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Showing posts with label Class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Class. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Week 7: "e"-fied Class

We completed this task in our assignment group where we discussed on each checkpoint.
·         Declan
·         Elucia
·         Glenn
·         Kat (Loh Chia Yee)
·         Stennia

Checkpoint 1: Search for digital language learning materials.
Checkpoint 2: List down SLA theories and principles
Theories
  • Behaviourist
  • Innatist
  • Interactionist
Principles
  • Materials should help learners to develop confidence
  • What is being taught should be perceived by learners as relevant and useful
  • Materials should require and facilitate learner self-investment
  • Learners must be ready to acquire the points being taught
  • Materials should expose the learners to language in authentic use
  • The learners’ attention should be drawn to linguistic features of the input.
  • Materials should provide the learners with opportunities to use the target language to achieve communicative purposes.
  • Materials should take into account that the positive effects of instruction are usually delayed
  • Materials should take into account that learners differ in affective attitudes
  • Materials should permit a silent period at the beginning of instruction.
  • Materials should not rely too much on controlled practice
  • Materials should provide opportunities for outcome and feedback
  • Materials should help the learner to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Materials should reflect the reality of language use.
  • Materials should help learners to learn in ways similar to the circumstances in which they will have to use the language.
  • Materials should help to create readiness to learn.

Checkpoint 3: Sketch out a rough outline of your DLLM.
The DLLM that we have in mind is one which involves comic strips where students will be able to learn from it. We came up with a simple activity as an example as seen below:
Our aim of the activity is to let the students enhance their knowledge of vocabulary by finding synonyms of the given word in which they need to create a sentence for each word.
Learning object        : Vocabulary
Learning material      : Comic created from Bitstrips (http://www.bitstrips.com/)
Usability:
  • Control of the students: The activity is a simple activity which only requires students to focus on different vocabulary and creating simple sentences.
  • Choice of the students: An image is given to the students where it is based on real life situation.
  • It is collaborative learning process where students work together to find synonyms of the given word
  • The activity is also applicable as they are able to learn new vocabulary in which aid them in having a variety of words to be used while completing a writing task.
  • Students will also be able to know that some words may have the same meaning but used differently.
Checkpoint 4: Summarize explanation for each criteria
  • Errors: Errors are divided into two groups which are serious and less serious. Serious is when the users’ outputs are threatened while less serious refers to the work of the users are disturb.
  • Efficiency: It is to know how well the experienced users can operate an application after they have mastered it.
  • Learnability: It depends on the duration of time for the beginners uses system before they learn the important skills necessary to do tasks.
  • Memorability: Refers to an occasional users’ ability who has previously used the system to remember its operational principle.     
Explain each criterion for visual design
  • Harmony
    • It is the way to which the display in DLLM interacts together in a pleasing-manner. This can achieved through repetition and rhythm. It pulls the pieces of visual image together and the rhythm is the flow of depicted in a visual and helps direct eye movement. For example when we use prezi or power point, we need to use 3x3 grids to ensure there is harmony.
  • Balance and symmetry
    • It refers to the element of different sizes can be brought into balance by either moving them closer or further from the centre of the page. Symmetry is when one half of a visual display is a mirror image of the other half. There are different types of symmetry:
    • Horizontal symmetry
    • Approximate horizontal symmetry
    • Radial symmetry
    • Asymmetry
  • Emphasis
    • It is to create dominance and focus in their work. It emphasis on colour, value, shape or other design elements to achieve dominance. For example, the colour of the background must be dark and the written words on the slides must be in light colour. This is to ensure that there is a contrast on the slide. Also, the main topic must be either middle or on top with bigger font size to tell what is the main topic.
  • Alignment
    • It is important for the material to have alignment as it is for the organization and grouping. Should visually maximize differences between texts, label and pictures.
  • Unity
    • Unity is the relationship among visual elements that helps all the elements to work together. It gives a sense of closure or oneness to visual image. It can be achieved through use of similar shapes, common pattern or use of a common background.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Integrating Technology in ESL Writing

Our world has slowly been taken over by technology; through the use of technology, everything would seem to turn out better and more interesting. Same goes for teaching, teachers who integrate technology in their teaching will definitely make their lesson much more interesting and effective.

