Enhancing Lesson Plans with Technology

After reading the article on "Using the Internet in ESL Writing Instruction"
Jarek Krajka I felt refreshed with ideas that have been right there but I haven't been applying latelty. Improving writing skills through the use of sources that provide more information and background on general issues, discussing about books in a forum or being able to post opinions that our students have can really make a difference in their learning.
Applying technological tools such as a lap top / over head projectors / using web sites / inviting them to practice through Power Point presenations and so many other strategies really helps us create a richer environment in our classes.
As I was going through this link http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Krajka-WritingUsingNet.html I kept discovering more and more ideas. I automatically thought about the application of some actitivies in different grades I have access to through my coordinator's position.
Today at our teachers's weekly meeting I reminded my staff that I opened a blog so we could use this space to communicate and share ideas. That there would be no penalization or extra dollars at the end of the month by signing up, but that they would feel good to share and have a space to learn from each other and receive fresh information that helps us all improve our instructions as educators.
As I kept showing the different links their bodies started moving towards the screan of my computer, their eyes, wide open, showed interest and realized how important is to open up to new ideas, apply them and see how students react.
I feel invited to continue searching and feel safe to know that I will definitely find enticing ideas to motivate students learning experience :)

CALL in Teaching Foreign Languages..

After reading the article "The Employment of CALL in Teaching Second / Foreign Languages" by Julia Gong I am amazed at how behind we are here in Paraguay in terms of techonogical tools and softwares in language institutions.

I was amazed at reading about softwares that can help kids hear their voices and even web sites in which they can get an actually interact with others.

My point of view about all this is that there should be a balance of everything. There is nothing that replaces a human contact in class. Students benefit from the real teacher and partners who they have to deal with and learn to interact socially and share academically.

I agree with the fact that applying Call strategies students are exposed to exercises up to their levels and that they are not facing constant feedback which may not be as friendly many times. But there is nothing like real interaction with peers and even experiencing the real culture through senses and activities.


I was curious on finding out more about Voice of America after reading so much about this site in the article. Oh my!!! That is such a wonderful web site!! These things can be applied in the classroom, they can be used to have real discussions!! The videos, the text, the scripts, the listening comprehension you can do!!!

Just to sum up. I believe we should open up to new strategies and to new techonology that our students are already using. Many teachers learn from younger students nowadays, don't tell me it is not true!!
So, why not applying their interests in our classrooms with a touch of culture.
Always, keeping in mind that leaving them infront of a computer is not enough. Showing them our interest, supporting them through issues we discuss in class, exposing them to culture of the language they are learning and providing constant human interaction could really help us to make a true balance.

And of course there is a lot more we can do as educators... a lot more!!

My Deliciously Delicious page :)

This made me feel good and finally organized!
Since I work with different levels of proficiency at the school and the language institute I work at it is very hard to keep track of all links I find useful.
By searching into the Delicious page I signed it right away and of course felt a bit lots with all the tags and sublevels I am expected to use, but it is very simple to use and it is just a matter of practice.
I was surprised realizing that another partner has been using this for quite a while. I am learning from my partners at the course so much!! Thank you!
This is really useful in preventing you from spending time remembering or miss spelling words trying to search that great link you had found a long time ago.
This will give me great tools to organize my classes more and show share this with teachers that work with us.
Very useful!! Thank you

Creating a Blog for teachers

I was too concentrated trying to choose a class of students where I could apply my project task. But all of a sudden, came the idea of actually applying this with a group of teachers at the institute I work at.
I believe creating a blog with certainly help us be more connected. It will serve as a media we will use to share links, activities and suggestions at any time.
TEacher meetings at the work place can sometimes be very limited. We hardly ever have time for this reunions, and teachers feel they "have to be there" because it is part of the job.
But ... education, sharing knowledge, being involved, requires more than just attending meetings. Perhaps opening a blog with my colleagues could help us get closer and find a space to share, comment and learn from each other.
Why not? Well... This may not be new for most of you... but it certainly is for me. Now I am going to advertise my new blog and invite people to join it. We'll see what happens...

Writing Objectives

Writing objectives could be a real challenge for teachers. Especially those who do not have a clear objective set in mind, weather it should be related to academic purposes or social, behavioral or any other area.
After reading the article Writing Objective, The Best Choice according to the Experts, I came to realize that there were main points I was forgetting to mention when writing objectives or even when sharing with my students what I expect them to perform or accomplish. The ABCD method (Heinich, et al., 1996)reminds us to pay attention to all details including the degree that you would want them to accomplish the objectives you plan. We need to be realistic and careful in forseeing the possibilities our students have. Sometimes we tend to be unrealistic and expect too much, or vice versa, we tend to underestimate their production and tend to level them within certain limits.
A teacher being conscious of all factors could have great rapport with students, create more ownership and receive respect and recognition, creating a good learning environment.

On Line Training

Welcome to my blog.
I would like to welcome you all for discussions about the topics in the online training course.