Edu-blogging:widenyourclassroom

Edu-Blogging

Karenne SylvesterKalinago English

http://kalinago.blogspot.com

Why I blog

Purpose

Autonomy

Mastery

Why I blog

Mission: I want to turn the way we think about

language learning and teaching on its head!

My Blogs

●How to Learn English (for students) -stopped July 2009)

●Kalinago English (for teachers)

●Private Nings x 2 (with students)

My blogging for Teachers

●Sharing lesson plans with a focus on speaking skills

● Discussing methodologies, approaches to teaching English as a foreign language

●Sharing tips on using technology in classes

My blogging for Teachers

●Sharing tips on using social media as an educator

●Challenging “norms” in series postsShe-in-ELTReasons I hate textbooks

Dogme ELT

My blogging for English Language Learners =● Present Post-task Activities

● Present Pre-task Activities

● Provide opportunities for extending in-class discussions.

● Practice Higher Order Critical Thinking Skills

Blogging for English Language Learners =● Best-practice Learn to Learn tips

● Online self-access tips

● Book reviews (especially Readers)

● Work on common errors● Pronunciation● Lexical (false friends)● Grammar

Blogging with EnglishLanguage Learners

Why they blog:Purpose - Autonomy - Mastery

Blogging with EnglishLanguage Learners

How to:

Purpose: provide solid ideas which challenge - that meet a real need they have

●Autonomy: step back, let the students do the work

●Mastery: provide feedback so they see and feel they are progressing

EXAMPLES of how my students use their blogs

Practicing a grammatical tense in context (A2)

Grammar in Powerpoint

Example: Grammar in Video

Grammar in L1(A1 level student)

Keeping Vocabulary Lists

Learning Vocabulary with own photos

Learning Vocabulary by labelling photos

Common phrases and idioms

Example: discussions

Example: essays

Example: research

Example: reporting

Example: reporting 2

Example: reporting 3

Example: reflections on learning

Blogs as a place to store imp. links

Micro-blogging

Blogging gives learners● Motivation● Creativity● Empowerment● Interaction● Engagement● Conversation● Excitement

● Digital Skills Practice● Digital Voice● Reflection & Review● Learner Autonomy● Collaboration with

– Authentic Audience– Global Audience

Any questions?

© Karenne Joy Sylvester2010