Up until recently I would say that my computer skills were slim to none- I could do powerpoints, Google for images and information, type up word documents, and chat on MySpace and Facebook. If you asked me what social networking was before, I would have shrugged my shoulders.
Over the past three weeks I had the pleasure of being involved in an online class that not only helped me learn to navigate social networking, but also how to make it beneficial for my students. Might as well learn how to use it effectively, right?
Although I've obtained some really great skills, I would have to say the most beneficial to me would be the use of WebQuests. It not only allows students the chance to research using sites and videos chosen by me, but it also allows me the opportunity to differentiate instruction for all levels in my classroom. I also liked the video "Extreme Makeover: Powerpoint Edition". I will most definitely send it to my colleagues- so many of them use powerpoint as a verbatem text!!! Arrgggh!!! Watch it--it's a great video! :)
The course assisted me in the main goal that I have when it comes to teaching in a high school: stay relevant and stay up-to-date. I don't want to become that teacher that drones on and on with technology from the 1800s! Now I can show the students that learning can be fun and also something that incorporates their social life. We all know that's why kids come to school anyways ;)
I unexpectedly loved taking an online class--usually it is so hard for me to focus and set aside time to do work unless I am physically away from my home. This time, I was engaged, encouraged, and motivated. Previously I didn't really see the value in using social networking in the class, but now I can see what a great tool it can be. It's just another valuable tool in our kits.
I don't think that I would change much, if anything, from the design of the class. It was organized, had a clear format, and used a lot of different techniques that kept me engaged. I was jumping from site to site, watching different (SHORT :) ) clips, and taking notes at my own pace. I loved being able to see what my expectations were as a learner, and also being able to predict what my end result would be. I think this Discovery online class was so worth it, and I would gladly do it again.
This brings me back to my original quote: "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" To me, this is exactly what this class has done for me. I am able to use my resources more wisely, making me a better asset in the classroom. I, as well as my students, thank you!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Excellent Web Sources for ESL
Check out some of these websites for basic information, lesson plans, and cultural awareness to help serve any English Language Learner.
BETAC (Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center): These centers are for anyone seeking information about Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language. They can provide you with your state regulations, useful contacts, and even professional development opportunites. There are also links to your local BETAC office.
www.BETAC.org
This site is extremely helpful for novices and veterans alike. It provides you with answers to all of your trickiest questions about ESL and Bilingual Ed. These are the people to go to with any inquiries, problems, or confusions about regulations and standards.
Cornell University Southeast Asia Outreach Program (SEAP): SEAP is a program that is designed to help educators, business people, and professionals understand the history, culture, and experiences of the people of Southeast Asia. They provide professional development, culture trunks to loan, teacher training, resources, and culture talks.
http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/SouthEastAsia/outreach/index.asp
I recently attended a workshop provided by this group, and this particular organization is extremely dedicated, knowledgeable, and helpful in assisting in understanding the people of Southeast Asia. They are more than willing to send you materials, speak with your school or company, or even conduct a webconference through Skype!
Dave's ESL Cafe: Looking for a place to meet other ESL teachers? Looking for ESL employment opportunites around the world? This site is a world-wide connection for ESL teachers. It provides teachers the chance to connect with one another, post success stories, and also a place for newbies to obtain materials or lesson ideas. It also boasts a section for students to practice or brush up on their skills.
www.eslcafe.com
This site really rocks! It's very exciting to connect with other teachers, share gripes and successes, and see what ESL is like around the world. Very useful for anyone looking to teach overseas or get involved in professional development opportunites.
Drum Publication Group: This group is dedicated to preserving culture in one of the ethnic groups of Burma, the Karen. In our particular city we have had a huge influx of refugees from Burma, and this site provides a vast amount of resources about the Karen: history, bilingual dictionaries, videos, interpreters, etc. There are also activities and books you can purchase that are only in the Karen language.
http://drumpublications.org/index.html
I should use this site more often than I do, because it is chock full of useful links, information, and culture capsules that can be integrated into staff meetings, cultural awareness activities, etc. I really believe that it is important to know your students and this is a valuable site for doing that.
ESL Go: ESL Go is very similar to Everything ESL.net, which is a blog that provides both teachers and students opportunites to engage in activities, find lesson plans, and share meaningful activities. James Trotta, which runs the blog, has dedicated his time to teaching (and helping others to teach) ESL.
www.eslgo.com
Super site, wish I had found it earlier in my teaching career! I do reference it from time to time, but not as valuable as Everything ESL. Spends a lot of time on certification and being able to teach ESL--may be useful to some.
Everything ESL: EverythingESL.net is one of the best blogs about ESL. Judie Haynes is a veteran teacher who provides others with materials, current legislation information, and various tips and techniques for teachers. There is even a section for how to hold an effective parent-teacher conference with the parent of an ELL!
www.everythingesl.net
I love this site! I have used it more times than I can count. She is very honest, direct, and helpful. She has blogged answers to many of the questions I have, and she keeps the site current.
G.W. Fowler High School ESL: This is the website for the ESL department at the high school that I work at. There is general information about ESL as pertains to Syracuse, and there are links to useful websites. Of course I think it's great, I created it! :)
http://sites.google.com/site/fowleresl/Home
I think this site is useful for people servicing ESL students both in Syracuse and other areas as well. It provides some information for students and faculty, but the links are great.
New York State TESOL: This is the New York State ESL website, which provides all teachers with access to the standards, policies, and links associated with English as a Second Language. You can also find professional development opportunities and employment through this website.
www.nystesol.org
This site is okay, but definitely not the first I turn to for information. It can be somewhat difficult to navigate and find pertinent information without having to go through a bunch of non-essentials first. The BETAC site is much better for finding information quickly.
SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) Institute: For anyone in the ESL field, SIOP is the new buzz-word. This is a method of instruction that incorporates content into the ESL classroom. It uses best practices to teach English through content. It's an excellent method of teaching for any and ALL students, but particularly ELLs.
www.siopinstitute.net
I have been to several trainings on this particular method of instruction, and it will work for any and all students. It is basically good teaching using prior knowledge activation, graphic organizers, and meaningful activities. I am a firm believer in the SIOP method, and I think anyone can benefit from using it in their ESL or mainstream classes.
Web English Teacher: Looking for worksheets, lesson templates, guides, or activities? This is the site for you! This site has a TON of activities, resources, and materials for teachers to use with their ELLs. There are many links to various other sites, but this is a great compilation of useful websites. I particularly love the section on jazz chants and songs.
www.webenglishteacher.com
All I can say is, "Wow!" If you need some ideas, inspiration, or materials to use with your students, this is the one! Superb collection that should be bookmarked on everyone's delicious page! :)
BETAC (Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center): These centers are for anyone seeking information about Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language. They can provide you with your state regulations, useful contacts, and even professional development opportunites. There are also links to your local BETAC office.
www.BETAC.org
This site is extremely helpful for novices and veterans alike. It provides you with answers to all of your trickiest questions about ESL and Bilingual Ed. These are the people to go to with any inquiries, problems, or confusions about regulations and standards.
Cornell University Southeast Asia Outreach Program (SEAP): SEAP is a program that is designed to help educators, business people, and professionals understand the history, culture, and experiences of the people of Southeast Asia. They provide professional development, culture trunks to loan, teacher training, resources, and culture talks.
http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/SouthEastAsia/outreach/index.asp
I recently attended a workshop provided by this group, and this particular organization is extremely dedicated, knowledgeable, and helpful in assisting in understanding the people of Southeast Asia. They are more than willing to send you materials, speak with your school or company, or even conduct a webconference through Skype!
Dave's ESL Cafe: Looking for a place to meet other ESL teachers? Looking for ESL employment opportunites around the world? This site is a world-wide connection for ESL teachers. It provides teachers the chance to connect with one another, post success stories, and also a place for newbies to obtain materials or lesson ideas. It also boasts a section for students to practice or brush up on their skills.
www.eslcafe.com
This site really rocks! It's very exciting to connect with other teachers, share gripes and successes, and see what ESL is like around the world. Very useful for anyone looking to teach overseas or get involved in professional development opportunites.
Drum Publication Group: This group is dedicated to preserving culture in one of the ethnic groups of Burma, the Karen. In our particular city we have had a huge influx of refugees from Burma, and this site provides a vast amount of resources about the Karen: history, bilingual dictionaries, videos, interpreters, etc. There are also activities and books you can purchase that are only in the Karen language.
http://drumpublications.org/index.html
I should use this site more often than I do, because it is chock full of useful links, information, and culture capsules that can be integrated into staff meetings, cultural awareness activities, etc. I really believe that it is important to know your students and this is a valuable site for doing that.
ESL Go: ESL Go is very similar to Everything ESL.net, which is a blog that provides both teachers and students opportunites to engage in activities, find lesson plans, and share meaningful activities. James Trotta, which runs the blog, has dedicated his time to teaching (and helping others to teach) ESL.
www.eslgo.com
Super site, wish I had found it earlier in my teaching career! I do reference it from time to time, but not as valuable as Everything ESL. Spends a lot of time on certification and being able to teach ESL--may be useful to some.
Everything ESL: EverythingESL.net is one of the best blogs about ESL. Judie Haynes is a veteran teacher who provides others with materials, current legislation information, and various tips and techniques for teachers. There is even a section for how to hold an effective parent-teacher conference with the parent of an ELL!
www.everythingesl.net
I love this site! I have used it more times than I can count. She is very honest, direct, and helpful. She has blogged answers to many of the questions I have, and she keeps the site current.
G.W. Fowler High School ESL: This is the website for the ESL department at the high school that I work at. There is general information about ESL as pertains to Syracuse, and there are links to useful websites. Of course I think it's great, I created it! :)
http://sites.google.com/site/fowleresl/Home
I think this site is useful for people servicing ESL students both in Syracuse and other areas as well. It provides some information for students and faculty, but the links are great.
New York State TESOL: This is the New York State ESL website, which provides all teachers with access to the standards, policies, and links associated with English as a Second Language. You can also find professional development opportunities and employment through this website.
www.nystesol.org
This site is okay, but definitely not the first I turn to for information. It can be somewhat difficult to navigate and find pertinent information without having to go through a bunch of non-essentials first. The BETAC site is much better for finding information quickly.
SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) Institute: For anyone in the ESL field, SIOP is the new buzz-word. This is a method of instruction that incorporates content into the ESL classroom. It uses best practices to teach English through content. It's an excellent method of teaching for any and ALL students, but particularly ELLs.
www.siopinstitute.net
I have been to several trainings on this particular method of instruction, and it will work for any and all students. It is basically good teaching using prior knowledge activation, graphic organizers, and meaningful activities. I am a firm believer in the SIOP method, and I think anyone can benefit from using it in their ESL or mainstream classes.
Web English Teacher: Looking for worksheets, lesson templates, guides, or activities? This is the site for you! This site has a TON of activities, resources, and materials for teachers to use with their ELLs. There are many links to various other sites, but this is a great compilation of useful websites. I particularly love the section on jazz chants and songs.
www.webenglishteacher.com
All I can say is, "Wow!" If you need some ideas, inspiration, or materials to use with your students, this is the one! Superb collection that should be bookmarked on everyone's delicious page! :)
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