Friday, 22 August 2014

Final Examination of TSL 604 (Open Book)

               In this semester I have taken four courses and by tomorrow I am going to finish my final examinations for the semester. One thing I want to mention here is that from all the courses, TSL 604 (leadership & Management in ELT) is a course which I liked most. In addition, I can say this a course where i learned so many things without getting any force this is the perfect way of learning & teaching because this is the teacher's ability to make all the students engaged without any force.

             The most interesting & important thing is we gave two quizes in the course where both were open book examinations. besides this tomorrow will be remained same. But here I should mention the best quality of the instructor that the question pattern or style where he does this with unbelievable tricks what makes all the students to think deeply & it doest not matter where the materials are open or close.

               As today I was in the class & I back to home at 9pm, I am feelings tired to read or revised the items of the course. I do believe that I have some knowledge of the chapter what he completed in the class and if I go through these in the morning, I will be able to take part in the examination.

               We the students were informed by the instructor that most probably he wont be able to take class from next semester & its really so much bad news for me. Surely I will miss his ways of teaching &  the tasks where it was full of interactions between him & students. He also putted us in such situations, so that automatically we got engaged with the situation for finding out or getting the real answers.

             So far, he is one of the best teachers I have ever seen in my life. I will try to follow his advices as well as try to make my classes interactive like he did with us.

Expectations VS Reality..!!!

                 It is very sad when the expectation of any person can not matches with the reality. I had posted some reasons for passing my semester break with some graceful incidents as well as I was just waiting for the time.

              Today I had informed that my father & mother both had to get admitted in hospital on next Sunday because they are suffering with diseases. Its really very tough to think anything for a child where his or her parents are no good at all. As they are getting old day by day, it is very critical time for them where as children along with my siblings, I have to do some tasks which can make them relaxed.

              On next Sunday, they will admit on Apollo Hospital & besides this I will also go with them as my brothers are busy with some unavoidable tasks. here I want to mention another important thing that I am going to finished my examination of my first semester. It is good that I can help them by staying besides them because if I could had examinations on that day, It would be a very bad situation for me. So in this case, I am lucky that I will do all the tasks within tomorrow.

             So now I want to see my parents physically as well as mentally good at all. I am so tensed about their conditions. Now my main intention to care of them so that they can not feel tensed about their physical conditions.

Reflection of Final Project Presentation of TSL-506

                 Today in TSL 506 course we were supposed to present our final project(Use of technology in teaching) in front of the class & along with some students I was there from 3:30 pm to 8:40. The class was full of excitements where I was eagerly waiting to see other's way of using technology.Yes now I can say, I have learned so many things from today's presentations.

                  I have learned not only from others way of using technology, but also knew some new things from our instructor such as we should always use "Materials"rather than "Material", "Skills" rather than "Skills", "Rationale" rather than "Rational" which seemed really informative as well as effective learning.

                  It was the last class of our course & honestly speaking, I had faced lots of tasks with pressures but in the class I was just thinking that yes, from the course I had learned so many things which I cannot explain in words. In the beginning of the course, I thought that I would suffer a lot with the course as I had little knowledge of ICT. But now without any doubt I can say this is really really a very important for the learners to teach in the classroom.

                 Now at this point, I am really feeling blessed where I have learned so many things from the course instructor, my classmates as well as the overall environment with the logistic supports. I hope that in future InShaAllah I will use the learned things in the classroom with the students.

Thursday, 21 August 2014

Use of Computer in Teaching in Our Country(Assignment 2)



                                       
Reasons for using internet in ELT:
                                                 
                                                          There man reasons for using computer in ELT such as to get information, communicate with others as well as socialization & mobilization.
Effectiveness of computer in ELT:
          
                                                         In many cases using computer is effective for the learners & teachers. It motivates learners by reducing anxieties. Besides it also engage them to learn. As they practice all the things practically it become autonomous among them. In addition it can play important roles like:
1)As a tutor:
It gives advice to the learners, analyzes the information as well as it has so many activities for practicing.

