Week 2 : As I Reflect...
Week 2 has been pretty hectic. I have realised that to balance home, work and our course takes a lot of discipline. But I work best under pressure and so have managed to complete all the 5 on the checklist (I pray so...).
I am glad to have been exposed to Websearching. Before this I have only used Google, Google Chrome and Yahoo. Now my repertoire has widened and there is so much more to explore and learn. As much as I was amazed and in awe, I was also a little ashamed that I have sitting in my comfort zone too long. I have not explored all listed on Websearching yet BUT will definitely do so. In fact, to keep me on my toes, I shared the list with my 17-year-olds in school (my 2 Form 5 classes) and have told them to share (in turns) what they accessed with the class. This way, I too have to keep myself up-to-date (the teacher cannot look like a fool in her class, can she?).
The ABCD Objective was a time of recalling and recapitulating what I had studied 28 years ago during my first degree days. Last December, while I was on the panel of interviewers for would-be TESL-option teachers, I learnt of the latest version of Bloom's Taxonomy where verbs instead of nouns are now used; and knowledge is now remembering and creating is the highest level. So it was great to read related material and upgrade myself on the latest knowledge. When I shared this with some 'senior' teachers, I received a "Is that so?" (sad, isn't it?)
The assignment I truly enjoyed was the project task #1 as I had to sit and think and analyse the classes I am teaching and would really like to try a project on. I have 4 classes of English Language; two Form 5 classes (17 year olds), one Form 3 class (15 year olds) and one Form 1 class (13 year olds). Each class is special and different and so to compare, contrast and finally decide which class I wanted to try an action research on was taxing and mind boggling. But my yardstick was the National Examination. My Form Fives also sit for the national examination but the Form Threes need more help and writing is a skill I have always been very interested in. So I finally picked 3A. Describing them and their ability truly took me down memory lane~ though I have only taught them for 3 weeks now, I have grown to love them for their diversified abilities and comical behaviours in class.
Well Webskills, you sure do keep me on my toes!
Hello Pamela,
ReplyDeleteI really liked and impressed with your post.I liked your experience and knowledge that you have shared with us.keep it up.
Thank you my dear. Thank you for the uplifting words or encouragement.
DeleteHi Pamela,
ReplyDeleteI have just gone through your blog for the second week. The title " DARE To BE DIFFERENT" caught my attention. Surely, like you I also feel to be different from the 1st week's experience.
Your gladness and joy of getting exposed to a lot of new web search engines is also very much close to my own feeling as before this week I had also an access to a very limited number of sites.
Your evaluation of ABCD objectives is also praiseworthy as you have related it with your long past. Your observation about Bloom's Taxonomy is timely & quite appropriate.
While preparing the assignment for the project task 1, you told that you had to think, revise and finally you took decision about your target group. It also sounds right. In fact, a good thing always comes out of a good effort and planned proceeds.
Finally, I want to thank you for the nice post and for sharing your experience.
Khayrul
Bangladesh
Dear Khayrul,
DeleteYou are truly good for my soul. Your compliments are very encouraging. Honestly speaking, it is not easy doing a online course whilst working, so, your post has helped brighten my day!
Thank you