Using Blogs for Online and Classroom Teaching Jana Ciobanu Dr. Sally Zhao TESL Canada Conference 2014
Using Blogs for
Online and
Classroom Teaching
Jana CiobanuDr. Sally Zhao
TESL Canada Conference 2014
Using Blogs for Online and Classroom Teaching
• What is a blog ?• Types of blogs used in teaching ESL• Tutor Blog• Using a blog in teaching online and in the
classroom• How to create a blogger blog• How to upload: links, pictures, videos, PPT, etc.
WHAT IS A BLOG?
A blog is:• short for web log• a personal website or web page on which an
individual records opinions, links to other sites, etc. on a regular basis.(Google Blogger)
Why blog?• to share information• to teach Ss English
Whose idea was it?Dave Winer
• developed the first blogging
software
• started blogging in 1994
TYPES OF BLOGS USED IN TEACHING
Aaron Campbell (2003): identified 3 blogs to use in the ESL classroom:
• The Tutor Blog-run by the tutor for the learners
• The Class Blog- the whole class collaborates
• The Learner Blog-either run by individual learners themselves or by small collaborative groups of learners
TUTOR BLOG
• a new teaching and learning tool• motivates students to explore the Internet• run by the teacher of the class• gives students access to different online web-sites
appropriate for their level• a resource of links for self-study• provides syllabus information and an up-date on the
daily news of the class/school
http://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/
http://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/
Using Tutor Blogs in the Classroom
Use it for teaching:
• Listening• Speaking• Reading• Writing• Grammar• Pronunciation
Listening http://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/2012/01/themes.html
• Listen to different conversations and do some cloze activities
• Listen to other students’ presentations and do a peer assessment as well as a self-assessment
• Listen to the recent news and take notes
• Listen to songs and stories and answer either multiple-choice questions or comprehension ones
• Watch videos and write summaries
• Watch movie trailers and answer multiple-choice questions
Speakinghttp://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/
• Give presentations
• Have Ss watch their peers’ presentations
• Have Ss do a peer assessment
• Use online conversation q-s and practice speaking
• Ss record their conversation using the online voice recorder
READINGhttp://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/search?q=reading
• Read stories, articles, the latest news, etc.• Learn new words• Do individual reading at home• Listen and read along• Learn idioms and use an idiomatic dictionary• Use different dictionaries
WRITINGhttp://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/search?q=writing
• Write dictations• Practice spelling • Use PPt-s to teach new concepts• Learn how to write paragraphs, essays,
reports, etc.• Chat with Tutor Mike(the online robot)
PRONUNCIATION
http://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/search?q=pronunciation
• Ss practice pronunciation with an online tutor
• Record students' short presentations, role-plays, speeches, etc. using the online voice recorder
• Ss watch pronunciation videos on YouTube
GRAMMARhttp://linc5ft.blogspot.ca/search?q=grammar
• teach grammar using the available Power-Point Presentations
• have students practice grammar using online exercises
• assess Ss with the help of different quizzes, tests, etc.
• practice grammar and spelling by chatting with Tutor Mike
• play grammar games
• write dictations
Using a Blog in Teaching Online
• Provide online resources appropriate for their level
• Create an online portfolio of students’ written work
• Post handouts, notices, homework assignments, etc.
• Use the blog for independent study• Use the blog for peer assessment
Where to start? Sites where you can set up a blog for free:
• Blogger-www.blogger.com• Weebly- http://www.weebly.com• WordPress- http://wordpress.com/• Blogtery- http://blogetery.com/
How to create a blog?Blogger Getting Started Guidehttps://support.google.com/blogger/answer/1623800?hl=en
Creating a Blogger Blog in under 5 Minuteshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP68-mIpBO0
How to Publish a Blog Posthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX4KSiQbVW4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ5uFPBtyhU
How to upload stuff?• Videos• Pictures• PPT-s• Texts• Audio Files• Files
Any Questions?
THANK YOU