Layout: professional with appropriate graphics
Profile: appropriate information and photo
Writing: HD level 1 quality
Posts:
1. Procedure: How to Fail the Portfolio
2. Procedure: The Hajj
3. Narration: Accident in the Desert
4. Narration: Ramadan Story
5. Process: Your choice
6. Process: Your choice
7. Comparison/Contrast: Your choice
8. Comparison/ Contrast: Your choice
9. Reflective Essay
Comments: Useful suggestions for all team members’ posts except the Reflective Essay.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Reflections on English 125
Introduction: Describe your overall experience with this course this term, especially as it relates to your writing, your blog/e-portfolio and your participation as a blog team member.
Body Paragraph 1: What was best for your writing in this course? What helped you the most? What did you do that contributed to your improving as a writer?
Body Paragraph 2: What was the most challenging for you in the writing portion of this course? What do you need to work on the most? What did you do to help yourself through these challenges?
Conclusion: Assess your performance in this course. What could you do in the future to help yourself be even more successful? What do you want to achieve in the future related to your writing?
Body Paragraph 1: What was best for your writing in this course? What helped you the most? What did you do that contributed to your improving as a writer?
Body Paragraph 2: What was the most challenging for you in the writing portion of this course? What do you need to work on the most? What did you do to help yourself through these challenges?
Conclusion: Assess your performance in this course. What could you do in the future to help yourself be even more successful? What do you want to achieve in the future related to your writing?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Team Effort
Comparison contrast essays are due today! Please post comments on your team members' essays. You should cover:
* introduction on appropriate topics (topics given on HD1 site)
* 3 similarities given for comp paragraph
* 3 differences given for contrast paragraph
* general conclusion
* comparison & contrast vocab (see HD1 site)
* appropriate word length (200)
* grammar & spelling
* introduction on appropriate topics (topics given on HD1 site)
* 3 similarities given for comp paragraph
* 3 differences given for contrast paragraph
* general conclusion
* comparison & contrast vocab (see HD1 site)
* appropriate word length (200)
* grammar & spelling
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Progress Test
Exciting opportunity to display your command of English! Come one; come all to the ADMC auditorium from 1:45 -5:15pm, Monday, Nov. 2. Bring ID, pencil and eraser to demonstrate your reading, writing: narration and procedure, and listening skills. See you there!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Processing...
Well done! To those of you who have completed your procedure posts and commented on your team members posts. Those of you who submitted your posts on time have received my feedback on your narrative writing. You now have the procedure criteria and my narration writing comments. You are expected to edit your posts appropriately for the portfolio grade.
We are launching into process writing next. All of the criteria for procedure are also true for process except that instead of using the imperative verb tense, the passive voice is used. On the HD1 website under 125, you will find: “Describing a Process…” Under the introduction, please read: 1. Layout… 2. More… 4. Using a computer… 9. Expanding…; please do exercise 6. Exercise sentences. Choose two topics from the list provided, click on the link(s), read or watch information about your topics, then write your process essays – one for each topic. Both posts are due November 17.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Blog Team Checklist
Please read your team members posts and give them feedback in the comments section of each post. Be sure to give your name, so that you get the credit. Comments should note what your partners have done well, as well as provide constructive criticism. Please make suggestions for editing and give your reasons.
Procedure Essays:
1. Length (150 words)
2. Organization: 3 paragraphs including introduction, body and conclusion
3. Verb Tense: modals & imperative
4. Linking Words
5. Grammar, Spelling and punctuation
Procedure Essays:
1. Length (150 words)
2. Organization: 3 paragraphs including introduction, body and conclusion
3. Verb Tense: modals & imperative
4. Linking Words
5. Grammar, Spelling and punctuation
Meet at the Movies
Monday, October 12th our class will not meet. Instead during our class time those of you who have Maurice will meet with him in our classroom. On Tuesday we will meet at our usual time for the reading test. After class we will have an extra session, instead of Maurice’s class. We will meet at Cinestar 2 at 4:15 for the MEIFF movie “Earth Whisperers” . I suggest you purchase your tickets in advance on the MEIFF website, 10AED. See you there!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Good Teamwork
"Well done!" to those who have completed their profiles and procedure posts, uploaded their photos and linked to my blog. By now you have received your first blog feedback.
Next week your narrative post on Ramadan is due and teams will evaluate your procedure posts. Blog teams: 1= Talal, Abu Baker & Salem, 2= Ali, Mohammed A & S., 3= Basel, Yousef & Hamza, 4= Hamad Y, Alqam & Omar Eid, 5 = Eid, Omar A & M., 6 = Saeed & Zayad M. Please let me know if your name does not appear on a team.
