WEEK 10 : Thanks for RELO, Oregon; Thanks for The Course and Technology

Ten weeks have passed since we officially initiated this online course with the University of Oregon. Previous to that we spent an entire week working on three different tasks; the opening of the course survey, the orientation of discussion, and the course rubric discussion. I can strongly declare that this week was one of the most fascinating and captivating weeks in the course. There was no class work, assignments and as well as no work anxiety at all; we had interest in knowing with each other and trying to increase acquaintances.

At the same time, as the course was on the go, it was the foremost chance for me to connect with any highly pioneering online courses like this one. I initiated approximately the whole things as innovative, fresh, stimulating and above all electrifying, the course, the setting, the regulations, the tasks, the best instructor, the grades etc. Not until week three, I develop into well-known with the whole things mentioned. I establish myself working ubiquitously. However when weeks passed, I was persistently acquainted by working on dissimilar targets; nicenet, blogger, and delicious.

At nicenet, each week brought two dissimilar topics and assignments; we have to fulfil the assignments by the end of the week and to post our reflections on blogger by at least one reflective post and a comment on someone else blog. Furthermore, it was extremely fascinating and riveting to me to add, from time to time, some sites I found significant into my bookmarks on delicious.com. Indeed, I have been working as a celebrant online and did my preeminent and paramount not to miss a task or waste a while without acquiring inventive and most modern information or learn creating something innovative.

The benefits I got, the understanding I amplified, and experiences I accomplished throughout this journey can be classified into three different regions:

1- Things Related to Me : The majority of significant thing I achieved and liked most is making divine friends, working with gorgeous guest moderators Dona Shaw and learning from an earnest and genial behavioured instructor Prof. Sean McClelland. I furthermore developed myself competently, resourcefully, proficiently, and above all professionally. I found this course as an infinite, boundless, countless and endless foundation of knowledge. I knew how teaching is interesting, motivating, attractive and effective with the application of technology and how fundamental technology enhances and boots to the teaching and learning process. During the two halves of the course, I learnt : How to Use the Available Technology Tools to Foster Students Learning in the Four Language Skills; What Changes Technology can do to my Lesson Planning and to the Behavioural Objectives we as Teachers make for our Students; how one computer can help me teach and manage my large classes effectively.

Furthermore, I gained magnificent experiences when creating a blog for my own reflections, a bookmarks to help me be well-organized online, a webquest for my students, creating interactive PowerPoint presentations and exercises, Excel as a grade book; an online class on nicenet for my students, ANVILL, Multiple Intelligence and many other things. The most significant thing is that I endeavoured my foremost experience in life; that is, making a final project. I didn't make a project before and it was a nice chance to try and live this experience now.

2- Things Related to My Students : The course did not serve my needs merely nevertheless in addition my students'. All the above mentioned items I gained and acquired boost, at the same time, my trainee teachers’ learning. My trainee teachers get benefits automatically. Additionally, they feel proud as they share and discuss the lesson behavioural objectives with me. Moreover using technology tools help them grow freely. They learn and will learn with modern cooperative activities, such as; project-based learning, webquest etc. They in addition become familiar with basic computer skills as they are observing, learning and using the computer in the class. Still, there are many things my trainee teachers will like and enjoy in the coming days when internet access becomes easily reached. Of these things are class sites, padlet, blackboard, reflective blog, many suggestions for best search engines, a snap Grade online etc.

3- Things Related to My Training Class : Actually, there is a huge compact of things and techniques I brought for my training class. The atmosphere has been more enjoyable as there is life and fun inside the class. As there is technology, there is life, fun and interest among the trainee teachers. I also have been applying modern and pioneering techniques and technology tools that aim at controlling and managing the class more effectively.

Indeed, this is a few of many. My efforts and hopes will not, of course, end here. I still want to learn how to create and manage an online course like this; I'd like to learn further regarding matching technology tools and equipments with my learning goals and tasks, creating and managing action mazes etc.

