Loss or  Gain?

• End of the course?

• End of exploration? 

• End of excitement? 

• End of constructive thinking?

• End of the  good guidance of Donna in reshaping of teaching techniques?

• End of friendship with my so good colleagues of different countries across the world?

NO. Nothing can end all these things. Surely, the course is dying out very fast. Only few hours are left. But, this is only a physical disappearance of the course from my life. This is just an apparent disconnection of the course with me. 

The course  has had a profound influence in my teaching life. Still I can recollect the initial excitement I felt when I was selected for the course. Is that excitement over? Obviously not? At the end of the course I am equally excited rather meaningfully excited as that time I became excited on the point that I had got a chance to attend a course without knowing much about the course. But this time I know the real value and effectiveness of the course. So I am excited that I have got enlightened about various technology tools for teaching English.
While working with the course I had to explore many things. In the 1st week I had the chance to know about rubrics and to create a blog.The second week introduced me to hundreds of useful sites which were completely unknown to me. This was the week in which I had a good reading and discussion about ABCD model. The third week remains delicious with www.delicious.com. In fact, this was the week when I first knew and used such a great and effective link to store my necessary web links. The week also introduced me to CULL and to a lot of websites. But unlike the second week these sites were more specified. The fouth week made me acquainted to some sites in which ready made materials for teaching/learning ESL/EFL were available. I also prepared a  lesson plan in this week. The 5th week came with new thins. In this week I got the chance to read about alternative assessment. I had a quest for the Web quest. I also made a rubrics for an argumentative easy. In week first we talked about rubrics but in this week we made rubrics by ourselves.
The week six will remain memorable for interactive  power point  presentation, about the discussion on interaction in a large class size.Week seven was no less important as this week we read and discussed about how to engage students in a large size context. It also talked about how to make a one computer class  successful. Week eight came with new test of ANVILL and the webinar about ANVILL. Submitting the project draft was also a remarkable advance of this week. Discussion about multiple intelligence and different learning styles was also very much useful. But the vital thing of the ninth week was the final submission of the course project. Week 10 also maintained same excitement. This week we got the chance to justify our position as technology users. We were asked to post some suggestions for future participants. To me this was obviously a nice piece of job. I enjoyed it as I wanted to tell something from my piratical experience and the lessons coming out of mistakes.  Thus, throughout the course I got the chance to learn a lot about different aspects of   teaching English using tools, technology and scientific approaches.

While such is the reality, should the things be forgotten? Can the excitement or exploration be over? Can the knowledge of critical disappear? Can Donna's guidelines be lost in oblivion?  Can I be a past to my friends like collegues? So, nothing is lost with the end of the course. Rather there is a lot of achievement to go ahead, to look forward and to bring about positive things. It is just the beginning of new things of new avenues and of new loftiness.

Thanks to Donna, thanks to colleagues.

Khayrul 

  Reflections: Week 9

Just a week is left. After the period the journey of two and half a month will come to an end.Even this week has been a very successful one as the previous ones. Surely the previous week was the climax. In that week we had a lot of new and exciting experiences. Knowing about ANVILL, sharing with Jeff in Nicenet, webinar with  Jeff, creating a Nicenet class, and developing some exercises using different websites added a lot to my knowledge. The week was a hectic one as I had to prepare and submit the draft project. It was also a remarkable week as in that week I got the experience of being a peer reviewer for the first time in my life.

The present week, a denouement,  is also a very effective week. Discussion about multiple intelligence and  different learning styles was very meaningful and resourceful. It has enriched me a lot. The participants  made some knowledgeable discussions. Donna's comments were also encouraging and directive.

 The first half of the week became a hectic one for me as I had to spend most of the time in preparing final project. However, I submitted it almost at the eleventh hour. While preparing the project for final submission, I tried to honor my reviewer's suggestions. In fact, the project has contributed a lot to build up my confidence for future endeavor.

Khayrul

   

Reflections: Week 8

There were a lot to learn in the last week. We talked about the autonomy of the students. We had a good discussion on how to engage learners in the learning process and how to make a one computer class room a success and so on. Finding out a project partner was also a nice experience. Last week also kept us preoccupied with the draft project. 

Week 8 is not less significant than the previous one. The course plan of this week has introduced us with a lot of resourceful links regarding web based learning materials. 

Being acquainted with ANVILL was also a very exciting experience. Joining the webiner with Jeff and his instruction and discussion in the Nicenet were also very effective. In fact, without Jeff's guidelines and directions ideas about how to use the tool could not have been clear. 