Next week your narrative post on Ramadan is due and teams will evaluate your procedure posts. Blog teams: 1= Talal, Abu Baker & Salem, 2= Ali, Mohammed A & S., 3= Basel, Yousef & Hamza, 4= Hamad Y, Alqam & Omar Eid, 5 = Eid, Omar A & M., 6 = Saeed & Zayad M. Please let me know if your name does not appear on a team.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Note the Venue
To maximize student success, we will have regularly scheduled class time in the ILC. Our time will be 16:10-18:10 every Wednesday beginning this week! I will be available to help students get started. Your ongoing work will be tracked in a log.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Off and posting!
Congratulations to those who have created a blog and successfully sent me their links! Please check out yours and classmates' blogs in the student links section.
The next step is to post the procedure essays. Enter your dashboard and select new post. Copy and paste your essays from word docs. Always save a back up until your portfolio has been graded.The title for the first procedure essay should be: Procedure Essay: How to Fail the Portfolio. The title for your second post: Procedure Essay: The Hajj. Remember all procedure essays should be written using the imperative form of the verb and utilizing organizational words: first, next, then, after that, etc. Elizabeth is available in the ALZ to proofread assignments. Once again, I encourage you to make use of this resource. I will be commenting on your posts in the comments section. You may then edit your essays. They will not be graded until the portfolio deadline. This will be our drafting system; please do not send assignments through email.
If you are missing any assignment hand outs, there will be a sign up sheet available in the classroom today, so that I may get more printed.
I appreciate all your enthusiasm for a successful term.
The next step is to post the procedure essays. Enter your dashboard and select new post. Copy and paste your essays from word docs. Always save a back up until your portfolio has been graded.The title for the first procedure essay should be: Procedure Essay: How to Fail the Portfolio. The title for your second post: Procedure Essay: The Hajj. Remember all procedure essays should be written using the imperative form of the verb and utilizing organizational words: first, next, then, after that, etc. Elizabeth is available in the ALZ to proofread assignments. Once again, I encourage you to make use of this resource. I will be commenting on your posts in the comments section. You may then edit your essays. They will not be graded until the portfolio deadline. This will be our drafting system; please do not send assignments through email.
If you are missing any assignment hand outs, there will be a sign up sheet available in the classroom today, so that I may get more printed.
I appreciate all your enthusiasm for a successful term.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Fresh Start
Greetings 125 Students,
Eid Mubarek! I hope you all have had a good holiday and are ready for the regular class schedule.
We have had a bumpy start in this class. With new students joining us throughout the weeks our class has grown dramatically.
To meet this challenge, we will take several steps to help everyone maximize opportunities for success. If you are a new student, please partner with one of the original students to ensure you have gotten all the information you need. Please see me if you are missing any handouts. I encourage everyone who has not yet registered in the ALZ to do so as soon as possible and to make use of the facility for extra help with writing process. Please also utilize the ILC IELTS programs for extra listening, reading and writing practice. Finally, we will be transferring from a binder style portfolio to an electronic portfolio. Your writings will be saved on a blog you create and linked to my blog. You may access future information about the class at this blogsite to remain up to date with assignments.
I look forward to getting to know you all in further detail as you develop your profiles and begin posting. Blog on!
Eid Mubarek! I hope you all have had a good holiday and are ready for the regular class schedule.
We have had a bumpy start in this class. With new students joining us throughout the weeks our class has grown dramatically.
To meet this challenge, we will take several steps to help everyone maximize opportunities for success. If you are a new student, please partner with one of the original students to ensure you have gotten all the information you need. Please see me if you are missing any handouts. I encourage everyone who has not yet registered in the ALZ to do so as soon as possible and to make use of the facility for extra help with writing process. Please also utilize the ILC IELTS programs for extra listening, reading and writing practice. Finally, we will be transferring from a binder style portfolio to an electronic portfolio. Your writings will be saved on a blog you create and linked to my blog. You may access future information about the class at this blogsite to remain up to date with assignments.
I look forward to getting to know you all in further detail as you develop your profiles and begin posting. Blog on!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Light at the End of the Tunnel
We still have some important and powerful information to cover before we reach the end of our time together. However, we are going to begin looking at how to synthesize and present your learning through the blog project.
First, view the critical thinking PowerPoint under options. Your oral presentation will be based on your applying critical thinking to the tasks you have completed for your blog. Please include evidence of the following in your presentations supported by your own PowerPoint:
First, view the critical thinking PowerPoint under options. Your oral presentation will be based on your applying critical thinking to the tasks you have completed for your blog. Please include evidence of the following in your presentations supported by your own PowerPoint:
- Summarize your learning about the issues
- Explain the application to your own life
- Any changes you’ve already made
- Any changes you plan to make
- Anyone with whom you’ve shared this information
- Describe your response
- How you have felt about the changes
- How you feel about making them
- Others’ reactions to your sharing
- Evaluate the meaning for your life and the future of the planet
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Get Vocal!
Voicethread assignment instructions:
1. With a partner open www.Voicethread.com ; register as a user.
2. Read partner's IT summary.
3. Write a 75-100 word opinion commentary about your partner’s summary; exchange commentaries with your partner and correct / edit them.
