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
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI was a student in a US school in 19991/92 ( in WV). At that time I was 16 and I really experienced a cultural and a learning shock. One of the things that was different was type of tests we took in Serbia compared with the ones in the US. In Serbia we were used to taking essay type of tests and in the US it was all about the multiple choice questions. That was very easy for me. I did not have to learn as much in the US as I did in Serbia. In the US we had 7 subjects and in Serbia 14 in a Grammar school I was attending.As for learner autonomy, I did notice that it was all up to me in the US.There were more assignments a student had to do on his/her own, whereas in Serbia the teachers provided all the content and the students had to learn.
My best,
Dragana
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteNice to be home; hope you enjoyed your time. Happy Thanksgiving, it is so nice to enjoy your time with your family and eat delicious food. I teach in a one computer classroom and I find it so beneficial because it motivates students and capture their interest.
Regards,
Karen