Digital Story Telling

It is a perfect way of expressing yourself. You can tell various kinds of stories. You can tell your memories that you have experienced or you can make up one. You can create your own story movie by adding some pictures, editing their order and adding a music. It is fun to prepare it. Students can enhance their speaking and pronunciation thanks to story telling. Visuals will be the supporters for other students who watch the stories of each other. Learning has never been so fun!

Here is the link of my own digital story:

https://youtu.be/j-W6BI3T8Hg

Webquest Adventure

Hello everyone!
There is an online resource from which all ESL teachers can benefit. "Webquest" is a really good tool to engage our students with internet based projects. I have examined the site. I think it is pretty useful. Instead of assigning your students to boring and dull paperwork homework, you can find various projects which will attract the attention of your students. The tasks are also designed according to the target proficiency levels.

I have picked one Webquest and decided to make comments on it. The link is below.

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=245979

This project is designed for the 6-8 grade level of students. The task is full of appealing visuals which are appropriate for the age of the students. Navigations are good as the students are directed step by step. The instructions are given clearly. However, there are some spelling and grammar mistakes. There are a few words written in a wrong way. In the welcome page, it is written 'plann' instead of 'plan'. In the task page, the auther used 'take in mind' in place of the phrase 'keep in mind'. The auther should have been more careful while preparing this project. Exposure to erronous language might result in irrevocable situations. 

The introduction page has a motivational effect on students. It looks attractive to the students who are really interested in that topic. The task is also achievable but it requires a long process of researching. That resourcing could be reduced by omitting some steps from the project. At the end, students could pay more attention to their writing.

When I judge the project in terms of richness of process, it always goes in the same rhythm. Students are expected to do similar research in each step. The author should have prepared a better evaluation page. It is poorly prepared. It does not look professional, at all.

To come to a conclusion, I would give 35 out of 50 to this project. It is not bad but it could be much better.

Here is the screenshot of the webquest I have examined.

Wiki experience

I have just opened a wiki account and shared my opinions about a book. This is not an ordinary book, yet. This is the book which I like most. Writing my ideas about it and encouraging my friends to read it was perfect.

I had used wikispace 3 years ago so I am a bit familiar with the usage of wiki. Wiki is a good chance for students to share, comment and edit their posts under educational purposes.

Here is the link of my wiki page:

https://myfavouritebook.wikispaces.com/Flowers+in+the+Attic

Podcast

Here is my first podcast. By clicking the link, you can listen to the "Funniest Day of My Life".

http://m-ates94.podomatic.com/entry/2015-02-28T04_15_31-08_00

Improve Your Spoken Language

Many English learners in Turkey come up with the same complaint.
"I can understand English but cannot speak."

Well, this is mostly because of the fact that they do not practice at all. If you are suffering from the same situation, I have suggestions for you.

Speak a little English every day.

You might know lots of words but you also need to be fluent. The best way to learn any new language is just to speak it. Speaking English with another person is the fastest and most effective way of improving. 

Don't wait until you "feel more comfortable"

Don’t be ashamed of speaking. Try, struggle, say something… No one will blame you for making mistakes. You cannot learn without making mistakes.

Find native English speakers whom you can communicate with. Try to be friends with them in real life. If you do not have such chance, make use of internet. Technology offers you perfect opportunities.

No more misuse :)