Course is over...summing up - I have come far and got what I wanted - I am much more knowledgeable about what is there - and I have a little facility in using tools. I need to do some reflection and let it all sink in...going to pickup and finish the learnIT2teach Stage Four and will mull over whether to do Part Two of the Ace course. I'll have to see the course abstract....Here's my course feedback to ACE The ACE Certificate in Language Teaching and Technology – Part One Please rate your satisfaction with the following sections and aspects of the course, with a 1 being dissatisfied, a 3 being satisfied and a 5 being very satisfied. Please put any comments about a specific section or aspect directly underneath your rating. Dissatisfied Satisfied Highly Satisfied 1. Orientation (Section 1.0) 1 2 3 4 5 Frankly – a distant memory! I think it was a good “hands on” introduction”. Funny how I sweated over the drop box – ha! A piece of cake now. 2. Language Education and Technology (Section 2.0) 1 2 3 4 5 This was a very important part of the course although I was in shock at first as I dealt with it. It put demands on me intellectually – and I am the better informed for it, and the more confident in my own ability to learn (again). (An unexpected secondary gain!) I have a much better understanding of some of the issues regarding language learning and technology and am more prepared to follow and be part of the unfolding debate about using technology for language learning. 3. Technology Tools (Section 3.0) 1 2 3 4 5 Well, cool, very cool!!! I think there was a good choice of what tools to show us. It was an introduction, but a hands on introduction that really developed a level of comfort (for a beginner) with what is available. AND on Sunday I was able to show my son, the computer programmer, a tool that he had not seen (Screenr. Hehehehe) I didn't love Blackboard – the Powerpoint stuff and the back and forth – but I got used to it. 4. Overall satisfaction with the course 1 2 3 4 5 Very, very grateful. Thank you. 6. Overall satisfaction with the course materials 1 2 3 4 5 Computers are tricky little blighters and some of the links not opening was maddening – but I think that under the circumstances this is to be expected and they were generally fixed pretty quickly (or I worked a way around them) The content – very satisfied – I can't believe how much I learned and how far I have come. Good choice of articles, links and videos. All interesting and relevant – challenging – jusst a little, but not beyond my comfort zone. beyond the 7. Overall satisfaction with the instructor 1 2 3 4 5 Sheri was incredibly unflappable and steady and steadying - and I appreciated all her guidance and comments. It was a pleasure having her as an instructor. Many thanks. Any other comments? This was an amazing experience. The course really put tools into my hands that have taken me from the realm of digital illegal alien to digital new immigrant.....(my children being digital natives)

Home | Online Instructional Media Masters Degree | Discovery Education & Wilkes University

Home | Online Instructional Media Masters Degree | Discovery Education & Wilkes University

Might be way out in left field but I might try to check it outl

100+ Google Tricks for Teachers | TeachHUB

100+ Google Tricks for Teachers | TeachHUB

DEVOLVER MOVIE

Also didn't upload...I need to go get the URL.../

Dvolver Moviemaker. Make digital movies online. Formerly Dfilm. Make.

Dvolver Moviemaker. Make digital movies online. Formerly Dfilm. Make.

Screenr - claudieg: A brief tour of eslclaudie's wiki to familiarise students with the features.

Screenr - claudieg: A brief tour of eslclaudie's wiki to familiarise students with the features.

5 Minute Guide to Screencasting | Audio & Video Tools for Educators | Scoop.it

5 Minute Guide to Screencasting | Audio & Video Tools for Educators | Scoop.it

Looks quite simple (now about that CONTENT.....)

Trying to Teach: Twitter 101

Trying to Teach: Twitter 101

Engrade

Engrade

Wonderopolis

Wonderopolis

Via Marla ...sweet...what a wonderful world for educators to share - must be so exciting...

I'm procrastinating as I need to get down to writing and doing the last three modules before midnight tonight..and it is now 2.25 a.m......but it is all on track...ideas have been fulminating, I know this is THE BIG MOMENT when it all needs to come together...(well, Computer room is not) but the final module will be the sum up for me... back to the clickclick tiktik..

