Week 10: Reflections

This week, we have done the following assignments:
1. Blog: Final Reflection
2. Self-evaluating ourselves with the LoTI framework
3. Overview of the course

• BLOG: FINAL REFLECTION

It's really hard to believe that this is the last week in our course! I am sure everyone of us feels sad about it because we haven't just been learning but also having fun with technology tools on the Internet. I was very excited to work with experienced teachers from all around the world and have learned a lot from reading their posts and comments. I wish we could keep in touch for as long time as possible. For me, I will continue to write on my blog so please make sure you come and comment. I would also welcome the idea of continuing our discussions on Nicenet as we will still be able to have access to the class.

We could swap our students' emails and let the students practice their English by writing emails to each other with a CC to the teachers. I think this practice will improve the students' English and introduce them to other cultures. It's so wonderful that a class in the Middle East for example is working with a class in Europe or any other part of the world.

• SELF-EVALUATING OUR TECHNOLOGY USE
  

The Levels of Technology Innovation (LoTi) framework is a scale of seven levels used to "assess authentic classroom technology use". In this task, we had to read the aforementioned framework and decide which level we are in now and where we would like to be in a year. We also had to include ideas about how we will get to where we want to be in the future.

In my post on Nicenet, I pointed out that my technology integration was in the past limited to finding materials on the Internet to enhance my lectures, which is LoTi Level 1 (Awareness). However, since the start of this online course, I have implemented some technology enhancements in my teaching such as the use of blogger and emailing, which I think puts me now in LoTi Level 2 (Exploration).

I think if my classes were equipped with technology and all of the students were used to using it, I would aim at Level 4a – Integration: Mechanical. Of course this is not the case in the place where I teach and therefore the target level I hope to reach in a year's time is LoTi Level 3 (Infusion).

To achieve this, I would use Task-Based and WebQuest activities that are based on authentic materials to enable my students to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate problems.

I would also involve the students in reading activities on Nicenet where they can use their critical thinking skills in their analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the texts. The students would also need to start their own blogs to practice their reflective thinking by writing about what things they do in the course and what they think about them.

• OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE

In this task, we discussed what topics were most successful in the course, which ones were most useful for us and which were not relevant to what we do or will do.

For me, all the subjects were successful and useful, particularly the following:

• Creating class sites and making online exercises.
• Creating a rubric for assessment
• Writing class objectives in the ABCD method
• Technology enhanced lesson plans
• Project-based learning
• Interactive PowerPoint
• Learner autonomy and Teacher autonomy

The less relevant topic to what I do right now was probably Teaching Large Classes. Although some of my colleagues are teaching large classes, there is a tendency towards making the classes smaller (approximately 25 students). However, it was undoubtedly interesting to read about the subject.

Yours,

Mohamed