This course is closing to finish. The ten week web skills course was full of learning. I was really lucky to take this course.
In the past nine weeks, I learned various technology tools as well as important theories and principles in the learner-centered English instruction. I enjoyed creating a blog, a WebQest, an Interactive Powerpoint and a wiki. Those tools will be of great help in my teaching.
I also liked to learn how to search what I need and Delicious. It makes a big difference in getting useful information.
I have learned about important theories and principles. And also, I learned about how to write objectives using ABCD and how to assess the students' performance. I thought technology is a tool and the effectiveness and usefulness of the technology depend on the teacher who has concrete objectives and adequate methodology.
Moreover, learning from the classmates through discussions, blogs and seeing their works posted in the wiki. Everyone has a great experience and an open mind to share them with each other.
I am going to miss this class.
Thank you for everything, Donna and E-friends.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
What I learned in WEEK9
In WEEK 9, I submitted my final Plan report, and learned about learning styles and Multiple Intelligence Theory. I have learned that It is very important for teachers to know there are various learning styles in students since we need to facilitate the students to learn effectively.
MI Theory
In 1983, Howard Gardner of Harvard University identified seven intelligences we all possess. Because our understanding of the brain and human behavior is constantly changing, the number of intelligences is expanding. Two to three new intelligences had been added recently. Gardner claims that we all have all the intelligences, but that no two people are exactly alike.
Gardner’s eight intelligences
Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, Bodily-kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Musical, Naturalist, Spatial.
Technology and MI
Technology can be used to facilitate learning in each intelligence area. There is no "correct way" to integrate intelligences or technology into the classroom. The critical point is to provide the most effective learning environment for students.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Creating a wiki in WEEK8
Time flies. The eighth week has almost finished. Since I started this course, I have learned various kinds of technology which can be used in English teaching as well as important principles in teaching and learning English.
In this week,we reviewed peers' course project Plan and also learn about ANVILL.
ANVILL stands for A National Virtual Language Lab. Any teacher or student with web access (in class, at home, or in the office) can use ANVILL to listen to the
news, watch video clips, or submit voice or video-based assignments.
But the most challenging thing I did this week was creating a class site. I created a class site using Google site.
This is my first site I created. I created my 5th grade class wiki, which I plan to use in order to increase the students' input and practice at home.I also plan to post the information about homework.But my final goal is to have the students self-access autonomously.
The URL is
https://sites.google.com/site/mrskuritasclass/Mrs. Kurita's class
I would like the students to self-access to English resource on the wiki. I would like the students to keep a record about what they read and listened to, or do any reflective tasks. And also, I would like to make a quiz section in writing page,where a student post her own quiz and other students post answer.
In this week,we reviewed peers' course project Plan and also learn about ANVILL.
ANVILL stands for A National Virtual Language Lab. Any teacher or student with web access (in class, at home, or in the office) can use ANVILL to listen to the
news, watch video clips, or submit voice or video-based assignments.
But the most challenging thing I did this week was creating a class site. I created a class site using Google site.
This is my first site I created. I created my 5th grade class wiki, which I plan to use in order to increase the students' input and practice at home.I also plan to post the information about homework.But my final goal is to have the students self-access autonomously.
The URL is
https://sites.google.com/site/mrskuritasclass/Mrs. Kurita's class
I would like the students to self-access to English resource on the wiki. I would like the students to keep a record about what they read and listened to, or do any reflective tasks. And also, I would like to make a quiz section in writing page,where a student post her own quiz and other students post answer.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
What I learned in WEEK7
In WEEK7, I learned about autonomy and one-computer classroom.
As for autonomy, I found the important role of teachers or advisers. Teachers should work towards autonomy with leanrers by creating a friendly atmosphere, honest and open feedback, respect for the ideas and opinions of others, approval of self-improvement as a goal collaboration rather than competition. SALC in Kanda University in Japan has learning support advisers working in full time for learners and the support system works very well.
With technology, we can help the students by introducing them appropriate leveled educational web sites or movies that they can access when they want to. Introducing Facebook, blogs and emails also increase their chances to self-access English.
I made a lesson plan for one-computer classroom. In this plan, I use the computer as a presentation tool and a learning center.
In my Plan Project, I will use one computer since we cannot use a computer lab. I would like to introduce interactive PowerPoints into the class first. Then I would like to try a project by using WebQuest. After the students get familiar with WebQuest, I would like to give them homework of WebQuest which has them engaged in individual learning at home. Finally I hope to encourage them to self-access to appropriate leveled English resources that I post on my blog or wiki. I don't know which is better for my students to use, a blog or a wiki.
I really thank this course and Donna who has taught us a lot of important and useful things.
