READY TO TECH?

We have recently started a new series of technology training sessions at Marmara University, School of Foreign Languages. The teachers are collaborating and sharing their reflections. We offer ready to cook courses weekly. Supporting each other in a field of unknown helps us gain confidence in teaching to the 21st century generation. Are you ready to tech with us? Then follow my blog, there are lots to offer.

CALL or Not To CALL, That's What Matters!

Sometimes, I feel desparetly hopeless to motivate my students. Then, I expect a fairy to appear and wave her magic wand to turn them into creatures who are well primed with the information which I struggle to give them. Especially in the early morning sessions, while trying to wake them up, I often find myself as a stand up performer who tries to grab their attention. When they can barely open their eyes, I try to teach reported speech, passives, if clauses. Who cares whether they learn them or not? I care OF COURSE!! This is my job and I thoroughly madly in love with it.

After a long day, having finished eight lessons and feeling completely exhausted, I sat quietly, musing on the events of the day. What was it that made me so frustrated in teaching? What was that "THING" leaving a gap between me and my students? How could I construct a bridge across to lead them to my world of education? I came up with the idea of "TECHNOLOGY" eventually.....

The next morning, my subject was totally out of the course pacing and I gave them a short survey inquiring the hours they spend in the chat rooms or social networks on the internet. I was overwhelmed by the results proving the fact that they were all digital natives leaving in a virtual reality. They were socializing, gardening and even creating virtual lives there.

That's how my adventurous journey started in the world of technology. I am trying to integrate computer skills into my syllabus these days. I now put most of the workload on their shoulders. They are learning how to search for a specific kind of information, how to sort the material out and how to qoute. Many of them are better than me at computer skills. That's why, I called this blog "My Education".They are teaching me the skills I lack and I am teaching them a new language from a different perspective. You see, it is a "win win situation" for both sides and you are always welcome to join us in this adventure.