My Final Refection on Creating Final Project.

    

     By the end of the course, my group and me created a website as a final project for EDU-401 course. Our final project is an educational website for teaching English in intermediate School. It was very enjoyable experience to create a website. I learned a lot, and at the same time I had so much fun working on it with my wonderful group.

      Before we start working on our website, we decided to create it in Pbworks, because its provide us with so many option to create our website, then we decided what we will have in our website. We divided the tasks in which each member of the group could do three main tasks.

      Surely, we have faced some limitations while we were working on our project. For me, one of the biggest limitations that I have faced is lack of time, because we have another final projects, so it was very difficult to manage our time. And for me, I could not manage among four final projects at the same time. It was so difficult.

     Second, another limitation faced me is using some tools or  website, because some of them I wasn’t familiar with. I had some difficulties in using it. Also, in Pbworks In the beginning I got lost and didn’t know how to insert images, date and time and also create hyperlinks. But with the passage of time and many practices and tutorials I became professional in using Pbworks, and we did all our work creatively.

     Another problem is that we couldn't finish our work in the college because all classes were busy. Also, we couldn’t meet each other outside the college, so we were communicating through telephone or chatting in WhatsApp, which is not easy for me.

    Fourth issue is about tools for technology in teaching English language. It was the most difficult part for me, because I must take care and choose the tools accurately, depending on the level of my students and I needed more time to look for useful tools that can be available in classroom for intermediate students. And also I tried my best to choose tools that can be suitable for all the students and their cultures.

     I have some suggestions to overcome all these difficulties. For timing, students should know how to manage their time in a good way. Otherwise they will feel lost and they will not be able to do anything. Also teacher should upload the instructions of final projects from the beginning of semester. So student will be very responsible of their time and they will try to do their work as early as possible.

     For choosing appropriate tools for the students, they can ask teacher. S/he will help them definitely. Also, students can ask other teachers who teach the same level about the appropriate tools, or they can search on the Internet, they will find lots of information for sure.

     If there is difficulty in meeting of students to work, they should make a deal from the beginning about the place and time of the meeting to work on the project. They can also use Skype rooms to discuss.

      The limitation I might face in the classroom are  many . First of all, the lack of technology tools in our country schools in addition to the Internet connection to solve this problem I will bring my own laptop, projector and Wi Fi or the laptop connect.

     Secondly, some students didn’t have any devise at their home or they might didn’t know how to access and use the educational tools and the websites such as Wiki the web I used to but the activity and the announcements of the due date for the quizzes and homework. To overcome this problem I would print the worksheet and inform them about the homework in the class. Moreover, I will explain how to use each tools and website I gave them.

     The last thing I might face and the most important thing is that, if the students didn’t care of using such technological method so they wouldn’t be able to improve and understand the course. My solution for this problem would be like this, I will show them video about students using technology in their learning and how they are enjoying with it I will show them the Wiki and how it is easy and helpful for them to use.

     Finally, I want to emphasize that even though working on this project was not easy, but we learned a lot, because the main purpose is to learn. I feel proud of my group members and myself. Also I feel that we did a great job, and we got so many benefits.

The role of WeQuests in learning a foreign/second language?

   Bernie Dodge has defined webquest as “an inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet, optionally supplemented with videoconferencing." It is clearly structured into 7 components, which include an introduction, tasks, process, resource, evaluative, conclusion and teacher page.

    However, it helps student to discover knowledge and look for information by using computer, so it supports using the Web as a source of real-world information. Moreover, It supports task-based language learning. It’s also important component of contemporary language learning methodology, the use of authentic language materials. In addition, it helps students to assess their performance and measure their improvement of mental skills.

     Most of the teachers use Webquest to be more modern in their teaching style, also to make lessons more enjoyable. Because students now are digital natives, they didn’t enjoy learning in traditional ways of teaching. Teachers want to make their students higher motivated, and using webquest will help them in raising their students’ motivation.

    Using webquest will improve several skills in students. Students will think, try, plan and solve the tasks and activities together, so it makes them more collaborative in class. Also, it improves their problem-solving skill and their ability to imagine. They should use their own creative thinking to find solutions for the problems they may face. They will also learn how to use recourses from their real life instead of using their boring textbook or materials that teacher give them. Students also become more independent.The class environment must be equipped with all the things like computers or laptops, network, wifi, recording devices, projectors…etc

    In my country, I do not think they use this effective way of teaching. They almost depend on all traditional ways of teaching. But In my future, if I become an EFL teacher Insha’Allah, I will definitely use Webquest, because I find it very helpful and useful in teaching and learning process. This is will increase the students’ hunger for knowledge and motivated them in addition they will be more excited in learning.

Evaluating Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab Website

Randall's ESL cyber listening lab is a commercial site that supposed to enhance and support learning listening skill. The site is divided into three columns. The first column consists of advertisement related language learning, culture videos, website information, teacher resources and Randall’s pick for language learning from Amazon. The second column has the contents. On the top, some of the sites designed by the same author are mentioned. After that we find the content which mostly is mostly listening materials. These materials are divided into six sections, General   listening quizzes, basic listening quizzes, listening quizzes for academic purposes, 20 minutes - vocabulary lessons, language learning and life tips, long conversation with real video. The last column has an instruction to use this site. This website is designed by Randall Davis . He provides his E-mail , twitter account and facebook page so people can contact with him if they need . 

