Reflecting on my own learning process, I can say that I know I am a digital immigrant who speaks with an accent, but thanks to courses like this, my accent is less and less evident because I know that I'm learning more and more each and every day. This week, for instance, I have learned about more tools that I can use to complement my classes. I have particularly enjoyed preparing my project and putting my hard work into practice. When I started working on the project, I knew that I wanted to put together a Google Site because I have heard about it, but I hadn't had the chance to work with it, and after seeing the template and use of the GS in this course, I could definitely picture my students using a similar site where they feel part of a process, able to practice as much as they can and helping them lower the anxiety levels. We are currently trying to restructure the courses that we give at the School of Modern Languages at the University of Costa Rica, but as you reader may know, that process takes time. We are working hard on that because we know that students need time to process the information that's presented to them, and the way in which the contents are distributed right now do not allow the student to really digest the information provided. It's actually crazy sometimes how fast the teacher has to cover the content without further practice. We actually have one lab a week for the student to practice the sounds or study the difficult words or expressions they need to pronounce correctly during their speeches. That's why I find this project so exciting because it actually allows me to implement a change that I know my students appreciate. I was able to see since the first week we used the site, that my students were thrilled about having the chance to do some readings to expand the vocabulary of the topics they need to talk about in class, but they were even more excited to know that they were not only able to read the articles, but that most of them had the audio for them to listen to. Besides that, the fact that I was able to add mp3 files with the pronunciation practice or specific links catered to the actuall contents of the course makes the site even more interesting for them. I know that many are going to be working on the ANVILL voiceboard recording themselves because they will be able to listen to themselves and listen to each other. That is, they will be part of the evaluation process and not just the teacher since part of my idea is to implement both self and peer assessment together with my assessment. I know that by using this site, by having the opportunity to practice the specific sounds, by watching videos where they can see the person pronouncing specific sounds they need to master, and by doing so many other things I'm already planning to do; my students will be better students at the end. At least that's the feeling I get. I know that I'll be happy when they move on to their next course knowing that they were given enough practice and time to process and that they feel part of it as well.

Thanks for this opportunity!

This is a video  I like because it really shows what we are not supposed to do and many of us do, have done or will do in the future with the technology at hand. Probably because of lack of knowledge. I know that because of courses like this one I'm not this kind of teacher.

The video is not available in English but I believe the message gets across.

If you ask me what the student role is nowadays, I would say that based on my experience, our students are indeed becoming autonomous learners. I have been a teacher for 13 years not, and I can see how that role has changed over the years. The student I had 13 years ago is not the same as the one I have now. Even the students I had a year ago are very different from the ones I have right now. First, I think that the students today don't learn the same way than they did 20 or 30 years ago. Probably the main reason for that is because of the way they study.  Their world is surrounded by information, by cellphones, iPods, computers, Xbox, PPS, and many other devices I don't even know how to pronounce. Even a 3-year old like my nephew can take my Android and know how to go about it to be able to take pictures or make a phone call. That's a very simple example of autonomy. Now, are the teachers autonomous learners too? I am not sure if all of us are, but we are definitely trying. We have to catch up with our students because as Jeremy Rifkins suggests, a new human archetype is born, one that knows the cyberspace so well that's interested on having exciting experiences and whose personality changes as fast as the cyberspace does. So, either we become autonomous and independent learners ourselves or we stay behind.

This week I have continued to implement my Google sites with the students, and I have found myself struggling with what I have been able to create and the roadblocks I have found. I have struggled with googlesites, trying to learn how it works because it  hasn't been easy. I was able to create the site and the pages for the weeks of class we still have left. I have also collected some materials and gotten some links to add in the site; however, I had had difficulties understanding the googlesites environment, finding it to be more complex than the yahoo groups I'm so used to. But just like my personality, I have looked for ways to cope with the challenge. If I don't know something, I ask for help, if I don't understand something, I look for answers. I mean, I don't think I have to have all of the answers or know all of the tools, I just know that I want my students to have the chance to practice as much as they can in and out of class. I am trying really hard to accomplish my goal, but it's been frustrating at times. However, I know that I don't have to be like Mrs. Gadget either and use technology inappropriately. I just have to be receptive to my students' needs and use the technology at hand to be able to fulfill their needs and help them improve. I hope I can do that. Thanks for reading!!!

We are definitely not traditional teachers anymore. That traditional nature changed the moment we started to think of ourselves as more than teachers who impart "knowledge" to our students. We are following a new path now, seeking new opportunities to learn, to grow as individuals and become better persons and better professionals. If you ask me what I have learned this week, I would say that I have remembered that being devoted to teaching is such a complex process that we can never stop working, learning and reflecting about it. This week we had access to a variety of activities that can bring interactivity to our classes. We read about using Power Point presentations interactively, and I remembered the reason why I stopped using them so often in the first place. I agree with the writers that many many times that resource has become but a dreadful tool that brings the traditional class back to our classrooms when teachers use it a lecture tool that will sometimes make their students drowsy. I know that's how I feel when I am a student in such classes. Therefore, using Power Point presentations interactively can actually motivate students to participate actively in the process. I personally like to use Prezi simply because it's a new tool that has a lot of movement, and it's very easy to use. However, just like any other tool, it cannot be over used or if used inappropriately, it will be another useless tool, in my opinion.

