November 25th- Christmas Class Celebration

Merry, November 25th, Christmas-

For our after class, or during break, Christmas activity, Dayana and I have broken down the food and drink items as follows:

1) Alexa, Emily, Carol and Cynthia M are in charge of bringing the drinks for the group (i.e. Soda and Iced Tea)

2) Jeffrey is in charge of bringing plastic cups for everyone.

3) Luis Eduardo has napkins.

4) Julio, Oscar and Junior are to bring "canastas para bocadillos" and/or crackers.

5) Dayana, Emily and Jorge are entrusted with the tuna dip.

6) Martin, Laura and Xinia are in charge of bringing the sour cream dip or any other dip which would go with the "canastas para bocadillos".

7) Zully, Laura, and Devi are to bring finger sandwiches.

8) Francisco, Carlos  and Luis Miguel are entrusted with one sweet item.

9) Stephany and Johnser should bring another sweet item.

As for the exchanging of gifts, it was thought best to keep with two rules:
 (1) The gift is unisex in which the recipient could be either male or female.
 (2) It should cost approx. 2,000 colonies only.

Note: the few changes made to the final project below. (see the notes in blue)

Final Project --- Web Page

The final project consists of the creation of a Web Page which is fairly simple to do using one of the  following Web Site Builders --- some are free for a trial bases and others stay free:
http://www.webs.com/
http://www.bluevoda.net/
http://www.virtualmechanics.com/
http://www.homestead.com/ (30 day trial)

Give your eyes a rest as there are no photocopies for this project.

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Since we are nearing the end of this course, let me just remind you that the Final Project is due on Nov 25th. 

I am now going to change a bit of the grading break-down which is in your course syllabus, so take note of these changes. This last work is worth 30%:

       Final  Project Breakdown which is worth 30%:

• Create your own Web Site using one of the URL sites listed above. Leave a comment attached to this Post on where your classmates and I may go to see your Web Site  Include data for at least 3 of the following page items within your Web Site and add your PowerPoint Presentation in one of them:  (5%)
• Home
• News
• Calendar of Events
• Assignments & Handouts
• Resources
• Photo Gallery
• Videos 
• Your own creation/choice
• Your Web Site content should be created for the specific group and topic you have based all of the other projects on. (1%)
• Be creative and original in your content using English correctly throughout. (1%)

• An overview of the group and/or topic (1%) 
• Objectives -- at least two (1%)
• Specific description of the skills and procedures (1%)
• The theoretical framework. Explain what Method/Teaching Approach you are using and why when developing this unit lesson. Include the lesson plans for each of the mini projects except for the PowerPoint Presentation.  (6%)
• Integrate your other mini projects with the Web Page by creating links or putting it within the Web Page itself (7%)
• Makes use of  the other mini projects by guiding your students in completing each task using the Web Page as a means of instructing / guiding said pupils: (7%)
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Word Processing
• YouTube Video
• Blogs
• Webquest
• Wiki
• Podcast

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. 

No Class this Week

As you all may have noticed, I did not post the YouTube videos for the Wiki project last weekend. I will have to admit it slipped my mind and then I came down with a bug this past Tuesday that has metastasized into another virus this weekend. Not to worry, I will go back to the doctor this Monday to see about changing the medications. That being said, let us focus on how to fix the problem which I created by not posting the videos.

First of all, we will suspend the session on October 21st to give you an extra week to complete your Wiki project --- meaning the projects will not be presented til October 28th.

Second, for those of you who have had little to no problems developing the Wiki without the videos, I have gone ahead and posted the last mini project which is on Podcasting for you to start developing. This project will now be presented to the class on November 11th. The photocopies mentioned in the sample podcast below will be left at El Mercadito for you to get your copies on Friday, October 21st.

Third, the final project date has not changed (November 25th) as it is more than likely 3 weeks is way too much time to finish it --if you have based all the mini projects on or abouts the same topic and group level. For those few who did deviate from this aspect, you already have been advised to reorganize that said mini project.

Finally, the 5th (2) Forums are based on either/or (or both) of the following projects: Wiki and Podcasting. Again, post your forums under an appropriate YouTube video below and don't forget to note your backup source and how you may use it in the classroom creatively. This Forum is now due on November 4th.

7th Mini Project - Podcasting

The seventh short project consists of the creation of a podcast. 
Click the player below to listen to my podcast concerning the instructions to this project.





Seventh Project Breakdown:

1. Create at least 2 podcasts on either your blog and/or your wiki site.(2%)
2. Your podcast content should be created for the specific course/lesson you have based all your past projects on in which your students will actively participate in by completing an exercise such as answering questions or filling in a chart after listening to ---for example --- a short story (2%)
3. Be creative and original in your content. (1%)
4. Podcaster(s) need(s) to use clear English articulation within grammatically correct English structures. (1%)

What is Podcasting?