Preparing ' an online course site or an exercise to use online or offline' was also a very good effort. It was also a step to build confidence indeed. I think after this effort I am truly motivated to prepare materials for my students using on line. This is indeed my first venture in this line. However, I tried to create a Nice net class. I also hope to use other links and tools in future. Thanks to Donna for engaging us in such activity.

Checking my partners' draft project was also a very good experience. In fact, while doing so I also got some reflections about mine. And such reflection will certainly help me to prepare and repair my final project paper. 

Finally, time is running very fast. Only two weeks are left. Hope those two weeks will also come with new discoveries and  exploration.

Khayrul 

    

Reflections: Week 7

Every week comes with new ideas and new significance. Last week was obviously an important one as the week's discussion and reading materials helped me to be illuminated with the ideas of engaging my students in a large classroom situation. In fact, handling a large classroom is a very usual picture in our country. Creating slides using power point was also a nice experience but not new. Furthermore, we were also instructed to ponder over our final projects. Donna's plan to lead us to prepare our final project gradually appears scientific. In fact, she has encouraged and guided us bit by bit  to our final project.

But what's about the present week. It seems that this week is a logical continuation of the last one. Last week we talked about how to engage students in the large class context. This week we are talking about the autonomy of the students. Donna's timely interventions in the discussion board were also very effective and idea generating. In fact, Donna's later two posts had a lot to think , to talk and to write about the issue of autonomy.

The discussion about one computer classroom has also been a very much enlightening and contextual. In fact, it is a harsh reality of the majority of the classroom in my country that we can afford more than one computer. In many of the cases there is no computer at all. Though I did not post in this discussion, I enjoyed reading the posts of other participants.

We were also guided to find out a partner for sharing the project draft. This is obviously a good idea as because of this we have got a chance to detect the short comings and lacking of our projects before final submission. I did not have to face much trouble to find out my partners as both Pam and Shindu immediately agreed.

My experience about WalLwisher is horrific. I haven't yet been able to work with it. As usual I sought help to Donna. But she informed me that my computer might not be supportive to open it. Not only that but Donna also exempted  me from the assignment about on Wallwisher. Otherwise I had really been in a big trouble.
 On the top of everything the project which is to be submitted very soon kept me busy all the time. I was indeed preoccupied with it. Though I have been  able to complete the draft yet, I did some ground work and started writing. Hope to complete it by the assigned time.

With Best Wishes

Khayrul

Reflections: Week 6

In last week's blog I marked the week as a week of new discoveries and new hopes. The week was really so. I got something challenging and enlightening. Knowing something about alternative assessment, being registered with Web Quest, creating rubrics and the Nice net discussion all those things were really enjoying and illuminating. All these things have really helped me a lot to build up my confidence which will surely guide me to shape my future teaching model.

The present week is also as significant as  the past one. This is the week which has offered a lot about interaction in a large class room. This is indeed a vexing issue for me as I am to struggle a lot in the classroom as mine is a big classroom. Speaking truly, before this orientation I did not have a complete idea about the issue. Some times I surely thought over the issue but not in an organized way. Often I also did not come to a convincing solution. But after going through the articles and suggested links I got so many things, so many ideas about how to engage students in the large class room. I am simply impressed and overwhelmed and ultimately confident. Other participants' discussions were also encouraging. In fact, we, the participants, share almost the same class room setting. Lila's problem was indeed my problem. Her feeling and possible solution was also similar to mine.

Creating power point presentation was also a very good experience. Though I was not in the regular use of slides in my class room, I had a basic orientation of creating slides using power point. In fact, while I was doing my MA in TESOL, I had regular presentations which I used to do using power point or OHP. 

This week though I did not get much time to think over my project task. You know here in Bangladesh we have a mass movement against war criminals of 1971, the year of our liberation. This is indeed a movement against communal force, against conspiracy. This is a movement of the second generation of our country, a movement of the youth. So it appeared to me as a social responsibility which was a must to be carried out. As result I tried to attend the movement in different ways and at different times.However,  I, as Donna's direction, tried to make a plan how to develop it. I have not yet developed much confidence over it but hope to complete it in time.

Hope to read from you
Khayrul

New Exploration and New Hopes

The present week is no less significant than the earlier ones. In deed, like any other week the present one has also appeared with new kind of exploration and hope. Last week we got the experience of so many pearls like the web site like Breaking News.com.  We had to read few good and effective articles. Besides, we had to prepare a technology enhanced lesson plans. All these things have certainly added a lot to our professional development. 

