ETAC: Essential Training for All Coaches

I never imagined how much work this course entailed. I thought I would learn about the different programs on the computer, do some worksheets and maybe take some tests. Wow, was I wrong! This course has been both a headache and a blessing to me. Knowing a bit about computers, I thought the ETAC would be good to take as my first course in BSS, hoping any newly acquired skills would help me in future classes. Little by little my skills and technology integrated lesson plans improved. It was starting to come together.

Each technology integrated lesson helps to build upon the previous one, and then adds new skills. I learned that integrating technology into the classroom is no easy task; I found some lessons to be more of a challenge than others. I learned that teachers can work as a team by brainstorming ideas. I sought out help from the colleague teachers and found them to be very cooperative and helpful. I am very proud of my lesson plans and the skills I have acquired. I look forward to making more lesson plans and using them in my classroom.

Podcast on Mirages

ETAC: A Complete 180 degree turn

The ETAC Course has been a miraculous experience for me. Before I had joined this programme I hardly ever thought about my ICT skills and their use in my classroom. During the programme when I learned the use of blogging, pod casting, digital microscope, discussion forums and much more, I realized that what I knew earlier was not at all sufficient. There was a whole world of technology out there waiting for me.

I learned the use of peripherals i.e., digital microscope, printer and scanner on my own.

There is a marked change in the way students think and communicate with me. Now I hear my students saying:

• I have enjoyed the term more because of the variety of ICT integrated lessons.
• You are the only teacher who has given us website addresses for games and revision practice.
• Can I e-mail you if I have any questions to ask?
• Wow teacher, you play the same games we do. (When learning about oxides of nitrogen as a pollutant, we discussed about NOS used in car racing and in the computer game called Need for Speed Underground)

At the end of this term, I asked students if they recall some lessons in which they learned and enjoyed a lot. There came a good list of experiences which was much longer than the list I got in the first term.

In short, this programme has taught me how to learn on my own and help my students learn how to learn on their own. I have really changed...

Have you?

Podcast experiment

Blogging technology and Student Learning

Blogging technology as a learning tool provides models that promote interactivity, student-centered learning and peer input. Blogs are able to promote student learning with the immediate publishing advantage of the web thus they serve to maximize a student's learning outcomes. Students being conscious that their work will be published make efforts to do their best and produce a good product. They learn through the feedback they get from their peers thus their learning outcomes are far more qualitative. Students who are shy public speakers can communicate wonderfully through blogging as they can organize their thoughts and write confidently.

Individual students can create their own blog to organize their information and reflect on their inquiry. Based on the teacher’s assessment criteria of student learning, which is made available to the students in the form of a rubric, students remain focused on the objective. They also assume responsibility and take charge of their own learning.

Blog is where the teacher may post videos, resource links, review of the class topics, assignments and additional information for students.

Using the blog as a tool for communication, analysis and reflective learning is not just possible, it is a reality.