Integrating technology in ESL writing brings many benefits to both students and teachers. Technology, or the Internet to be exact, increases the access to the many resources of teaching. By using different online tools to teach writing, teachers are able to attract the attention of students as technology offers a wide range of ways to teach. Teachers are able to choose from the ample online teaching tools to teach their students. This not only attracts the attention of students; it also allows the teacher to increase their skills in technology. In addition, students are able to understand better when the teachers use suitable tools. For instance, when students are asked to write a narrative essay, videos or pictures can be shown to allow the students to have more understanding on what they have to write about. Visual aids also help to enhance one’s creativity.

An example of integrating technology in ESL writing is by using an electronic portfolio, also known as an e-portfolio. An e-portfolio is a collection of work where one uses the Internet to help him or her organise, archive and display his or her work. This is a great tool as students are able to have their own “space” to express themselves creatively. Teachers are also able to assess the students’ e-portfolio easily. Students will also be able to view their peers’ e-portfolio to exchange ideas and give opinions. Through this, students are able to encourage one another and this is able to increase one’s confidence in writing.

I have to say, having been shown the slides presented by my course mates, I was very fascinated and impressed with all the online tools one’s able to use to teach writing. My group presented on online and offline teaching writing tools; and as we were preparing our presentation, we found many of online tools that we can use to teach. It was then when I realised I did not know as much as I needed to about using technology to teach. There are so many other tools besides Blogger, Facebook and Tumblr, and this has motivated me to search for more useful tools to be used in the future. Integrating technology in ESL writing is definitely a good idea.

Monday, December 10, 2012

A Scary Experience?



The essay given by Miss Yoon to be marked was quite a challenge. After reading it a couple of times, I finally understood the whole essay written. I realised the errors that the student made was mainly failure to express himself/herself in proper English and grammatical errors. I felt that the student wasn't able to express himself/herself well in proper English as most of the sentences were directly translated from Mandarin to English. The student’s grammar errors were mainly on past and present tenses. I give credits for a good story where you can actually see the plot of the story that consisted of introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and conclusion.

The method I'd use would be written comments. This is because not only does his/her essay follow the format of a common story writing plot, it is also not hard to understand. By circling the grammar errors and underlining the unclear sentences, the student would be able to understand where he/she made a mistake. I would also try using the method on talking to the writer about the errors he/she made as it might be easier for me to explain what to do and what not to do in the future. But this may take up a lot of time as there are other student’s essays to tend to.

Peer editing would definitely be a good way for students to improve on his/her writing. I would encourage students to come together in a group to help edit one another’s essay. Through this, students are not only able to identify mistakes and errors, they will be able to improve themselves while helping edit others' essay.

As for the follow-up activity, I would provide some activities on forming simple sentences in a specific structure so that he/she will be able to produce better sentences in the future rather than a sentence translated from Mandarin to English. Besides that, I would also provide activities like changing sentences from present tense to past tense to improve his/her grammar.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

I Give You... A TEN!


We were asked to assess the essay written by Miss Yoon's China student in this activity. Our group decided on giving him/her 10 marks-which is halved of the full mark- as he/she came out with quite a good essay. The essay written was appropriate and its language and context were modest. However, there are some inaccuracies, for instance the usage of vocabulary. Though the student's vocabulary is fairly well, the student was unable to use the right vocabulary in expressing himself.

Although this essay has many mistakes, but it is a good essay in general. It has a clear flow in the story line and has a modest command of the language. We give it a 10! :)

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Are you HOTS enough? :)



I’ve come out with an activity that integrates the level of evaluating.

One day, you and your friends decided to hike up Mount Brinchang. Unfortunately, you all lost your way and it was getting dark. Your friends decided to rest at an open area for a night because it is no use to walk in the dark. All of you were hungry and tired but had no food supply or a tent to rest in. What would you do? Would you continue the journey in finding the right way back, or would you decide to stay at the open area and wait for it to be bright again? Decide on what would you do and later write a short narrative essay on your adventure in finding your way back. Your essay should be in not less than 200 words.



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Have Some Fun in Class!

List of songs and movies can that are related to the themes in KSSR and KBSM.

