Hello everyone!  😃😃😃

 WELCOME to my blog! I'm Clarissa and I'm currently following a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in English. Part of the course implies creating a blog where I will write about my learning and teaching experience on a regular basis.

I will share with you, how I can use the knowledge and skills acquired in the technological module, to make my English class more interesting, creative, and FUN, as well as, the different challenges that I may face! So, embark with me o this journey!💃

Online Educational Resources(OERs)

                                   

We were first introduced to OERs, which are freely accessible tools that we, as educators, can use both for both teaching and learning purposes. A common example of OERs is SlideShare of notes or explanations about a particular topic.

Benefits:

1. This can be a really practical device for me to make learning easier as they are readily available information. 
2. It provides a huge amount of data that can be adapted relating to our purpose.
3. It also provides students with the ability to study at their own pace.

For example:

Let's say, I will introduce The passive voice to grade 9 students. I  can use SlideShare as a supporting evidence for my explanation or to test the understanding of my students. 
Using SlideShare as a visual aid in class, can be very beneficial for student's retention of information as well.

Check out the link to a SlideShare that I can use in my English class: https://www.slideshare.net/SoleMoralesGavira/passive-voice-50824463?qid=7988d962-5d15-4647-b128-6c47efc2ff56&v=&b=&from_search=6
 
Challenges:

1.It may be difficult to find an adequate source of OERs as there are so many.

2.There's also the need to fully understand CC licenses, which may be problematic, especially for those who are not familiar to it.

3.The need for good internet connection is also primordial when using OERs, as not every SlideShare can be downloaded freely. 

4.We cannot deny that internet connection is not always good in Rodrigues. So, it can become complicated.     
 
Check out this link to have a better idea of what is OERs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJVqzTgJ0dA&t=20s
 

Hot potatoes

 

The second tool that we got acquainted with was 'Hot potatoes', which, at first, seemed a funny game application due to its name, but in fact, is a very useful tool for educational purposes. 

 

Benefits of 'Hot Potatoes': 

I can use this application to create different exercises as quizzes, crosswords, matching, etc... As a language teacher, I can create various grammar and vocabulary exercises in a small lapse of time. Thus, it is: 

• Creative
• Innovative
• More interesting                                                                   

However, the challenges could be that:

The various hints for quizzes may be a barrier to test the real ability of the students to answer questions by themselves.

The teacher may have difficulties to have a true picture of the student's understanding of a topic.

There is a restricted exchange between the teacher and the user on 'hot potatoes', especially when giving feedback.                      

Take a look at the crossword I've created using  'Hot Potatoes':

Blogging...teaching and learning! 3 in 1!

 

                                 

This is the most interesting one in the lot! Who would have said that I would, one day, be conduce to create my own personal blog? Not me! lol🤣

I admit that i am not used to blogs and that it is something completely new for me (despite the fact that i had at least heard about the term before). So for to create my first blog, i choose Blogger which seems easy to manage and understand.

 Benefits: 

• I can use blogging to help my students to develop their writing skills.

• I can use blogs to publish assignments and resources to keep students updated about events and topics covered in class.

• I find it very useful for teachers as well as students to write down thoughts and feelings as in a traditional personal diary. 

For example, as I am actually doing, writing how I can use technology to make learning more innovative!

  Challenges: 

• Not all teachers and students are well-versed with using blogs for teaching and learning respectively.

• It can be distracting students from their main focus of study.

Learning management system

 

The learning management system is a software application, generally a cloud-based platform, to keep track of your learning content.

There are different ways to manage your teaching and learning:

1. Microsoft teams
2. Google classroom
3. Blogging

I will share with you more details about how I can make use of these applications to manage my learning and teaching in my other posts.

Google classroom

               

Here, we come to another useful and practical tool! As a teacher, I think that you may have heard about google classroom. For sure, it is a very creative and innovative application that may save many lives, especially during the current pandemic situation we are living in.

We, as teachers are so used to our traditional classroom. Now, a virtual classroom is the new bae. We can share classwork and assignments, share ideas and important information to students. There is communication going on, and at the same time, the work is being done!