Grammar girl: In giving advices, it gives the space to the beginner level learners to differentiate between two words, different between verb & noun, improve writing, practice through different interesting way.
COCA ( Corpus of Contemporary American English): For analyzing, this is a tool by which learners can find out different words & usages of these.

Free rice: In activities part, this is one of the tools to improve the vocabulary level from easy to difficult level. Here learners will be inspired through motivational words & for each correct meaning they give rice. Beside this the mistakes answer again come to make the learners practiced.

2)As a tool:
                     It can be said as a tool where it is used for creativity, for communications as well as collaboration.

3)As a stimulus:
                            It motivates students by proving practical & enjoyable activities.
Blooms taxonomy in digitally (based on cognitive load): We can use Blooms Taxonomy in digitally to make the learners active through computer. The stages are described briefly below:

Creating: learners can create different programs like wiki, blog, face book etc.
Evaluating: In evaluating learners can do experiment, judge, comment, hypothesis etc.

Analyze: Through compare, organize, outline, linking etc learners can participate in analyze part.

Applying: learners can apply their implementation of works, carry out, share, edit etc.

Understanding: Through the described works, learners can interpret, summarize, categorize etc.

Remembering: learners can also remember factual or bullet point etc.

Blogs:
   It is a kind of Electronic journal & personal diary. Anyone can write whatever he want where there is no restriction because it’s everyone’s personal book. In addition anyone can criticize or praises the blogs of others. It is a very strong tool. It’s a kind of strong platform to reach to the people. For example: Shahbagh’s incident happened in our coutry.. Besides this, it can be act as a tutor, learner & class.
Wiki:
             This helps learners to create his or her own page which motivates as well as inspires learners to make them confidant.
Teaching speaking & listening using computer:
                                                                                 In SLA (second language acquisition) the role speaking is undeniable & this is why we have to give focus on speaking which helps learners to listen as well. Speaking is related with thinking of message, negotiate meaning, produce comprehensible output, hypothesizing etc.

Oral interaction can be two types such as informative and interactive. Informative oral interactions are like routines, scripts which can be put in formal situations. On the other hand interactive oral interactions are like dialogue exchange with goes under informal situations. in these case we can use technology by using drilling sessions as well as watching movie sessions.

It is also important to focus on the pronunciation of the learners. There are many approaches to teach pronunciations. These are:

1) Intuitive -imitative approach:
                                                        In this case learners listen & repeat where there is no interaction. By using audio materials this can be done which helps learners to develop their listening as well as speaking skills.

2) Analytic -linguistic approach:
                                                         In this case learners can learn explicit, structural speech by using different chart speech and phonetic alphabet.

3) Current integrative approach:
                                                      In this case pronunciation is not taught separately where it gives more focus on super segmental of stress such as stress, rising tone etc rather than sound of letter.


Teaching reading using computer:
                                                             In teaching we can easily use technology to teach the learners easily where it makes students engaged as well as give practical situations to learn effectively. here the main important thing is to use skills, strategies & disposition of skills & strategies in term of searching information so that we could get the exact information within a short time.

There are 3 things we have to do before searching an answer. In the beginning we have to be focused on a specific topic with exact words & phrases, then in the searching part we have to search what we are supposed to get & then finally we have to evaluate as well as communicate with the information whether the information is exact or not. Finally we have to cite our sources that from where we got the information.

Here a teacher can instruct the students in term of how to read as well as how to search any information on the internet. on the other hand a teacher has to be expert in internet workshop like what is internet, the power of it, how to find an information & in internet scavenger hunts like which provides structural platform with a set of tasks that require students to locate piece of information.

Teaching writing using computer:
                                                           
Role of writing is SLA (second language acquisition) is very important & the writing part is integrally linked with reading part. Reading and writing emphasize the importance of schemata which is the background knowledge of the learners. Most importantly writing task deals with three parts such as Pre writing, while writing and post writing.