World of Self, Family and Friends
Songs
Movies
You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins
Tarzan
When You Wish Upon A Star - Cliff Edwards
Pinocchio
I Can Go the Distance - Michael Bolton
Hercules
Journey to the Past - Aaliyah
Anastasia
At The Beginning – Donna Lewis
Someone’s Waiting for You
The Rescuers
You’ve Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman
Toy Story
God Help the Outcasts
Hunchback of Notre dame
When You Believe - Stephen Schwartz
The Prince of Egypt
You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up) – Josh Groban
Mary Poppins
Look Through My Eyes – Phil Collins
Brother Bear
Welcome – Phil Collins
Great Spirits – Tina Turner
We're All In This Together
High School Musical
Fix You - Coldplay
Camp Rock
Smile – Charlie Chaplin
Emperor’s New Groove
You Raise Me Up - Brendan Graham
Lilo and Stitch
I’ll Be There For You – The Remembrants
The Incredibles
Count On Me – Bruno Mars
Finding Nemo
True Friend – Miley Cyrus
101 Dalmations
Gift of A Friend – Demi Lovato
Cheaper by the Dozen 1,2,3
Lean On Me - Bill Withers
Daddy Day Care
I’ll Be There – The Jackson Five
Pursuit of Happiness
I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
Despicable Me
I Turn To You – Christina Aguilera
Hotel Transylvania
Everybody Needs A Best Friend – Norah Jones
Nanny McPhee
Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
Daddy Day Camp
My Same - Adele
My Sister’s Keeper
A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men
School Of Life
Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
Freaky Friday
Nobody Ever Told You – Carrie Underwood
Home Alone
See You Again – Carrie Underwood
Little Miss Sunshine
There’s A Place For Us – Carrie Underwood
Facing The Giant
Who Says – Selena Gomez
Marley And Me
Like My Mother Does – Lauren Alaina
Precious
Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
Real Steel
I Believe I Can Fly – R Kelly
Soul Surfer
For Good – Wicked
Courageous
Man In The Mirror – Michael Jackson
Freedom Writers

World of Knowledge & World of Stories
Songs
Movies
Circle of Life – Elton John
The Lion King
A Whole New World
Aladdin
Steady as the Beating Drum – Stephen Schwartz
Pocahontas
That’s What Makes the World Go Round
The Sword in The Stone
Mama’s Song – Carrie Underwood
2012
Temporary Home Carrie Underwood
Narnia Movies
So Small – Carrie Underwood
Alice in Wonderland
Change – Carrie Underwood
Peter Pan
Wheel Of The World – Carrie Underwood
Robin Hood
Play On – Carrie Underwood
The Jungle Book
Forever Changed - Carrie Underwood
A Bug’s Life
Waiting On the World to Change – John Mayer
The Lorax
To The Sky – Owl City
The Cove Movie
Father To Son – Phil Collins
Happy Feet
On My Way – Phil Collins (Brother Bear)
Yogi Bear
Saltwater – Julian Lennon
Wall-E
Earth Song – Michael Jackson
Night At The Museum
Heal The World – Michael Jackson
Hairspray
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Shrek 1, 2, 3, 4
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
The Adventures of Tintin
The Climb – Miley Cyrus
The Karate Kid
Where is The Love – Black Eyed Peas
The SpongeBob Square Pants Movie
Pray – Justin Bieber
Zoo Keeper
Wake Up America – Miley Cyrus
We Bought A Zoo
Just Stand Up – Various Artists
Up
Somewhere Over The Rainbow -  E.Y. Harburg
Slumdog Millionaire
Walking On Sunshine - Kimberley Rew
Taken 1, 2
True Colours - Cyndi Lauper
Ice Age
Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
Dumbo
Hero – Mariah Carey
Space Jam
Keep Holding On – Avril Lavigne
Avatar
Innocence – Avril Lavigne
Kung Fu Panda 1, 2
Move Along – All American Rejects
Three Idiots
Let It Be – The Beatles
Mean Girls
Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey
The Grinch Stole Christmas
Perfect (Clean version) - Pink
127 Hours
Firework – Katy Perry
13 Going On 30
Who You Are – Jessie J
Winnie the Pooh Movie
Beautiful Day – U2
Million Dollar Baby
My Wish – Rascal Flatts
Patch Adams