Daniel's Week 5 on Web Skills

 ACADEMIC GROWTH

As usual the week began with reading articles. I am growing fond of such practice not only because I gain lots of practical lessons from the readings but also my habit of reading on the fields of teaching-learning has shown a marked growth as I seem to be hunting for books or articles there on the web on the topic. This week's reading entirely focused on alternative assessment which I found it to be quite constructive in Learner-Centered classrooms. This means of assessment actually is as opposed to the traditional teacher based assessment. Alternative assessment gives students the wider opportunity to learn at the same time assess their learning by centering on their strong sides rather than their weaker sides. It also gives them the opportunity to assess their peers as well, there by enhance communication in the class. In short, the teacher assumes his/her right place as facilitator of the class and students mange the trend of learning. VERY IDEAL!!! 

                                                           

        The second article I am so grateful is"Less teaching and More Learning" written by Susan Gaer. This article emphasizes on motivation.Through a project based learning a teacher can promote learning of specific learning outcomes. This article was written from Susan's own experience. I have actually never imagined that students can come up with accomplished tasks such like books while learning simultaneously. And We all understand that nothing promotes learning than experiencing. These students are not only learning the language skills they are also learning other related tasks. Thus I would conclude such learning as very practical  . I am actually very grateful for it gave me the thought that I can also design a project likewise where students can contribute articles, poems, essays, humors or comic to our institutes year book.  I am planing to integrate these tasks into the lesson plan where I will be devoting some instructional time so that the students can work on it.   

                                                        
                                                         

                                                       

 Web Quest, another significant site in the learning of any field of study across all academic levels. The site http://www.zunal.com/ especially is very resourceful as it offers ready made lessons where students can pick a topic of their interest if working on their own, or if supervised by a teacher they can work on a uniform task all for the purpose of efficient learning by increasing the students and technology interaction. I was marveled my self to have come discovered such a site. however, I equally felt sorry to all the schools all over that world who have no internet connectivity for missing such wonderful learning resource.As an extra credit I have managed to open my own web quest, but I feel that I still need to learn a lot about that site if I can design my own topics and lessons of learning.

   

One basic thing that I think teachers need to work is at identifying learners' difficulty. Because once a problem is identified a cure is at hand. Thus one of the tasks we had to do was identifying our class room problems and a solution that incorporates technology. I have come to identify one problem that deters my learners' speaking proficiency.I found out that the traditional method of oral presentation that was practiced in my class very depressing and not motivating to the students. I have decided now to come up with one lasting solution to the problem, and that is to incorporate Microsoft  power point program and an LCD projector into the presentation. That way I believe,  the presentation trend would become very interesting and attractive to my students.   

                                                              

        This week has also its own surprises for me. One of which is creating one's own Rubric and link it to the course wiki. In deed, the web is a solution to every educational need. I remember my self designing several times my own rubric and never be satisfied with it. As I usually become concerned at its efficiency of assessing my students' qualities with respect to the learning trait I was looking for. But looking at site http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ I was so amazed at its support to teachers who are looking to design their own rubric. No need of wasting time; there already are  ready made measurement weights for ever quality a teacher would intend to measure . A teacher can create his/her rubric just by  visiting the site any time they need. Using the site I my self have managed to create my own rubric for my technology integrated oral presentation in my class room. I am very grateful to my instructor, Donna, for she is the one who have guided me to a such very important web site. THANKS!!!