Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions

Second time teaching in the Advanced level and the students are really nice, well I have not been in all the groups but this second group is great. The students are dynamic and they have very good English skills, so that is why for me it is not difficult to be there teaching. I enjoy being in the class even when I dont have too many students; they are around ten but just eight students are always in class.
It is very curious because we have the concept that if there are many students in a classroom teaching will  be hard, but also if you dont have a large number of students it will be hard because when you bring group games or activities you dont have enough students so I have to take into consideration all of these aspects too.
I received some sugestions from my tutor teacher and one of those ones is write examples on the board or print them to give them to the students because I bring some examples about collocations regarding mind but they did not have time to copy these information in their notebooks.

"You teach better what you most need to learn''

Hey guys, I hope you miss me jiij. Well, yesterday was my first day at teaching in the advance level the last week I had some problems to go to the classroom because it seems that the schedule of the class  does not fit well with my classes, so I had to make some arrangements with the teacher and ask for some permissions because she wants me to visit the classroom two days a week; One day observing the class and the real day of teaching. The first time when the teacher told me about this requirement I was not happy with the idea but now I can tell you guys that the observation class help me to know  how was the environment of the class and I could also  know about  the students. After the observation the next day I feel great and I did not know anything about nervousness. I really like the new group because they participate a lot and they work enthusiastically in every activity. The teacher was helping a lot with the pratice, she received me kindly inside od the classroom and is always giving feedback and advices that I am sure will help me. I was a little bit scared about this teacher because I know she is strict and dedicate about her job, but and thaks God she made me feel secure instead of scared. Now I know that the relationship and  the communication level with the tutor is also an important part of this process.
I hope this period can goes better that the previous one because I am feealing better with this group and I know that the things that did not work well with the last group will help me to improve and learn even more.

Guys if you use the title of my post well this a quote I found before the class and I really like I bring this to my students and they like it too, so I hope to always find something like this message that encourage me to continue in this process of learning. Hope you like it. :)

Using Blogs to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

As the Internet becomes an increasingly pervasive and persistent influence in people's lives, the phenomenon of the blog stands out as a fine example of the way in which the Web enables individual participation in the marketplace of ideas.

Teachers have picked up on the creative use of this Internet technology and put the blog to work in the classroom. The education blog can be a powerful and effective technology tool for students and teachers alike.

 What is a blog?
A blog (sometimes referred to as a weblog) is a Web publishing tool that allows authors to quickly and easily self-publish text, artwork, links to other blogs or Web sites, and a whole array of other content.
Blogs are set-up like conventional Web sites, with navigation links, and other standard Web site features. Blogs have one standard characteristic, however: the posting. Blog postings are text entries, similar to a diary or journal, which include a posting date and may include comments by people other than the author, photos, links, or other digital media.

User-Friendly Technology
Fortunately for teachers, blogs are surprisingly easy to use. They require minimum technical knowledge and are quickly and easily created and maintained. Unlike many traditional Web sites, they are flexible in design and can be changed relatively easily. Best of all, students will find them convenient and accessible via home or library computers.

Educational Benefits of Blogs
In addition to providing teachers with an excellent tool for communicating with students, there are numerous educational benefits of blogs. Blogs are:

• Highly motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become participants in classrooms.
• Excellent opportunities for students to read and write.
• Effective forums for collaboration and discussion.
• Powerful tools to enable scaffolded learning or mentoring to occur.

Using the Blog in the Classroom
As an educational tool, blogs may be integrated in a multi-faceted manner to accommodate all learners. Blogs can serve at least four basic functions.  

Classrrom management

Collaboration

Discussions

Students portfolios

 

Steps for Getting Started on Blogs
There are a number of free blogging tools available.

1. Go to one of the available free blogging sites (Blogger at www.blogger.com is a very popular one).
2. Provide the necessary information requested. (user name, password)
3. Create a title for your blog.
4. Accept terms and select a template.
5. Publish!