Good bye my dear, dear course participants! I will miss all of you very much. You are very special, brave, and competent people--I feel blessed to have worked with you.
Hugs to everyone.
Donna
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
End of the Runway
We're at the end of the runway and ready to take off! The course is entering its final week and all the hard work is finished. This is both a sad time and a thrilling time. It's sad because our learning community is going off into different directions and will not be coming together after Friday, Dec. 2. It's thrilling because everyone will have more time to put into practice some of the technology tools they have learned.
I think of this as a time for everyone to take off and fly! I know that I have learned so much during these 9 weeks--I always do. I hope everyone else has learned many things they can put into practice and share with their colleagues and friends.
So as I say good bye, my friends, I wish you well in your future journeys with technology. Know that I will always hold a place in my heart for you.
Donna
I think of this as a time for everyone to take off and fly! I know that I have learned so much during these 9 weeks--I always do. I hope everyone else has learned many things they can put into practice and share with their colleagues and friends.
So as I say good bye, my friends, I wish you well in your future journeys with technology. Know that I will always hold a place in my heart for you.
Donna
Monday, November 21, 2011
Week 8 is over and Week 9 Begins
We are nearing the end of this course--unbelievable!! It seems like we just started, and now we're almost finished. What a whirlwind this has been. I am so impressed with how much everyone has learned and accomplished, and I hope all of you feel the same about your own work this term. Just a few short weeks ago, everyone was worried, frantic, and confused as you waded through all the beginning week tasks, looked at the website, and tried to figure out what was expected of them.
Look at how much you've done and learned!!!!!
Donna
Look at how much you've done and learned!!!!!
Donna
Monday, November 14, 2011
Week 7 - Light
Week 7 is light in a few different ways. First, the work load is lighter as everyone is implementing their projects and writing their reports. The intention is to lighten the reading and posting load this week to make things easier. I'm thinking that is is a welcome relief!
Second, this week sheds light on the topic of learner autonomy. This topic is important for language learners because learners taking responsibility for their own learning and digging into it themselves is essential. One does not learn only within the walls of the classroom. In our first language, we have input everyday--all day--from a variety of sources. This is not true in a second or third language unless one is living abroad in the country of the language EFL has the definite limitation of exposure to the language outside the classroom. Thus, learners must be helped and encouraged to become autonomous learners.
Third, this week is light in the sense that we are nearing the end of the course, and everyone can see the light at the end of the tunnel (an American expression).
I hope that everyone had a great week and the week 8 is equally great.
Donna
Second, this week sheds light on the topic of learner autonomy. This topic is important for language learners because learners taking responsibility for their own learning and digging into it themselves is essential. One does not learn only within the walls of the classroom. In our first language, we have input everyday--all day--from a variety of sources. This is not true in a second or third language unless one is living abroad in the country of the language EFL has the definite limitation of exposure to the language outside the classroom. Thus, learners must be helped and encouraged to become autonomous learners.
Third, this week is light in the sense that we are nearing the end of the course, and everyone can see the light at the end of the tunnel (an American expression).
I hope that everyone had a great week and the week 8 is equally great.
Donna
Monday, November 7, 2011
Week 7 Begins
Week 7 of our course has begun, and it should be an interesting week. We look at two topics this week: learner autonomy and the one-computer classroom. Learner autonomy is a very interesting topic for me as I think it can be something that is quite challenging for many students. If students come to the US to study, they can find our notions of learner autonomy to be quite different from what they're accustomed to at home. Here, teachers expect students to take full responsibility for their learning and for their success in their studies. Teachers expect students to know about time management, have study skills, and acclimate to our classroom culture the minute classes begin each term.
Concerning the one computer classroom, most of us are dealing with a one-computer classroom on a daily basis. While some teachers have access to learning centers and computer labs, these are a luxury and have to be scheduled and are not available consistently. Given my teaching environment in one school, a one-computer classroom would be a luxury! I have to teach in a classroom that has no technology at all, so I had to buy my own projector and laptop--which I bring to class. What a pain in the neck!
Anyway, week 7 will be over before we know it. The good news is that I'm home from my travels and life should return to normal soon (once the dust settles and I get less busy). This month is the US's major holiday--Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite holidays because I get to be with my family and eat good food! It doesn't get any better than that!
