Week 3: Reflection

After reading “Developing Listening Skills with Authentic Materials” by Lindsay Miller and reviewing a few listening web sites, I thought of putting the theoretical knowledge into practice. I chose a video titled “Child Obesity in Increasing Worldwide” at http://learningenglish.voanews.com/section/level-one/3774.html. I found the listening material on VOA suitable for intermediate to advanced students and I thought it would improve their listening skills and vocabulary. Again I realized that the lesson format “pre-, while-, and post-listening” is useful.

I created my Delicious page (https://delicious.com/#kumwu) and started adding links whenever I found websites helpful for class and myself. My favorite sites bookmarked on Internet Explorer at school and home have been moved to Delicious under different tags. I am introducing the Delicious website to those I know.

In Project Task 2, I read a final project report of Zlatka Dyankova from Bulgaria. Her class environment is similar to Korea’s. Most students are preparing for college entrance exams, and they are passively led by teachers. From the project, Zlatka had the students do some research on a topic so that her students could get motivated before the lesson. She used WebQuests as a technological tool and I felt curious what the tool was for. Zlatka expected to change the class atmosphere from teacher-centered to learner-centered. I thought highly of her efforts in the project.

Week 2: Reflection

I read “How to Write Clear Objectives” from Pennsylvania State University’s Teaching and Learning office. It gives the basic overview of the ABCD model. When I saw the name of the model, I couldn’t get the idea of it on the spot. It sounded familiar, though.

After looking through the paper, I couldn’t wait to write lesson objectives for my class. In this method, “A” is for audience, “B” is for behavior, “C” for conditions and “D” for degree of mastery required. A, B, C, and D represent 'who, what, how, and how much' respectively. Here is an example of lesson objectives using the ABCD model:

“C: Given photographs and directions for folding a signature, A: the student B: will be able to make a Reading Response Journal booklet D: with a title on each page – Setting, Character, Plot, Theme, Meet the Author, and Vocabulary.”

Week 1: Self Introduction

Hello! My name is Kumwu Lee. I currently teach at Bakmun Girls' High School in Incheon, Korea. In the past I have taught English language learners ranging in age from 16-18, most of whom are beginners in speaking and writing skills, and intermediates in listening and reading skills. Now I am teaching reading courses.
I began teaching at Bakmun in 1996. Since then, my dilemma has been how I teach my students. What I have to teach – reading materials with multiple questions for the college entrance exam - is set in stone, so I can change only how. So motivating my students and getting their attention is what I need. I hope this webskills course will help with my issue.
Below is a poem “Children learn what they live” about how children are influenced:
“If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
....
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.
....
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.
.....
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.“
I excerpted some parts from the poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, which I like a lot for my students. I try to treat them by this rule in class.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all on this space!

Week 1 Reflection

While creating my first English blog, thoughts about how I could use this for class ran wild. Still I am hazy about the usage of the blog. How can this blog be of help to my students? So far, so perplexed yet.

It is the first week of the course and just one day has passed. I am seeing a silver lining here. The bright side is that I came up with a cool name of the blog - English Teacher Tool - and am making it look nicer.

With the help of Courtney and the other participants, my vague ideas of how to make use of the blog will be crystal clear.