To wrap-up, in the ten week Web Skill course, we learnt how to teach with web technologies such as blogs, wikis, Nicenet, Delicious, Google drive, YouTube, Wallwisher (Padlet), etc. We also learnt how to create rubrics, Web Quests, Interactive Power Point presentations, create educational games similar to Jeopardy. We also learned how to write the objectives of our lessons using the ABCD style. This experience will help me play a key role in the effective delivery of e-learning initiatives in my department. Frankly speaking, I felt that all the topics that we were exposed to in the ten weeks were beneficial, interesting and of great importance to teachers. I really enjoyed each and every minute of the course. Had I been given another chance to continue the Web Skill course, I would have done so without any hesitation. In fact, I will be very happy to do so.

I am looking forward to learning further and additional from other sources, and waiting other chances to study and learn. This course arouses the desire in me to complete my academic studies. 'Building Teaching skills Through the Interactive Web ' is the first step. I am sure with firm determination, ambition and aspirations; the days will bring a lot of chances. I hope we meet again soon!!

At the end, I am extremely stunned, impressed and depressed to leave this course and those lovely friends. At the same time, I am very much proud to have the opportunity to work with great minds like you. Thank you very much my colleagues and my dear instructor Prof. Sean McClelland. I have never met and participated in such a nice group like this.

I feel short of words to express my thankfulness hence my extremely special thanks and gratitude goes to Prof. Dr. Leslie Opp-Beckman Director of eLearning, Ms. Hillary O’Brien, Mrs. Brandy J. Collier, eLearning Assistants at University of Oregon, American English Institute, Regional English Language Office {RELO}, India based US Embassy who encouraged and recommended me to the U.S. Department of States to grant me scholarship to accomplish this one of the most innovative course.

However, the overall direction and supervision is of The Almighty who always empowers and gives confidence in me throughout my course of life.

I will not say 'bye'. I couldn’t say so !!

All the best,

Dr. Ashok K. Saini

Deptt. of English Language,

State Council of Educational Research & Training,

Uttarakhand, India.

Week 10 DISCUSSION: Advice to Future Participants

Which topics worked well for me:

1)  Creating an academic web blog (www.blogger.com)

2) The ABCD learning objectives.

3) Effective web searches.

4) Bookmarking with Delicious.

5) Creating rubrics for alternative assessment.

6) Preparing interactive PowerPoint presentation by using Prezi.

7) Excellent readings about learner autonomy.

8) Opening a Nicenet class for my course.

9) Writing an observation form as a googledoc.

10)           Thinking about learning styles and technology connections.

11) Writing up a project that I apply in my training context.

What advice I have for future course participants:

1)  Don't miss out main readings!

2) Spend time on reflection!

3) Try to follow the weekly discussions on Nicenet!

4) Try to follow other participants' blogs!

5) Use your web blog as an online learning diary!

6) Spice up your web blog with some pictures that match well with weekly topics!

7) Try to apply new knowledge/skill into your current teaching context (students, curriculum, assessment, teaching materials, teaching activities/tasks, teaching methodology)

8) Last but not the least, enjoy acquiring/learning web skills!

All the best,

Dr. Ashok Kumar

Week 9 DISCUSSION: Learning Styles and Technology

I have initiated this week of study with the article

"Learning Styles 

and Strategies" written by Richard M. Felder and Barbara A. Soloman. I strongly agree that a lesson should address all the learning categories, so the teacher is to combine the all kinds of tasks. 

All categories of technology could be useful here. Intended for sensing and intuitive learners PBL could be applied. In favor of visual learners assignments should be different i.e. to create some matching scheme, diagram, etc. On the other hand for verbal learners its summarizing, analyzing, writing a plan, questions, etc.

The "Concept to Classroom: Multiple Intelligences" offered by Howard Gardner. A number of critics reveal that it is not easy to compare and classify students' skills and abilities across classrooms and that educators faced with overloaded classrooms and not have of resources see multiple intelligence theory as Utopian.

This week's assignments are rather valuable, in view of the fact that the learning styles are definitely incredible together teachers and trainee teachers should be attentive of. To generate efficient and valuable teaching resources and milieu, one have to know not just what variety of learner types there are in a class, other than in addition what could be appropriate strategy for each and every one.

