Friday, 25 November 2016
Friday, 18 November 2016
Session 10 - reflection
Think back to the resources, sites, activities you have visited or tried out. What are their strengths, and the potentials for using them in your teaching situation?
Grammar checking tools
It is really upsetting that Paul confirms the unlikelihood of having an accurate grammar checking tool.
Thanks for confirming the value / worth of English teachers.
Storybird
This is amazing!!!
I love the pictures. I love the layout. It is all big, colourful and fancy! Looking at the pictures, I really want to write something and express myself! The pictures really touch my heart.
I planned to use Adobe Spark Video for my term paper. Within minutes after exploring storybird, I changed my mind.
It gives so much freedom to students! They can write creatively, or share something personal!
Again, it is free of charge!
Mystorybook
This isn't as attractive as storybook. I have to say, among the three digital story making tool (mystorybook, storybird, adobe spark video), it ranks last. I am sorry for being frank. Reasons are simple -->
The 'book' is not big and the 'characters' aren't pretty.
Of course, it is very easy to use and allows me to attach my photos. But honestly, I don't think students would like to see their face on the screen. They prefer pictures.
Grammar checking tools
It is really upsetting that Paul confirms the unlikelihood of having an accurate grammar checking tool.
Thanks for confirming the value / worth of English teachers.
Storybird
This is amazing!!!
I love the pictures. I love the layout. It is all big, colourful and fancy! Looking at the pictures, I really want to write something and express myself! The pictures really touch my heart.
I planned to use Adobe Spark Video for my term paper. Within minutes after exploring storybird, I changed my mind.
It gives so much freedom to students! They can write creatively, or share something personal!
Again, it is free of charge!
Mystorybook
This isn't as attractive as storybook. I have to say, among the three digital story making tool (mystorybook, storybird, adobe spark video), it ranks last. I am sorry for being frank. Reasons are simple -->
The 'book' is not big and the 'characters' aren't pretty.
Of course, it is very easy to use and allows me to attach my photos. But honestly, I don't think students would like to see their face on the screen. They prefer pictures.
Friday, 11 November 2016
Session 9 - reflection
F.1 -5 students in my school are required to complete online reading tasks designed by Wiseman (English Builder) from time to time.
I found 'readtheory' is very similar in nature - give students extensive reading tasks. The difference is that 'readtheory' is absolutely free while the school has to pay for Wiseman subscription.
Is Wiseman any better than the free website? I am not sure.
One thing I am sure is that some students are so tired of doing Wiseman that they actually pay their classmates to finish their homework. The most impressive case was that 1 boy was credited the highest scorer in school and he actually did nothing.
I doubt the effectiveness of online extensive reading platforms.
Actively Learn
I think one of the best parts of actively learn is that there is a catalog with lots of articles. The main reading source for my students is SCMP. They rarely read English outside the classroom. The articles on actively learn are relatively shorter in length. They are from difference places, LA times, Newsweek ... (I understand that Wiseman serves the same purpose. But why Wiseman is so 'hateful' because students have to do it every week. They have no choice. However, actively learn is class-based so teacher and students can discuss the schedule together. I guess in this case 'cheating' can be avoided.)
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