Donna
Concerning the one computer classroom, most of us are dealing with a one-computer classroom on a daily basis. While some teachers have access to learning centers and computer labs, these are a luxury and have to be scheduled and are not available consistently. Given my teaching environment in one school, a one-computer classroom would be a luxury! I have to teach in a classroom that has no technology at all, so I had to buy my own projector and laptop--which I bring to class. What a pain in the neck!
Anyway, week 7 will be over before we know it. The good news is that I'm home from my travels and life should return to normal soon (once the dust settles and I get less busy). This month is the US's major holiday--Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite holidays because I get to be with my family and eat good food! It doesn't get any better than that!
Donna
Monday, October 31, 2011
And Now It's Week 6 . . .
Well, we've passed the halfway mark for the course and are beginning week 6. I spent part of week in Turkey visiting a school there. What an amazing experience that was. It's so incredible to personally visit a language school and learn it from the inside out and the outside in.
I'm now beginning Week 6 in San Diego, California. This visit is not work related, but family related. I'm sitting in Starbucks, attending to the online course. Thank goodness for Starbucks and free wifi!
I'm also enjoying some sunshine--which we do not have at home.
Tomorrow I'm back to work in Oregon. Traveling is good, but being home is better!
Donna
I'm now beginning Week 6 in San Diego, California. This visit is not work related, but family related. I'm sitting in Starbucks, attending to the online course. Thank goodness for Starbucks and free wifi!
I'm also enjoying some sunshine--which we do not have at home.
Tomorrow I'm back to work in Oregon. Traveling is good, but being home is better!
Donna
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Week 5!
My goodness! It's hard to believe that by the end of this week, we'll be half-way through the course. The time is flying by.
I have returned from Turkey. I had the opportunity to visit a school there and work with some amazing teachers.
I must say that I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work with teachers from a broad spectrum of countries. I learn so much about how language is taught and how instructors work with both their advantages and disadvantages (we all have both!). It is just amazing. I do feel that we are all in this education business together, sharing and helping one another.
Teachers around the world have an incredibly strong focus on helping their students and making the lives of their students better. It seems to be a common thread I hear over and over again. If teachers ran the world, what a better place it would be!
I hope everyone is having a good week. I would like each one of you to take a minute and appreciate the excellent job you are doing in your classrooms. Your students are fortunate to have you in their lives.
Donna
I have returned from Turkey. I had the opportunity to visit a school there and work with some amazing teachers.
I must say that I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work with teachers from a broad spectrum of countries. I learn so much about how language is taught and how instructors work with both their advantages and disadvantages (we all have both!). It is just amazing. I do feel that we are all in this education business together, sharing and helping one another.
Teachers around the world have an incredibly strong focus on helping their students and making the lives of their students better. It seems to be a common thread I hear over and over again. If teachers ran the world, what a better place it would be!
I hope everyone is having a good week. I would like each one of you to take a minute and appreciate the excellent job you are doing in your classrooms. Your students are fortunate to have you in their lives.
Donna
Monday, October 17, 2011
Week 4 Has Begun
We are now leaping into Week 4 of our online course. This is a week that contains information that I particularly like. I've gravitated to teaching a lot of reading and writing courses over the years, and many of the courses I've developed have been reading and writing courses. I enjoy teaching reading and writing--particularly reading since I love to read.
I think that reading and writing are very important skills--especially in a university setting. The ability to write can be very very supportive of successful university study. If someone hates to write, university study can be dreary.
I will be teaching in a different setting this week. I'm off to Turkey tomorrow and will be facilitating this week's classes from there. Other than travel time, I'll be online as usual.
I wish every one a great week!
Donna
I think that reading and writing are very important skills--especially in a university setting. The ability to write can be very very supportive of successful university study. If someone hates to write, university study can be dreary.
I will be teaching in a different setting this week. I'm off to Turkey tomorrow and will be facilitating this week's classes from there. Other than travel time, I'll be online as usual.
I wish every one a great week!
Donna
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Week 3
Hello Everyone,
Our Webskills course is off to another week. Everyone did such an excellent job last week with their ABCD objectives--which tend to be difficult to write at first.
This week we're doing some new and exciting things. I hope that everyone reads the example Project Reports and has a much more clear view of the projects that will be due at the end of the course. I think that seeing examples is very helpful.
