Resources course

Using and developing resources for the ESL classroom. It is already clear of what we should be doing in this course. It is manipulating variety of resources to be used in the language classroom. I like the fact that we had given lots of opportunity in exploring different types of resources which are appropriate to be used with the second language learners.

In order to complete all the tasks and assignments that have been set up, we need to have certain useful internet skills. It is the best part which I started to feel a bit comfortable in meddling with the technology. I learned a lot of new skills and it makes me feel quite safe in the journey of being a teacher in less than 2 years from now on. Somehow, working on all the assignments make me realize that being a teacher is not that easy. We have to be creative and at the same time sacrifice our time in producing quality generations in the future. I think this course give a good preparation for us (teacher trainee) as to become effective and flexible in the teaching and learning.

Actually, at the beginning of this course, I expected that it not only provide guidance in preparing materials which use technology, I thought we will be expose to other non-technology resources as well. I am quite disappointed as I could not gain any knowledge on how to manipulate non-technology resources. I hope that the next cohort will be given that opportunity. It might be useful as we could prepared variety of materials in the classroom in the future.

In overall, the course contains full of new knowledge and information about integrating technology in preparing teaching aids for second language learners.

Blogging

I can be categorized in a group of 'technophobia'. I am actually not interested about exploring technology. It would be a major problem to me if I have to deal with assignments or tasks which involved the usage of technology tools. It may be the consequences of lack exposure during secondary school.

Since I am already in higher level of learning, assignments and tasks are mostly should be done by using the technology tools or sources from the internet. It quite tough for me at the first place to cope with this new trend in learning. Even though it is tough for me, I still have to learn cuddling with this new medium of modern learning. The first few semester is just 'OK' for me as it only required basic skills of using the technology. Furthermore, the institution have not enough equipment as to allow us to explore more about the technology.

My 5th semester in UM quite shocking for me as we have to deal with almost everything via online. The worst part is we have to acquire lots of new internet skills as to complete lots of tasks and assignments. It is just like a nightmare for me since I do not like technology; not because I am against the modernization, because I am not confident if I could make it through. One of the significant task is to make our own blog to reflect about our journey in this course.

Unconsciously, I begin to like blogging. It is the space for me to express my feelings (in this case, guided) and share my thoughts with others. It is the medium where I could broaden others knowledge as well as my own. Sometimes, our life is just hectic with lots of routine and personal tasks where we do not have so much time to talk to peoples in our surrounding as to gain more information and knowledge about any issues. Blogging is one easy way of gaining knowledge about almost any issues in education, specifically and life generally. We can link with peoples from all around the world and get their views of certain issue. It will broaden the way we thought about education and life. Besides that, personally, I get the opportunity to enhance my writing skills as well as language skills by reading others' blog and writing my own blog. I learned a lot of creative ways of delivering message through correct written form. Other than that, blogging improve my critical thinking skills as I have to analyze and judge a few issues regarding this course and things that related to it. However, peoples always said that, 'good things always come with the disadvantage'. I believe so. But at the mean time, I cannot see the bad side of this mission yet. Maybe after a period of time and lots of experienced, a could tell the disadvantages of sharing information in a blog.

TeacherTube

Honestly, I never heard about 'TeacherTube' before this. At the beginning of this course, I was alarmed by the existence of web where teachers from all around the world could host, tag and share instructional videos. TeacherTube is for those who seek more educationally focused videos. It is also a safe venue for teachers, schools and home learners.

I think this could potentially be very useful. The materials are very useful and appropriate to be used in the classroom. I have been keeping an eye on TeacherTube for several months now. One of the things I am finding very useful is the tutorials that are being posted for various web-based applications such as pbwiki and wikispaces. I also appreciate the clear directions for downloading and converting video files. It is flexible for those who just learning about the technology generally. This is some of the list that we could consider as to explore the TeacherTube:

• upload, tag, and share videos worldwide.
• upload support files to attach educational activities, assessments, lesson plans, notes, and other file formats to your video.
• browse hundreds of videos uploaded by community members.
• find, join, and create video groups to connect with people who have similar interests.
• customize the experience by subscribing to member videos, saving favorites, and creating playlists.
• integrate TeacherTube videos on Web sites using video embeds or application programming interfaces.
• make videos public or private; users can elect to broadcast their videos publicly or share them privately with those they invite.

I would like to see a section on it where teachers could learn about other teacher's opinions of school systems to which they are considering applying; viewpoints on administration, atmosphere of schools, whether they consider the system teacher friendly and other logical issues. This might need to be an anonoymous section so that teachers could write in what they really think, but it could steer people away from systems that have issues and provide information that you do not hear from Human Resources. It would also tip people off to jobs that may become available but are not yet posted as well as letting potential teachers know which ones do not give incoming teachers credit for all their experience.

Childhood stress

Childhood seems to be the most enjoyable period where the children are free from any stress. After all, kids do not have jobs to keep or bills to pay, so what could they possibly have to worry about? That is what we usually think. Is it true? The answer is no. They have plenty of it, what we called stress.

