Bitter/Sweet WEEK 10

WOW   This is definitely bitter/sweet for me.  Bitter because it came to an end, and I felt I really met great people my classmates and teachers.  Bitter because all the great resources will not keep coming.    Bitter because I won´t be learning new and useful tools to improve my teaching practice.  Finally sweet because I can go back to sleeping.  I normally worked at night and I would sometimes just fall asleep from exhaustion on top of my computer. 
My favorite parts the rubrics, ABCD objectives, nicenet and wiki. 

If has been a wonderful experience.  See you soon and wish everyone the best.

week 9

It is always good to refresh our memories on the different learning styles students have, so we can make sure that when we teach we are reaching all of our students.

Teachnology is and extra tool for teaching our students,  it only benefits the different styles.  It´s our job always to find the ways to make students learn.   

The reading this week has made me reflect on making sure I reach all my students.

Week 9 I did it. Hooray!!!!

I did it.  I uploaded my Final Report.  YES!!!
Now I still have to finish week 9 assignments.  No worries I feel proud and happy.  :)

Week 8

This week I definitely learned a lot.  There is just so much out there.  Now the problem picking what is best for me.  I think having experience firsthand the blog, nicenet and wiki make these resources much more appealing to me.  This week I went from thinking of a blog for my project to actually thinking nicenet would be a better fit.  And since this week they explained how to set it up it did not feel complicated at all.  I guess I changed my mind, just because the Nicenet feels much more private.  And as the teacher I feel I have more control over things.
I feel amazed how the internet is so useful, I mean someone from South Korea gave me her input on my draft, miles and miles away from Nicaragua.  Thank you Hannah. 

Week 7. My role as a teacher

Well this week was really a great challenge.  I had a couple of personal issues, and was really struggling to meet the deadlines. 
As always I find the readings insight full.  This week my reflection has been on how important my role as a teacher is.  More than meeting deadlines, more than covering all the units of the textbook, more than having good results on grades my main objective should be to have students learn for life and enjoy doing so.
I feel the need to make sure I’m giving students all the tools, strategies, skills etc.  So they are well equipped.  And truly become autonomous learners.

Week 6

This week was a lot of fun, getting to see everyone´s PPT.     And the discussion on Large Classes is something I can definitely relate to.   When we have conferences with teacher from other places here in Nicaragua that are not the capital, having large classes is always a hot topic.  The discussion go on as who is at fault, why it doesn´t improve, teachers are tired, students are not learning……and do on.  But in the end all those teachers attended these conferences because they wish to improve as teachers.   And during breaks you will hear conversations between them, on tips and ideas to engage and motivate such a numerous group. Jajajaja
My bump on the road this week was my lack of high tech knowledge or practice.  My PPT usually were not even animated, and because of my poor knowledge would seldom do PPT.      But now, it’s a challenge I’m willing to undergo.  

Week 5 A personal note

I can’t believe we are half way there.  It seems time just goes by so quickly.    My favorite part of the week was the Rubrics.  They are completely useful.  Creating a rubric was a new experience for me.  The benefits of allowing students to know ahead of time the criteria’s of their evaluation and the specifics on each point offers a better result.  Student’s outcomes are much better.
On a personal note.  One of the reasons I took this course was because of the alternative of working/studying from the comfort of my home.  Not having to sacrifice my job or family to study some course that would have physically removed me from everything.   For example, if I would have studied abroad for 2 months or studied 3 times a week in a University here in my country to study, that would have been time away from my family.  But most definitely studying through the web in this course is not less demanding.  Actually I feel it’s harder because life goes on, and I actually have to find the time to do my homework, which most of the time it´s when everyone is sleeping.
The first weeks where overwhelming, but I´m getting used to the routine.