How To Create A Podcast

A Podcast Tutorial [Podcasting 101]

Creating a Podcast with Blogger

Mini Project #6 - Wiki

The fourth short project consists of the creation of a wiki. Don't forget to read the copies concerning wikis as well as reviewing the YouTube videos below concerning this internet resource.
Fourth Project Instructions:
Create your own wiki using http://www.wikispaces.com. This is a free platform, and you may also obtain a free upgrade for using it with K-12 students only.
This mini project should have the following aspects:

1. Create your own wiki using http://www.wikispaces.com and send wiki invites to your students, classmates as well as myself (1%)
2. Set up your wiki for a specific course or lesson, using grammatically correct English throughout, in which your students will actively participate in at least once (1%)
3. Add 1 widget, such as a course calendar with events inserted in the calendar (1%)
4. Add at least 2 pictures and/or logo (1%)
5. Create at least 4 links within the wiki (1%)
6. And finally create 1 project and/or use an existing project as a base for the task in groups (1%)

It is important to review the videos first, and it is extremely helpful to use the HELP visual instructions when creating your wiki. If you have any problems or need to be shown hands-on how to do any element, please feel free to see me during my office hours: Tuesdays 1-3 pm in the English lab or in the International Affairs Office and Fridays from 12 to 1 pm in the English lab

The following is a sample wiki which I used last year in American (US) Literature: http://tamatha-rabb-educational-wiki.wikispaces.com/

Wikis in Plain English

Intro to Class Wiki with Wikispaces 1

Teaching with WIKI

wikispace tutorial

Wikispaces Editing

4th Forum

REMINDER: You need to complete your 4th Forum using the "comment" buttons under the YouTube Webquest videos by October 7th.  You should also describe at least 2 examples of how you might use your educational Webquest.

Blog Bonus--- The bonus(es) this time for the Blog-Mini Project went to Jeffrey for his superb job in the use of color and layout within the Blog as well as to Devi An, Laura and Zully for their top-notch design throughout their Blog.

Mini Project #5 -Webquest

The fifth short project consists of the creation of a webquest. Good general discussions about webquests in education should be researched and read from the following websites. Many have sample webquests in order to give you ideas in the creation of your own.:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebQuest
(2) http://www.internet4classrooms.com/using_quest.htm
(3) http://webquest.org/index.php
(4) http://webquest.org/index-resources.php
(5) http://www.emints.org/webquest/3-5com.shtml

Fifth Project Instructions:
Create your own Webquest using either Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Questgarden (http://webquest.org/index-create.php) or a mix of the before mentioned programs.

Each Webquest element listed below should be creative and be based upon your topic that has been developed in the previous mini-projects using the same group/grade level already established in said projects:

1. Introduction (1%)
2. Task (1%)
3. Process
1. Worksheets, guides & instructions (1%)
2. Hyperlinks to appropriate internet resources (1%)
4. Evaluation (1%)
5. Conclusion and Credits (1%)

WebQuest 101 Part 1 -- What is a WebQuest?

WebQuest 101 Part 2 -- How to make a WebQuest

WebQuest 101 Part 3 -- Questgarden

WebQuest 101 Part 4 -- Process

3rd Forum

REMINDER: You need to complete your 3rd Forum using the "comment" buttons under the YouTube Blog videos by September 23rd. 


You should review the instructions in the course syllabus on how to do your forums. Note: you should also describe at least 2 examples of how you might use your educational Blog.

Mini Project #4 -- Blog

The fourth short project consists of the creation of a blog. Good general discussions about blogs & blogging in education should be printed out and read from the following websites:

(1) "Using Blogs to Integrate Technology in the Classroom"
      http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47    and
(2) "Blogs in Education" http://awd.cl.uh.edu/blogPhotocopies concerning Blogs have been left at El Mercadito and should be read and analyzed along with the YouTube videos concerning blogs which may be found below. Note: Blogger has been updated lately so many of the elements illustrated within the videos have changed to a different location within Blogger. Feel free to come and see me during office hours if you have problems locating/creating different elements for your course Blog. Reminder: No class next week in order for you to complete this project after reading and analyzing the YouTube videos. I will be in the English Listening Lab from 12 to 1pm this coming Friday.

Fourth Project Instructions:
Create your own blog using www.blogger.com. NOTE: According to our syllabus, projects are individual OR in PAIRS. Lately we have had MANY groups of THREE which was not recommended as there is always someone who DOES NOT pull his/her weight in the creation of the project(s). As such, groups of 3 will be graded at a higher standard.

This mini project should have the following aspects:

1. Create your own blog using blogger.com and add a comment to this post with the link to your blog as well as completing the profile information about the course teacher(s) (1%)
2. Set up your blog for a specific course or lesson posting at least 2 posts (1%)
3. Be creative and original with your blog theme and layout (1%)
4. Add at least 2 appropriate pictures (1%)
5. Add at least 1 Youtube video (1%)
6. And add your GoAnimate Video (1%)

Final Comment: Absences must be justified with a written document from a doctor if you wish to obtain full credit for your projects being presented at a later date or by your other group members. Otherwise, it is recommended you strive to obtain one of the BONUSES that are given each time projects are presented. To obtain a BONUS one must be present from beginning to end of the class presentations---this illustration of good manners is fundamental when conducting oneself as a teacher/student. As such, anyone without a written justification or BONUS may receive only half of the project grade which may be presented the next time we meet for presentations. There are NO EMAIL options for projects unless stipulated within the Project Instructions. If you have any concerns regarding this matter, please feel free to see me during office hours to discuss it further.

How to create a blog with Blogger

Customizing Your Blogger Template

Creating A Graphical Header For Your Blogger Blog