The purpose of Randall’s ESL site is to enhance English listening skill for any level of difficulties and communication skill. The site contains what we expected to enhance the listening skill. It provides different types of listening activities like conversations, listening quizzes, etc. according to the level of students and deals with functional language skills and everyday life situations and topic. Also, the site has vocabulary lessons and activities which help the learners in preparation for the listening activities. So the purpose of the site is clear and the contents reflect its purpose. Moreover, the site provides useful links to other website. Randall’s ESL site contents expand the experience of the user, but it does not promote any social biases to gender, race, religion, etc.  The site offers an advertisement that does not overshadow the content and distract or annoy the learners.

The design of this website is good but not great. At the right side there is some white space that could be exploited in a better way. The colors used are mostly light mauve and yellow. It gives the impression that this website is not professional but when you go through the content you find it is really good. The text is easy to read but not to everyone. Some people will be distracted because of the colors. The page does open in a reasonable way without problems. The design elements of the site don’t hinder the accessibility of the site. Students and teachers can use the website for free with no login requirement.

The content is easy to use. It is easy to access even for those who are hearing impaired. The website has enough information to make visiting  useful and informative. The voice in audio records is very clear and each lesson have activities such as pre-listening, listening exercise, vocabulary and post- listening. Also, in each lesson it is clarified the learners' level, topic, and type of audio record, speakers, and length. Readers can easily download the  audio and there is a written form for the audio. There are a lot of links for Randall's other websites. It is clear and easy for learners to move from one website to another. In addition, Spelling and grammar are correct  .  Also, we can navigate from page to related page easily without becoming lost. .. This website has a strong points. It is recommended for young and older adult use. It can be used at easy, medium, and difficult levels for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users. The material of this site are current and accurate .

The site grade level is appropriate to be used in the language classroom for example teachers ask their students to complete certain exercises as classroom activities. The site is also ideal for Learner autonomy where learners engage in the listening activities on their own. The content is attractive for learners since it covers everyday life situation and topics of their needs.

Wordle in EDU 401

Virtual Classrooms in the EFL Classrooms

   Last week, we had  a virtual classroom on 24 Febayray 2014 it was about "How Does Arabic Influence the Pronunciation of English?" by Miss. Peggy Tharpe. It was for one hour and with few number of people, only 15 students and 2 teachers were there Dr.Hala and Ms.Amal. Peggy explained why Arab people faced difficulties to reach the native speaker’s accent, English and Arabic language have differences on phonological, consonants and vowels. Also, there are differences in terms of the stress patterns systems. For example, L1 speakers do not differentiate between /p/ and /b/ in L2 such distinction is not available in their L1. However, She believed that an active listening skill very important to differentiate between the almost similar sounds this is the most effective solution for wrong Arab pronunciation.

      There are many advantages of Virtual classrooms. Firstly, it helps the learners to develop their language proficiency of the target language, maximize their knowledge about a particular issue, the teacher of L2 has different opinion from us, as a result the learners will build their own beliefs about the issue and improve their thinking skill. Moreover, Virtual classes can be reached any time of the day by the student, teacher can create his own virtual classroom. In addition,The teacher is availabe when help is needed like the classroom.

    

  However, virtual classrooms have also disadvantages as any other techniques of teaching, which mainly determined by the context where learning will take place. First of all, Not all schools have the technology, cost of the technology, lack of development of appropriate instructional and learning methods, lack of motivation to use such type of learning by the studnts. In addition, some students doesn’t have computer in their home.

  Finally, I think virtual classrooms is useful if internet connection was high, good sound system and appropriate size of screen. But the most important thing if the students were really interested of using this technique and being active with such classes. If I were a teacher I would absolutely use virtual classes whenever I need.

Do teachers need to create web-based language activities for EFL students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Why and why not?

      Internet is very rich of information, which can help both teacher and learner in teaching and learning process. It’s really important for Saudi teachers to create their own web-based language activities, quizzes or materials, because it can help them to plan their lessons and make really interactive lessons. They also can get many ideas, resources, assessment tools, exercises and other materials for using in their classes. They can surf on Internet looking for magazines, journals for the purpose of reading, or games or ideas for lessons plans and apply them in their classrooms.

     There are many other advantages of creating teacher’s own interactive language learning activities for the web, which include accessibility, renewability, and adaptability.Using web-based activities can also enhance basic language skills of teacher and learner. Teacher can put many vocabulary exercises, grammar lessons, comprehension exercises, reading or writing tasks, and pronunciation tests on the web and make it interactive in different ways. Also, language teachers can use the basic tools of discussion boards and Weblogs, HTML, JavaScript…etc., to create interactive, dynamic, and functional materials for their courses on the World Wide Web (www).So I think that’s why teachers in KSA should create their own web-based language activities. It will help them a lot in classrooms.

       In my opinion, most of the teachers in KSA schools don’t have web-based language learning, they only depend on traditional methods of teaching languages. Maybe this because teachers' lack of knowledge in how to create webs and how to deal with it or maybe they in past have learned in an old ways so they apply these old ways now. On the other hand, there are some teachers who teach in advanced schools start using these webs like in private schools in Riyadh. I know some schools and universities teachers who use this web-based language activities. And I think in our soon future, all teachers will be having their own webs because this generation exposed to Internet very much, so they know how to deal with it.