As for autonomy, I found the important role of teachers or advisers. Teachers should work towards autonomy with leanrers by creating a friendly atmosphere, honest and open feedback, respect for the ideas and opinions of others, approval of self-improvement as a goal collaboration rather than competition. SALC in Kanda University in Japan has learning support advisers working in full time for learners and the support system works very well.
With technology, we can help the students by introducing them appropriate leveled educational web sites or movies that they can access when they want to. Introducing Facebook, blogs and emails also increase their chances to self-access English.
I made a lesson plan for one-computer classroom. In this plan, I use the computer as a presentation tool and a learning center.
In my Plan Project, I will use one computer since we cannot use a computer lab. I would like to introduce interactive PowerPoints into the class first. Then I would like to try a project by using WebQuest. After the students get familiar with WebQuest, I would like to give them homework of WebQuest which has them engaged in individual learning at home. Finally I hope to encourage them to self-access to appropriate leveled English resources that I post on my blog or wiki. I don't know which is better for my students to use, a blog or a wiki.
I really thank this course and Donna who has taught us a lot of important and useful things.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Creating an Interactive PowerPoint in WEEK6
I incorporated several elements such as "making the students to anticipate"
"making them to respond to it", "make them to think in pairs" and "Making quiz pair activity".
I often use questions or incomplete sentences to allow the students think and use their inner speech. I think producing appropriate pauses is important to allow the students think and respond to it.
When I was making the PowerPoint, my son who is a college student told me that he didn't like classes using PowerPoint because they are boring. So I said, "this PowerPoint is an Interactive PowerPoint. Maybe your teachers don't know how to use them interactively."
The model of interactive PPT is really great. Seeing is believing, Once you see the PPT,, you can understand what the Interactive PowerPoint is. This course provides with good learning opportunities and useful information.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Creating a WebQuest in WEEK5
In the week 5, I gradually got ideas for the final Plan by reading about PBL (project-based learning) and WebQuest. I think the PBL and the WebQuest are powerful tools for learner centered approach as well as rubrics and alternative assessment.
Changing I would like to expect in my class is introducing WebQuest. It might be a good solution for my several problems that I post in WEEK4.
So I tried making a WebQuest for the first time. It is titled A Class Timetable as I post on Nice net.
WebQuest : A Class Timetable
Class timetable (sheet) is commonly used by students in Japan. The project is making an English version. Targeted learning items are time, days of the week and school subject. The students can learn those items individually and as many time as they want to do at home. The tasks include a reading and listening comprehension task, a listening task and a writing task.
After they did the tasks at home, they will review the same learning items and they will do a speaking task of the oral presentation about their class schedule or activities in a week.
With introducing WebQuest into my class, students will be able to access it to learn about targeted items and do the project individually at home on Sunday or during a summer vacation or a winter vacation. The project will provide with a meaningful opportunity to use in English.
Making my first WebQuest was very hard. I took long time to find appropriate Web resources according to the lesson plan. Making a file for the worksheet and a rubric was also difficult. Moreover, I tried using Japanese as well as English since my students might not understand the process of the tasks in English. They will learn how to use WebQuest gradually, and I hope they will be able to use WebQuest with only English descriptions.
Changing I would like to expect in my class is introducing WebQuest. It might be a good solution for my several problems that I post in WEEK4.
So I tried making a WebQuest for the first time. It is titled A Class Timetable as I post on Nice net.
WebQuest : A Class Timetable
Class timetable (sheet) is commonly used by students in Japan. The project is making an English version. Targeted learning items are time, days of the week and school subject. The students can learn those items individually and as many time as they want to do at home. The tasks include a reading and listening comprehension task, a listening task and a writing task.
After they did the tasks at home, they will review the same learning items and they will do a speaking task of the oral presentation about their class schedule or activities in a week.
With introducing WebQuest into my class, students will be able to access it to learn about targeted items and do the project individually at home on Sunday or during a summer vacation or a winter vacation. The project will provide with a meaningful opportunity to use in English.
Making my first WebQuest was very hard. I took long time to find appropriate Web resources according to the lesson plan. Making a file for the worksheet and a rubric was also difficult. Moreover, I tried using Japanese as well as English since my students might not understand the process of the tasks in English. They will learn how to use WebQuest gradually, and I hope they will be able to use WebQuest with only English descriptions.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
What I learned in WEEK 4
In the week 4, I discussed on teaching reading and writing with technology, after reading articles on the topic. Then, I thought about the current concerns that I have in my teaching context and posted concerns such as lack of time to input, limited content in the textbook, many students, and easy to get distracted.Finally, I wrote a technology enhanced lesson plan. it was really good and tough experience because I had to synthesize the ideas about the objectives, web sites, learners' needs, technology setting and activities including critical thinking and meaningful context using 4 skills.