Pre writing has done with brain storming or free writing & by using blogs; face book a students can does this easily.
While writing is interactive & it is done with the main content which is the product of the learners.

Finally in post writing a learner can edit through revision & importantly in blogs or Face book or other web activities the editing part in included which can help learners. Writing can be different types such as grammar based, discourse structure based such as narration, comprehension, dialogue exchange etc.

There are many students who do not want to share their feelings or opinions through speaking in front of the class & in this case computer helps them to enhances their ideas by using blogs, Wikipedia, Face book, twitter etc to develop their writing skills.



Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Challenges Regarding Making Final Proejct

Yes I am facing lots of challenges to make my final project. I am listing the challenges below:

  1. First challenge is there are lot of software to use to make tool but the problem relates with the system where i have to pay buy cash or card. it is really really a big challenge for me.
  2. Secondly, I have another final exam on day after tomorrow which also poking me to make myself tensed with.
  3. Third thing is I got enough time yesterday to reduce my final projects work but the problem is, yesterday I had to submit another final reflection paper through email which interrupted me to do this work.
  4. Forth challenge is, little knowledge of using ICT where I can not feel confident to do anything. every time I think, if anyone give instructions of doing the thing, will be help me. But unfortunately, I have to do all the tings alone where there is no one to give suggestions.
  5. Fifth challenge is , there is no limitation of tasks what we should make for teaching. so I am thinking about others' exercises where if I make less than others, my marks will be decrease my marks
now I am thinking that i should give & show my best in front of the class. So its better to prepare myself for the project rather than thinking others' exercises as well as course.

My Feelings of Tomorrow's Project

Now at this time I am really tensed about tomorrow because we are going to present our final project on the basis of our learning from TSL 507 course(use of Technology in ELT).

Yes I can confidently say that I have learned so many new things for the first time in my life such as use of hot potatoes, audacity, open own wiki, blog, how can we use technology to teach speaking, reading, listening and writing skills etc.

Even tough I am so tensed because I can not make my final project with some good software. May be because of lack of appropriate knowledge in ICT. I am trying to do it. Still I am trying to do. I do not know how it will be or how can I overcome my tensed situation.

Hope along with my other classmates I also try to give & show my best. Now I am thinking differently that whatever it is, my condolences are to learn so many new things through the whole semester.

Hope In Sha Allah, I will use these in my teaching..!!!

Good Time with A Helpful Classmate

           Yesterday we had a make class & though it was raining when I started to go, I went in the class.Then after going in front of the class, one person asked me whether am a student of TESOL or not. then told me to go to another floor to attend the class. Then I went as well as saw some presentation.

            Our class was finished at 6pm then me with one of my classmates went to the lab for discussing & finding some sources to make our project good. we searched for a long time when se started to go to our home from university, then the time was 8:10 pm. Then we thought that we would be benefited by these things we collected from there. in addition, she also gave me some interesting PC games which I collected to play in semester break.

          That time we also shared our personal things with each other like what would we do after going home & day after that day etc. it was a good time what I passed with her. After coming home I explored the websites but i did not get any scope to use because all were required to pay money & then use.whatever it is, the time I passed with her was noticeable to remember. that was the first time I left varsity in so late.

Waiting...Waiting...& Waiting...!!!

             I am eagerly waiting for the 24th August because from this day hopefully I will pass some good moments with my friends & family.

             There are lots of reasons for waiting that day. Firstly, from this day, I will get a short semester break which means no pressure of forceful tasks.

             Secondly, one of my cousins are getting married where I am going to attend any family marrigage ceremony after 5 years..!!

             Thirdly, my another very close & lovely friend will come to my home from out of Dhaka on 25th August & this also making me happy where I cannot wait to see her. I feel happy like anything when I meet with her.