Envisioning Computer Labs as Collaborative Learning Environments (Pilot Program/Emerging Technology) | EDUCAUSE.edu

Envisioning Computer Labs as Collaborative Learning Environments (Pilot Program/Emerging Technology) | EDUCAUSE.edu

I'm glad I took the time to watch this - trends in computer lab provision/design".  Although it talks about university settings it made me think about some aspects of teched and ESL

1. What is the impact of our learning spaces on learning outcomes (especially the computer lab.)(Ours -  uncomfortable, no teacher station, no whiteboards (interactive that is. There is a regular whiteboard but to get to it I would have to climb over a row of computers.)  What would be optimum  layout, tools.  How do you get management to consult with teachers (never mind students) about what is needed for the computer room?
2.How do you balance the students attitude toward computers - a). Computers are for quiet concentrated learning b). Computers are for collaborative sharing teamwork.
3.We should be collecting data as to how the computers are being used in ESL/LINC (government money - is there ROI?) AND how do we measure the impact - outcomes? are ESL instructors in a position to teach digital literacy, computer training? If not - who should be doing this?

wow - I thought this would be really straightforward, rather boring element - turned out to be really thoughtprovoking...

Open source software | matbury.com

Open source software | matbury.com

All roads lead to Classroom Management....just starting the last module (although I haven't finished  Computer Labs and am leaving VIDEO till last in case it goggles up too much time)

Matt has given me some thoughts (framework) as to how I would set up my MLS... thinking, thinking...

10 creative ways to teach English that deliver outstanding results | Teacher Network | guardian.co.uk

10 creative ways to teach English that deliver outstanding results | Teacher Network | guardian.co.uk

Miss Prism's Classroom - Home

Miss Prism's Classroom - Home



THIS IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY - FUN - ENGAGING - NOT TOO SERIOUS - BUT SERIOUS....GOOD MODEL FOR ME (SHE USED  WEEBLY)

Open source software | matbury.com

Open source software | matbury.com

Another poster from ESLInternational

Webinars: Making a website with your class

 ELT training - free webinars but also "paid for " courses.... This webinar about using weebly (haven't checkd it out yet - came through one of the groups I follow - noticed she is using Moodle...

Webinars: Making a website with your class

Bookr - "Seasons" by Claudieg

It seems that most of the other TESLOntario students have finished the course.  I am trying not to panic again.

 I think I am a couple of marks away from reaching the minimum of 70% - have 5 modules to finish and post - but I have been working and reflecting on them and the writing should go fast. I will leave videos till last as I am sure that will be the most challenging. I have done the reading for Publisher produced Technology tools - just have to bring it together.

I will use this last week - we were given it after all - to keep working slowly and methodically and make the most of this opportunity I have been given to learn.

The biggest problem I am having is dealing with the excitement at each new tool...who knew what was out there!!!!

Vocabulary Class: esl, esol, vocabulary | Glogster EDU - 21st century multimedia tool for educators, teachers and students

Vocabulary Class: esl, esol, vocabulary | Glogster EDU - 21st century multimedia tool for educators, teachers and students

phenomenal!

Screenr - whistlepunch: Part one of using Bookr

Screenr - whistlepunch: Part one of using Bookr

 Brrrr (can't use cool again...)

hmm, short how to videos by whistlepunch...

Pronunciation: what, why, when and how? (an #eltchat summary) « Sandy Millin

Pronunciation: what, why, when and how? (an #eltchat summary) « Sandy Millin

need to send this to Monica..

How to train students to use technology appropriately (an #eltchat summary) « Sandy Millin

How to train students to use technology appropriately (an #eltchat summary) « Sandy Millin

Disegni della natura - Funghi - a gallery on Flickr

Disegni della natura - Funghi - a gallery on Flickr

 Cooler and cooler....making a gallery on Flickr

Free Photos - Free Images - Royalty Free Photos - Free Stock Photos - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Free Photos - Free Images - Royalty Free Photos - Free Stock Photos - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Photo Pin : Free Photos for Bloggers via Creative Commons

Photo Pin : Free Photos for Bloggers via Creative Commons

3.9  IMAGES...
I have been looking forward to this for weeks....

yesterday was a huge challenge....Audio.  My son gave me a wonderful iPod a couple of years ago and I couldn't work out how to use it so my daughter "borrowed' it.  I wonder if I could get it back now.

