Sunday, February 26, 2012

Week 7: My class of TOEIC with Nicenet: 2nd week of the project implementation

Hi all,

You can see my first week here

This week was really productive with my Nicenet class. I tried to get my students involved by raising some difficulties they encounter in learning English.

The purpose of this assignment was not to find out "DIFFICULTIES" but just to let them know how to name the difficulties they face. I tried to make them think they are understood by others and the teacher. They, therefore, would be more confident to stand on a common ground of sharing and discussions:

Just have a look at their sharing: HERE

Also this week, my students were asked to talk about their first topic among 8 of this term. The topic was "your ordinary day" in which I provided them with some suggested ideas of how to make it simple and interesting. I gave them a list of relating words and phrases they may use in their talk.

The very interesting part of this assignment was, as I personally thought, the chance of talking to native English speakers using their posted topic on Nicenet. After being encouraged, my students posted their topic on Nicenet. I worked together with an Australian volunteer teacher, Curtis, in the class this week and I showed the posts on the large screen to ask Curtis to have a look at the posts to see how much he could understand from the written version of the posts. After a few post reading, Curtis turned his back to the screen and I asked my students to talk about their posted topics to Curtis using both verbal and non-verbal skills to see how much Curtis could understand their speaking.

The result was quite good. The whole class had great time together with fun. The students, by all means, tried to express their ideas to Curtis. To most of the students, It was the very first time talking with a native speaker  and presented their ideas in English. I could see nervousness, shyness, a bit reluctance and even some types of failure. However, it was a great sign to know the students were quite motivated and excited to do their task. And it was so good that the students could recognize how different it was to communicate orally and in written forms.

You can have a look at "My ordinary day": HERE
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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Week 6: The screen that talks

How fast it was to look at 6 weeks working together with friends around the world. I suppose week 6 and 7 are the most important in our course as it is touching the most-expected part of any courses: EXPERIMENT.

From the very first days of Introduction, setting measurable objectives, using internet as tools of learning and searching to make demo project and assessment, We now can see how it works in our real situation. I think the course is really interesting as it helps participants from different contexts could come together to share to have better solutions that can be applied in specific cases.

Week 6 witnessed the possible changes in the participants' classes using suggested tools raised in week 4. The feedback from my students were quite good as they started to raised their voice and joined the introduction thread in Nicenet for my TOEIC class.

Also in Week 6, interactive ppt was introduced to enhance teaching tool kit. First time ever, I tried something new with my ppt to make it more visualized and more interactive. I started to love using ppt as I thought students would find it fun to work with and they can, therefore, expose to different sources of online language teaching. This could, gradually, interest them and open a vast world of knowledge to them.

Also in the week, I was given lots of ideas of how to handle large classes. It did give me some ideas of how to make it work in my university.

As I am having some last hours of my weekend, I would like to wish you, all, a new week full of happiness and fun.

The
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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Week 6: My Nicenet class of TOEIC

Hi all,

Actually, I tried Nicenet and my University Forum as an exploring step to my students a couple of weeks ago. I also intended to try www.sties.google.com to have the class schedule. However, I thought it could be a bit too much for the first time and Robert also suggested focusing on 1 tool to perfect it.

I spent an hour introducing Nicenet to them with some of demo topic discussions. It seemed the students were still very confusing doing home assignment online. Some minor problems arising as some of the students were not wired at home. Some had problems with time management as they are now in their last year and there are too much work to be done. So far, there have been about 15 out of 25 students joining Nicenet class. (others asked for paper homework).

To start something very easy at first, I tried not to make anything complicated and not to asked them to speak pages. The purpose of the first week was to let them introduce to get to know one another. I did a small introduction face to face of what needs to be done in the first week with some clear guidance. I also encouraged them to join even with their nick name if they do not want to be known by others.

I focused on 2 pieces of information: Personal Information, Likes and Dislikes.
Look at the log of the below conversations:


[Edit | Delete]
FROM: The Pham   (02/09/12 8:00 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
SUBJECT: Self Introduction

Briefly Introduce yourself to the class with:
+ Some personal information
+ Likes and Dislikes

[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Vu Duong   (02/09/12 8:14 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Vu Duong]
SUBJECT: Introduction

Hi,

My name is Vu Duong.
I am currently a student of HPU majoring Tourism.
I am at my 3rd year and i found my studies very interesting.

I love traveling and making friends with all kinds of people. This is also the reason why I chose my major "Tourism". I hope that I could have a good job as a tourist guide and I would have opportunities to travel to many places around the world. I also did expect to introduce Vietnam to the rest of the world.

My bad habit is biting my nails

Thank you for your reading and hope to to "see" you online.

regards,

[Edit | Delete]
FROM: yen nguyen   (02/12/12 6:20 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to yen nguyen]
SUBJECT: FBI

hi beautyful girls and handsome boys ^^!
my name is Hai Yen. i very nervous... ^0^

    REPLIES (1): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/13/12 5:58 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: FBI
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hi Yen,

    It is scary to start a talk in a big group. I did English badly when I was in grade 10. Then I noticed one thing: If I dont try then I will be soon left behind.

