Reanimating the blog

Get a Voki now!


It's ages since I wrote my last post. Why? The usual lack of time would be the easiest reply. I might also argue that so many issues filled my thoughts that I could not choose one to write about. So let's start all over again so that my blog does not die from sustained starvation.

I'll try to make a summary of my worries as a teacher-learner during 2008:
1. I have been trying to find a way to integrate technology in a context where computers and fast connections are not easily available.
2. I have been thinking of ways to develop students' creativity and expression
3. I have been trying to arise students' motivation
4. I have been exploring ways to foster students' higher order thinking and long-lasting learning

These are the resources I have been trying:
1. Projectors
2. Video
3. PowerPoint
4. Graphic organizers

How did all this unfold? Well, I introduced the concept of graphic organizers to my colleagues after I attended a conference by William Grabe at Buenos Aires 34th International Book Fair. I had heard of GOs but I didn't know how exactly they were used. Then I wrote a project to gradually integrate them as a resource for content subjects. I have not been able to use them myself yet, since my students' English language skills are very basic.
But I didn't rest until I found a way to use an innovative resource in my class. So I started learning how to download videos (educational and music clips) and show them on a screen with the school's new projector. This experience pushed my students to create their own clips. There was no time for careful production but I will work on this in 2009. I'm already brooding some ideas which I will discuss in following posts.
Finally, my first love: PowerPoint. One never forgets first loves, do we? I asked my 1st year students (15 year-olds mainly) to create quiz presentations about superlatives. They enjoyed the task a lot and some of them took it very seriously, researching about "the most..." for their presentations. Again, lack of time prevented me from making the final presentation as I had planned.
So one of my New Year Resolutions for 2009 is to go on working on these 2008 outlines. Maybe a more careful planning will help me come with a full-year project that I can carry out and see the fruits of at the end of the year.
This blog will also be a resource to make connections with people working on similar ideas.
Stay tuned!