Every young children have worries and feel stress to some degree. Stress is a function of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet them. Stress can affect anyone, even kids (who feels overwhelmed). In preschoolers, separation from parents is the greatest cause of anxiety. It may be the first stress that they experienced.

As they get older, academic and social pressures create stress. Teachers with high expectations might be the source of the stress among children. Teachers who push their pupils to excel in sports or who enroll them in too many activities can cause stress and frustration if their pupils don't share their goals. So, before we (as a teacher-to-be) set our objectives and goals, we should also consider the child ability.

Prepare ourselves to be a good and effective teacher one day!

Adapting Video

Since from IPIK, I have ever think about using music video which is not related to education in ESL classroom. It would be fun and interesting if I could manipulate any video from pupils' favourite artist as the teaching aid. But I am always stuck on how to manipulate the content of the video to suits the topic in the lesson. At first, I will eagerly choose any interesting music video to be analyze, but it will end with disappointment when I could not come out with appropriate idea to be used in language classroom.

The task where we have to use Michael Jackson's video music, 'The Earth Song' quite helping in solving my problem. Through the process of completing the task, I have learned lots of skills and aware of what to be considered when using such video in the classroom. Discussion with some friends had given me a better idea and opinions about manipulating thousands of interesting music video as a teaching aids to teach foreign language.

Besides the excellent ideas that we could think, we also need to acquire certain internet skills and knowledge in order to make it real. Since the real purpose is to teach language in primary pupils, we have to do extra work of omitting and adding certain features from the original video so that it would not classify as ineffective material. Considering the time demand, again, I think teachers could have difficulty in giving commitment towards preparing such amazing teaching aids as time will be the major problem.

However, since it could attract pupils attention and help them in acquiring English language better, spending more time could be the most gracious sacrifice of a teacher. Right? Choice is in your hand! Hopefully in future, we will be in the group of teachers who manage to benefits the students in learning.

Inspiring story for teachers

Her name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children. His clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...He is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home is a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death had been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs.Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter-full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mother used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs.Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

Remember - that wherever you go, and whatever you do, you will have the opportunity to touch and/or change a person's outlook. Please try to do it in a positive way.

Taken from: http://www.eslincanada.com/stories.html

Poem for Teachers

by Kevin William Huff

Teachers
Paint their minds
and guide their thoughts
Share their achievements
and advise their faults

Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth

For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach

For the dawn of each poet
each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring

Young children VS Learning

Young children learn from everything they do. They are naturally curious, they want to explore and discover. If their explorations bring pleasure or success, they will want to learn more. During these early years, children form attitudes about learning that will last a lifetime. Children who receive the right sort of support and encouragement during these years will be creative, adventurous learners throughout their lives. Children who do not receive this sort of support and interaction are likely to have a much different attitude about learning later in life.

Children do many things simply because they want to do them. Selecting a toy or a shirt to wear is the result of "intrinsic motivation." The child makes her own choice and achieves satisfaction from both the act of choosing and from the opportunity to play with the toy or wear the shirt. Since the activity is generating the motivation, it is mostly self-sustaining for as long as the child wants to continue the activity.

Children also engage in some activities because adults tell them to, or in an effort to please another party. These activities are "extrinsically motivated." When a child is extrinsically motivated, the reward comes from outside the child-it has to be provided by someone else, and has to be continually given for the child to remain motivated enough to continue the activity. It is more difficult for a child to sustain extrinsically motivated activity because of this reliance upon some outside force.

Since intrinsically motivated activity is more rewarding in and of itself, children learn more from this sort of activity, and they retain that learning better. Intrinsically motivated children are more involved in their own learning and development. In other words, a child is more likely to learn and retain information when he is intrinsically motivated - when he believes he is pleasing himself. Parents can build on this sense of confidence by guiding their child's play and activities while still giving the child a range of options. This unstructured play is an essential element of the child's motivation, learning, and development.

Hey teacher-to-be! This is something that you need to ponder. How can we be a good teacher who able to make teaching and learning more meaningful? How can we continuously attract pupils towards our lesson? What is the suitable approach for young children?

It is in your hand.

Benefits of using E-Book

An eBook is like any conventional book, but in electronic format. This electronic format makes it very different from the conventional printed books in terms of size, utility, price and its non-conventional adaptability.

One great advantage of eBooks is that they can be accessed from any part of the world. With an internet connection, you can purchase any eBook on any topic of your choice without moving from your chair. After downloading it, you no longer need internet access and the eBook can be read offline. You can store it on your desktop and read it later. If you want, you can also print it. Moreover, some eBooks in print form are quite economical as compared to the traditional hardcover or paperback copy. It is flexible for the teachers to access to any eBook that related to any topic in the syllabus. Teachers can have it in any way that they desired.

EBooks require no space to store. You can keep literally hundreds of eBooks on your computer, depending upon its storage capacity. Moreover, they are portable, thus carrying even hundreds of eBooks on a CD or a laptop from one place to another is quite easy. You can travel light with any number of eBooks that you want. The number of eBooks does not create packing and transportation trouble like printed books. It is also much safer to transport eBooks, as there are no worries such as damage in transport due to water, rough handling, etc.