    So, try your best and good luck.

    The
[Edit | Delete]
FROM: LienLili   (02/12/12 7:46 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to LienLili ]
SUBJECT: About me

Hi my newfriends. Today I'm very happy when to talk to you about myself
I'm Lien, I'm come from HP. I'm 23years old and I learn culture and tourism department at HPU
I like travel and discovery culture and special things in country when I come. I like take photographes in that and eat special food
Everyday I go to school. I often listen to music or reading book at free time. Sometime I go out with my friend to go to the cinema or go to coffe shop to talk about our life 
I dislike cook because I'm a bad cooker. But I like eat
I sing bored so I don't sing with crowd. I only sing when only I here
It's too late. I'm going to sleeping and I hope see you soon. Goodbye

[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Binh Luu   (02/12/12 8:09 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Binh Luu]
SUBJECT: No.4

Hi!
I'm Binh . I'm from HP , i like living in HP .
I'm 23 years old and I learn accountancy .

I like eat , sleep , playgames , meet my friends.
to see football , I'm very like Manchester United.

Thank you for your reading

[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Linh Vu   (02/12/12 9:09 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Linh Vu]
SUBJECT: 123

Hi everybody
I'm Linh , one of some students are ALWAYS late for class haha.
I like nothing and i don't like everything.
My life is so boring and empty .
So, that's all of me

I'll try writing longer about by myself again .
See U !

    REPLIES (1): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/13/12 6:13 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: 123
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hello Linh,

    Life is not an easy thing to define. There are 3 factors that make you happy. Let's see what they are:

    1. Satisfy with what you have
    2. Optimistic
    3. Having Good relationships

    So, be happy with what you have and think about making it better. 

    Joining a group learning together will bring you more fun.

    Cheers,

    The
[Edit | Delete]
FROM: dao lien   (02/13/12 1:36 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to dao lien]
SUBJECT: introduction

hello!!! lady and gentleman .
I'm Lien , come from HP city . I'm 23 year old. I'm currently a student studing in HP Private University , majoring accounting and auditing .
I like making friends with everybody, shopping , watch TV and eat . I always listen to music ,cook ( although I'm a bad cooker), sing , reading book at freetime . Weekend ,I sometime walking the park , meet my friend , cinema , play a joker.
I dislike liar ,I hate betray because it's make me sad . 
Until , my english still very very bad . I hope you help me better. 
Thanks for you reading !

    REPLIES (1): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/13/12 6:16 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: introduction
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hello Lien,

    You are doing good job of introducing yourself.

    Yes, the reason of setting up this class is to help each other and to build up stronger relatioship between students.

    Keep moving together.

    The
[Edit | Delete]
FROM: van anh nguyen   (02/13/12 3:34 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to van anh nguyen]
SUBJECT: Introduce myself

Hi everyones!!!Nice to meet you^^
My name is Vân Anh.I live in Hai Phong.I'm 22 yearsold.Now, i learn culture and tourism dpartment in HPU.
I have so many hobbies.I like listening to music everyday.My favourite music is pop.Beside, i like reading books, shopping, watching TV,traveling and many many...
At weekend, i often go to Hàng market with my father and cook my forte food for my family.
I like going to every places in Vietnam and in the world.My dream is going to the Paris.And i hope my dream comes true.
I hate rain and winter.Beacause, i feel sad and lonely in rainny day.
And now, i have dinner.Enjoy your meal.
See you soon:))

    REPLIES (2): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: LienLili   (02/13/12 4:38 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to LienLili ]
    SUBJECT: RE: Introduce myself
    [Edit | Delete]

    I like rain because it't very romantic :) and I wish come to Paris, too
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/17/12 11:50 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: Introduce myself
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hi Van Anh,

    You had a very nice post.

    Sorry for my going past you.

    Yes, I also like going to Hang Market. It's some kind of fun to see all kinds of things are sold in the market.
    I am also raising some singing birds, a simple hobby to keep me close to the Nature in my free time.

    Cheers.
    The
[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Vu Trang   (02/13/12 5:41 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Vu Trang]
SUBJECT: Introduction

Hi everyones!!!
My name is Trang. I'm 21 yearsold. I'm currently a student in HPU, majoring acouting and aditing
I want to make friends with everybody.
I like everything make me feel comfortable, exemple: read book, listen to music,sometime I cook a new dishes, maybe it is good or bad, but i'm very interesting when i make it by myself.
I diskie peoples who not keeping their word and lair
I hope you hepl me learn english better, because i feel my english not good
there is some information about me. 
Will you be my friend!!!!

    REPLIES (1): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/13/12 6:08 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: Introduction
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hi Trang,

    It's good to know more people. Yes, we are here to learn, to share and to exchange.

