Learning Theories

While using e-classes put in mind the learning theories.


http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/index.htm


 http://infed.org/mobi/learning-theory-models-product-and-process/


 http://infed.org/mobi/what-is-pedagogy/



Research into Teacher Effectiveness

 http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/01/178056/the-hurdle-of-native-speaker-requirement-for-english-language-teachers/

Useful Resources for English Teachers

http://techteachingworldwide.blogspot.com.eg/


http://www.deborahhealey.com/

Digital Citizenship

Teachers and students alike use the internet.  Some teachers do not use internet irresponsibly. Students often use digital tools without realizing their responsibility to use digital tools/services/forums/ respectfully and safely. They often ignore the rights of others and at the same time project themselves to threats.

I was getting introduced to website called ilearn. Browsing through a number  of archived projects I found a great project created by students  to all youth worldwide.

"This project is developed to help our native digital users become aware of their rights and responsibilities and to spread the message to benefit the wider community.

The project aims at making students aware of their responsibility while working online. Students will understand the term ‘Digital Citizenship’ and what it means in their context. They will learn Digital etiquettes, make conscious efforts to practice them and spread them amongst their friends and family. They will become aware of e-safety by learning about common web threats such as computer viruses (spyware, malware, adware, phishing, & pharming) and web issues such as copy right laws, cyber bullying, and plagiarism.

The project is really edifying and informative. It is for young learners but it can be adapted to elementary students. As an English  teacher  I will assign my students have a look on the project watch videos about digital citizenship and  write a post entry about it.

http://www.digitalcitizenship.nsw.edu.au/Prim_Splash/index.htm

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/10/5-excellent-videos-to-teach-your.html

 http://blog.tesol.org/digital-citizenship-materials-from-common-sense-media/#more-7491

 Here is an interesting article on how to use google docs.

http://blog.tesol.org/google-docs-for-collaborative-writing-activities/

Using E- Classes to Enhance ESL

The internet hosts a number of platforms for creating online classes that can help enhance English language teaching and learning. Many of these platforms are free and easy-to-use. Unfortunately, many teachers are not familiar with these platforms. Creating online classes is a means of reaching out students, engaging them more, extending the learning behind the walls of the classroom, fostering students-centered learning and improving their skills.  Even if the educational institute does not provide enough internet access, students can be oriented to use the platform in the technology class. They would visit their online classes and do assignments at home.

Online classes can play a real role in reaching out students in the digital age, developing their language skills, and make students inspired, motivated and empowered. The online platforms can be used to upload soft copies of materials and put announcements, share links, and assess students. Students can also share links to helpful resources, and peer review their work. Thus, using e-learning platforms will assert self-expression and students' responsibility for their own learning. 

The aim of this post is to introduce teachers to a number of free platforms for hosting online classes to enhance the teaching and learning processes. These platforms can be used differently according to the teacher's design of the curriculum. 

Nicenet 

Edmodo

WizIQ

Moodle

Facebook

Blogger

wordpress

google groups

  Each platform can incorporate other free tools to better enhance the teaching and learning process. 

TED Talks for EFL

 Here is an interesting post on using using TED Talks improve their English language.


http://blog.tesol.org/ted-talks-for-english-language-teaching/


I use TED Talks a lot. I assign definite Talks for students to summarize and comment on.  As  such, I integrate the listening and writing skills. I am also thinking about assigning  students giving voice reflection on the videos. On the first time I assign talks  students are not familiar with this free, helpful, edifying resource. Once they get introduced, they begin to use it widely to extend their knowledge and improve their English language. 

Khan Academy for ELT

Here are two blog posts on how to use Khan Academy for English language teaching.
Khan Academy for elt part-1

Khan Academy for elt part-2

Enhancing Reading:


http://www.cristinacabal.com/?p=7168