Final Reflection

Here is my recording of my final reflection:

This is my written version:

This subject was obligatory for me.  However, I knew it was going to be useful since I started working this year and I found it hard to look for and create materials for my students.

Now that I've taken the subject, I know so many new things I didn’t know before.  I now know that teachers CAN be materials developers, they have the capacity to create materials better than graphic designers do, since a lot has to be taken into account when creating materials: including age, language level, context, level of difficulty, clear instructions, appealing content, opportunities for interaction and reflection, and so many more.

Before taking this subject, I had never actually created my own material.  If I did, it was only copying and pasting from others.  I didn’t do it because I figured it was too time consuming.  However, after having done my own materials, I realized it really is not that time consuming, and it's actually fun, too.  Obviously it is also more meaningful because after all, who knows my own students better than I do?

I learned so much and will definitely apply many of my learnings in my own lessons and with my own students.  It's been a great term and I'm grateful for everything you’ve taught me.

Thank you so much

Natali

Handout on short film "The Notebook" & Analysis

Below is the magazine including a handout I created based on a short film from www.film-english.com, and its analysis.The analysis is based on Jolly, D & Bolitho, R. (2011) "A framework for materials writing", where I explained the process of creation step by step. I also explained how I adapted Kieran Donaphy's lesson plan, using McDonough, J. & Shaw, C. (2003) (2nd edition) "Adapting Materials." Finally, I analyzed the physical production of the handout, using "Visual Design Basics".

Evaluating Family & Friends 4 CD-ROM and Analyzing Educaplay activities

Below is the analysis of the Family & Friends 4 CD-ROM, and my Educaplay activities. The first part, as the title states, is an analysis on the CD-ROM that comes with the coursebook. Here, I used Bax, S. (2003). CALL: Past, present and future. System Journal to analyze the activities in the CD-ROM, regarding whether they were in the restricted, open, or integrated phase. After having done this, and realizing most of the activities were restricted activities, I created my own digital activities using the website www.educaplay.com. I described and explained each activity and the decisions I had to make throughout. Finally, I came to the conclusion that most of the digital activities weren't so "integrative" either, so I came up with other methods or activities to do with my students, triggered by the Educaplay activities, that would include more interaction and reflection.

Webtool Reviews: Fotobabble & Thinglink

There are so many online tools that may be useful in the classroom for different reasons.
My job was to explore two of the many websites and write a review to share with others, including a description of the tool and ways in which educators may use it.

Here are my webtool reviews on Fotobabble and Thinglink:

Webtool Review: Fotobabble

Webtool Review: Thinglink