Week 3 Adventure!!

 Hello week 3!!

 

I looked forward to you with great enthusiasm and when I finally had the chance to meet you, I was at first quite reluctant to embrace you. But when I actually did, I didn't have the heart to let you go because of the paramount information and endless resources you could offer. ........... :))

To recall the first day of this week, I was quite busy  absorbing all the things available on week 3 course website.  The first thing I did was creating my delicious page and happily bookmarking all the sites I liked knowing I won't lose them as long as I have the account. It was quite a delicious adventure and I had  to remind myself to do other tasks rather than being absorbed in just one direction. I could share this with my students and they were also thrilled to use this site to meet their needs. Thanks to webskill course and our instructor, Courtney. 

Right after that, the uphill task began that is to meet the mid  week deadline. Due to the time differences, I felt like the first part of the week was a complete rush for me. My struggle ended as soon as I finished my first assignment. What a relief. I had done quite a lot of readings and explored a lot of websites concerning Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation Skills. 

Randall's website "http://www.esl-lab.com/" has been my favorite and I  could use it, adapt it to suit the needs of my students and to my satisfactory, they had learned a lot too. This ten week journey is not only about me, people I deal with also benefit from what I have learned. Feeling that I have contributed to my society makes me feel elated. 

I have discovered some Speaking lesson plans which are very interesting.

The origin of Ok and the activities we can use for different level of students.

http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/speaking/teaching-ideas

I intentionally or inadvertently use ok and I don't even notice that it is the discourse marker I use most. Next I like is Conversation lesson plans

http://esl.about.com/od/conversationlessonplans/Conversation_Lesson_Plans_for_English_Learners_at_All_Levels.htm 

 Teaching requires psychology and I have found this interesting website and some activities. http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/blwhy.htm

I used speed dating and role play activities now I have learnt some new ways to keep my lessons up to date, motivating and interesting. I also had the chance to explore some more websites concerning Toefl and IELTs.

I can access to  step by step guidelines and some printable worksheets which will come in handy when I need them.

 These websites are also worth looking!

http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_directory.php

http://www.englishbaby.com/

The most interesting part in this week assignment was reading the projects of others which proudly represent their performance, participation in this course. Some negative thoughts crept in while I was reading, analyzing and envying them, i.e., " Will I  be able to an incredible job like them?"    However, a strong part of me said " Why not? " " Just do it!". Yeah, I can do it because I am doing it now. Right? I discussed about the project prepared by Camelia Paglia, I had the chance to know about other projects through the analysis of my classmates.  

In my second post on nicenet, I discussed about pronunciation skill and I found these websites very informative. 

 http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Dalton-Pronunciation.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/.  

BBC website is in my  list to teach my students pronunciation starting from Monday. I am sure I will have positive feedback from my students on this. Participating in nicenet discussion helps me learn from others, things they have done and their ideas and feedback on what we have done help move the discussion forward at a rapid pace. 

I always write my blog at the end of the week because I want to post of what I have done in one long article. So, forgive me if this week reflection is long. 

It's time to say a proper Good-bye to week 3.

Like Shakespeare said " Parting is an unbearable agony"  

Best,

Kyi Tha Wai

Week 2

I can't believe week two is almost going to end soon.  What have I learned? What have I done? Have I done enough to be able to catch up with my classmates? Will I be able to accomplish all my tasks and meet the deadlines? A lot of questions crept into my mind and I have realized that at least I am now writing my blog post to finish one of the assignments for this week.

The long and the short of it is I have made an amazing discovery of how different search engines are useful for different purposes. Especially for teachers ,it is really good to know and worth learning how certain websites can meet academic needs.

When I saw the amount of readings I had to do, I got cold feet but thanks to the system and deadlines, I could manage to cope with it. But honestly, I had nightmares about not finishing my assignments on time. Taking this course let me handle challenges in a systematical way. That's the first thing I have learned before doing any readings or participating in discussions.

While doing all the web searching, I have realized that I have conveniently been influenced by google and whatever I did was just googling to get any information I wanted.  But now all the search lists are an eye opener for me and I know exactly which website to look for according to the needs of my students. It doesn't mean I have fallen out of love with google. Old habits die hard so I will continue using this but I have found out some really useful websites other than google.

Participating in class discussion is very exciting and I can learn a lot from my classmates. The way they have written their learning objectives using ABCD model is interesting too. I think I have learned how to write learning objectives well and that is one of the things I feel pleased most about this week assignment.

Last but not least, I have finished my first step towards my final project. Can you believe that? 

After analyzing what I have done, I feel quite satisfied because I have learned a lot. 

Ok, I am looking forward to week three and what it will bring for me to enhance my knowledge widen my outlook and change my perspectives.

Best,
Kyi Tha Wai

The time has come

I can't believe that I have already started the orientation course. Even that thought makes me feel nervous, excited and enthusiastic. I think it is a good sign and this has already triggered a series of emotions.

When I first  heard that I have to use blogging as one of my teaching tools, I was so happy because it has always been one of my pastimes and in 2007, I started blogging and I was and still am proud of being a blogger. Now that I have a chance to engage in something that I am so passionate about as a teaching tool. As luck would have it, I am a blogger and at the same time a teacher and I will have the opportunity to share what I know, what I do with people of the same profession.

On the first day of this week, I was actually overwhelmed by the information, what I have to do because this is my very first experience to learn in technology-laden classroom setting. 

 

I do hope I will be able to catch up with others and confront the challenge with enthusiasm and strength.

Oh! How have I forgotten to thank my instructor, Courtney? I have exchanged a few emails with her and her encouragement has eased my tension and helped me focus on what I am doing. Thank you!

And I am looking forward to learn from my classmates. I am sure it will be a very supportive community.

I am ready!