MY WEEK 5
I think it was the hardest week so far. So many tasks! Rubrics and Webquests were completely new for me.
I'd like to share my thoughts about Webquests. I didn't use them before and I even didn't see them, so, I was really interested in using and creating Webquests. I thik Webquests can be a good form of PBL because students do not just surf the Net but they learn to find necessary information on the sites which were recommended to them. I also find very important that the evaluation is produced in the form of a rubric for students because when students present their product after doing a Webquest they will be able to see the point of the teacher who gives them grades. So the Webquests which I saw inspired me to create my first Webquest. I consider using Webquests as a form of PBL can be very effective for motivating students. I hope my students will like this activity as I'm going to suggest them my first Webquest in the nearest future.
What concerns rubrics, I didn't use this word earlier in my work and didn't make them either. So, I was really interested in this topic. I consider rubrics very useful in assessing students because they know what they are supposed to do and to have to obtain high results. Rubrics are also very useful for teachers to explain students their grades for some work. And of course rubrics are very helpful in self assessment and peer assessment, I think. I've read articles on rubrics and learned a lot of useful information besides rubrics: how to establish project goals and objectives and how to assess projects. I've tried RubiStar to create my first rubric. I haven't done such work before and I didn't use this word in my work so far. So, it was an experience for me. First I thought it would be extremely hard for me because I need to invent something. But with the help of Rubistar I did it within 5 minutes. What a great tool!I've tried this rubric in class. First I explained my students what they are supposed to do. Then I showed them my rubric and commented on it. I was glad that my students found it fair. When they presented their projects I began assessing them using my rubric and commenting on every aspect of it. My students said that they could easily understand their grades, their problems and mistakes. Next time I'm planning to assess students' project together with them, maybe using peers assessment.
PBL. I often use it with my students. They like making projects, especially when the topic is really interesting for them. And I like PBL because all students are cative, all of them doing different tasks. And of course, it's motivating.
Speaking about motivation, my problem is speaking motivation. I want my 9th form students to speak more in the lessons. I'll try to solve this problem by using Project Based Learning. I'm thinking of suggesting my students some projects like making a Power point presentation on some topic or interviewing people and, of course, Webquests. The topic can be Natural Disasters, I think (we are studying it now). I believe PBL will help me and my students because it involves all the participants of the project in active work and the topic seems to interest my students because it's authentic. So, I hope it'll work.
In conclusion I'd like to say that this week was very productive for me though It took me much time to do all the assignments, more than I expected.
I think it was the hardest week so far. So many tasks! Rubrics and Webquests were completely new for me.
I'd like to share my thoughts about Webquests. I didn't use them before and I even didn't see them, so, I was really interested in using and creating Webquests. I thik Webquests can be a good form of PBL because students do not just surf the Net but they learn to find necessary information on the sites which were recommended to them. I also find very important that the evaluation is produced in the form of a rubric for students because when students present their product after doing a Webquest they will be able to see the point of the teacher who gives them grades. So the Webquests which I saw inspired me to create my first Webquest. I consider using Webquests as a form of PBL can be very effective for motivating students. I hope my students will like this activity as I'm going to suggest them my first Webquest in the nearest future.
What concerns rubrics, I didn't use this word earlier in my work and didn't make them either. So, I was really interested in this topic. I consider rubrics very useful in assessing students because they know what they are supposed to do and to have to obtain high results. Rubrics are also very useful for teachers to explain students their grades for some work. And of course rubrics are very helpful in self assessment and peer assessment, I think. I've read articles on rubrics and learned a lot of useful information besides rubrics: how to establish project goals and objectives and how to assess projects. I've tried RubiStar to create my first rubric. I haven't done such work before and I didn't use this word in my work so far. So, it was an experience for me. First I thought it would be extremely hard for me because I need to invent something. But with the help of Rubistar I did it within 5 minutes. What a great tool!I've tried this rubric in class. First I explained my students what they are supposed to do. Then I showed them my rubric and commented on it. I was glad that my students found it fair. When they presented their projects I began assessing them using my rubric and commenting on every aspect of it. My students said that they could easily understand their grades, their problems and mistakes. Next time I'm planning to assess students' project together with them, maybe using peers assessment.
PBL. I often use it with my students. They like making projects, especially when the topic is really interesting for them. And I like PBL because all students are cative, all of them doing different tasks. And of course, it's motivating.
Speaking about motivation, my problem is speaking motivation. I want my 9th form students to speak more in the lessons. I'll try to solve this problem by using Project Based Learning. I'm thinking of suggesting my students some projects like making a Power point presentation on some topic or interviewing people and, of course, Webquests. The topic can be Natural Disasters, I think (we are studying it now). I believe PBL will help me and my students because it involves all the participants of the project in active work and the topic seems to interest my students because it's authentic. So, I hope it'll work.
In conclusion I'd like to say that this week was very productive for me though It took me much time to do all the assignments, more than I expected.
Hi Olga,
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's been a hard week with lots of tasks to accomplish. However it was really fruitful. I also liked RubiStar a lot. It's a great help to busy teachers and confused students. It makes assessment easy and clear. As for WebQuests, unfortunately, I didn't find time to try them. You and other students have explored the tool and I believe it opens lots of great possibilities. I hope I'll try creating a Wenquest at some point later even though it may happen when our course is already over.
I also have difficulties with my students' speaking. Not that they are unwilling to talk. It's me who switches to the mother tongue too often... Also, I fail to find or create interesting speaking tasks. Maybe when all the abundant info of this course settles down, I'll come up with some wise solution... PBL with rubrics may be one of them.
Enjoy the weekend :)
Ruta
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, Olga,
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed by RubiStar after trying it, same as you. How to ensure scoring reliability for students' English skills is always, I guess, the biggest concern for English language teachers. Therefore, tools like RubiStar can be very helpful for teachers to create and develop their own rubric adjusted to each activity or project. So this week has been very encouraging for me to keep on thinking of how to make the best use of such tools in class and how to best help teachers with them.
I might be narrowing down those questions and focusing more on them to work on my final project as the course is coming to an end.
I hope I will be able to clearly answer those questions as I share and exchange great ideas and experiences with you and class.
Thank you.