What's about the current week? This week is certainly  a week of advancement and exploration. The idea about alternative assessment is quite new to me. Though it is new , I have enjoyed reading about it. I must admit that it has opened my eyes about a new but effective ways of assessment. From this onwards my students will take the responsibility of being corrected by self efforts. It really sounds encouraging and meaningful.It will really be a matter of happiness to see my working independently.

Being registered with Web Quest was also a very exciting jump.In the web quest, I found unimaginably effective things. I was quite impressed and overwhelmed. Through Web Quest I have got a very big chance to share my ideas and perception with world community. It's truly fantastic and encouraging.

I also enjoyed discussion on Task 4. All the participants had had a very good and effective discussion. I really enjoyed every post.

Creating rubrics was a bit bitter experience for me. At first, I became bit puzzled about what to do and how to do. But after few trials I discovered that it was  so difficult as I thought first. Ultimately I  became successful and smiled. Now I feel confident that if need be I will be able to create rubrics for my own cause and for own context.

Looking forward to facing  more excitements and new knowledge in future.   

Khayrul

 Week 4: Reflection

Week 3 was a week of amazement and excitement . And this week, at least to my eyes, is a week of enrichment and reflection. 1st Nice net discussion was really a nice one. The web sites provided by Donna were simply resourceful and multidimensional. Those were really  exclusive sites  as in those sites I found a  lot of ready made materials to be used in ESL/EFL classroom. Once again I am to admit that this is the first time I have got the trace of such gems.
2nd Nice net discussion has also been very effective and timely. It is timely as it is a stride ahead of our project work. Thank to Donna for her such  well designed  course plan as she is gradually leading to our final destination of a final project.
Preparing a lesson plan has also been a good experience for me. The guide lines have also  turned to be a very effective one as besides preparing a lesson plan for this week's work,  it will surely guide me for my future plans. The website Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Instructional Technology was a very effective one as I got  valuable ideas and concepts of lesson plans from here.
However, this week was a very tough week for me as I had to play a lot of professional and familial responsibilities. Despite, I truly enjoyed every thing, every discussion of my dear colleague. 

Thanks to all.

Khayrul
 .

 

Simply Delicious

Hi Everyone !

How should I start? With a loud cry? With a  victorious cry? Or with the roaring sound of the Royal Bengal Tigers? Please, don't think that Mr. Khayrul has gone crazy or has been out of mind. Please, don't be so rude. I am just overwhelmed, spell bound, just speechless. I am struggling to form my joy into words, into meaningful sentences. But often I don't find right expressions. How is it possible for me to find the utterances , to find the appropriate syntax?

Friends, it is indeed a real joy. It is indeed a DELICIOUS joy. Honestly speaking, I never thought of the existence of such a miracle, of such a marvel. I simply never imagined. The very short experience and memory with DELICIOUS are awesome. It is sweeter. I was amazed when I saw that I could put my all favorite sites in a page and use them whenever I want with minimum effort. 

Do you know what I used to do just one week ago? I used to write the URL of the my essential sites in a notebook. Surely, boring and tiresome. Difficult to maintain. But delicious! A source of excitement? A sea of information? Easy to use. Matter of clicking.

The week is delicious because of the discussions  on CULL and oral/aural skills. Though we, the teachers of English in Bangladesh, are living in a modern world, we do not have an easy and available access to Computer Assistant Language Learning, But the the week has introduced me to the system at least theoretically. Surely better scopes are waiting for me. Actually, the articles were resourceful, timely and above all, nicely suited to the purpose of the course.

My navigation and exploration of the given links were also a very good experience. Sites like ESL-galaxy.com, One Stop English, and Randall's Cyber Listening Lab were really fantastic. It would also be unfair if I do not mention the sites like  Listening Real English video, the BBC and Best Sites to Practice Speaking English as these are also a big help for both the teachers and the learners.

Should I ignore the the project reports of my senior trainees? How do I dare to do so ? Obviously those are  well thought, well written, exquisitely organized. These articles are big helps for us to go ahead and to look forward with ours what we are going to do at the end of the course. 

Finally, first week was a week of excitement and over flux joy of creating and writing in a blog and of being introduced and assimilated with the situation.  Second week brought new dimension with the project task and an exploration of hundreds of web links. And the third week is for new sensation with the entrance to the DELICIOUS world, project analysis, and contextual link seasrching.