           Last but not the least but the most important one is to give myself some times so that I can remove the monotony here I am getting stuck with all tasks except to give myself any time to feel relax.

          So now I am going to finish all the tasks for the sake of finishing the semester as well as to get some good things in my life. I know that every person wants to get such kinds of good times & like this, I am also eagerly waiting for the days..!!

A Sleepless Night

Normally I sleep within 11 pm but yesterday I have passed a sleepless night because I had lots of work to do. I can sleep early but I though that if I would finish my tasks it would make me refresh.

As my final examinations are going on, there are lots of tasks from every course. Till now I have finished two final examination of mine & there are others two left. One will be held on 22nd August & another will be on 23rd August.

For TSL-604 course which is about leadership & management, we the students got a work which is to write a overall review of our learning from the course within 10 pages and send it to our instructor. The last submission date is today & I had to at least start at yesterday. That is why I did not sleep very well in the last night. Normally I dont have any class on monday but yesterday I had because we missed a schedule class. Then I came home at 7pm. after that i took bath & then had some snacks & then start the assignment of TSL-604. Besides that I also made an outline for another assignment which was from TSL-507 which is use of computer in ELT. here the assignment is more or less like TSL-604 where the students have to recall the things they learned as well as from their thinking they have to write how a teacher can use computer in the class within 700-1000 words.

Hope I will submit my final assignments of 1st semester very well.

Tuesday, 19 August 2014

Reflection of TSL-604(Financial Management & Marketing)

             
              In the class we have learn financial management & marketing of an organization. As I have completed my graduation in English, I had no idea about management or mrketing. At first I was very scared of these because I thought the new things would be hard to get. In addition I missed the last class which was about this lesson. Then as most of the students were absent, our instructor repeated the thing for us.

                Here sir just gave the summary & important thing related with marketing & finance. I have learned a new thing which was "Strategic Window" which means what the organization has & what the demands of the market within a time limit. If the demand of the market & the organization's having matches, that is the perfect time for the organization to invest.

                In the class sir also talked about some previous discussed topics where some students want to know such as learning organization, problem tree etc.

Presentation of TSL-507(Searching an information while reading on the Internet)

        Today me with my another mate gave our presentation on "Searching an information while reading on the Internet". There were three groups & we were in second group. Though we got enough time to prepare ourselves, we did not do that much in the presentation & of course it was our faults.

        We explained many points like how a learner can search with the use of skills & strategies as by using the framework as well as instructions. At first we talked about the whole content of our speeches & then we talked details of every content. the points we explained was the introduction, reading on the internet, a new literacy perspective, searching information, instructional practices, new challenges in 21st century and finally conclusion.

       Another thing we did was take quiz. we made quiz for the listeners & there were 10 questions regarding the whole chapter. They performed it & then we took back the answer papers.Overall it was not that much bad because our instructor gave us enough marks what made my day. Another thing was that we got a brief idea about how to go forward with our final project which contains 40 marks.

    Hope the final project will be good & I will satisfy myself by doing the tasks appropriately.

  

Reflection of TSL-604(Decision Making & Motivation)

In the class at first we watched a video where there were some students on the side of railway station. In one side a train was about to come and in that line there were few street children who were crossing the line. on the other hand in another there was a small boy who was also walking. the train was in a position where it could change its track in two ways. Then sir stopped the video & asked us that what would be right way to save one child or the children. then all of we told that it would be better to kill rather than some.

Few minutes later we have learn what the decision making was along with rationalization. Then the teacher told us that the child in the video was in right track could be a leader for the country because he decided the right decision by using his rationality where the train was not supposed to come in that way. But the street children they did that without any rationalization.

Then in the class we learn how motivation can bring changes in a person's life. In this case we should focus on three things like present uncomfortable, thought of action & then better future. Motivation stays in hierarchy & then we have to think that which one is exact or not.