4. Record your commentary of your partner’s summary to the Voicethread site.
5. Upload / post your Voicethread commentary to your 174 blog site.
1. With a partner open www.Voicethread.com ; register as a user.
2. Read partner's IT summary.
3. Write a 75-100 word opinion commentary about your partner’s summary; exchange commentaries with your partner and correct / edit them.
4. Record your commentary of your partner’s summary to the Voicethread site.
5. Upload / post your Voicethread commentary to your 174 blog site.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Heating Up
By now you have commented on each other's posts demonstrating your proficiency in blogging skills: posts, comments, links, etc. Now we will be moving further into the topic: the consequences of global warming and your and others' opinions as well as technical challenges.
You will view the film, An Inconvenient Truth, and make two posts. The first post is a summary of the movie similar to the reading summaries which should include introductory and concluding paragraphs. However, it should not include any statements of opinion!
Your analysis and opinion should be covered in the second post where you address what you think of the film's effectiveness at addressing the topic of global warming/local solutions. You should cite facts, references and solutions from the film as examples to support your points as well as two other sources (Check the assignment description under blog entries and requirements). Again include an introduction and conclusion to your post.
Check the task requirements (entries link) for word length for both posts. An opinion interview using Voice Thread technology will be completed next week. Check out www. Voicethread.com and keep on blogging!
You will view the film, An Inconvenient Truth, and make two posts. The first post is a summary of the movie similar to the reading summaries which should include introductory and concluding paragraphs. However, it should not include any statements of opinion!
Your analysis and opinion should be covered in the second post where you address what you think of the film's effectiveness at addressing the topic of global warming/local solutions. You should cite facts, references and solutions from the film as examples to support your points as well as two other sources (Check the assignment description under blog entries and requirements). Again include an introduction and conclusion to your post.
Check the task requirements (entries link) for word length for both posts. An opinion interview using Voice Thread technology will be completed next week. Check out www. Voicethread.com and keep on blogging!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blog On
I enjoyed reading through your posts as you begin grappling with the issues around global warming. Some of you have gotten very creative with your blogs: well-written posts and professional lay out.
We are about to begin a new series of tasks, so we are taking this time to ensure everyone is caught up. You will receive written feedback from me this week regarding your blog. On your blogs, include graphics: photos, art and videos that are pertinent to your posts.
Read and comment on the other students' global warming posts. This will give you opportunity to glean ides from others about blog layout. Happy blogging!
We are about to begin a new series of tasks, so we are taking this time to ensure everyone is caught up. You will receive written feedback from me this week regarding your blog. On your blogs, include graphics: photos, art and videos that are pertinent to your posts.
Read and comment on the other students' global warming posts. This will give you opportunity to glean ides from others about blog layout. Happy blogging!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Blogging as a Part of My Teaching and Learning
Sharing my native language, English, and my culture, American, has made it possible
for me to encounter peoples of many different languages and cultures throughout the world. I have taught adults in academic and workplace settings in the U.S., Japan and Costa Rica. This has made it possible for me to travel around North America, Asia and the Pacific. Thus, I have also gotten to share in others’ languages and cultures as well as teach my own.
Currently, I have the opportunity to teach Emiratis in applied programs at the Abu Dhabi Men’s College. This teaching experience is proving both challenging and rewarding as I increase my understanding of Arabic peoples and culture. I look forward to another term of working with students I’ve gotten to know, sharing at a deeper level and building on the skills we have developed.
This blog is a tangible representation of both the rewards and challenges of teaching at this level. The blog itself manifests my own skill building as I enhance my technological skills and incorporate them in my teaching methods to further serve the needs of my students. I am creating this blog to serve first, as a model for my students’ blog spots, second, as a channel of communication between us and finally for my own professional development as an educator.
Technological advancement mirrors language development in this instance. For together, I and my students, are experimenting, growing in sophistication, to enhance our ability to communicate: the heart of all language and cultural learning.
for me to encounter peoples of many different languages and cultures throughout the world. I have taught adults in academic and workplace settings in the U.S., Japan and Costa Rica. This has made it possible for me to travel around North America, Asia and the Pacific. Thus, I have also gotten to share in others’ languages and cultures as well as teach my own.
Currently, I have the opportunity to teach Emiratis in applied programs at the Abu Dhabi Men’s College. This teaching experience is proving both challenging and rewarding as I increase my understanding of Arabic peoples and culture. I look forward to another term of working with students I’ve gotten to know, sharing at a deeper level and building on the skills we have developed.
This blog is a tangible representation of both the rewards and challenges of teaching at this level. The blog itself manifests my own skill building as I enhance my technological skills and incorporate them in my teaching methods to further serve the needs of my students. I am creating this blog to serve first, as a model for my students’ blog spots, second, as a channel of communication between us and finally for my own professional development as an educator.
Technological advancement mirrors language development in this instance. For together, I and my students, are experimenting, growing in sophistication, to enhance our ability to communicate: the heart of all language and cultural learning.
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