Class time reflection - 3/11

This week’s focus is technology and how it can facilitate the teaching and learning of a second/foreign language. The first activity of brainstorming all the technological advances that can be used in the classroom is really engaging and inspiring, since apart from the usual equipments which are normally used, it was interesting to see my classmates come up with some very innovational ones such as coffee-grinder, oven, etc. I was bit puzzled at first at how these equipments could be used in the English class but then it became clear that all of them can be realia for teaching vocabulary. Also, personally I think the list would have been more concise and well-related to TESL if the definition of technology had been discussed before we started the brainstorming activity, for it is true that our present life is so much influenced by technology that it’s understandable for people to get confused between what’s technological and what’s not.

Besides, the short wrap-up clip about text and technology that we watched in class did leave an impression in my mind. I felt like I was blown away with the galloping development of technology described in the clip. That again reinforces in me the importance of honing my technological skills to be well-qualified for teaching English in the new era. I fully understand there are so many things about the application of technology in the field of English teaching that I have yet to know, and that’s why keeping an opening eye on these is important for me as a future English teacher.

Bekir and Brian’s presentation which came next was interesting and demanding. The textbook evaluation activity was practical and useful, although I wish we had had more time to work on it.

The last part about the final portfolio was, I must say, tough. It was at first confusing too, since I didn’t get it right when the professor mentioned the final porfolio at the beginning of the semester. Now as far as I understand we have to make an overall review of all the stuff we have been creating during the semester and put them under specific standards. This is definitely not easy, since in my opinion we could hardly meet all of these demands with the work in one course. However, it’s good to know we can do this in pair, which means I can share what I have with my partner and be supplemented with what I don’t have.