I feel like a member of a primitive tribe who has just stumbled into the 21st Century....

Talkgroup » ACE Language Teaching and Technology

Talkgroup » ACE Language Teaching and Technology

My Voicethread. - another milestone... achievement!

Took me all day to workout how to do a voicethread - but I did it!  No glitches, just panic.

Great feature - looking forward to using it...

Now on to VOXOPOP

How U.S. And Chinese Classrooms Use Education Technology

How U.S. And Chinese Classrooms Use Education Technology

I'd like to see what the results for Canada would be...

English Grammar Reference and Exercises

English Grammar Reference and Exercises

I could have put this into the mind map (had I know about it yesterday!!!0 I put  www. cbc/ottawa/esl   - which is still a great resource for introducing students to the fact that they can do some independent learning online...and it is Canadian content.

This one is much more developed...have to check it out - it was placed on scoop

Videos - Creative Commons

Videos - Creative Commons

Building on the past.....(name of one of the videos...)

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons

Ever so cool...and it is Commons...

7 Things You Should Know About... Learning Technology Topics | EDUCAUSE.edu

7 Things You Should Know About... Learning Technology Topics | EDUCAUSE.edu

EDUCAUSE......I'm glad I was introduced to this resource through the course... I will pass it on through TUTELA.  Thanks.

45 minutes this morning on the line to India to discuss the corrupted file that was preventing me from opening my e-mail and the day went into the Internet  toilet from there.

 So many frustrations with links and BAD passwords (in RED, on the Bubbl.us login. BAD PASSWORD!!!!! FOR SHAME.  Not mine - on the Blackboard course link But took about two hours to get sorted out with Sheri.) )  Around 10.00a.m. I blogged  that I was getting into Collaboration Tools - it is now 6.44 and I still haven't finished the tasks for 3.8 (Collaborations tools.)  3.8, but the handouts say 3.9.  Handout says "Add at least two nodes..", but the Bubbl.us site says "Add one idea..." What's a girl to do???....glitches, inaccuracies, confusions,  a ton of new concepts and tools and ideas to absorb....I could scream.

I was getting dispirited and angry and then I opened a link (still in 3.8)  that said "Social Bookmarking" and it was about "Social Networking" and the absurdity of expecting perfection and instant response and that things would work on the computer hit me and I started laughing - which is where I am now.

All I can think about is that if the experts who have been dong this for years can't get it all right - what am I going to do?  I am rather enjoying being in the position of student and experiencing these frustrations - as I foresee  how I am going to feel when the small small issues become critical and my frustrated students are the ones sending me multiple whining e-mails....

So, OK, that's it!!  I am gong to be very careful about promoting computer use in our ESL environment.  If I do use it - it will be at the simplest level - and at the slowest pace - and I am again taking pressure off myself that this is what I HAVE to do.  I don't have to do anything.

Today was another eyeopener as I read about concept mapping, and simultaneous editing, and bookmarking - social and otherwise...
Here's my introductory paragraph to TASK THREE of 3.8..  I think it is funny....(but a bit sad...)

"How did I record or save web addresses until about five days ago? Hahahahaha! I saved them in Open Office “Bookmarks” or “Favourites” when I used Internet Explorer. Once or twice I trolled all the way up and down a list looking for “Great Crab Cake Recipes” or “How to Fix the Toilet”. For the most part they skulked behind the button.. and then they drifted off into the etherworld."

I created a wall through wallwisher

I did!  I wanted to embed it here but did not know how.  Copied and pasted code...then lost it...

I don't have time to look for it now...

Working full steam to get the modules done before end of week.  At 3.8 - Collaboration tools - very interesting and very new to me. Heard of Bubble.us "Bubblicious" (some kind of chewing gum??) Well, going there now.

I tried to open the ACE sample wall but it would not open...???

Well, just have to keep on trying to work it out...

19 free text to speech tools for educators

 I'm adding this as it is nice and concise....useful....



