How to use online information
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How to use online information
As college English teachers in China, we are always asked to add some online information as a teaching tool for students. However, I have a question. How to use the online information effectively since there are loads of informations on the Net? Would anybody tell me somthing about it or give me some site addresses for a reference? Thank you in advance!
Hello emerald
You're right that using the internet in teaching can seem overwhelming due to the amount of information out there. The advantage is that the material is authentic English, and it is possible to create some very focused activities with short pieces of text from websites. Have a look at http://www.eslbase.com/articles/reading.asp for some examples of activities that you can use.
I hope this helps.
Keith
You're right that using the internet in teaching can seem overwhelming due to the amount of information out there. The advantage is that the material is authentic English, and it is possible to create some very focused activities with short pieces of text from websites. Have a look at http://www.eslbase.com/articles/reading.asp for some examples of activities that you can use.
I hope this helps.
Keith
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It might also be useful for you to put on the class schedule, class assignments or requirements, and a summary of the day's lessons as you do them - your lesson plan or even a fuller account. You can have students take notes in turn and post those as well. You can then add any links or have the student add links to areas you have covered in class. I would also include a chat line for the class and assign 10% of their mark if they participate. They have to stick to the subject of the class and ask questions or answer questions about your course. You can participate in the chat line as well, reprhasing their contributions in language suitable for their level so they have something to imitate. I wouldn't directly correct them but rephrasing or recasting as it is sometimes called isn't often taken by students as a correction. The chat line will have its own life and you can refer to it in class, complimenting students on their contributions. At first, they will probably be small but with encouragement, it will give them a forum to expess their needs and make them a contributor to the knowledge. There is always a budding teacher in the group who will add to your knowledge base. At the end of the course you can ask for recommendations on how to improve the course for the next class. You can also make your own website and use this course as an example for your own portfolio.
What exactly do you mean, Emerald?
Dear Emerald,
Allow me first to introduce myself as a new participant here. I'm a teacher of English from Egypt. During college I used to participate in the Online Writing Collaboration project (OWCp.net) Unfortunately, the project stopped. However, I would wish to share my experience with you.
Yet, let me first ask you these: What kind of Internet use are you required to incorporate in your courses? Are you required to get some material from the Internet related to your subject matter? Or are you asked to make your students to get involved in an ONLINE activity? Do you require them to come online for a collaborative activity? Or you just ask them to collect some hypermaterial?
When we started using the Internet, we used to face these loads of information you're talking about. However, one question remained in our heads: how can we trust all these information? Sometimes the author is stated but you don't know if you can trust them. Some other times the author is kept unknown. Our teachers then advised us to look for accredited publishers (I mean page publishers, like the BBC for instance).
My point is, depending on your goals and objectives, you can make a fantastic use of the Internet. Personally, I found online collaboration greatly stimulating and motivating.
At present, I'm fond of browsing the BBClearnigenglish.com. It's fantastic.
Allow me first to introduce myself as a new participant here. I'm a teacher of English from Egypt. During college I used to participate in the Online Writing Collaboration project (OWCp.net) Unfortunately, the project stopped. However, I would wish to share my experience with you.
Yet, let me first ask you these: What kind of Internet use are you required to incorporate in your courses? Are you required to get some material from the Internet related to your subject matter? Or are you asked to make your students to get involved in an ONLINE activity? Do you require them to come online for a collaborative activity? Or you just ask them to collect some hypermaterial?
When we started using the Internet, we used to face these loads of information you're talking about. However, one question remained in our heads: how can we trust all these information? Sometimes the author is stated but you don't know if you can trust them. Some other times the author is kept unknown. Our teachers then advised us to look for accredited publishers (I mean page publishers, like the BBC for instance).
My point is, depending on your goals and objectives, you can make a fantastic use of the Internet. Personally, I found online collaboration greatly stimulating and motivating.
At present, I'm fond of browsing the BBClearnigenglish.com. It's fantastic.