One thing to keep in mind when pondering projects is to choose something new to try in your class--a new technology tool that you've never done before. Another thing to keep in mind is to keep the project simple! Don't try to do too much. Although you'll come across many exciting and fun tools, don't try to include all of them in one project. For purposes of the project, just include one or two (for example a class blog or a webquest or a wiki). Don't try to do too much. Once you see how your project goes, you can try other tools in your class.
The new task for this week is to create a Delicious page. I think that Delicious is wonderful and amazingly helpful. Another alternative (and a more powerful alternative) is Diigo. If you find Delicious too simple or not meeting your needs, try Diigo.
I hope that everyone has a great week and learns lots of new things.
Donna
Our Webskills course is off to another week. Everyone did such an excellent job last week with their ABCD objectives--which tend to be difficult to write at first.
This week we're doing some new and exciting things. I hope that everyone reads the example Project Reports and has a much more clear view of the projects that will be due at the end of the course. I think that seeing examples is very helpful.
One thing to keep in mind when pondering projects is to choose something new to try in your class--a new technology tool that you've never done before. Another thing to keep in mind is to keep the project simple! Don't try to do too much. Although you'll come across many exciting and fun tools, don't try to include all of them in one project. For purposes of the project, just include one or two (for example a class blog or a webquest or a wiki). Don't try to do too much. Once you see how your project goes, you can try other tools in your class.
The new task for this week is to create a Delicious page. I think that Delicious is wonderful and amazingly helpful. Another alternative (and a more powerful alternative) is Diigo. If you find Delicious too simple or not meeting your needs, try Diigo.
I hope that everyone has a great week and learns lots of new things.
Donna
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Week 1 Is Over and We're Into Week 2!
It always amazes me how quickly the week spass when I'm facilitating this course. It seems like it's Sunday night and I'm sending out the emails, beginning another week, and then it's Wednesday and the week's almost half over. I turn around and it's Sunday again.
Week one went very, very well. I was surprised at how much everyone posted to the Self-Introduction on Nicenet. Yay for everyone! This is going to be an incredibly active and supportive learning community. I just love to watch as everyone joins the conversations and creates a community. It never ceases to surprise me how close course participants become and how much they miss one another once the course is finished.
I think that it is fascinating how closely connected a group of virtual friends can become. I feel a real sense of closeness and connection between the participants of this course--and we've never met face-to-face. One reason, I think, is because people are very accustomed to keeping in touch via technology and virtual communication has become a norm. I think we hold face-to-face meetings equal in importance to virtual meeting. I also think that we've become very, very comfortable with virtual meetings and communication. It is not awkward; sometimes virtual meetings are less awkward than face-to-face.
All of the above works to the benefit of an online course--thank goodness. I think this is going to be a great term.
Onward!
Donna
Week one went very, very well. I was surprised at how much everyone posted to the Self-Introduction on Nicenet. Yay for everyone! This is going to be an incredibly active and supportive learning community. I just love to watch as everyone joins the conversations and creates a community. It never ceases to surprise me how close course participants become and how much they miss one another once the course is finished.
I think that it is fascinating how closely connected a group of virtual friends can become. I feel a real sense of closeness and connection between the participants of this course--and we've never met face-to-face. One reason, I think, is because people are very accustomed to keeping in touch via technology and virtual communication has become a norm. I think we hold face-to-face meetings equal in importance to virtual meeting. I also think that we've become very, very comfortable with virtual meetings and communication. It is not awkward; sometimes virtual meetings are less awkward than face-to-face.
All of the above works to the benefit of an online course--thank goodness. I think this is going to be a great term.
Onward!
Donna
Friday, September 23, 2011
Welcome!!
Welcome to everyone who reads my blog this week. I am very happy to have you participating in our Fall 2011 Webskills online course. I anticipate a lot of fun, communication, team building, sharing, cooperation, and community building.
I also anticipate a LOT of frustration and hair-pulling as you work your way through the demands of this course. Some things will be easy; some things will challenge you. Nevertheless, as you meet challenges and learn new skills by conquering the tasks that come your way, you will be amazed at how much you learn and very, very good it feels.
So . . . I wish you a gigantic welcome! I'm glad you're here.
Donna
I also anticipate a LOT of frustration and hair-pulling as you work your way through the demands of this course. Some things will be easy; some things will challenge you. Nevertheless, as you meet challenges and learn new skills by conquering the tasks that come your way, you will be amazed at how much you learn and very, very good it feels.
So . . . I wish you a gigantic welcome! I'm glad you're here.
Donna
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