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.