I chose Phonics Silent-E as a topic for my lesson plan. Since I found a great web site called Starfall http://www.starfall.com/, I had been thinking about using pages in the site for my teaching. I faced on the reality that my school has poor technology environment when I started to plan.
In my teaching context, bringing my computer into the classroom is the most realistic, because no computer in the classroom, the computer room are usually used by another class and Lab is in another building far from our building. In addition, I need to think about other concerns such as lack of time, limited content in the textbook, many students, easy to get distracted.
Therefore, I concluded that it is acceptable to have the students learn in whole group with one computer in the classroom and to provide them with homework which requires learning individually with technology at home. I chose following web pages:
Finally, I am very glad that the classmates posted comments for me and shared their great ideas and helpful information for me. Thank you very much!
I chose Phonics Silent-E as a topic for my lesson plan. Since I found a great web site called Starfall http://www.starfall.com/, I had been thinking about using pages in the site for my teaching. I faced on the reality that my school has poor technology environment when I started to plan.
In my teaching context, bringing my computer into the classroom is the most realistic, because no computer in the classroom, the computer room are usually used by another class and Lab is in another building far from our building. In addition, I need to think about other concerns such as lack of time, limited content in the textbook, many students, easy to get distracted.
Therefore, I concluded that it is acceptable to have the students learn in whole group with one computer in the classroom and to provide them with homework which requires learning individually with technology at home. I chose following web pages:
1. The movie "Silent-E" http://www.starfall.com/n/skills/silent-e/load.htm?f
2. Making a word http://www.starfall.com/n/make-a-word/silent-e/load.htm?f
3. Picture hunting http://www.starfall.com/n/picture-hunt/long-a/load.htm?f
2. Making a word http://www.starfall.com/n/make-a-word/silent-e/load.htm?f
3. Picture hunting http://www.starfall.com/n/picture-hunt/long-a/load.htm?f
Finally, I am very glad that the classmates posted comments for me and shared their great ideas and helpful information for me. Thank you very much!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
What I learned in WEEK3
In WEEK 3, I found many useful web sites for my teaching and posted them in my Delicious. And also, as I read previous project reports, I can get more concrete ideas for my project.
I have learned about the advantages of CALL from articles. Especially, I pay attention to the fact it provides the private environment that enables learners to learn listening and pronunciation at their own pace.
Yesterday, in the 5th graders class, I tried talking about internet for learning English. My students really showed their interests in internet in terms of accessing authentic English. They seemed to have confidence in handling the internet by themselves. I hope CALL will stimulate their interests in real English and motivate them to learn English.
I have learned about the advantages of CALL from articles. Especially, I pay attention to the fact it provides the private environment that enables learners to learn listening and pronunciation at their own pace.
Yesterday, in the 5th graders class, I tried talking about internet for learning English. My students really showed their interests in internet in terms of accessing authentic English. They seemed to have confidence in handling the internet by themselves. I hope CALL will stimulate their interests in real English and motivate them to learn English.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Video for young learners
I have found this video appropriate listening skill building web for my students.
I think I need to give pre listening activity (making schema) and post listening activity (Q&A) when I use this for my students.
Reading skill building web for young learners
 |
| Click here ↓ |
This is my favorite because readers can choose a word from the option so that they can make their own story. And also, this focuses on phonics learning. I'm glad to find this for my students.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
What I learned in WEEK 2
In Week 2, I learned about how to write objectives using the ABCD model and how to search information effectively.
First, I think that the ABCD model is very practical and useful because considering of Audience, Behavior, Condition and Degree enables me to write a clear objectives to both the teacher and the students. I often used "appropriately" in objectives, but I learned this word is not clear to students what is appropriate and what is not. Instead, "with 90% correctness" is clear to students. Clear objectives to students helps them to monitor their own learning and to involve active learning as opposed to passive learning.
Second, I tried using several searching tools that I didn't know. I learned the first step to better searching is to choose an appropriate searching engine for the type of the information that you need. "Choose the Best Search for Your Information Need"
in Noodletools (http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html) is very nice and informative. I found some useful searches, for example,
Kids Click! (http://www.kidsclick.org/), GLEAN Comparison Search (http://www.gleancomparisonsearch.org/index.php) andBibliography.com (http://www.biography.com/search/).
Kids Clicks encourage learners to read what they get interested in. GLEAN Comparison Search is useful when you need to know controversial issues. It provides
with articles for pro and con at the same time. It is a web for kids, but it is good for adults too.
In addition, I came up with an idea for the project. This week I wrote about my teaching context for the project. After analysis of my students' needs, I thought I would like to create a blog for my 5th graders in order to increase their exposure to English, which encourages them to access to their appropriate leveled English pedagogical sites out of school. I have been thinking of usefulness of technology for autonomous learning out of school. I would like to try that if possible.
