Hello again! I found this power point from when I was taking Catalan here at UF, it was the first presentation I ever did and I was very nervous. Making power points to teach is effective but I also think that as a learner of a second language it is crucial to utilize PP for your own learning. I know that when I did this presentation I was more open to speaking in Catalan in class! Adeuuuuuu
23.2.08
22.2.08
Final projecto thoughts....
I haven't really put much thought into what I would like to do for my final project but I have different areas that I would like to discover/research more about. I am interesting in learning more about the use of chat in the classroom, perhaps because it is a frequent form of communication that I use, and in my own language learning with catalan (I find it very useful) to chat in catalan because it forces me to think read/write in the target language. Another topic that interests me is the use of Epals.
I remember using epals when I took this course as an undergrad through the college of eduaction, and I think that it would be an interesting way to compare the use of epals online with the traditional 'intercambio'. These ideas will be useful for language teaching because you can see what type of imput the student is getting and if he/she is improving in the reading/writng/verbal skills. Also it would be a way to analyze the positive/negative effects of personal/virtual interactions. I hope to discover that the face-face interaction is positively enhancing the student's language skills, and that it is better that internet interaction.
On another note, my students in SPN 1130 this semester have a huge exam coming up, and one of the students has created a facebook group for our course. Now this was not my idea, I use Webct in class as a way to communicate with my students and inform them of their progress. However, many of my students do not check it and they prefer facebook. Through this group they have posted several sites, youtube videos, and announcements for homework. It seems like they have created a nice community and are more open to fb than email or webct. I think that my students have more motivation and communication among themselves, they have also become more autonomous in their learning and that makes me feel more confident as a teacher.
Check this out: http://www.epals.com/
Nos vemos eh?
I remember using epals when I took this course as an undergrad through the college of eduaction, and I think that it would be an interesting way to compare the use of epals online with the traditional 'intercambio'. These ideas will be useful for language teaching because you can see what type of imput the student is getting and if he/she is improving in the reading/writng/verbal skills. Also it would be a way to analyze the positive/negative effects of personal/virtual interactions. I hope to discover that the face-face interaction is positively enhancing the student's language skills, and that it is better that internet interaction.
On another note, my students in SPN 1130 this semester have a huge exam coming up, and one of the students has created a facebook group for our course. Now this was not my idea, I use Webct in class as a way to communicate with my students and inform them of their progress. However, many of my students do not check it and they prefer facebook. Through this group they have posted several sites, youtube videos, and announcements for homework. It seems like they have created a nice community and are more open to fb than email or webct. I think that my students have more motivation and communication among themselves, they have also become more autonomous in their learning and that makes me feel more confident as a teacher.
Check this out: http://www.epals.com/
Nos vemos eh?
17.2.08
Technology doesn't always work
So on Friday, I was posting my weekly entry and after a long nice blog I published it when all of a sudden it did not load up and dissapeared! The fustration.... So here I am again trying to post and hopefully this one will be successful.
I have learned alot of things on the way to becoming a tech saavy chick... one being that you can't truly trust technology because when you least expect it, it will turn on you. On another note, playing with power point has allowed me to utilize all of the features and I was able to use my learnings in my creations of power point for my class. This week I did one for culture day on valentine's day and I added animation to the pictures, uploaded hyperlinks, added music it was great! I even warned my students that they better like it because I put so much time and effort into it. They did enjoy it!
As for new discoveries I have found my new passion; little did I realize that becoming disconnected from the virtual world was so liberating! Posting in this blog has really made me question how I use my time and what I do with my life. For one, I have been able to reduce my chatting time and try not to check my email as often, I also disconnect my cell phone and have been trying to just be in the REAL world.
One thing I truly want to get out of this course is how to implement technology in my classroom, (something other than) power point and really use it to the advantage of learning. However, I do realize that implementing technology is very costly and sometimes difficult but I know I will get the skills in this class. So yea, this is all the reflection for now.... later!
I have learned alot of things on the way to becoming a tech saavy chick... one being that you can't truly trust technology because when you least expect it, it will turn on you. On another note, playing with power point has allowed me to utilize all of the features and I was able to use my learnings in my creations of power point for my class. This week I did one for culture day on valentine's day and I added animation to the pictures, uploaded hyperlinks, added music it was great! I even warned my students that they better like it because I put so much time and effort into it. They did enjoy it!
As for new discoveries I have found my new passion; little did I realize that becoming disconnected from the virtual world was so liberating! Posting in this blog has really made me question how I use my time and what I do with my life. For one, I have been able to reduce my chatting time and try not to check my email as often, I also disconnect my cell phone and have been trying to just be in the REAL world.
One thing I truly want to get out of this course is how to implement technology in my classroom, (something other than) power point and really use it to the advantage of learning. However, I do realize that implementing technology is very costly and sometimes difficult but I know I will get the skills in this class. So yea, this is all the reflection for now.... later!