Well, this week I started to work no my final project. As you already know, I intend to implement a googlesite so that my students have a chance to practice beyond the classroom. To make that happen, professor Robert was kind enough to provide me with some information regarding the use of googlesites. I also looked for tutorials online to learn how to use it properly. After that, I was able to prepare the site myself. At least, I was able to prepare my first draft and the site schema is ready. I added the course description as well as several pages for the 16 weeks of class we have this semester. I will continue now to add files and links to help my students maximize their learning process. I'll let you know how that goes.

I really appreciate professor Robert's help during this process. Taking this course has opened my eyes on many different ways, and I know that my students will benefit from my own learning process.

Regards!!!

What have I learned this week?
Wow...where to start. This week has been way too personal for me. It was a flashback to my own learning experience and what I think got me into teaching in the first place. Coming from a very traditional system didn't help much as a student, until I realized that I had to study the way I could and not how everybody told me to. I am a singer, and I found out on time that since I'm a doer as well, I had to study by doing, by working on my own projects, but listening to myself explaining the content, and my mom thought I was crazy when I even wrote songs to learn the names and dates of the social studies content I had to memorized. So, this week I have learned and refresh my knowledge regarding PBL, a gift I found many years ago but that I knew it had that name until this week I guess. I think I used it as a student all the time, and then back when I was teaching my dear teenagers I remembered that it worked with me and so I tried it with my students. I have used PBL as much as I can ever since, together with alternative assessment. I think that's the very best way there is to learn; however, I know sometimes the system, the time constraints, and the need to cover so much content have to be considered.

Something else I learned and I actually love is the way in which we can create webquests on the web. I usually just type them in word and either upload them in yahoo groups or photocopy them; depending on the resources. I know that I'm learning sooo much in this course that's sometimes unreal to me. I am enjoying every second of it, and I honestly don't want it to stop. I know that we are halfway through, so I cannot even imagine what we still will discover.

Love it!!!

This week has been really interesting in so many ways. First and foremost, I was able to create a technology-enhanced lesson plan that I know my students and I are going to enjoy. When I think about teaching and planning, I think about my students. My students' needs and wants drive me to provide them with opportunities which they can find both beneficial and useful. However, one of the most difficult things to plan for, at least in my country is for teaching reading and writing. It is just my opinion, but I believe that my Costa Rican culture does not really nurture the desire to read. Therefore, students find it difficult and even exhausting at times. So, when it comes to reading and writing, I look for ways in which my students can feel engaged and motivated. Just like the lessons plans we were able to share this week, I look for exciting ways to help my students enjoy reading. For instance, I like to write poems sometimes, and even though I don't consider myself a brilliant one, I do like the reaction I get from my students.  This week, the topic of this course inspired me to write once again because I wanted my students to enjoy poetry. That made me write about them. Here is what I came up with:

IN THE MORNING OF MY LIFE

By Roxana Chévez

Today, I woke up and thought,

“What am I here for?”

I believe I’m here to inspire

The bitter to smile or the small one to shine.

I’m here to be the best,

Even though sometimes life is a test.

I was born to shine,

And give the best I can

To show my students what’s to stand for and fight in the quest.

I was born to come every day,

To this holy place I call home

Where I can hear an Arianna complain,

Or see a Joyce misbehave.

And an Edgar say “Let’s go out to play”

Or a Huge ask “Did I do a good task?”

I know I am here to open my arms

And feel that I exist because of you.

YOU, whatever name you have.

I’m here to be with you

At this time of my life.

As you have already figured out

Today, in the morning of my life, I have found

That I´m here for you.

It does not matter the hard and difficult times.

I’m here to wake up everyday

And be able to see your pretty face.

To be with you, that´s all I care;

In the good and in the bad days.

Like the blood in my veins

You come everyday

To form the cells of my teacher’s organism and keep me alive.

Sometimes the cells wouldn’t behave,

And that´s when I get sick or a headache or a pain.

But soon the medicine comes,

And the sickness, headache or pain is gone.

Then, I can enjoy myself again

From the blessing that every taken seat creates.

In the morning of my life today I can say,

That there’s a road ahead, road blocks to jump and quests to face.

I cannot assure whether we will be safe at the end,

But I can assure that I´ll be there.

With open arms, maybe bruises and some scars,

But happy to have completed my task.

I can assure you that I’ll never give up

Because I know what I love and what I´m here for.

I’m here for you, I DO LOVE YOU!!!

After sharing that poem with students, I found that since it was about them, they were engaged since the very beginning and then were motivated to talk about poetry more than ever before. Even though that lesson plan wasn't exactly technology-enhanced, it proves a point I strongly believe in . I consider that when students are taken into account, when they become important individuals in the classroom and they become the "cells of my teacher's organism," it doesn't matter whether it is technology, a fly-swatter or a simple board what you use in the classroom. What really matters is that we can add passion to our teaching and make that contagious.  

This week, I have also cherished the fact that we have a chance to share our knowledge with peers, and the opportunity to not only learn from each-other's process, but also get feedback and put what we read into practice. I know that after this course ends, valuable friendships will remain, knowledge and thoughts like those shared by colleagues like Luisa, for instance, will also be part of my learning process. We teachers also need to be nurtured and appreciated. Courses like this one, friends like the ones we make, the knowledge we share, are aspects that will make that possible. 

Thanks for reading!