Benefits of using google classroom:

1) Allow sharing of assignments and classwork

2) Easily accessible

3) During holidays, can keep in touch with students and give them exercises to practice

Challenges of using google classroom:

1)Students who are not ease with technology may feel lost

2)Not all students have access to a technological device

3)Interaction between teachers and students is limited

Please find the link to the google classroom that I've created in this module: https://classroom.google.com/c/NDc2NDA5MDI5NzU1

Kahoot!

 

'Assessment' is a term that we are familiar with, both as students and teachers. As students, it was a word that causes stress and anxiety. But, for teachers, it is a way to test student's understanding of a topic.

Most educators are more used to the traditional way of conducting assessments. Nevertheless, as we are in a technological era, whereby everything is constantly changing, education also is not spared! We have to adapt and adopt online assessment tools.

One of these tools is the online game "Kahoot" to which we were introduced in the 5th week of our module. It was really fun and the lecturer made it competitive for the students to be more motivated to win.

Benefits of Kahoot:
1)It is a good way to motivate students to learn English

2) Test students' knowledge about a topic

3)Increase or develop competitiveness

4)Help to develop students' vocabulary

Challenges of Kahoot:
1)Difficult to do proper follow-ups of students' progress

2)Need a good internet connection

3)The competition can lead to anger or disappointment for students who lose

Find the link to the Kahoot that I created: https://create.kahoot.it/share/testing-your-english-knowledge/3c52e21a-a0fd-4769-b639-a0dc651005bb

Quiziz

 

QUIZIZ! Another online assessment tool that we came across after Kahoot. It is pretty much the same style if I could say, as it is an online game.

 My first impression was that it is easy to use, quick and fun! I really think that it can be a very useful tool to develop my students' interest in the English language. 

It is creative and innovative! I can create a variety of questions such as multiple-choice, and fill in the blanks which surely I can use to assess my students' grammar and vocabulary. 

It will surely increase the motivation of the students, and it allows the students to work at their own pace as well.

However, the challenge that I can meet, is mainly about good access to the internet at school. 

Maybe, students can use it as homework when they have good connectivity at home, or else it will be a bit difficult. 

Another challenge may be that students can copy from each other. It can also create some anxiety or stress among students related to the competitive atmosphere created by the game.

The fact that students must have 2 devices in order to play the game easily is problematic also, as not all students have the technological devices needed.

Link to a quiz that I've made. Check it out and have fun while learning: https://quizizz.com/join?gc=875348&source=liveDashboard

Code: 875348

Diigo? Ready..get set..GO!

Today, I will talk about a social bookmarking tool that I have just discovered. It's called 'Diigo'. I've never used social bookmarking for teaching and learning before, not even for personal use. 

My first impression is that it is interesting. It gives you the possibility to create your own online library which can be very useful, especially for a language teacher as me. 

Benefits:

What is superb about this application, is that it allows sharing with peers, colleagues, and students. The app is also available on mobile phones, which is great!

After creating an account on Diigo, you simply have to bookmark the sites you find interesting, and you can have access to them on the application where you can edit and add notes.

Moreover, it enhances learning by promoting group work and mutual aid among students.

Challenges:

The reality is that many of my lower grades students may not be able to use this tool due to being inaccessible to technological devices and poor connectivity issues. So, the number of students touched by this new method of learning may not be satisfactory.

Have a look at my online library created through the application 'Diigo':https://diigo.com/0o7y1c

Social bookmarking tool- An ally or an enemy?

After getting across the social bookmarking tool 'Diigo', we explored the different features of this application. It has a lot of interesting features which can be beneficial for teaching and learning the English language.

For example, this week, I learned how to use outliners for my online library on Diigo. Through outliners:

1) Students can learn important information related to the topics being done in class

2) Colleagues can learn new things about other subjects through readily available information on a social bookmarking tool.

Please find the link to my Diigo, whereby I bookmarked a useful link for argumentative essay writing: https://diigo.com/0o7y1c

However, the challenges of a social bookmarking tool can be that there is no assurance that students will access the websites shared with them or even take the time to read the notes. So, the objectives set by the teacher will not be achieved at 100%.

Embark on board of Class Dojo!

 

Have you ever heard of a classroom management software called 'Class Dojo'?

