science or society classes in elementary schools. Therefore I was curious how the project works for language learning and for young learners, not kids. I will try PBL in my class by all means.

As for Web Quest, it was first time to see it and it took me some time to understand the general idea. Web Quest is one style of web learning and it enable students study independently as long as they have internet access. What I was surprised is there is an evaluation part for most Web Quest. On the part, there is a rubric which says how students are evaluated by a teacher. I’ve seen rubrics but I did not know how to use it. I just thought it was for teachers to measure students’ achievement. No, it wasn’t. It is true that rubrics are the aims for students to achieve, but the important point is students and teacher share it. Before starting doing tasks, students know how they are evaluated. This makes a big difference. Students will be motivated because they know the things they should clear. This is a good idea so I would like to use it right away.

Week 4 reflection

This week I could learn a lot about reading, writing and vocabulary. I thank some web sites for saving my time and giving new ideas for my classes. Of course, a lot of plans are not useful because of the level setting, classroom setting, the class size, or the contents itself. It may be some time loss in a sense, so we need to find our favorite and useful sites under our classroom conditions. As a learner, I recently have a problem to expand the active vocabulary, so I’m glad to learn some tips for building my vocabulary.

I reflected my class and found many issues. I feel there are some problems for my class but when I made a report to put for NICENET, I could realize those issues objectively. This was a good opportunity for me to know where I stand now and what I am facing with.

As for making a technology sample plan, I planned what I haven’t done before at all. It was exciting work because my imagination went freely, with remembering students’ faces. Do they enjoy this? Will they learn something as I planned? Can they do presentation in English? It is always fun to consider these things. I want to try the plan right away, but shamely my classes were over in this term. In April, new term will start, so I can do try and error. Of course I should not forget to know my students’ needs first.  anyway I really enjoyed this week.

Week 3 reflection

I tried Delicious tool for the first time this week. The registration was very easy, but it is not clear how to link my favorite web sites, so I copy and paste the URL. I believe there is some function to link by just click. I tried delicious button to move to tool bar by dragging several times, but it doesn’t work. I wonder why. I feel I'm learning new tool.

I read some project which had done in the past, and I could get some concrete image toward “project”. I’ve learned most is their clear objective settings. Well, I’m shaken up by their project and feeling in trouble because I still cannot decide what kind of tool I will use, on what purpose I do action research, how I should carry out my project…I cannot narrow many possibilities to one.

Week 2 - reflection

 This week I’ve got flu since Monday and I have to be absent from my school. I could not take care of my little children, what a terrible week for my husband and me! Nothing will start by complaining…Now I’m OK. At least I can write my blog like this.

 I would like to put my thanks to people who gave me comments. Thanks a lot. This is my first blog, so I didn’t know how happy when I get comment from someone! Also, I thank e-learning system itself! Even I was sick at home, I still can learn something new.

 This week I learned how many search engines are on the Internet! They broaden my world for certain. I’m ashamed that I used only Google and did not think about other engines at all. Very often I need supplemental information about a topic covered in a textbook. Especially I am not familiar with science, NSDL will help me a lot. It will be my treasure.

 In addition, I got new idea – abcd method. That’s the way to set objective in a class. The objective should be observable and assessable, which is the important point for me to think about well. It is because I tend to set the unvisible objective like “understanding the usages of relative- clause”. What is more meaningful for me is that I could notice I put two or three objectives in one activity. By using abcd method, I can sharpen my intention why we do an activity. I myself can know my objectives clear. I mixed goal and objective many times. This notice is harvest for me. I need more training to think by using abcd method, though.

Week 1 Reflections

This week was a series of new things for me- first experience of online discussion Nicenet, starting to blog, and facing for a long time in front of a PC screen. It was like walking in a forest with a lamp at night. I'm still not sure whether I could survive this week or not. When I cleared one step, I felt what's next. It is far from enjoying the web operation. However, thanks to kind support, I managed to come here.
Without this opportunity, I would not even try blogging though most of my students do blogging. I know I need change, so I feel glad that I was forced to challange new things. Without change, no improvement. I appreciate this opportunity very much.