Most eBooks are provided with links to relevant websites, which are quite helpful to get more information on the same subject. Searching for any references in an eBook is easy and you only have to enter the right keywords. Learning from an eBook can be an interactive process since some eBooks are designed with audio, video, and graphics to make learning easier. It could be very interesting to be used with young learners as they are easily attracted to the material which is more alive. Teachers can use this material as to conduct more effective yet enjoyable teaching and learning process.

As no trees are cut to produce paper (as in the case of conventional books), eBooks are considered environment-friendly. Therefore, eBooks are easy to procure, economical and require little handling. eBooks score very high in utility and benefits.

Life without technology

Have you ever considered living in a world without modern technology? We wouldn’t have the personal computer you are sitting in front of now, much less cell phone networks, satellites, weaponry system, or any other device that relies on micro technology. What would the world be like if all the technology we’ve developed, discovered, and invented over the last 100 years suddenly stopped working?

Lets ponder on this situation:
In high school alone has about 2,100 students and over 100 instructors/administrators. Keeping attendance is near impossible - without computers - on that scale with the small number of secretaries we have. All grades are kept on the server, so unless the teacher keeps paper-based grades (which few do), grading is also near impossible. This created quite a mess, because the students knew that teachers couldn’t mark them absent or late, so students started showing up 10 or 20 minutes late to every class.

Teachers also keep many notes and presentations on their computers to show via projectors in the classrooms. Also, many classes are computer-based in the labs, so they rely on those computers to be online to complete classroom materials. I think you can begin imagining what chaos ensued. Many people do not adjust to change well - especially a school district with 11+ schools with at least 400 students in each.

Now, think if something took out more than just a local network server. Say, it disrupted our radio communications, or it rendered magnetic storage useless. What would people do? Think of all the things we use current technology for. The answer is: just about everything. Here’s a short list of what I came up with in about 2 minutes.

• Stocks


• Online Banking


• E-Commerce


• Telling Time


• Watching movies


• Organization


• Writing


• International interaction

That’s just to name a few. Our economy has grown to rely on such technology for even our most basic operations. Can you imagine life without technology?

Internet Skills

The explosive growth of the Internet is evidence of an extraordinary adult learning phenomenon that cuts across traditional demographic lines. The Internet is not only as a medium for learning and teaching, but instead focuses on how adults learn to participate in this phenomenon, whether on their own, at work, or through continuing education.
According to researchers conducting World Wide Web user surveys at Georgia Tech, thirty-six million people in the United States were on the Internet in November, 1997 (Graphics, Visualization, and Usability Center, 1997). Since the user surveys began in 1994, the average age of respondents has steadily increased; in the most recent survey it was thirty-five. About 37 percent of respondents were novices who had been on-line less than one year. Among females, the percentage of novices was 43 percent, while among users older than fifty, 53 percent had gone on-line for the first time within the last twelve months.
Two inferences can be drawn from these and other survey data. First, as it grows, the population of the Internet is becoming increasingly diverse and more consistent with the characteristics of the general population. Once the private domain of a small number of researchers and academics, the Internet has become a true mass medium. Second, this continuous growth means that a large proportion of Internet users are beginners. The absolute number of new users will steadily increase--and with it the demand for new resources for teaching and learning Internet skills.
Nowadays, peoples are more aware of the existence of the technology which need to be concern as it flows with the urbanization around the world. Since the phenomenon just growing wild in our country lately, we have to learn a lot more in order to cope with the trend. It maybe comes with thousands of advantages but it is not impossible if there are some of negative value behind it. Think twice for everything!

Video Editing

Video editing is the process of re-arrange segments in video to form another piece of video. It involve the removal of unwanted parts in the video and the arrangement of the parts from the video to produce another video. Nowadays, there are lots of technology tools and software which could make the process easier. It is not impossible anymore in producing your own creative videos either for work or just for fun. There are bunch of software which could be explore in order to make produce your own video and make it more interesting. There is a long list of softwares that available for this kind of task. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_editing_software)
In this particular course, we had given a task where we have to produce our very own video which will be done in pairs. Since love theme is more appreciated, my partner and I decided to make a video with the favourite theme. From my opinion, it is a kind of expressing your thoughts, feelings, ideas and creativity. A lot of message can be conveyed through video as it is moving and with bunch of modern tools, we could make the video same like what we have in mind. Explore & apply! Who knows with this ability (producing your very own video), you could win someone's heart?
As teacher-to-be, this skill is needed in order to fulfill the demands of the new ways of learning in this technology era. As what I have continuously observed informally, young children especially in urban area, were well exposed to the technology. The issue related to the technology will definitely attract them as it is their nature of loving fun and challenging tasks. Teachers are expected to take advantage of this situation to adjust their teaching and learning activity in order to attract pupils' attention. I think it is not a waste because the teaching and learning process could be more interesting yet meaningful. However, I am also wonder if we could continously apply this skill to be used as our teaching and learning resources since there are also other tasks for teachers in school. Teachers might have not enough time to prepare the material as it demands time to be produced. Other than that, we should also consider the school condition, whether they have enough facility or not. Teacher might have prepared very useful material but it might not work if there is no suitable tool to be delivered. It might be an issue that we want to ponder.