11.2.08
feria del libro
Este es el 'poster' annual de la feria del libro en Cuba. Siempre he visitado las ferias del libro en otros países como República Dominicana y Nicaragua. Me encanta visitar y ver todos los libros nuevos...
10.2.08
PP
Imagine a time when there was a chalkboard and a teacher: no computer, no cool slides, no pictures, just you and the students. Now, we have the use of PP, a microsoft program that enables you to create slides with pictures, information, video, sound etc. According to its definition in wikipedia PP is a form of persuasive technology (which presents a point of view).
Personally, I use PP in the classroom, especially when I am presenting grammar. It has the power to help you organize the information and present it in a clear way to your students. I try not to use PP everyday because I know the students get tierd of staring at a screen. In a way, PP creates a boundary between the teacher and the students, they are paying more attention to the color scheme, the pictures, etc. than your explanation.
I like interacting with my students, getting them out of their comfort zone, out of their seats, moving, talking to one another asking questions etc. Language has to be interactive, and PP prevents that type of interaction.
The PP presented below this entry explains the different stereotypical families, (american/hispanic). I got the idea from the reading activity we did in class in our book Puntos de Partida. I like the new features of the latest PP and I am learning how to use all the other features. All in all I like power point I just dont want to depend on it completely in the classroom.
Personally, I use PP in the classroom, especially when I am presenting grammar. It has the power to help you organize the information and present it in a clear way to your students. I try not to use PP everyday because I know the students get tierd of staring at a screen. In a way, PP creates a boundary between the teacher and the students, they are paying more attention to the color scheme, the pictures, etc. than your explanation.
I like interacting with my students, getting them out of their comfort zone, out of their seats, moving, talking to one another asking questions etc. Language has to be interactive, and PP prevents that type of interaction.
The PP presented below this entry explains the different stereotypical families, (american/hispanic). I got the idea from the reading activity we did in class in our book Puntos de Partida. I like the new features of the latest PP and I am learning how to use all the other features. All in all I like power point I just dont want to depend on it completely in the classroom.
4.2.08
2.2.08
2ND
HELLO again!
This entry is the second installment of the first one. As I mentioned before I have a routine that I embark on a daily basis. It consists of checking email like a madwoman and fb... Yesterday I spent the whole day in the office on the computer for like HOURS. I told myself that I wouldnt check my email this weekend and that I would completely disconnect from the world. But that didnt happen cuz here I am... typing away...
I find myself realizing that I rely on the internet so much. I communicate with people this way and expect them to do the same. I use various chat programs like MSN and AIM. Recently I have preferred using MSN because I have more interesting people on my list and they are connected more often. I also started using Google talk ever since I opened a GMAIL account. I had skype on my computer to make international phone calls but since my labtop is so old it really messed it up.
On an average I would say that daily I am on the internet for 5-6 hours. I think that is too much. At the office I am on the computer planning for my classes while Itunes is blasting the rhythms of alternative, merengue, and salsa. If I dont have some type of music on I would go insane...
For my class, I use power point to plan as well as academic technology to inform my students of their progress which is another way to communicate with them. I also use the internet to post on my other blogs, look up information, send emails etc. All in all, the internet has revolutionized our world but it has also negatively changed the way we communicate. In an era where people actually spoke to each other NOW its much easier to just type what you want to say. I hope to balance the two and still have a good ol'conversation with those that surround me. :)
This entry is the second installment of the first one. As I mentioned before I have a routine that I embark on a daily basis. It consists of checking email like a madwoman and fb... Yesterday I spent the whole day in the office on the computer for like HOURS. I told myself that I wouldnt check my email this weekend and that I would completely disconnect from the world. But that didnt happen cuz here I am... typing away...
I find myself realizing that I rely on the internet so much. I communicate with people this way and expect them to do the same. I use various chat programs like MSN and AIM. Recently I have preferred using MSN because I have more interesting people on my list and they are connected more often. I also started using Google talk ever since I opened a GMAIL account. I had skype on my computer to make international phone calls but since my labtop is so old it really messed it up.
On an average I would say that daily I am on the internet for 5-6 hours. I think that is too much. At the office I am on the computer planning for my classes while Itunes is blasting the rhythms of alternative, merengue, and salsa. If I dont have some type of music on I would go insane...
For my class, I use power point to plan as well as academic technology to inform my students of their progress which is another way to communicate with them. I also use the internet to post on my other blogs, look up information, send emails etc. All in all, the internet has revolutionized our world but it has also negatively changed the way we communicate. In an era where people actually spoke to each other NOW its much easier to just type what you want to say. I hope to balance the two and still have a good ol'conversation with those that surround me. :)
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