Hello visitors,

Working on Project-Based Learning is an interesting topic that we covered during the fifth weeks and is very important because it is the kind of tasks that motivate students and enhance the HOTs (Higher Order Thinking skills) and encourage collaborative learning. It is important to determine the enabling skills and prior knowledge that pupils need to be taught (or should know already) in order to complete a project successfully. Prerequisite skills include language (grammar), computer and organizational skills; for example:
_ how to use a search engine
_ how to use an online dictionary and encyclopedia
_ how to summarize information in pupils’ own words
_ how to ask a research question
_ how to distinguish between useful and non-useful resources
_ how to be a critical appraiser of websites
_ how to divide the work load efficiently among group members
_ how to use a graphic organizer
The language proficiency, level and age of the class, and pupils’ computer skills will determine what enabling skills must be taught.
Collaborative learning also happens between the participants of the course. Each one shares his/her experience and opinion. Although we have different background, we have agreed on the core of the fifth week which is that projects are very important and they are a good task to do in the classroom where technology takes a great deal while working together.
In one of the classes I asked my students to be creative and invent things from material that they don't use anymore. They came up with lots of marvelous inventions and for good purposes. They worked in groups of boys and girls who will never work together in a regular classroom.
Learning through projects is a wonderful way to acquire the language, build self-esteem, and attract attention to what your students are capable of doing. What you need is to spark them and let them work. You will be amazed from their imagination.

Best,
Maha

Here I am अगं

Hello everyone,
It has been a long time since I reflect on my blog. In fact I was in a workshop for three days in a place near Jerusalem. The workshop is about CRELL (Conflict Resolution for English Language Learners) I thought of the CRELL program and the technology in the classroom and found out that there are few things in common. Throughout Building English Skills, we are mainly solving problems, especially those who have no computers, no Smart boards, no internet, etc.
Conflict resolution provides the educators with a series of skills that increase the teachers' and students' awareness of the intergroup conflict। It can also enlighten them with methods to overcome difficulties during their career.

Maha

Just Say WoW

Today, I have learned how to share a file with you. It took me a while to figure it out till I got aid from Deborah. I was in conflict to whether to upload it or not.

Now I become expert and I can upload many useful files that are prepared for the technology lessons.

Enjoy it!!

Maha

Personal Reflection

Hello Readers,
Over three weeks in "Building Language Skills" I have learned many things. Although the beginning was typical, the surprises came next. After the introduction on the part of the participants and the instructor, which have been done friendly and respectfully, I got the feeling that I am familiar with the group, familiar with the fact that all of them are English teachers and we have the same experience and the same hopes. Adding to this secure feeling was the rubric and the conditions for our communication and responses.
The big step was followed in the second week when we were asked to open a "blog", something that I wanted to do from long time ago but kept postponing it due to my hectic schedule. But, I discovered that it was the most interesting thing to be done. It is easy, challenging, and out of the ordinary to be used in the classroom. I would recommend it for my high school students to work through a blog instead of sending their work to my email. By this, they will have the opportunity to learn from each other, comment on each other and at the same time read my comments too.
Following the blog, real and familiar work started. Every one of the participants in the course shared his/her favorite websites that they use in their teaching and with their students. I even opened a document for useful sites to keep as a reference when there is a need to use or recommend them to my students or colleagues.
All in all, so far everything is smoothly done with lots of learning of new things from the instructor and my colleagues as well. Metaphorically speaking, hand in hand we can do better in our life, career and teaching.

.

Week Three:Google and Beyond

Dear all,

Search engines are very essential for anyone surfing the web. Educators, in general, use different sorts of search engines. For this, it is important to teach students some criteria about using more reliable sites than others. One has to ask him/herself the following questions concerning the sites they are using:
Reliability
· To what extent can we count on the information provided at this site?
· Is the information authentic?
· Is it cited correctly?
Accessibility
· Is the site/article easy to find?
· How logically is the information organized?
Currency
· Is the information presented on the site current and updated regularly?
· Is the material relevant? When was it written?
Efficiency
· What can the site tell you?
· How fast can we access the information?
· Is it loaded with irrelevant material, which prolongs the search?
· Is the information laid out in a logical fashion, so that the readers can easily locate what they need?
Objectivity
· Can we trust the information for being pure facts and not opinions?
· Is the information included biased and not a mask for advertising or political/religious campaign?

I uploaded some pictures that show my students and I using technology while working on tasks in the English Learning Center

Best

Maha

Week Two:Blogging

Hi all,

Creating a personal blog is a new thing for me although I have previous knowledge about other kinds of private sites such as facebook, network, homepage, website, etc. Personally speaking, I find it very appealing to work through the blog. It is more attractive and challenging with a hypothetically competition with my colleagues

So May God Bless you all

Maha

This is my first time creating a blog. It is so easy and simple. Still, I have to learn more about using this blog for class purposes. I am sure that I will learn lots of things from my colleagues.

We all will help, aid and think about the material we will learn through out the course.

Just like this image, some of us will follow. Some will hold hands of others. Some will have a rest waiting for those who are late. Others will be in the front and urging the rest to follow.