Reflections of week 6

Philip showed us how to use the Sound Recorder (Accessories --Entertainment) but unfortunately the hardware in the Computer Lab. didn't work, which was most disappointing. He also gave us the low down on Audacity but I'm afraid that I won't be able to do the homework since I haven't got that essential piece of equipment pictured on the right.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have made a JMatch and a JCross on Parts of Body with Hot Potatoes. I can't wait to use these hotpots with a class. I hope that I can still remember how to do it next year!

Hot Potatoes Yeah!

I love this programme! Although I had teething problems, I've succeeded in making two JClozes and managed to email them both to Philip. However I wasn't able to upload them to the Web, even though it asked me if I wanted to. My second JCloze was made from a blog I discovered in a Google search. You'll find it at
http://esl-advices.blogspot.com/2006/08/welcome-to-esl-advices-blog.html Tell me what you think about it. Should we tell them about our blog?

Reflections of week 5

This week we were introduced to two new tricks which have great potential!

1. Smart board -WOW!!! This technology is fantastic - all we need now is one in every classroom. I'm looking forward to using the smartboard with students.
2. Hot Potatoes - I've just downloaded this program onto my PC at home and I'm rushing off to try it out. Will come back & report on my findings.

Thoughts on UVic's Clipart Library

Thanks for this site. It is refreshing to find a clip art website which is so straightforward and without ads, etc. Seems to have possibilities - I really like the fruit but not so sure of the body (have a look at 'toe' - could be anything!)

Impressions of week 4

Week 4 was great because I won the prize for the best Picasa edit/enhancement! Also Ann Odgers came and showed us what can be done with a PDA. What fantastic technology for teaching practical skills! Obviously it could also be used in other areas, although I'd hate to think that REAL teachers might be obsolete one day. The futuristic world of virtual reality is nigh!

Philip gave those who needed it more time to practise with Picasa. The best part for me was a reminder of how to create cwick clozes and how to protect forms so that they cannot be mucked up by students when filled in on the computer.

I'm not sure if there is much point in my taking any digital photos at the moment. I do have access to a camera, but I haven't got any students as I'm in the Home Tutor department.

Cloze exercise

Read rhe news story Woman 'attacked' on Qantas flight on the website
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1719112.htm and then complete the following cloze exercise.


The .......................... of a .......................... on a Qantas .......................... from Adelaide .......................... Sydney has .......................... the .......................... a man .......................... a woman on the ...........................
.......................... Qantas .......................... has .......................... that a .......................... left his .......................... while the plane was .......................... into .......................... Airport this ...........................
Federal .......................... officers were on .......................... when the plane .......................... at the .......................... terminal.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use the following words:
A ABC airport arrived attacked confirmed
flight hand husband morning passenger
plane Police seat spokeswoman Sydney
taxiing to told woman
_____________________________________________________________________

Handwriting exercise for ESL students

If your student needs to practise letter formation, this is an excellent website that allows free printing.


http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/print-k/choose.htm

Saturday night - impressions of week 3

You guessed it -I'm so addicted to the computer that I chose to work on my edits & just listened to this week's episode of The Bill. I think it was about the demise of Lance so I found a pic to post as a tribute - may he rest in peace! Before we started Learnscope, my husband used to joke that I was having an affair with the computer - now the poor chap has completely given up on me. I blame Philip! (Not really) I have learnt a lot so far and I must say that Philip's a really GREAT computer teacher. It's unusual to find a computer buff who is willing as well as able to impart his knowledge & expertise to others. I would like to see some colleagues commenting on my blog - whatever.

Original photo of seascape

  

Third edit of seascape

 Late afternoon at a sleepy seaside town. 

Second edit of seascape

  Here I've created a yellow sand beach and sparkling green water at dawn. 

Original ohoto of bridge

  

Third edit of bridge

   Here I've focussed on the sign, playing with shadows and highlights to enhance the wording.

Original photo of leaders

 

Two more esteemed leaders

  Picasa is brilliant for enhancing faces with dark complexions! I have used a combination of fill light,shadows and highlights to bring their faces into focus instead of being lost in the background. I've also sharpened the image. It's really a thrill to make these changes. The programme is well-named, as the user truly feels like an artist!!

Our other esteemed leader

This picture has been enhanced by using the tuning effects. 

First edit of seascape

 My focus here is on the solitary woman walking endlessly.

Second edit of bridge

I tried for a setting sun effect here. Not sure if I've got it right coz I'm not an artist or a photographer.

First edit of bridge

What a fantastic programme - I am Picasonia!! This was created late last night and I can't remember exactly what I did but I can recommend lots of trial and error when editing and enhancing.

Our esteemed leader with Picasa

I hope that my effort as a make-up artist pays tribute to our leader. With the help of Picasa, I have cropped this picture from a photo of four people. First I removed the unattractive "red eye". Then I applied fill light, played with shadows and highlight(er)s as well as removing grain. After that I used a graduated tint with some feathering. Finally, I applied a soft glow. The results are quite stunning - especially for a novice.