Reflection on TSL-604 ( Organizational Changes & ELTO)

               In the class we got a story and then we read the story individually. Then our teacher divided us in 5 groups as well as told us to discuss & write some questions by seeing on the white board. Then the most important thing i got from the story is how a new leader can change the overall situation of the institution by handling both supported & against people.

               The name of the lady was Mrs Northouse who started to work for bringing changes in her institution where she was a new leader. in addition it was tough for her because the earlier leader was autocratic. then she conducted a meeting & asked the teachers to find out the reasons why the students of the area are not interested to get admitted in her instituion where any of the teachers did not reply & then later the leader told to write & keep that in the comment box which would only be seen by the leader. Then finally they gave & then along with the teacher, the leader worked a lot for removing the problems where they did survey, then the teachers were didved in different groups for improving different secotrs of the institution. on the other hand there were 5 teachers who did not agree with the leader and they thought their senior position was going down by working all the teachers together. here the leader made the senior 5 teachers as the leader of each divided sectors.

            Finally they became succeed for making their institution as a good one by changing their cultures of the organization as well as developing different sectors with the improvement of modern technologies. So here we learn that how different organizational changes can place important roles in an ELT organizations.

Monday, 18 August 2014

Reflection of TSL-506 (Final Presentation of Teaching Practicum-1)

The final presentation's days were divided into 3 days where for the first day,there were no presenters except one person. then our sir & ma'am became tensed. then they decided that they would select the presenters as well as the presenters would get 0.5 marks more for giving the first day because there was only one day to get prepared for the presentation.Then with others 6 presenters, they also declared my name.

In the day I was the first presenter & presented my experiences over the whole semester within exact 10 minutes. I did it successfully where I got 9.25 marks out of 10. there I focued on my learning as well as my way of learning.

The activities we have done in the whole semester was :


The task accomplishment I did:
At first I am giving the list of task accomplishment & then the description part with my experiences are described in below:
a)  Micro Teaching (Two)
b) Peer Teaching
1.       Speaking
2.       Listening
3.       Reading
4.       Writing
c)  Class Observation
1.          DEVPro(BEP managers)
2.       Pre-university
3.       EAP
4.       Open class (pre-university)
d) Report on observations
e) Reflections on Micro & Peer Teaching
f) Portfolio Management
g)  Final Paper



               It is very tough to conclude a lot of experiences in few words. Truly speaking it was a great semester with this course & surely I am looking forward for “Teaching Practicum-2” from where I can learn more & use my learning & experiences over there. In addition I did not only learn pedagogical things, I also got other kind of experiences like how people speak, how present themselves which are important in human beings.

              
              
I have faced obviously many challenges where you know I I took 4 course in this semester; I had to first consider the time management of the students including me & my group members. Besides that another thing is printing part which made some problems. Another challenge was the “Smiling Face” where it is very important to keep smiling face in front of the class & at first it was a challenge where I was not used to smile without any logical reason but now it really gives me a bundle of happiness when I smile & think that the teacher take this as a good side of mine.

My experiences go through with…
·         Knowledge- self+ other which allow to make a good relationship
·         Understanding- action+ motive
·         Belief- teaching & learning
·         Perception- purpose & reason
·         Attitude-openness or rejection
·         Awareness-limitation & opportunities




The way of my learning:
In my way , The Head, The Hand & The Heart takes very important parts.

1) The head helps me to think & which deals with intellectual ability of a person. It helped me to think critically in discussion, giving feedbacks, observing the class & made me prepare to use the good sides of others in my teaching as well as to remove bad qualities.


2)The hand which helps me to do works & it deals with the behavior of a person. It helped me to do
 
 different activities such as writing, body language(movement, gesture etc.) & with the help of these to
teach & learn effectively.

  3)The heart helps a person to feel which goes with the emotion of that person. It helped me to think the situation & motives of teaching- learning & then make good relationships with the students so that they could feel me or think me as a supporter rather than a teacher.