Reflections on the Webcasted Presentation by Dr. Nellie

Today's class was an amazing and different class. It was a new experience ; all students, doctors from different departments and Dr, Nellie were connected together in an online session. Dr, Nellie was the presenter of a virtual class. She gave us a virtual online lecture or a web-casted presentation about using virtual classes in teaching . She explained the usage of different tools. She shared her screen with all of us which made it easier for me and my colleagues to follow . Also, we were able to contact with her through chatting which was a useful tool that helped us greatly to interact , reflect and ask Dr, Nellie if we have any during the class. After all, the chatting area is really amazing tool .

Although it was a nice experience, it has some disadvantages . At first, not all students were able to join the class on time. Actually, it took a long time to have all students online or joined. Secondly, Dr, Nellie -the presenter- was late which is also another issue that students or teachers who use virtual classes might face. After we joined the class and Dr, Nellie came , I could not hear her very clearly. As always, technological errors cannot be expected. As a result, I could not follow her easily. Also, I was disconnected several times during the class which made it really difficult for me to follow what she was presenting. Dr, Nellie was really amazing although I could not hear her clearly. She answered all questions that were asked by other doctors ,me and my colleagues.

When it comes to the content of the presentation, I would say it seems good but I cannot judge it because I could not hear clearly as I mentioned previously. As a result , I learned things about virtual classes but not all things. I would not use virtual classes in future because of our cultural sensitivity. I would use virtual classes only if the students are familiar with it through using others works or through audio not video recording. In my opinion, this type of classes should not be added to EDU401 syllabus or the curriculum of other courses due to cultural sensitivity towards this kinds of classes. Unless it is an audio recording and all students are familiar with it , I would not use or recommend this type of classes to be added to any course curriculum.

The Role of Web-quests in Learning a Foreign/Second Language

A new and innovative way for activities can be done through Web-quests. Web-quests are used by educators around the world to help second and foreign language learners in their learning. They provide candidates with specific resources they can use for gathering information and for solving the assigned task. It means web-quests give students a chance to read ,think critically, summarize , rewrite, reflect and do the task by their own. So, web-quests help in providing student-oriented activities that help learners to be independent in learning the target language. There will be actual learning, actual thinking and actual work. Web-quesats are inquiry-oriented lesson format that allow students to formulate questions, find solutions, investigate, discuss and reflect. In another words,students will learn independently and think critically which lead to creativity and self improvement. Through web-quests students will use the target language indirectly , they will read more and then learn better.

A teacher can design a web-quest for collaborative work too. A group of students can be asked to work collaboratively in solving a problem and finding solutions to complete a task. she can give them list of resources they can browse via web instead of traditional ordinary tasks which will give students a chance to use the target language in its natural context through browsing.

Web-quests can also used for project-based learning. A teacher can create a web-quest for final project that involve the students' problem solving, decision making, investigative skills, and reflection that includes teacher facilitation, but not direction.

In conclusion, the role of web-quest in learning a second and/or a foreign language is really effective. Web-quests can be used for individual and collaborative work that help students learn greatly and effectively.

Wordle For EDU401

GUESS what!! You can create words in Arabic too.

Reflection On the Three Weeks On EDU401 Course

EDU401( educational technology)is one of the most effective courses I have ever took. It aims to teach candidates the way of using technology in education and how technology can be used to make the learning/teaching process as effective as possible. In three weeks , I learned a lot of things that just made me feel so frustrated and maybe upset. I felt like If I were living in the stone age. Seriously, I felt like I am really outdated. Although, I use internet in e- mailing, shopping, reading, writing and more, I've never learned about using technology in teaching. I just connected technology and teaching with the usage of projectors, smart-boards and presentations. I've never thought about using it while teaching till I took this effective course. I learned a lot in such a way that I am really unhappy I wasted my time in the past. I learned how to blog in academic way.I learned how to use different websites such as: blogger, twitter, wikis and delicious not just as a student but also as a future teacher. I learned that a good teacher is the one who teaches from her heart and keep updated .However, I cannot follow or let's say I take a lot of time to do assignments(5 hours a day) which cause me a horrible headache. So, no one dare to tell me that I am a digital native. Unfortunately,I am a digital immigrant; I admit it. I wished I've took this course from the prep year and continue taking different courses and levels about technology till graduation year.At least, I would be much better in technology than what I am now. When I see how different people from different nationalities are a way better that me, I really feel so sad.In conclusion, I will not stop learning about technology. I will take different courses after graduation specified and specialized in technology to keep myself updated. Otherwise, a day will come and I will know nothing. Technology is everywhere and used everyday.

How Would I Use Blogger, Wikis and Delicious with My EFL Students?

As digital native students use technology in every aspect of life, teachers should benefit and use technology while teaching to support teaching/learning process and be so close to the students' zone. There are a lot of websites that can be used by the teacher that give the teaching/learning process a tasty flavor of flexibility and enjoyment. Blogger, wikis and the delicious delicious are some of these well-done websites.