News 10/08/06

http://www.millieballance.com/images/black%20sheep.jpg

TEHRAN, Iran Aug 9, 2006 (AP)— Iranian doctors have overseen the country's first animal cloning a lamb that died minutes after birth and plan future experiments in genetics and stem cell research, a member of the team said Wednesday.
Iran's program is part of the Islamic regime's ambitions to become a regional center for medical, aerospace and nuclear technology which has led to an international showdown over Western claims that Tehran also seeks atomic weapons.
"We learned a lot about cloning during the experiment. It made us more hopeful about further cases," said Dr. Morteza Hosseini, a member of cloning team at Isfahan Royan Institute in central Iran.
Hosseini said the cloned sheep died five minutes after birth Aug. 2 due to respiratory problems. The female sheep implanted with the cloned embryo gave birth a week ahead of schedule and was healthy, he said.
Hosseini said Iranian researchers in Tehran and Isfahan expect to carry out more cloning experiments over the coming months.
The program has won backing from Iran's Shiite Muslim religious leaders, who have issued religious decrees authorizing animal cloning but banning any such experiments with humans. A majority of Iran's nearly 70 million people are Shiites, which comprise about 15 percent of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims.
Many Sunni Muslim clerics, however, have spoken against cloning in any form.
British scientists made world headlines a decade ago with the cloned sheep Dolly. Since then, rapid progress in stem cell research and genetics have raised widespread debates about ethics and the boundaries of medicine.
Scientists say cloning sheep and other animals could lead to advances in medical research, including using cloned animals to produce human antibodies against diseases.
http://abcnews.go.com/

FLAN at Joondalup

Enjoying the splendid view and gastronomic delights with colleagues at Joondalup. Despite the ambience, FLAN just doesn't compare with our Learnscope!

Impressions of week 2

IGUASSU FALLS IN ARGENTINA (BRAZIL & PARAGUAY)

• I appreciated the info. re skype. I supppose you're wondering what the photo has to do with this week's session? Well, if my cousins in Argentina had all the necessary technology, I wouldn't hesitate to rush out & buy the gear so well advertised by Philip. (By the way, I was at the Falls in December, 1996 - absolutely awesome!)
• Some things were old tricks for me but there were plenty of new ones as well. I'd probably die of overload if confronted with new tricks for 3 hours. I enjoyed the mix.
• As Ingrid said, it's really great to be part of a supportive and fun group.

Useful websites for Home Tutors

1. http://www.ameswa.iinet.net.au/pclab/

This website is primarily for students, but there are some interesting links for tutors, particularly if you have a student from Africa (go to the link Teachers).

2. http://www.onestopenglish.com/

This website has useful information and resources for both tutors and students. If you have an email address, you can subscribe (free) and receive a monthly newsletter with lesson plans, ideas & tips. Although the plans and activities are geared to the classroom, many of them can be adapted to use in a one-to-one situation. The worksheets are photocopiable so can be downloaded to use with your student.

3. http://iteslj.org/links/

• tutors - Browse list for Teachers has hundreds of useful links including how to teach, lesson preparation tools, activities & games and printable handouts
• students - Browse list for Students has a bilingual section in many languages, as well as grammar, crosswords, quizzes, etc

4. http://a4esl.org/

This website has loads of quizzes your student can use online. The 3 levels -easy, medium and difficult cover grammar, vocabulary & crosswords. Also includes bilingual quizzes

5. www.eslpartyland.com/teachers/grammar

• tutors - loads of lesson plans & reproducible materials as well as ideas for communicative practice activities, etc
• students - interactive quizzes, etc

6. www.usingenglish.com/

• tutors - free grammar & vocabulary handouts, printable lesson plans, etc
• students - grammar & vocabulary quizzes at beginner and intermediate levels

7. http://www.greeneclipsesoftware.com/eclipsecrossword

This free website allows you to create crosswords.

8. www.virtualilc.com.au/

This valuable (Australian) website provides listening and other activities for your student. It requires a user ID and a password.

9. http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/reading/

This website has 6 stories about Nasreddin with Comprehension, Recreating the Story and Summarizing the Story: Gap-fill Exercise which can be done online by student.

10. http://www.englishclub.com/esl-games/index.htm

• student -online activities including hangman, crosswords, jumbled words, matching games, etc

11. http://www.schoolhousetech.com/products/freeworksheets/vocabulary.htm

• tutors - free vocabulary worksheets provide practice in challenging vocabulary activities and basic language skills. Includes crosswords, word searches, word jumbles, etc for your student

Ways I'll use my blog

My blog will be a good way of communicating and exchanging information widely, quickly and efficiently with Home Tutors. The following are some kinds of relevant information

• lesson plans
• grammar points
• ideas for teaching
• teaching strategies
• tips for problem areas
• useful websites & links
• etc.

When I'm back in the classroom I'll use it with students in the the following ways.

• encouraging students to be autonomous learners on computer
• ESL websites -both for extra grammar explanations + activities
• homework
• extension for faster-paced student/s in class
• websites for reading / listening extension
• writing forum for students