Reflection Paper

I don’t have any fear of technology, but it’s time- consuming work and somewhat challenging to apply technology in class room. I can use computer and smart phone well and surf the Internet to get information or data. However, having these skills, I think, doesn’t mean that I am able to teach students with technology. I have visited a number of sites in Internet, but didn’t know and wasn’t interested in how to evaluate websites. To distinguish authentic websites and to find useful websites are very important for not only students but also teachers. We have been working on producing simulations and webquests. These two projects have me create new things and cooperate with a partner. During the process I’ve acquired new knowledge and been exposed lots of English contexts. If I become a teacher, I will use project work for my future students because I hope them get something meaningful and precious through the classroom activities, and simulations and webquests are absolutely suitable.

I guess my weakness is that I’m not confident of my work. It’s different from shyness. Nobody might believe I’m saying that I don’t have confidence of my work, but it is… I am always worried too much that ‘Do I have any vocabulary or grammar mistakes on my posts?’ ‘Is it even correct?’ ‘Is my answer same with the one the lecturer is looking forward to see?’ something like that. That’s why all the assignment I’ve done take too much time to finish. I really want to break my weakness.

Week5- Things to Consider

1. Examine how the Internet can be used as a starting point for authentic, relevant simulation work and as the source of materials which promote collaborative learning, communication, knowledge sharing and higher-level thinking skills.


 Cloud
 : N drive, icloud, Daum cloud, etc. 
Any Internet users can store data on cloud. It enables us to share knowledge in a very convenient way. For example, if we work on a team project, all the members need to share  the updated data at any time, but sending email or saving in a USB device have a limitation. It would be definitely simple and convenient way to sign in one ID and share the data at any time through the Internet. Team project, I think, is included in collaborative learning so using cloud would promote it.




2. What is the methodology for creating and using webquest?


* The skillset for creating webquest are the following;
- Research skills : to search the Internet and to quickly and accurately find resources such as Yahoo and Google
- Analytical skills: to cast a critical eye over the resources you find when searching
- Word processing skills : to combine text, images and weblinks into a finished document


* Process

• Exploring the possibilities

- Choose and chunk the topic: choose a large topic and then break it down into smaller
- Identify learning gaps: figure out the students' needs. The class objectives and the actual outcomes could be different.
- Inventory resources: Check every resource is working for the webquest
- Uncover the question: The answer shouldn't be single. Students are supposed to search the answer!!!!

• Designing for success stage

- Brainstorm transformations: learners decide what they are going to do with the information they find on the websites
- Identify real-world feedback: the information for the webquest might be gathered from real people so learners would be engaged with the wider world
- Sort links into roles: inventory resources are assigned to the various sections of the process stage of the webquest
- Define the learning task: the direct result

• Creating your webquest stage

-Write the web page: turn the webquest plan into a websige and put it on a web server
- Engage learners: engaging and stimulating introduction, having motivated tasks and getting learners involved
- Scaffold thinking
- Implement and evaluate:take feedback and consider how the webquest went for you, and make appropriate changes for future

Educational Tools

http://www.weebly.com/

: website/blog software.
It's easy to build a blog and to post and find information. Teachers can upload any documents, videos, maps, etc., and students can find what they need easily. There is a special version of Weebly for students and teachers. Teachers are able to manage their students' accounts and accept HW online.
I've used Weebly and it's absolutely plain and simple. I think it would be a nice tool for my future class.

http://www.ted.com/

: Riveting tools by riveting people.
There is a ton of inspirational videos. The videos are greatly well categorized into talks, speakers, themes, and translations. Also, users can re-size them by most viewed, most popular this month, most comments this week, and so on.
The videos are mostly interesting and enough inspirational. It could be encouraging students to give them opportunities to learn something from riveting people.
I guess that it will improve the listening skill too. Personally, I strongly believe that listening comprehension skill is the most important one for language learners, so if I become a English teacher, I will recommend my students to use this site as a educational tool.

Website Evaluation

The site I will analyze is located at hppt://www.esl-lab.com. This ESL listening Web site created by Randall Davis and helps ESL/EFL students improve their listening comprehension skills through practice with self-grading quiz pages. The author has a master’s degree in TESL and worked in a variety of teaching and training positions and his one of the specialties is CALL. There are an email address and phone number to contact him. The content is really useful. As this site much focuses on listening comprehension and everyday conversation, there are a number of listening quizzes and video clips. All files are recorded by native speaker so they are reliable and factually. There are also resources for English teachers such as free printable worksheets. Actually there are some ads for TESL certificate, schools for adults, and so on. I’m not sure but it seems that they are pretty reliable companies.

I can’t find when the pages are last updated. I don’t think the content is up to date, but still they are working well and reliable.

This site is stimulating me at least, and I guess others may feel same as me because it provides enough information so gives feeling that if I am done with these all listening quizzes, I will be a master of English! It could sound fun, but it is… It’s easy to navigate. At the first page, there are video clip on the left side, and lists of many listening quizzes. The lists are categorized into different levels and purposes such as general listening, academic purposes, vocabulary, etc., so learners can easily find what they want to study and choose their own levels. The pages load quickly and there are not any broken links.
I bet any English learns will improve their English listening comprehension skills through this site and also speaking skills could be improved; it is a well known fact that listening and speaking skills go along with. Try to visit Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab and start!