First website is blogger. I can ask my students to create their own blogs and start blogging, commenting, summarizing and reflecting. For example,I can give my students a passage to read and ask them to summarize it through blogging. Also, I might announce for a competition of the best blog.Via blogging a lot of interaction and information exchanging happen that can help make student learn indirectly. Learning indirectly will help students use the target language naturally. Day by day , students will find themselves improving, learning and at the same time enjoying. Actually,I might ask my students to reflect on one of the videos posted by me. I might ask them to Comments on other students from different nationalities. Commenting on other blogs( their colleagues and others) will give my students a broader vision.

Second website is wiki, Although I did not discover all its features ,I can definitely use it for collaborative work between my students.I will divid my students into 3-5 students to work on a reading project.So, all 3 students will work collaboratively in editing their works. They will share and exchange information. They will learn how to deal with group-working. Actually, whenever I think of group working , I will use wikis as my platform.




Last but not the least is delicious . This is one of my favorite websites that is truly easy and delicious. I will use it with my students to add useful links that help them understand more and more. Also, I will ask each one of students to create an account and share with all benefit webs. I might concentrate in adding games and friendly webs to give my students some space to learn indirectly.

In conclusion, I will try my best to use different webs while teaching. Of course, I will make sure my students are familiar in using them so that they won't be struggling and all my objectives are lost. The most important thing that I will do is teaching my student indirectly and joyfully through out these webs. My goal is to reach a point where using the target language is part of there life as technology.

"Application of Bax Normalizations in Saudi Arabia: The how!"

Stephan Bax argues that, "Our aim should be to attain a state of `normalisation' in which the technology is invisible and truly integrated"

     According to Stephan Bax , normalization of CALL is technology being integrated and used routinely.So, it is relevant to any kind of technological revolution and refers to the stage when the technology becomes unseen, embedded in everyday practice and consequently ‘normalized’. Also,it  serves the needs of learners. Bax suggested ways to overcome obstacles that mislead to normalization of CALL. Having technology alone cannot lead to normailzation. There are several factors that we must keep in mind such as teacher's attitude ,technology and software. He proposed agenda for CALL in which technology must be changed in size, shape and position. Teachers /students attitude and curriculum should be also changed. 



  Normalization of CALL is legging behind in Saudi Arabia which can be be reached by: 
 
1- Equipping schools ,institutions and universities of regular classrooms with laptops with web access and printers.


2- Connecting schools, institutions and universities campuses wirelessly with internet  is really important and a must to do. 


3- Using projectors , smart-boards and the like routinely by teachers in every day classes and not just for language teaching. It should be used invisibly for all courses in order for normalization to take place. For example, in science classes a teacher can use webs that offers real- like experiments and present it by the projector while teaching . A math teacher can also use the smart-board to draw on y and x lines quickly and perfectly. Also, games and activities provided through webs can be used and shown by projecters. 

Projectors and smart-boards being used in class

4- Using Social net working webs, blogs and wikis even e-mails  by both teachers and students as an e- learning support for the classes instead of traditional classes with no technological uses. For example, a teacher can have an account on twitter and asks all the students to do so. Then, she can ask questions and asks students to replay. Another example , a teacher can sends e- mails for all students that includes their homework assignment or the presentation of the previous class.So, Homework assignments are increasingly submitted and returned by email rather than a paper format submission. 

Social net woking webs that can be used

5- Mobile-learning can be used also by teachers and students. Through smart-phones such as blackberries and IPhones which are widely used by adults and teenagers , teachers can suggest to students great applications that support language learning which are really helpful and can help  greatly in the process of normalization. It offers  learners various levels of interactivity that helps students to really use it in their own daily life. Furthermore, a teacher can ask students to create a group in "what's up" that is opened for discussion or ask students to write their assignments via blackberries.

blackberries that are used to do assignments

6-Uploading videos, photos for students will help student greatly. So, a teacher must have a webpage that all of students have access to and upload relevant videos and photos.


7- Using new Ipads with uploaded e-books instead of printed ones can really help in the process of normalization . Since Ipads are really good in shape and size, they can be used by teachers and be given for each student with e- school books (by the government) instead of books. Also,new Softwares can be created to make Ipads works even better and better. 

Ipads being used instead of books

  If all schools, institutions and universities are equipped in Saudi Arabia, teachers are professionals not just trained in technology , and curriculum are modified to suite technology, my country will defiantly reach the level of normalization. So, students will be familiar with technology in every aspect of life. If technology is being used as a facilitator to the teaching/ learning process and works as a bridge-gapping to deliver information easily ,clearly and effectively, the use of computers will be integrated and invisibly used.Then Saudi students will be competitive members of modern society.

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