The critique Multiple Intelligence in the Classroom by Bruce Campbell which endows with a motivating insight into ways how these intelligence can be put into practice. Similar to this, when it comes to my trainee teachers, I think one of the best activities to make the teachers engaged and efficient, would be to use WebQuests with mutual elements. In this way teachers will work in clusters being able to suit their style to the various tasks to be completed.

Dr. Ashok Kumar

Week 8 DISCUSSION: Online Tools to Enhance Learning

An immense march ahead, I've in addition completed this week is creating a blog for my trainee teachers. While I think of the hard time I had creating my own blog but nevertheless that I've accomplished.

I also used the blog to add some grammar points. At the same time I have also used http://hotpot.uvic.ca/ and created a matching activity reporting on the use of SO to add emphasis when we're explaining effects. 

I'm yearning to exploiting Rich Internet Applications and techniques up to a great deal further.





I have read Hot Potato and Edilim as excersise generators which can be used off line and taught trainee teachers how to use them.

I also taught trainee teachers how to create online activities in Educaplay. On the other hand, I have tried ANVILL also. 

Dr. Ashok Kumar

Week 8 TASK: Create an online course or activity

This week I have crated my class blog (https://write2saini.wordpress.com) to help my trainee teachers learning. Through this they can go through and see the current lesson plan and assignments. My trainee teachers know how to use and access if they are out of class or busy somewhere else by just clicking on list of lesson options. Assignment will be posted there on the prescribed interval. Trainee teachers are able to click on the links to see additional materials for extra practice out of the class and especially during the weekends. The trainee teachers are in core English class. They learn Basic English language for communication; especially speaking and listening.

Dr. Ashok Kumar

Week 7 DISCUSSION: More Refections

http://sisaljournal.org/archives/march12/tassinari/

I read the alloted readings on the subject of learner autonomy. In order to give a precise description or connotation of "learner autonomy" is not one of the easy tasks. The term’s approach varies from person to person, depending on what viewpoint one desires to inspect it from. Researchers may have "learner autonomy" and its sisters such as "learner independence", "Self access learning" and many more. Working in groups learners are aware of further protected and assist each other to find out and explain the activities. They further increase their own academic and touching characteristic.

In the beginning learners may find these types of methods more complicated, however as they progress, they get familiar and become extra provoked and self-assured. I used to segregate my learners into clusters and get them engage mutually. My learners contribute to and explore jointly and they develop into skilled learners.

Dr. Ashok Kumar

Week 7 DISCUSSION: Learner Autonomy, Mobile, & One Computer

I gone through the activities for mobile devices, the one-computer classroom and I have developed my Sample as follows. I have divided learners in groups of four, would be invited to formulate an interview to students on the subject of habits routines, likes and dislikes. Learners would apply their mobile phone devices in order to trace the interviews.

• Ø  Learners would develop one file of the potential queries can use during the interviews.
• Ø  Learners would have a calendar day to decide a learner from to make the interview.
• Ø  As the interview is recorded, one group of learners would demonstrate it to the other groups.
• Ø  The tutor and other senior faculty would formulate remarks in relation to the interviews.
• Ø  Learners would have a discussion on the subject of the practice of doing the activity.
• Ø  At the end learners would complete a co-evaluation and self-evaluation tool.

Functioning in groups and the substituting the familiarity action in the classroom would encourage the communication among them.

Who are the students ?

30 Learners flanked by the ages of 25 and 28, of mixed genders.

ABCD objective:

Following the listening to the enlightenment in relation to behavior and custom in present simple, learners would be capable to develop an interview and trace it by means of the appropriate glossary and indented language configuration.

Thus the application of mobile technology would encourage them and would make the activity further efficient and effectual. A number of learners in my group are equipped with cell phones, tablets, iPods and iPads. In my classroom there is one computer and a projector to display the recorded videos etc. 

I have created the following Padlet for Learner Autonomy, Mobile, & One Computer --

http://padlet.com/wall/webskills4drsaini

Dr. Ashok Kumar