19 free text to speech tools for educators

25 Things Successful Educators Do Differently

25 Things Successful Educators Do Differently


 Haven't blogged for a few days - been so busy - field trip, Valentine's Day, prep for Flag Day and Family day...and trying to get the modules done...have done a lot of the prep work, now reflecting, will get down to it all soonest...just my style I guess. I can't read something and then just answer immediately (well, some I can, but not the material that is either new to me or needs thought)  Came across this (was in the TESLOntario newsbrief..

clean, concise,  all common sense - but we need reminding at times. Keep it simple....

After this course - ongoing PD? - English Village Online - much of what we have done in our course

Electronic Village Online / Call_for_Participation2013

Briar J had sent me this - To be honest it looked too complicated. Now that I know more about the tech tools I would be able to participate...(it says it was for "false beginners" - I was a real beginner) ...maybe good for ongoing PD

Snapchat, a Growing App, Lets You See It, Then You Don’t - NYTimes.com

Snapchat, a Growing App, Lets You See It, Then You Don’t - NYTimes.com

There is a growing realisation that all this "sharemageddon" is generating tons of "cyberwaste'...and every click cost electricity...gotta be a problem there...

BROWSERS  - what are they?

Stay tuned.....

Social Bookmarking - solution to my previous question

How to remember and organise all my "bookmarks"?  Just as I was getting concerned about not remembering what I had posted or bookmarked - along came "Social Bookmarking" - and I discovered  Delicious and Diigo...

Here's a blog about teaching English to Italians that makes me smile...and informs me

Teaching English to Italians

 I read this for the Conditional - and stayed for the fun...

tifle2007 - home

tifle2007 - home

Interesting article about wikis and wikispaces - e.g. of setting one up.

100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media In the Classroom - Online Universities.com

100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media In the Classroom - Online Universities.com

It is beginning to be difficult to remember what I shared already . I guess one has to have some kind of app for this... or place where it is entered...like the address book idea for passwords....

97% Overall Satisfaction Rate by Parents of Helen Doron Early English Students in Germany

97% Overall Satisfaction Rate by Parents of Helen Doron Early English Students in Germany

I do not know much about this method - but agree that a warm nurturing environment encourages language learning - something to remember when we are delivering LINC and ESL programs - and something that seems to be absent in the theoretical underpinnings of the  formulistic, checklist, benchmark approach...

Why The English Language Rules The World - No Really, Why? - All News Is Global |

Why The English Language Rules The World - No Really, Why? - All News Is Global |

Live Instructor/Teacher - better for some tasks than online, asynchronous

I discovered that online learning asynchronous  has a huge downside for me when it comes to learning technical knowledge.

  I was very frustrated by the wordprocessing and formatting task.  I longed for those far off days when I sat at the typewriter (not electric) and Miss Whateverhernamewas explained the activity - and off we went - and she hovered over us and was there to help us through the knotty parts. If I needed some quick help I could ask the student next to me.

 Trying to find answers online was infuriating - and a terrible waste of time.  I spent over six hours on that dratted activity - I do know how to wordprocess, frame, insert. I thought it would be so easy - then I met with all kinds of small bugs and fell apart.

I do not feel I am in a "class".  Although we have had some contact here and there I do not want to bother the others, or the instructor, with all the small issues so I struggled and struggled.  If there had been someone next to me to ask I'm sure the issues would have been cleared up in minutes.  All the "videos" and "tutorials" and ASK.com pages and posts were no substitute for a quick hands on demonstration.

(And yes, I am only now starting Module 3.4)

Browsers - history and features - much to learn

I thought I could write the Broswer and Reader task in about half an hour.  It took me several hours as I realised that I really did not know much about browsers.  Well, I am a little more educated (and know where to go to get more information when I need it.)  Again, glad I took the time.  I enjoyed learning about the history of browsers (well, the Internet in general)  I am a bit more informed now (Netscape - Navigator - Internet Explorer - Opera (small) - Mozilla Forfire (open source) - Apple Safari - Google Chroma.  Before this they were just words to me and I truly did not know what they were.  Catching up.

I am trying not to worry about where everyone else is...there is pressure but I know that it is important for me to be thorough.

I just created a "blog for work"....to commitment to fostering a love for learning and teaching English as a Second (or Third, or Fourth!) language...