Week 7

This week tasks had to do with learner autonomy and a one-computer activity/lesson and choosing our partners for peer reviewing of our projects.

I read a couple of articles, one of each of the topics previously mentioned above.

I have to say that promoting learner autonomy in my classroom has always been a struggle. I have realized that sometimes I demand students to learn or do certain activities and even do well on tests, but I don't usually give them all the necessary tools and/or strategies to achieve that. I will definitely be paying more attention to this and try to limit my talking time, so I can have a more learner-centred classroom. I have already started making some changes; one of them is displaying posters on tips for taking written tests. I still have to make them more aware of that and if I have to use our L1 to deliver those strategies, I will use it with no doubt.

Another thing I learned on the convention I attended (venTESOL) is that, when grading written homework, we should use a highlighter to emphasize what they have done well because we tend to focus on mistakes mainly. We should not correct spelling or vocabulary. We have to make them realize by themselves what's wrong and give them opportunities to correct it and hand it in back again. This could be done on-line using a google doc. We will be saving paper and using technology at the same time, and if we have a projector we could brainstorm ways to improve what has been written. I strongly believe they will feel much better and will be more motivated to do better.

When trying to integrate technology into my lessons, I tend to use my laptop as there aren't any computer labs. There are some activities that can be done using a laptop, like showing them something written on power point slides in very big fonts, but I feel restrained from trying to do more in the classroom as I lack a projector. I would love to show them videos and even tutorials on how to use websites and/or tools. I usually give them assignments for them to do in their computers at home; it works fine sometimes but some other times it doesn't.

That's it for this week...