Summary and reflection on the Reading (Week 5)

Reading:
Lam, W. S. E. (2000). L2 literacy and the design of the self: A case study of a teenager writing on the internet. TESOL Quarterly, 34(3), 457-482

The study examined how a Chinese immigrant teenager, Almon, in writing on the internet on identity formation and literacy development of the ESL learning.  Even thought Almon had been in USA for five years, he was frustrated by the insufficient of English skills. However, he liked browsing information on the Web.  Later on, he constructed his home-page and started to chat with people in different places on internet.  He also used English to send e-mail.  Then, Lam collected data on Almon’s activities, on-line reflection text, school life and computer experience.  She found that Almon gradually developed the confident in writing English.  Technologies provide varied opportunities for ESL learners to engage in literacy experiences on the Internet, hence motivate Almon’s interest from browsing internet to constructed his identity in English to communicate with on-line friend and build up a relationship with peer.

Reflection:

Almon’s case lets me know more and understand more about the real use of technologies if we can make use of them.  I find that it is amazing to change one’s attitude of learning on internet.  Before I took this course, I recognized I know only a little about technologies.  I always blame on my students and friends don’t use the computer too much and we cannot communicate in this part.  But after reading more, specially, the case studies by the scholars, I gradually open my eyes and try to ask more about new technologies.  I will also try to ask my students use bloggings to learn English.  I believe that even the students may not contact teacher everyday, the internet may provide them varied opportunities to learn different language and information to upgrade themselves.  They may find more fun outside the classroom.   

Summary and Reflection on the Reading (Week 3)

Reading

The article in week 3, the authors introduce the history of the development of blog.  They mention on how to use blogging for Second Language teaching and learning in the classroom.  Most of the information on the Internet can be used for critical learning and literacy skills.  For teaching, the authors suggest setting up learning goals, teaching guidelines and planning tips.  The case studies show how teachers and students used the Internet-base in project-learning at different levels.  They include primary schools, secondary schools and even the Universities.  Therefore, the Internet is one of the important tools influent our teaching and learning and related in our daily life.

Reflection

Using blogging for Second Language teaching and learning in the classroom is not common in Hong Kong’s primary schools. Comparatively, finding information or doing exercises through the Internet is more popular for this purpose.  According to the article, the authors mention some teaching guidelines for teachers.  They are the immersion, integration, project-based learning, student-centered learning and learning with a purpose.  For me, I just use two to three of them in my teaching.  Usually, I would like to use project-learning in non-language lesson, like general studies in my class.  It is because G.S. subject is the starting point for the primary level students to learn with fun through the Internet.  They can use the internet to find the information which matches the topic.  And finally, they can also use the power point to present what their group has been concussed.  I had tied to use this methodology in language teaching before.  However, somehow it is not the same.  It is because language is divided into four domains, like listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Each of them has different approach.  Perhaps it may be suitable for using in the reading and writing domain.   On the other hand, if I were the students, I would like the teacher use student centered approach, because students can involve the group discussion activities.  Most of the time, children are innovation.  We may get some ideas from them, even the passive students would like to participate inside.  Therefore, I like this approach in my classroom.  For me, it is good in teaching and learning.

Interesting learning websites

After the discussion of the topic“technologies/website in the classroom” in week 2, the primary school teacher group makes me think about the use of technologies in our teaching. But how do we motivate our students in learning? It should be encouraging and interesting. The other thing is we should guild them the proper attitude and the right way to use of technologies. Therefore, I try to find some activities from the internet which related to this topic.
The first one is http://ihouse.hkedcity.net/~cm1006/hotpo/.  It contains different kinds of games for all primary level. For instance, matching game and crossword for lower forms, free writing for higher form etc., students may like to play and try it.

The second one is the phonics form BBC link http://cwp.hkcampus.net/phonics.html.  It is all about phonic. For example, CVC words, consonant clusters, long vowel sounds, high frequency words etc. It is very helpful for the students who are learning phonics.


The next one is the online children’s storybooks http://www.magickeys.com/books/index.html.  It illustrates children’s stories for kids of all ages. The important thing is, it is free, and the phonics links, riddles and colourbook can also been found here.

The last one is Bananas in pajamas http://www.abc.net.au/children/bananas/default.htm. The characters are very funny and colourful here. You can choose one of them to be your wallpaper as well. There are different games inside, such as memory games, mix”n”match, sing-a-long, etc. It is very suitable for the students “play to learn”.

So, if I put such links in my class blog as a part of teaching tools, I think it would be wealth wide to my students in motivate their learning.

New Technologies in Language Teaching

The reading of week two was talking about the history of weblogs as a tools for language teaching from the beginnging up to nowadays.  Weblogs are popula use in different domains of the world, such as learning, teaching, communication, finding information and also globle matters.

In the reading, it also talking about the students learning from the blogs. It not only provides a easy way for them to communicate with their friends, it can also provides an oppotunite for the students to have language learning and at the same time increases thier interest.

I think using blogs for learning foreign language (English) is one of the way for learning and communication. But for the primary students it may not easy for them except they were guided by the parents or teachers etc., it is because blogs also privdes a platform for sharing different ideas and informations. We need to follow up. 

However, some of the teacher would like to use the blogs for ask the students to comment and show their work. I think it is a good way to enhance student's learning and interest.  I may also to build up their confidence in foreign language.

Myself and my experience of technology in language teaching

Hello, I am Teresa.  I am a primary school teacher. I seldom use IT in my daily life because I am not famailiar with it.  But I do make use of technologies in my teaching, such as using Power Point, e-book, and online ETV, etc. because I think they are the easy ways for me to use in school.  Sometimes I may use Youtube in my class to show videos to my students too.

I hope I can learn more new technologies in this course to update myself.  If I can apply more technologies in my teaching, I think I will have more fun with my students during the lessons.  At the same time, it may stimulate their motivation of self learning after school.