Shouldn't I wait for more excitement and more resources in the coming weeks.? 

Khayrul     

 

 A Tale of  A Week with Difference

Hi friends!

Time is passing so fast. Around a month ago we got selection for this excellent E-Teacher training course. After a passionate waiting finally we started it on 7th of this month. But we are already  to finish second week of the course within few hours. Yes, I must not get the week back. Is it possible for you to do so? Surely not. Then, is it totally lost? Is it completely forgotten? I am confused what would be your answer. But I am confident about mine: The week is surely one of the most successful ones I have ever passed. You may throw the question with a frowning eye-brows: Successful?

Yes, obviously, this is  a week of exploration, a week of critical thinking, a week of planning, a week of achievement and finally a week of enlightenment.

You don't know how much excited I felt when I navigated the sites and links given by Donna. That was an overwhelming experience. I was simply stunned to see the collection about which I never knew, I never imagined. That was  really an unexplainable experience. Hundreds of sites for billions of information  about different disciplines forced me to think once again about my good luck of being selected for the course. Before this I knew quite a few number of websites, But now I have a huge collection to search and to be enriched.

I surely and boldly will also call the week a week of critical thinking. As per my mentor Donna's direction I had to make  comments on one of my colleague's posting on web searching. I chose Sonia Low' s posting as it appeared to be resourceful and fruitful as she seemed to toil a lot to look at the sites and links. Here suggestions are really valuable and considerable.

This is also a week of planning for me. In fact, we were instructed to do a ground work for our final project. Again, being properly guided by Donna's instructions, I worked on the first phase of the project. I believe that it is certainly a great stride towards my final project.

This is also a week of achievement and enrichment. Speaking honestly, this is the first time I have read about ABCD model for planning a language program. ABCD method is surely a scientific one which helps a teacher to determine his/her goal keeping some other factors such as students, their needs in mind. Along with this we were instructed to go through  Bloom's Taxonomy which also enriched my knowledge.

Finally, because of all those things the week is certainly a week of enlightenment and enrichment. So the week cannot be lost in oblivious. This cannot be forgotten. This is certainly a week to remember. This is certainly a week to cherish.

Khayrul

  Dear Donna & others,

We are now almost at the end of our 1st week of the course. I am here once again to share my experience with you. I am also to hear something more from you.

The week seemed to me a week of excitement, of joy, of troubles and ultimately of personal enrichment. I have marked it as a week of excitement as every thing concerning the course was really exciting in the sense that this is my first experience of an E-Teacher online course,  first exposure to the professionals of different countries of the world, first experience of having such a good instructor like Donna and many more.
This is a week of joy as it appears that this is the most hectic week in recent days. In fact, the course kept me so busy throughout the week. I either was on the computer or thought over the matters constantly. I was indeed completely preoccupied with the course. However, I enjoyed the challenges of regular postings and time line also.

But things were not so smooth as I am telling right now. Opening the blog was not an easy one. Even I had to face some troubles few hours ago. As usual I sought help to Donna who also interfered timely and things became easy and smooth going.

Now the question is what I have gained from all the activities of the week. I think it's really great and inspiring. I have discussed with my fellow learners. I have gone through all the write-ups posted by them. I have learned a lot about the guidelines, rubrics, professional discussions, sharing, respects, plagiarism and so on.

Finally, I want to utter few words about my colleague on the web. They are really very good discussants, considerate and knowledgeable persons. I enjoyed their writings and quotes.

Hope to learn and share  many more in coming weeks.


Khayrul

Birth of a blog and a layman's experience & expectation

Hi Dear Colleagues,

You do not know how much nervous I felt when I was asked to create a blog account. I became frequently frustrated but ultimately I have been successful to open the account. I felt excited when I saw that everything was working well.

I am truly grateful to the State Department of the United States and also to  the University of Oregon as they have planned such an excellent course to develop our teaching skills using web. Speaking truly, my technological knowledge is very poor and primary. Despite I am trying to cope with the pace of the course.

While creating blog and connecting it with wiki I had to face a lot of trouble. At the same time it seemed to me amazing and quite helpful. In fact, in the present world of technology based teaching trend, without having a sound technological orientation it becomes almost impossible for a teacher to fulfill students' requirements. And here lies the great significance of the course.

I think the course has the ability to move the participants to look forward to the better. I also believe that it is also designed in such a way that it is capable enough to help a layman like me in handling computer and technology for the cause of teaching.

Khayrul