    I strongly believe that we will make our learning more effective. And we also set up good relationship with others.

    Cheers

    The
[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Nguyen Thuy   (02/13/12 6:03 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Nguyen Thuy]
SUBJECT: Introduction

Hi everybody!!!
I'm Thuy, I learn acounting and auditing.
My english not good ,i can't talk no more about me. I want to make freind with everyones and hope you hepl me learn english well.
I'll try takl about my self more in the next time. 
See you soon !!!

[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Vanilla   (02/13/12 6:53 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Vanilla ]
SUBJECT: REP

Hi everybody.

I'm Quyen. Like everyone in this class I'm currently a student studing in HP Private University, majoring accounting and auditing .

I love listening music and watching movie in my free time because it's make me reduce stress after a tiring day. 

I hate wake up early on Sunday

I've used all English skill of myself so thanks for reading . See you soon in our class. ^_^!

    REPLIES (1): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/13/12 6:19 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: REP
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hello Quyen,

    Your English is good.

    I also like lying lazily in bed on Sundays.

    Keep on sharing more. Come and make friend with others in this topic.

    Cheers.

    The
[Edit | Delete]
FROM: Anonymous2752263   (02/13/12 7:15 AM PST)   [ Send a personal message to Anonymous2752263 ]
SUBJECT: introduction

hello !!
my name is Thuong.I from Thai Binh.I like watching TV, listen to mussic and play game.I lean acouting and aditing.I have leant E for 10 year but I fell very hate E.Now, my english very very bad. I hope everybody in class will lean E better. .see you again in our class

    REPLIES (1): [ Hide Replies ]
  • FROM: The Pham   (02/13/12 6:21 PM PST)   [ Send a personal message to The Pham]
    SUBJECT: RE: introduction
    [Edit | Delete]

    Hello Thuong,

    It is a common picture that people learning English for 10 years and more do not satisfy with their result.

    So, now we try out something new to see if your situation will be different or not.

    Keep moving,

    The
The students are now doing their second week assignment and I am doing some correction and giving some suggestions to their INTRODUCTION. Basically, words of praise are tool to encourage them. I tried not to focus on their grammar errors but on the styles instead. Giving some suggestions of developing their ideas with more information.

Looking at the conversations, I could see the differences between them in terms of language proficiency and psychological manifestations. 

I already prepare 8 week assignments and I am trying to offer them simple materials for further reading helping them to have more tools to understand and carry out their tasks.

Hope you to share me on how to make my Nicenet more effective.


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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Week 5: Sleepless nights: Wondering where my teaching was heading

Another busy week with office work has been almost over as it is now 12 am Sunday in Vietnam (GMT+7). I love my weekend (just Sunday) than ever before as I would have my own time reading my friends' blogs, discussions and sharing.

This week, I learnt more about PBL, Rubrics and Alternative assessment, things I knew for long but never considered it seriously before. I also tried a PBL lesson in my current class of 25 students of intermediate. It worked quite well as the students were really interested in working on the project in groups. I think PBL together with Rubrics would definitely motivate the students' autonomy as they are given more choices to do things relating to their future professional development. They were also happy with their group work and found it fun to self and peer assess. Though I could see their puzzles in their eyes when presenting their own ideas before the class, they did great jobs and had brilliant ideas that I could never thought about. The group of Business students brought me from surprises to surprises presenting their ideas of running their own business with "10,000 usd" I "GAVE" them.

The Rubrics also gave me good ideas of how to assess and evaluate my students' assignments better. Rubrics, at the same time, can encourage the students to be more independent as they could figure out how they would be assessed. They, therefore, could plan the best for their work.

I am also trying a WebQuest and expecting to finish it by tomorrow. Though teachers invest a big amount of time preparing a WebQuest, it is worth doing as the whole class will benefit from it. WebQuest helps students interact with the clear introduction of Task and Process to do.

To be honest, I am a bit lost this week. I am still doing more reading on the provided materials to understand and apply more on my teaching.

Acquiring not much, Yet I am very happy with what I have gained so far.

Thank you for your reading and sharing.

The
Posted by at 4 comments:

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Week 4: Swimming in the sea of knowledge

Hi all,
A busy week with lots of traveling and work made me really tired. Some contracts need to be finalized as soon as the end of the coming week. Yet, I do feel relaxed and happy when reading our class posts to know how hard you work and how close we are together regardless of where you are from. I really admire my friends with their wonderful job of week 4. I think I am quite behind and I will try best to catch up.

Well, back to the two big issues of skill-building webs and technology-enhanced lesson plans, I believe that all members in the class have enjoyed much the party of teaching and learning resources.

The hardest part of the week is designing a technology-enhanced lesson plan. To meet the objectives of the lesson and to match with the existing syllabus, it is not an easy task to make a satisfactory lesson plan.
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