Working hard

Hello there! How´ve you been?

   It´s been a while since I last posted anything (in this blog anyway). I´ve been busy blogging and posting in my webpage for my English students. On top of that, I´ve been working my fingers to the bone with the new school year, you know planning and stuff. But I am glad to take some time apart to post a line or two.

 
  I have added a new postcast in my itunes- Ted Talks. Everyone (by everyone I mean three people, lol) has suggested to me so I am going to give it a try. I have, in fact, seen a video clip from the thousands of instructional videos and audio materials you can get. let´s see what I find.

   This year, I have giving a chance to ebooks and podcasts. I have read quite a number of books this way and I always listen to my favorite podcasts in my ipod. Howstuffworks.com is one I am currently listening to.

   So, there you have it. Just when I thought i was out, they pull me back in.

Jerry!

Vacation almost over

Hello everyone.

In a couple of weeks I am due back at work. When I resume my work, It will be almost two months since I began my break.

However, I kept on working with my esl classes and blogging and stuff like that. If you have noticed, I have added a new blog and a website for my English students. I am so excited about this because my students are really responding to this new approach to language learning.

This week, I am supposed to partake in a seminar on using technology in class. Seminar which is sponsored by the Honduran Ministry of Education. I still don´t know if I have to address the crowd or just sit in.

My new acquired knowledge on technology is paying off. It has given a new look to the way I teach. I am sure my students are enjoying every minute of it.

Jerry

Ps: my website is: https://sites.google.com/a/delcamposchool.org/esl-teaching-learning/home

Useful Websites

Hello
Are you a google user? good for you. But you can also use other sites such as:
http://www.noodletools.com/index.php
http://www.searchedu.com/
http://www.sweetsearch.com/
http://www.askkids.com/

Give these search engines a shot. It´s worthwhile!!

Websites to keep at hand

Cambridge Website for students:
http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/touchstone/student/index.html

Here´s a Webquest I prepared about Webquests. I´ll keep this post for a week:
www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=105044


For those teaching Touchstone book 1 (levels 1 and 2):
http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/catalog/subject/project/custom/item5964175/Touchstone-Grammar-Presentations-and-Worksheets/?site_locale=en_US&currentSubjectID=2489422

A few videos I have added the lyrics to:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ginteriano003

The aftermath

  My ecourse has come to an end. I can´t believe 10 weeks have passed by so quickly. I feel I should always be in training.

  Somehow, I think I am. I mean, this coming monday, I am going to give a workshop on two points from my webskills online course. I will shre the knowledge I acquired with my fellow teachers.

I will continue expanding my knowledge on Computer assisted language learning (CALL) so I can improve my language teaching repertoire.

So my e course may have landed, but my search for technology in the class is still airborne.

Jerry, Honduras

Technology in class (final reflection)

I can´t believe this is the last week in our web skills e- course.

I would like to start by thanking the American Embassy for being my sponsor so I could study on line with UO. It was ten weeks of discovery.

Two things I loved about my e- course were Web Quests and Power point presentations. None of them were new to me but reading more about them and being asked to develop tasks made me realize the practical use of these tools in our technological world. In fact, I have taken upon myself, to expand my knowledge and introduce them in every class I teach.

Every topic, reading and task we came across with, in the e course was worth the while. I am going to go over such material to instill in me every bit of it. Sooner than later, I am going to give a workshop to my co workers. So I need to be prepared to handle it. I am so thrilled!

I am fully satisfied with the way the e course was conducted. Robert, my e trainer was with us all the way. For me, there was a lot of discovery and rediscovery I may add. I feel like I am 5 steps ahead of the crowd (namely, other teachers). This is how I feel.

Week 9 Reflections

The ecourse is almost finished. A lot has been gained as far as incorporating technology in our classes. Our task is now to put it into practice and pass on the webskills learned, praticed and most importantly acquired. It´s been a great journey but I kind of feel it´s not over yet. There´s the extra mile we have to go.

Speaking of extra mile, I have volunteered myself tyo give a worshop to my fellow workers. I will sit in and focus on one or two of the new things I learned in my online class. I am sure my coworkers will benefit greatly.

As for my technology development, I will continue seeking for information on the matter. I will also cotinue blogging and sharing stuff. As for my students, they will get the benefits of applying technology in class.

Jerry.