Reflective Summary of Week 4

The participants are supposed to complete 3 tasks during Week 4 as well and they provided useful information regarding language learning and technology. The first task was to read some of the given articles about ways computer enhance reading and writing skills and finding two or more specific web pages that would work for my class then discuss that in the discussion forum.

I read Three Extensive Reading Activities for ESL/EFL Students Using E-books (2004) by Mei-Ya Liang. It focuses on intermediate and advanced ESL/EFL students. The objectives of this lesson are to guide students to read authentic e-texts outside of the classroom and to improve their overall reading. From this reading, I have found ‘The Greek farmers’ strategies’, the classical argument as an interesting model I can use in my class. Also, I created ABCD Objective for a lesson to use this classical argument in my class.

As a second task I described my class and explained some issues that need to be addressed which are building their confidence, improving student’s oral communication skills as well as trying to develop their writing skills.

Creating a technology enhanced lesson plan was the next task. My lesson plan was on Essay writing for advanced certificate level and the duration is 2 hours. I had three instructional objectives for the lesson. The following are the techniques and activities I have included in the lesson:
1. A game: DeBono’s thinking Hats.-Discussion- Student centered activity
2. Drawing a concept map- Student centered activity
3. Analyzing the topic- Student centered and guided activity
4. Researching information- Student centered and guided activity.
5. Writing and posting the essay on wiki or blog- Student centered and guided activity
6. Commenting or helping other groups to edit the writing- Student centered activity
Web sites needed for this lesson:
1. Daily Motion
2. SlideShare
3. Custom Essay.Org.
4. Eslflow.com

In the discussion forum lot of useful websites are posted from different participants on computer enhance reading and writing skills and I have saved the ones that interests me. Also, I have found out a website which can create lesson plans online. LAMS, Learning Activity Management System, which can create a sequences of learning activities including individual tasks, group works and whole class activities.

Week 4 was a productive week!