This week we have been learning about utilizing different search engines for finding information about a variety of things. We have studied the A-B-C-D model and used this as a basis for writing outcomes for one of our own classes. Finally, we have taken the first step in our final project - which is to analyze our students and write in detail about the technology which the students have access to both in and out of the classroom.
What this means is that the week was busy but very productive.
In my position overseeing the English Language Centre at my univeristy, I am particulary interested in writing outcomes, not only for the classroom, but also for the entire programme. I think that I have always been good about addressing outcomes and making sure that students understand the outcomes both for the end of the semester and for individual classes. For example, I always write the day's agenda on the whiteboard so that students know what to expect in the class period, and they know what goals I have set for them to be able to accomplish by the end of the period. However, what I think that I still need to learn is how to write outcomes for my program, and how to make sure that I follow through on these outcomes and make sure they are accomplished.
This semester, I am hosting Professional Development seminars for all of my faculty on Independent Learning and Autonomy. We have workshops one a month for two hours on this topic. I have objectives for each meeting, although only clear ones for the topics which we have finished already.
September: Teachers will use discussion and research findings to explore the amount of autonomy which we are currently giving to our students. By the end of the session, we will be able to accurately put a percentage on the average amount of autonomy we are giving.
October: What resources are available to students? Through handouts and looking at our independent learning site, we will be able to accurately determine which areas we have abundant resources and which are lacking. We will work as a team to fill in the gaps of missing features.
November: Regarding assessing independent learning
December: Guest speaker - Phil Benson - will educate us more on IL
December: Round table discussion - what have we learned about IL
So, what I want to do is work on writing better outcomes for this PD series, and I want to adjust my current program outcomes.
I hope this course can help me in this process.
Hi Evelyn!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that we had a lot things to do this week, but I have also learned a lot. I like your idea about writing goals on the board, it is an interesting idea, makes everything more clear to students. I have decided to give it a try!
Ivana
Hi, Ivana.
ReplyDeleteI found that writing the day's objectives on the board helps to give students a clear idea about why they are doing certain activities. I also spend about 5 minutes at the end of class reflecting on what they learned in the class. It helps them to organize that they learned in those fine spaces in their brains, it seems! I could be wrong, but it works for me!
Good luck!
Evelyn
I think it is an excellent idea to inform students of the daily objectives. I also like to give a rationale for the activities. Let them know why we are doing a certain activity and how it is going to help them meet the objectives. They seem to appreciate this a great deal. I think it makes them feel like they are more a part of their learning process.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn, I'm excited to get updates about your learner autonomy workshops. That topic is very near and dear to my heart. I am always striving to find ways to promote and encourage autonomous learners.
Establishing expectations as advised by Courtney is the key to the beginning of not only classes but meetings as well. In the workshops that you are leading, you can ask participants to brainstorm their expectations and after the training sessions they can write their reflections on blogspots as we are doing. After all you want to promote autonomy, so by doing this you are indirectly helping them grow and from their input you can modify, add, or reconsider some of the components of your workshops. Engagement, it seems, is at the heart of the learning process when either teachers or students are the audience.
DeleteOn another note, you mentioned writing objectives for a writing center which I never thought of as such but will certainly consider in my upcoming mission. I am expected to start a Writing Center on another campus of the same University where I teach, so I will start by writing its objectives.
I felt that we have a lot in common. Good luck on your tasks.
Hi, Courtney.
DeleteYes, I think that explaining the daily objectives for the class at the beginning and then spending some time on reflecting on what they learned at the end is a great class management technique. I picked this up about 5 years ago and have been doing it since. I am glad that I am learning more about writing outcomes with you so that I can make my objectives more clear to my learners (and my teaching staff as well for professional development activities).
Thanks again!
Evelyn
Hi, Paula.
DeleteThanks for your comments. We do have a lot in common. Once you get involved with your Writing Center, try to attend conferences on Writing Centers if you can. I have found those to be great networking opportunities. I look forward to hearing how you go about setting up your new center. Good luck!
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
ReplyDeleteGreetings.
It is really interesting to see your blog having excellent thoughts of conducting workshops to the teaching fraternity as per the schedule. It is interesting to know that you are very good in Learner Autonomy especially Independent Learning skills.
Could you please help me to sort out certain issues related to IL/
1. When this IL takes place, how do we measure that the learner has really learnt?
2. This IL / Learner Autonomy is much closer to TBLT so that the learner will get the real world experience. What is your opinion about it?
Excellent post and completely engaged till December. All the best.
S.Sankarakumar
Hi, Sankarakumar,
DeleteThanks for your interest in IL. It is a hard skill to measure and to assess as you suggested. I am no expert, but I am eager to learn more. I will be publishing a paper soon, and I will share that later with you if you like.
Thanks again!
Evelyn
Hi, Evelyn!
ReplyDeleteYes, it has been a hard but rewarding week! In this case, time spent, time invested. It is really a worthwhile experience. I can notice that you are really committed to your work and that is very nice. I am sure that your effort and your desire to improve will make you achieve yours goals.
Thanks for sharing what colleagues are doing in your Faculty on Independent Learning Autonomy. This is an up to date language teaching issue that each one of us should be encouraging at all levels.
Regards!
Hi, Mary.
DeleteThanks for your kind words and encouragement. We are really get a lot of good experience in this class. Hope that you are enjoying the class so far!
Take care.
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
ReplyDeleteAccording to your schedule you have not only a very busy week, but a very busy semester. I wouldn't mind visiting the English Language Center you overseeing. We have two English Centers at the Moldova State University: one is British, another is American. The presidents of these centers always involve us in different seminars and workshps. I am very grateful to them!
Best wishes,
Ina
Hi, Ina. I would love it if you could visit us. If you are interested in presenting a couple of lectures, I could invite you to come as a guest speaker to my college. Then, you could get a free trip to Macau! Let me know if you think you might be interested. Perhaps in the spring you could visit us. Let's stay in touch. If you like, I can share my work e-mail address with you.
DeleteThanks.
Evelyn