Blog # 4.2

         This site EFL Classroom 2.0 holds a lot of valuable information of TESOL instructors.  There are many valuable resources such as: videos, forums, 17,000+ members, games, lessons, voice threads, and other helpful information.  All in all I have to say a very helpful environment.  Most importantly there is a classified section (hopefully in the future some jobs, but not today).

        Working with such a group like this will help to develop and learn new skills for instruction while also giving me good access to new instructional materials.  Great place to use in the future if I have a question that I cannot answer on my own for group efforts work well.

Blog Post # 4

 “Connectivism presents a model of learning that acknowledges the tectonic shifts in society where learning is no longer an internal, individualistic activity.  How people work and function is altered when new tools are utilized,...”  Siemens

A learner is like new laptop.

Why:

               A new learner and a new laptop have a lot in common with each other.  A new learner comes to a class with preconceived ideas and notions of what can and cannot be learned, while a laptop comes preprogrammed with what it is and is not able to do and accomplish.  However, both can be changed with the correct input.  So, as teachers we need to provide the correct software for the correct learner type.  Furthermore, “Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual” (Siemens) showing that students are a changing environment (system) that needs to be continuously monitored and given the correct input for their changing systems.

          Another aspect of this analogy is that there are different types of laptops and different types of learners.  So, instructors need to provide the correct information to the learner to produce an ideal learning environment for the learner.  Just like Krashen’s theory of “i+1” the instructor needs to give input at the level the student can handle or as a laptop they will not be able to handle the workload and will slow down in their learning progress.  Looking into Siemens views on learning teachers need to have “The ability to recognize and adjust to pattern shifts is a key learning task” because “the network becomes the learning, the network that learners create” is constantly changing.    

Just in case:

These are other interesting sites similar to the previous blog post and worth your view.

Did you know?                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U

A vision of K-12 students today:           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

Pay attention:                       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=related

Educational Change Challenge 21^st Century…:   21st Century Education in New Brunswick, Canada

Blog 3 / Mod 3

Video viewed:     Social Media Revolution 2

Reaction to the videos: This video demonstrates the growing world culture and its thirst for a social environment where there is no one form of dominance rather a level of equality.

This video further expresses the need of both instructors and students a like to be aware of the new cultural phenomenon of social networks.  The staggering growth of the section in society poises it to become the most important tool and interactive devise that is commonly known and used.  With being said as a instructor it is a very useful tool that can be very helpful for instruction.  However, with any new medium we will need to be very cautious of its uses and possible misuses

Websites:


Full site of information on blog safety:
http://www.delicious.com/burgosm/safety?page=1  

Great short list for parents and younger blogers:
http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/Blogging.pdf

Cartoons for internet safety for children:
http://www.infinitelearninglab.org/

Helpful information about blog’s and your safety:
http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/08/technology/personaltech/blogging/index.htm

Helpful tools and information:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/internet-safety

Blog post #2

The top ten list for safe online blogging:


1.Passwords:
Yours and only yours – keep your passwords protected, meaning only you and your trusted family.

2.Personal:
Keep all information about yourself and friends and family protected.

3.Pictures:
Think before you post. 2 main points to that:
      a. If it is meant for a club, it’s not meant for online.
      b. No information in the background (ie house numbers, license plates)

4.Never ending:
What goes online can always be copied and kept online. Hence think before you post.

5.Know your site:
Before you use, know the terms and agreement page for what is and is not allowed.

6.Public Warning:
These sites are public and anyone can read from your boss to parents

7.Control:
If you can’t control it don’t use it.
       a.Use passwords to control use
       b.Always filter information
       c.Never forget about your blog (it can mean your job)

8.Rules:
With any class room there needs to be a clear and defined set of rules.

9.Access:
Allow family of younger students to see view.
If the occasion allows, have the family join in.

10.Your Job:
As with anything you do as an instructor keep in mind two things
        a.Does it conform to the jobs rules and regulations?
        b.Does it conform to state, federal, and international laws?

You cannot teach from the unemployment line or from behind bars

Blog post #1

3 ways one can use a blog for professional development.


Blog’s are new and emerging field of information gathering that provides important tools both in and outside of the class room. Blogs provide a way for anyone to create, control, and connect to other blogs for various reasons. One use of blog’s is for professional development or to better one’s self to become a peek performer in their industry.

I use industry to describe all careers including instruction for in teaching there is the notion of ‘produce or perish.’ This concept we see more and more everyday; from news about government reform of schools to teachers getting dismissed for failing their own report card standards. Hence, one can see how a teacher is the same as any other person in any industry. They need to produce and to constantly keep on producing. To do this they need to improve and keep up to date.

Blogs can help instructors from perishing. Instructors can use blogs as tool to improve. By taking advantage of reading other instructor’s blogs a person can gain new and valuable information, ranging from on how to handle difficult situations to new ways/methods to instruct different lessons. Personally, I have explored numerous blogs about international TESOL. These blogs provided me with ideas that I found useful as a future instructor and also on a personal level. Another useful way blogs could be used by instructors is to provide an area where others can come and discuss ideas and problems with one another. Working together as a community on can become even greater.

Beside these reasons which helps one with their professional development blogs can also be used as an evaluative environment. One could post a copy of their lesson plan or a video of a lesson and allow fellow colleagues to critique and evaluate them. Providing a great source of information on how one is coming along in their professional development. Furthermore, at times it will be a great source for motivation and confidence building.

I hope these ideas can provide some of you with a new view on blogs.