Final reflections!

I can't believe it is the end of the course, but I am sure this is the beginning of our integration to the world of technology.

Now looking back at where I was at the start of the course, I think I was so wrong in thinking that I know how to use technology in the classroom and beyond. I have learnt so much! Most of the things were new to me:
- Blogs - I knew about them but have never used one and if not this course I think I would have never used it. Now I like it and even created a new one where I will write about personal things. But I still didn't understand why sometimes I cann't leave comments in some other blogs, they ask me to choose a profile which I don't have. I can only define myself by using Name/URL other options are not working for me.  I need to explore this further.
- ABCD objective - completely new to me, I think it is a very good tool which disciplines teachers;
- Delicious - completely new, early I have been using Favorites toolbar, but every time I change the laptops the links are gone. But still I didn't manage to install the Delicious symbol to the toolbar to access it easily every time I need it. I have to explore this further.
- Webquests and project work, these concepts were not new to me but I have never thought that a web-quest can be a project. I haven't tried doing web-quest during this course, but I will do it for sure.
- Interactive PowerPoint - I learnt some very interesting tasks to make the lectures more interactive, I tried to make a jeopardy so I will go on.
- RubiStar - rubrics were not a new concept but I have never tried making them myself. Rubistar saves so much time!
- Various websites for developing all four skills and language areas.
- Various technologies for creating activities, handouts (e.g. ANVILL - though it is a whole classroom, Hotpotatoes, etc.) I need to explore Quandary more, I haven't figured out yet completely how to create questionnaires by using them as I think Muhammad Rashid did.
- Nicenet - a discovery for me
- Wiki spaces - I heard of them, but have never seen or used one
- JupiterGrades - completely new! I hope I will be able to use it for my classes as well.

Wow, so many things that I learnt and so many things I need to explore further!
In this course I also liked the fact that using technology was always underpinned by learning theories (learner-centredness, learner autonomy, learning styles) which make teachers understand why they are using the technology, not just for the sake of using it or because it is fun.

I liked working with course participants from various countries, with diverse teaching contexts, with diverse experiences, opinions etc. I hope we will stay in contact and maybe even set up joint projects.

I really enjoyed working with Donna, I can't imagine how much time and effforts are put into the course! I liked that she was supportive and attentive to each and every one and tried to leave a comment on blog or posts so that we feel that our opinion is valued and appreciated.

Thank you all for making this course successfull!

Week 9

Well, this week was quieter. I had to do minor revisions on my final draft of the Project plan and submit it.
The discussion of this week was based on Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligences and Technology. I really liked the articles suggested by Donna.



I have known about H.Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory but have never thought how technology can help to address this. I found lots of interesting ideas from the readings and the posts of my colleagues in Nicenet.First I was thinking how technology can address Bodily-kinaethetic intelligence, then after reading some articles I have discovered that asking students to make multimedia projects which would require going to fields might be a way out. I also liked Esteban's comment that Learning styles and Multiple Intelligences are different concepts.  I need to explore this further.

Ok, looking forward to the last week.

Week 8!

This week was of course was first of all devoted for the project work. But the devil turned out to be not so black as it seemed. I have finished it on time and sent it to Stasya. I have her feedback already. I liked reading Stasya's plan as well.

This week I have learnt lots of magic tools: ANVILL, Hot Potatoes, Quadrato, and many more. I have tried to create a simple cloze test using the Hot Potatoes. I have downloaded the exercises created by my coursemates, they are all wonderful!

Well, 8 weeks! The weeks have double meaning for me. I will reveal the secret, I am pregnant and the pregnancy is also 8 weeks! Just yesterday I was at the GP and he said that I have already 8 weeks!  Therefore I was suffering from nausea, vomiting, headacke and feel just very bad some days. That's why I couldn't take part in the Webinar on Friday, unfortunately.

Ok, now looking forward to the new week!

Week 7

Week 7!
I feel like we are approching the autumn of the course. It is going to end soon like a year, so as any person has mixed feelings, on the one hand glad that New Year is coming, in our case that we will get our certificates and on the other a bit sad because one more period of your life is ending.

It feels like autumn also because it is time for yielding harvest. So the date for submitting the projects is looming.

I have chosen Anastasiya to be my partner, I hope we will have a fruitful cooperation. I really hope that I will manage to finish the project plan by the deadline. I am worried because I am not feeling well, and sometimes I am more or less better, then worse.

I started working on my Project Plan but frankly speaking would prefer doing this after the course :)

This week we read about strategies of using one computer in a classroom. I liked the idea of using it as a work station so I tried to implement this in the lesson plan I have designed.
I have followed the discussion on learner autonomy and found it very interesting. People are so knowledgable in this field!

Ok, I will go and work on project plan.

Nodira

Week 6

I can't believe it is already end of Week 6!
This week, I learnt more about interactive Power Point presentations and how to make lectures with PPP more engaging. I liked the articles suggested by Donna and found Bingo, summarising, blank slide and other tricks as interesting. I have tried to make a Jeopardy Game using the PPP. I need to practice more especially in the design.

Now about the most important task! It is so soon that we need to submit the report! As I am not teaching this term, I will be focusing on the plan. But I want to create class blog where I will post the main info on the course and the tasks for the Final Portfolio.
I have created a blog on the blogger, and the name is DUET, as the name of our program - Development for Uzbekistan English teachers. But I haven't posted anything yet as I am compiling the list of entries in Word document, then I will post them.
So far I am thinking of having the following posts:
1. Introduction to the course
2. List of suggested on-line articles (links)
3. Instructions for creating own blog
4. Portfolio entry 1.
5. Portfolio entry 2.
6. Portfolio entry 3.
7. Portfolio entry 4.
8. Portfolio entry 5.
9. Assessment

For each portfolio entry I will give task specifications, links (if appropriate), deadlines. Trainees will be able to leave comments if they need any clarifications.
And they will have to create their own blog where they will post their Portfolio entries. The supervisors and others will be able to give feedback on their posts.

I hope it will work.

Nodira