Dear all, The week behind has been marked by a lot of looking and thinking ahead. Insights into defining objectives and goals, the difference between them, the need for objectives, their usefulness for teachers and students alike as well as the concrete model have been provided by the readings but also processed and rendered through the eyes and experience of each of my colleagues, our mentors and myself.
It was amazing to see how the objectives would develop under the guidelines provided by fellow teachers. I have to admit, though, that posting some feedback on my dear colleagues’ class objectives made me a bit uncomfortable, as I was not sure whether my remarks were right. Still, if we are going to expect our students to comment on each other’s work, we have to try it out ourselves, provided we give a few arguments, so it is all a part of our learning process here.
I am thinking about including a short introductory list of objectives for each unit I do with students, not only including the part ‘What you will do in this unit’ but also ‘What you are expected to achieve’. It will make students more involved and oriented and thus make assessment easier.
Of course, having the objectives and not having the technological means is not a pleasant feeling for dedicated teachers that we all are. Regarding the ICT equipment and competence level, I would like to tell my dear colleague Md. Mahamud Hasan that I have seen that sometimes having all the infrastructure in the world does not guarantee success and does not make life and/or learning better for students it its own right. The starting point is and will be the vision of the person using the technology. And do not think that you are lagging behind in any way – different people will know different things and have different resources at disposal.
Still, it is always better to focus on one’s own progress than see how far ahead - just relatively speaking - others may seem to be. It is the difference that you will achieve between your initial input and the final output that will make you feel proud. And, trust me, these are the words from a person who has experienced the same amount of sweat (if not tears) since starting this wonderful journey as the rest of you may have. The person is me, of course.
I am looking forward to another eventful week on the course!
Andreja
Dear Andreja,
ReplyDeleteI also feel uncomfortable to post feedback on our colleagues discussions. Maybe it's part of our mentality, we probably see it as a kind of criticism. But I am glad when I receive feedback, because it shows me what are the things that I have missed or thought differently about. So, feedback is helpful and we should learn to give it more often, knowing that we are helping that person look at things form a different perspective and make certain improvements.
So, feel free to send me feedback whenever you feel you want to.
Best wishes,
Nina
Dear Nina,
ReplyDeleteyou are right - it has definitely have a lot to do with the mentality. We were not brought up in the constructive critical spirit, but it is one of the competences we are also trying to develop.
Giving feedback, just like getting one, especially peer feedback, is a novel experience for me. It helps to see I am not the only one though.
Best regards,
Andreja
Hi Andreja,
ReplyDeleteI felt very flattered to hear nice words from you. I read your blog and I think that it’s a very good idea to include a list of objectives for each unit. As another option, maybe you can think of preparing “can do statements” as used by Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Like learning objectives“can do statements” help you define levels of ability in terms of what students can typically do at leach level of framework. By the way, your use of language which is very distinctive and stylistic fascinates me everytime I read your blog.
Best Wishes,
Gülsen
Another thing I want to say, I agree with Nina about the feedback issue so "Please feedback me whenever you want. All feedback and suggestions are welcomed"
ReplyDeleteHi Andreja,
ReplyDeleteI have not been lucky enough yet to receive your feedback!.... Of course it is due to my late posts, I spend so much time reading and reflecting about everything that is posted that I normally end the tasks on Sundays! But, anyway, everything is kept there, for future reference. I hope I will be able to read everything someday.
I would like to say that I totally agree with you that the lack of technology resources may be a real problem, but I have already seen teachers create enourmous things with little or no resources. Anything that is done with the objective of helping our students build their way towards their learning is valuable. That is the real resource we need.
Thank you very much for sharing your ideas and reflections.
Sincerely,
Marcia - Brazil
Dear Gulsen
ReplyDeleteit is interesting that you mention CEFR, as we used it as the basis for our course outcomes. You may agree with me that Can-Do statements have to be reduced or at least modified in terms of degree, since they usually refer to goals to be achieved over 200 hours, whereas my course is a 75-hour one. I appreciate you brought it up, that's another point of reference - maybe the Can-Do statements can be discussed with students as part of awareness-raising. Including objectives in black and white on the first page of a unit, that's the thing to do.
Thanks a lot for the feedback on my writing. I always fear my posts are too long and too elaborate to meet the standards of online writing ... I have little experience with computer-mediated communication and hope my style is not too much the 'old school' one. But I am so glad you enjoy it.
Thank you for your energy.
Best wishes
Andreja
Dear resourceful Marcia Maria,
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see how you are going to develop your project, your own step toward innovating by using the technology you have, scarce as it may appear.
When it comes to late posts, the second half of the week seemed more intense this time than last week, and it is natural, as eveyone is taking in what everyone else is doing - because so many good things are going on! There will also be time to look at it again and again once we finish the course, this is certainly what Deborah and Sandra would like us to do.
Best regards from Croatia
Andreja
Dear Andreja and all participants on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI dare to write a little bit about your comments. As we move on in this couse , participants demonstrate their competences, knowledge and abilities.
Andreja, I don't miss your discussions on Nicenet. You're teaching us many thngs.
Thank you
Nora. From Colombia
Dear Nora,
ReplyDeletejust look at the photo of the hands at the top of this blog. This is what we are a part of - lots of bonds and hands held together adding up to something big we can only begin to imagine. I am so glad I can teach someone like you anything, I am honored to learn from you too. I wish I could provide even more feedback, but however much we contribute is valuable.
Thank you, Nora.
Best regards,
Andreja
Dear Andreja,
ReplyDeleteYour postings on Nicenet and your remarks in the discussions encourage me to look for your postings. I seize this opportunity today.
From your last posting, I remember two ideas you enlightened. They meet my situation. In this program, we are learning a lot of things we would like to pass to other teachers and mostly to our students, but we do not have all the technological materials we are talking about, but our vision of education will anyway bring a positive difference between the input and the output.
This is the final objective of all teachers, trying to do a better job every day. Let's keep this vision and pass it to others.
Once again, thanks for your inspirational thouhts
Best regards
Roland
Dear Roland,
ReplyDeleteHow nice to see your ideas resonate in fellow teachers' minds. It is one of the most positive things that keep you going.
Best regards
Andreja