This is the end...

It's kind of bittersweet to write this last reflection... Two or three weeks ago I wrote what I thought it could be my last reflection, but it's actually this one.

This week I finished with all the tasks, and I have to say that they were easier compared to others that I found them difficult. I remember I wrote my eModerator to tell him when I was about to do the final quiz, and he answered that I was closer to the end. But sometimes "endings" mean "a new beginning". And that is how I actually see it, as a new beginning!

Because now, thanks to this course I can be a more complete teacher, and as we were discussing today in our online session, not only as a teacher, I had the opportunity to grow as a professional, since we can use these tools in other areas, and get the best out of them.

For example, I learned things like when I'm going to select an activity, the content, evaluate them, and how to make them engaging. I think this course has given us that, how to teach in a more attractive way, and to me that has been the most important aspect.

It helped me find and use things that I knew about them, but I never thought about using them in a class, I just didn't pay attention to them. I also learned new tools, for example the wikis, new websites where I can find many resources, new ideas for a lesson plans.

It made me be more aware of the information that I need for a class, and how can I use them, being aligned with copyright patterns.

It made me realized that we can use everything that a computer and internet can offer, the thing is that we as teachers need to figure out how to make it work in a pedagogical way, just like using Social Networking for educational purposes.

I hope my eModarator Miguel Mendoza read my previous reflection. Because I took sometime to write some words for him, and I'll be glad about knowing he read them. I also would like to keep in touch, and learn more from him.

To finish I'm going to repeat what I said this morning... A great course and a great Moderator. I think this course came alive, because of our teacher Miguel Mendoza. Thank you so much teacher!! I'll read you soon...

Sasha

Maybe my last reflection...

Before starting to talk about the things I have learned in these two weeks I must say how greatful I feel about having this awesome experience!

I have met a wonderful teacher who doesn't have any idea of how he has helped me in my growing process. I have always thought that life is a neverending learning process, and when we think we know it all, is when we actually realize how little we know.

I've always loved to study, and being part of this course makes me want to continue my studies to improve all my skills and be even more professional... I am the kind of person who thinks "never is enough".

The tittle of my entry is due to the fact that I actually don't know if we are going to have another reflection to write... So just in case with don't, this is a way to say good bye...For now!

Having said that I can continue with my regardings. Among the things I have learned... This is a perfect example... THE BLOGS! Thanks to this course I learned how to make it work... And with this Module, I think I got a little more than just set it up, and write my reflections. 

I've learned about the features of a blog, for instance comments by other people who are interested in a specific topic , since I have always found interactivity absolutely important when we are teaching. This is a way for students to gain more skills during their learning process.

With this tool we as teachers can share and enrich from other teacher's knowledge, and also we can link blogs and have more complete information, and even farther create communities. We can help students be more motivated and identified with their groups and teachers, and definitely make them feel more confindent when using the language by themselves.

Another feature that I talked about was the ability to subscribe to the blog, which alows you once you have created your blog, receive information in your blog from websites you're interested in, up-to-date, and faster.

About Wiki Module I can say that I opened a Wiki for the first time of my life, and if it wasn't for this course, I think I would have never done something like that. And knew the purpose of a Wiki, the most important: collaborative writing.

To make a long story short... Thank you teacher, for all your possitive comments, for encourage me to continue working during the course, to be constantly reminding us to complete the activities with your messages, for your willingness... I will always remember you as my eModarator!!!

Sasha Strange

Weeks 2 & 3...

Hello readers...

I opened this blog as a part of a course I've been taking about Learning Technologies for the Classroom... The idea is to write my reflections about what I've learned while I'm taking it. This time I'm going to write about Weeks 2 & 3.

During Weeks 2 & 3 I learned about how to evaluate websites. How appropriate is the information, if it's reliable and relevant depending on the audience, how easy is to use, and what educational purposes I can find.

It's important to define what we want our students to achieve, and give them clear instructions so they can work easily and complete successfully their tasks. And also it makes our job easier.

I really liked to work with the Lesson Plans. I created mine, and I have to say this one was my favorite task. It was really easy for me to do it, but it was like that, because I learned and used all the tools this course has given me.

I had fun when I had to give my comments on the Harry Potter's task, because I don't like that movie, but it helped me to manage myself out of my comfort zone, and also to be prepared for any situation.

About the Search Engines, now I know how to find information easier, and better qualified. I did some experiments I posted on the forums, and I was impressed with the thing I learnt.

We had to do an activity called Issue for Based Research, but I couldn't, because it was a problem with the Moodle Platform. However I'm going to share what I got from it in this post.

"When students are asked to find specific information, they just copy and paste the first thing they read on the internet, without checking where it comes from. They just think: "If this is on the internet, it must be true!" They don't care about knowing if this site they're using is safe.

I think the message of this video is to make us realize what can happen when we don't give our students some guidelines to evaluate sites and information. They need to know that sometimes the information published on the internet can misinform and even defame others, so we have to encourage them to verify the reliability of the source. Make them understand not to believe everything that is on the internet until they have corroborated what they're reading, and be completely happy with the information, and tell them how important is to check the information, and not only let themselves be impressed just because of the appearance. It is sometimes helpful to find out more and be sure to see if what they are reading is true or not.” Sasha.

About copyright I was impressed about the things I read, like the music subject posted on the forum. That was a really shocking aspect, the rest was easy to swallow. To me it was just a matter of respecting other's works. 

Finally I have learned a lot thanks to my classmates posts and my teacher, I can have different points of view and grow as a teacher.

Sasha Strange

My "this week" reflection...

Hello dear coursemates and teacher...

Welcome to my blog!! This is my first reflection and I don't know how to start with it...

Well, first I'm going to change the name"Reflection" by "Journal"... I like it better, because here I'm going to talk about my personal experience among this week...

The first time I opened the email with all the instructions I thought "Oh my god! This gonna be difficult..." Then we had the first session, and I have to say I was bit nervous...

The first week came, and it was time to start with the modules. I started reading carefully step by step all the tasks we had to complete, and I found it out that it wasn't as difficult as I thought. Maybe it is due to the fact that it's just the beginning. I guess the next week it'll become a little harder. 

One of the things I learned is how to use the blogger... I had this blog, but I never used it before till now... Also I think I have improved my technological skills, and I have enjoyed the process...

I loved the topic about Netiquette... I found really interesting information... Now I know that I can't write all my text in capital letters... which was something I did in some opportunities...

My biggest concern was not having the time to complete all the activities for this week... It was a little difficult because I have a tight schedule... But whenever I had a little free time I took it to advance slowly but surely... 

I feel fantastic that I've got here writing this post for you... Now I can say I'm officially done with Module 1 & 2!!!

Sasha Strange