First, I think that the ABCD model is very practical and useful because considering of Audience, Behavior, Condition and Degree enables me to write a clear objectives to both the teacher and the students. I often used "appropriately" in objectives, but I learned this word is not clear to students what is appropriate and what is not. Instead, "with 90% correctness" is clear to students. Clear objectives to students helps them to monitor their own learning and to involve active learning as opposed to passive learning.
Second, I tried using several searching tools that I didn't know. I learned the first step to better searching is to choose an appropriate searching engine for the type of the information that you need. "Choose the Best Search for Your Information Need"
in Noodletools (http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html) is very nice and informative. I found some useful searches, for example,
Kids Click! (http://www.kidsclick.org/), GLEAN Comparison Search (http://www.gleancomparisonsearch.org/index.php) andBibliography.com (http://www.biography.com/search/).
Kids Clicks encourage learners to read what they get interested in. GLEAN Comparison Search is useful when you need to know controversial issues. It provides
with articles for pro and con at the same time. It is a web for kids, but it is good for adults too.
In addition, I came up with an idea for the project. This week I wrote about my teaching context for the project. After analysis of my students' needs, I thought I would like to create a blog for my 5th graders in order to increase their exposure to English, which encourages them to access to their appropriate leveled English pedagogical sites out of school. I have been thinking of usefulness of technology for autonomous learning out of school. I would like to try that if possible.
Friday, June 24, 2011
After reading "Blogging for ELT"
As I read “Blogging for ELT”, I have learned Aaron Campbell (2003) has outlined three types of blogs for use with language classes: The Tutor Blog, the Class Blog and the Learner Blog. Each type has good points and weak points. In our course, we involve the Leaner Blog that students have their own blogs.
From my experience in Week 1, I think the Learner Blogs are strong tools that have students get to know each other and benefit the teacher in term of class building. And also, they encourage students to read and write a lot because they will want to read other blogs and write about themselves.
From my experience in Week 1, I think the Learner Blogs are strong tools that have students get to know each other and benefit the teacher in term of class building. And also, they encourage students to read and write a lot because they will want to read other blogs and write about themselves.
Since I created this blog, I have been enjoying viewing my classmates' blogs. It is fun to visit their blogs.Their blogs look wonderful and they are so different from each other. I haven't met them in person, but I get the feeling to see them because each blog seems to represent the person. I am motivated to read and write as I view other blogs.
Next, I have learned there are many reasons to use blogs for ELT. Among them, I am interested in the two reasons since I think of using blogs for my elementary school classes.
1. to guide students to online resources appropriate for their level.
2. to increase the sense of community in class.
Finally, what I have been concerned on using blogs are the two things. The first one is the issue of students’ ability to use blogs (linguistic ability, technical ability and social ability). The other is the privacy and security.
Next, I have learned there are many reasons to use blogs for ELT. Among them, I am interested in the two reasons since I think of using blogs for my elementary school classes.
1. to guide students to online resources appropriate for their level.
2. to increase the sense of community in class.
Finally, what I have been concerned on using blogs are the two things. The first one is the issue of students’ ability to use blogs (linguistic ability, technical ability and social ability). The other is the privacy and security.
As for the students’ ability, I think it is important to try to improve their abilities instead of giving up blogging. When I thought of my teaching, I first thought it was difficult to use blogs for young learners since they don’t have enough skill to read and write English and to access blogs by themselves. However, after reading this article and viewing other blogs, I found blogs can work for any students, even low proficiency learners if I have a clear objectives and I use their first language and the target language in an appropriate way. As for the technical skill, I found blogging is so easy that children will learn soon and even if not, their parents can support them. If the students enjoy the blog with their parents, it would be nice.
As for the privacy issue, in “Blogging for ELT”, Live Journal http://www.livejournal.com is recommended. Live Journal allows the setting up of a closed community. Parents might be nervous for their child's privacy.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Creating a blog
This is my first time to create my blog. I have learned several things during the procedure.
First of all, I found that creating a blog is much easier in the procedure than I expected because it is just to follow the direction, fill out the form and to choose the design. Everyone can create a blog easily.This means using a blog in the classroom is not hard since students also can start their own blog easily.
I also have learned blogs are connecting with advertisement business such as Amazon links and so on. Blogs are good medium of advertisement. However, links are what I am not familiar with. I didn't choose any option that I don't know.
Although the procedure of making a blog is easy, it took longer time for me to edit my profile and to design my blog before the publication. I took long time to make each choice. Adding to the fact I am slow, I got so nervous for privacy that I took long time to think of what extent I should write my private information in my profile. To tell the truth, I had a vague anxiety for using a blog because I might share my private information with people I do not know is a little bit uncomfortable.
However, once I published my blog, I found the nature of opening to public might be exciting and interesting.
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