Let me tell you that this discovery was like going on an adventure on a small boat and the experience was quite enjoyable! Let's see the benefits and challenges of this application.

Benefits:

• It is easy to access and use. We only have to create an account, and the steps are really easy to follow.

• Then, we simply have to add our class and what is most interesting is that we can add parents too!

• Yes! actually, that's great, as parents also can see what their children are learning in their class.

• It also allows teachers to interact with parents may be on the strategies that can be adopted in their teaching.

Challenges:

• It is a bit complicated to use; to invite students or parents, they must have an email account.

• It can become difficult to manage when there are a lot of students.

• Parents can mingle in students' work, which can be problematic.

• The application is meant only for those well-versed in technology.

That was the video the lecturer made us watch to understand better how to use Class Dojo. You can check it out:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH-_wJI4lQE

Class      dojo:https://teach.classdojo.com/#/classes/6263b16603deee15b7a65f5f/points

The marriage of Mr Video and Mrs Education

One day, Mrs. Education was sitting alone, getting bored of her routine life. Then, Mr. video came along and changed her life, by bringing more fun and innovation to it. Since then, they could not be separated from each other. (a short story by myself)

I've been inspired to tell this short story you've read above, as I've learned that videos and education can make a great couple! mainly for teaching and learning the English language. Videos can be used in classrooms for recaps, revision, and consolidation exercises for explanations.

As an English teacher, I feel that educational videos will be very helpful and useful in:

1) Making students better understand a particular topic, especially grammar.

2) Consolidating the knowledge of students about a particular topic

As a learner, educational videos will:

1) Make English more fun- most of the students do not like the English language as they find it difficult to understand, challenging, and boring! So, videos can make English classes more lively and interactive

2) Some of my students have retention problems, they usually have difficulties remembering the topics done. The use of videos can enhance their retention of information due to images and sounds in the videos.

Watch this video to know more about the effectiveness of educational videos for teaching and learning

As in every couple, there are ups and downs, and not everything is rosy. 

So, there are also some challenges in using educational videos, as the teacher may rely more on videos rather than face-to-face explanations. in that way, human interaction is not enhanced.

Students may also get easily distracted from the main focus of the video.

The birth of Edu-videos!

Yeah...., finally Mr video and Mrs Education gave birth to what I've called 'Edu-videos'. 

In fact, I've learned how to create videos using PowerPoint (the latest PowerPoint will be better😁). It was a very interesting thing to know especially for me who didn't know how to do it. I think that it will be very useful for teaching and learning.

The steps to create a video using PowerPoint are quite simple:

1) I have to create slides about the topics that I want to do with my students, adding important information and explanation on each slide

2) I can add narration in the notes to know what I will say for each slide

3) I start recording the slides and put voice over them to give explanations

4) I can edit and adjust wherever necessary

5)After checking that everything is good, I click on the file-export-create video-save

And it's done!

In fact, it is easier than I thought.

As for me, I have created a video using the steps that I've mentioned above. My video is about a topic that I have in my google classroom, that is, 'Nouns'.

As an English teacher, this knowledge of how to make videos will definitely be useful for further lessons, whereby instead of using chalk-and-board, I can use a video to promote retention and understanding of students.

When students will see a visual explanation, this will consolidate their knowledge of a topic also.

However, the challenge that may be faced by both learners and teachers when using educational videos, is that we are easily distracted from our main purpose, especially when using YouTube. 

Now. I'll let you have a look at the video I've created. 

Hope you'll enjoy it! Don't forget to put your comment in the comment section below. 

Your feedbacks are most welcome!

C-Delta

 Last but not least, we've learned how to use a platform mainly for teachers called the C-Delta. I didn't know about this site before but it is mainly to acquire knowledge of technological modules and develop IT skills that are interesting.

The advantage of this platform is that it can help to enhance a community of practice, especially among professionals. It is also quite easily accessible as you only have to create an account and add a password following the instructions given.

Moreover, it offers the opportunity to follow different modules and to obtain a certificate upon satisfactory completion of a test.

However, the disadvantage can be that people not well versed in technology may not feel at ease with it and thus may not be able to understand the components.