This week we are to read about rubrics, project-based
learning (PBL) and WebQuests. The web offers new kinds of learning
opportunities and new tools for assessment. There are many points to be considered before
starting to use new methods, these are what Robert Elliot suggested:
- How can PBL be used to help motivate students more?
- How can PBL best be incorporated with technology in your class?
- What limitations are there to using PBL in your class?
- How can we best assess projects?
- What is the role of rubrics and/or alternative assessment within PBL?
- How can PBL, rubrics and/or alternative assessment be used to promote independent learning?
The access to a computer or at least some internet connection is crucial when
trying to motivate the class to use the web. Even if we aren't that far behind
the technical development in our school we do have occasional problems in the
computering. The computers are quite old and slow and if the previous users happened
to turn them off it seems to take ages to turn them on again. I'm sure anyone
recognizes the tension when a dozen teenagers, who have the most modern
equipment at home, let out their negative feelings about the whole school
system and teachers etc. just because of slow school computers. Fortunately
this issue is to vanish next autumn as we have been promised new and more
modern computers.
When trying to sell the idea of using the web in larger amounts, it quite often happens that teachers don't want to let go of their old and well-tested methods which they have used for ages. It's a huge step to let off your child; see how they learn to walk, eat, dress and trust other adult people. How can we be sure they know what to do to survive? How can we be sure they learn independently all the linguistic matters they need to survive with their English?
It is a matter of trust. In order to be trustworthy we have to teach ourselves to use a method and only after that we can assure somebody else of its advantage.
It is also a matter of one’s own convenience. At least in Finland the national test for which our school prepares the students have been more or less the same type for many years. The authors of our school books are well aware of the testing types, so why bother. Just go on using the same books! Only in recent years has some discussion of making it possible to take some tests via computers been officially raised. So now the issue of learning to use the technique in teaching is acute.
Beginning to use technology in class is not easy. It needs effort and sacrifices. Some teachers and students are not necessarily interested in doing that little (?) extra effort. It’s a pity because when/if you become acquainted with the technology you get the tools and amazing ideas to share with your students and colleagues.
And I'm sure we all will eventually overcome the worst difficulties and start using the technology maybe in small steps but steps forward.
Have a nice, interesting week!
When trying to sell the idea of using the web in larger amounts, it quite often happens that teachers don't want to let go of their old and well-tested methods which they have used for ages. It's a huge step to let off your child; see how they learn to walk, eat, dress and trust other adult people. How can we be sure they know what to do to survive? How can we be sure they learn independently all the linguistic matters they need to survive with their English?
It is a matter of trust. In order to be trustworthy we have to teach ourselves to use a method and only after that we can assure somebody else of its advantage.
It is also a matter of one’s own convenience. At least in Finland the national test for which our school prepares the students have been more or less the same type for many years. The authors of our school books are well aware of the testing types, so why bother. Just go on using the same books! Only in recent years has some discussion of making it possible to take some tests via computers been officially raised. So now the issue of learning to use the technique in teaching is acute.
Beginning to use technology in class is not easy. It needs effort and sacrifices. Some teachers and students are not necessarily interested in doing that little (?) extra effort. It’s a pity because when/if you become acquainted with the technology you get the tools and amazing ideas to share with your students and colleagues.
And I'm sure we all will eventually overcome the worst difficulties and start using the technology maybe in small steps but steps forward.
Have a nice, interesting week!
Well, Sinikka, the problem with some people is that they don't want to leave their comfort zone. And then, of course, there are people like me and many of us who never seem to feel comfortable where they are, who are always looking for something new and challenging. Is it the adrenalin? Because sometimes I am scared to death that I may fail and still, I can't stop getting involved in different things.
ReplyDeleteStill, I think this is something worth spreading. In this competitive world, our students will certainly need this drive.
See you around!
Dear Sinikka,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you when you say beginning to use technology in class is not easy. I am one such teacher who has been trying to do so. Some of the colleagues of my department extend their support and helping hand in the process; while some of them just shrug it off. They don't see any point in it as they feel there are lot many other important changes need to be brought in before introducing technology in the classroom. However, our students use internet through their mobile phones and many of them have Facebook account and they do take part in social networking. I always encourage them visit different websites. I provide them with the links.
But it is difficult to work in isolation. However, I can see a change in the whole situation as more and more learners are enrolling themselves in the general courses to learn the computer basics in the College Computer centre. This has made my job easier to some extent. However I have a long way to go...
Regards,
Nizara
Thank you Luisa and Nizara for visiting my blog and giving me so inspiring feedback. It seems to be so that the more we learn the more (challenging)there is to learn. And we just keep on running.
ReplyDeleteSinikka
Hi Sinikka,
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more with Luisa. We, in different aspects of life, are learners, and there are always new things to learn. My Rector, who is now 75 years old, is very consistent in technological impact in the process of learning. He always tries to computerize most of the university work from Scheduling system, teacher-selecting online channel which students can choose their favourite teachers to testing. It takes 10 seconds to know the result o the test after the completion.
It is to say, since people recognize the functions of technology, they will apply it without doubts.
I do believe that the course can help you to accumulate good evidences to convince your Board to make necessary changes to your current system.
Who knows? perhaps, it is you who bring the greatest changes ever to your school in terms of technology-applying in teaching and managing not just for teaching and learning English
Happy weekend, my friend.
Thank you so much for your interest in my blog and for your response you really know what you're doing and I congratulate your students for having such dedicated professionals guiding them.
DeleteTechnology and age are enemies I have an elderly friend(85) who still wants to learn so much. He also has a laptop and wants to use the Internet as much as possible. There are some minor problems, though. One is forgetting User names and the other is that of passwords but I don't think we'll never give up. At least he won't.
Going back in bed with my flu, but you all have a nice day and try to stay in good health,
Sinikka
One important word slipped out from my previous comment: Technology and age are definitely NOT enemies, sorry. I'm using this tiny little laptop and keyboard doesn't know the word 'cooperation'.
ReplyDeleteSinikka
Dear Sinikka
ReplyDeleteWith the web-based learning becoming more and more prominent, educational centers have to recognize its significance in enhancing language acquisition. As a result we have to equip the centers/institutions with good technological resources to provide state-of the art facilities for all learners. More significantly, the mind sets of teachers also have to be changed so that they step out of their comfort zones and carry out innovations and experimentations to make language learning a fun filled and fulfilling process.
Shaila
Dear Shaila,
ReplyDeleteYou said it 'the comfort zone' and I think that is, definitely the key word here. Or stepping out of our comfort zone. But if a teacher has 'always' done the things in a certain way and feels happy of what he is doing, how can I go and tell him or her why not try these more modern methods. Sometimes I admit to myself that I'm a step-out-of-your-comfort zone -person. I'm keen on trying and even learning new things, aren't we all in this group.
Sinikka