This is what I’ll call my reflection posts.
The weather was excellent - sunny, hot, not a cloud in the sky -, inviting for a trip.
Got on board, sails on, and there I went, exploring the unknown, under the great auspices of the shipmaster, Donna Shaw!
Well, this is not my first blog, and I had an earlier attempt at blogger, before deciding for wordpress, but then I preferred the latter templates (more original, I thought) and so abandoned blogger. Now I’m back, and I’m pleased with the result, I must say. It took me quite a while to choose the design – going through colors, backgrounds, layouts... – but I like the final result. For now, I mean! :-)
Things are a bit different from wordpress, but I’ll get used to it.
As for using blogs in EFL classes (my case), I’m quite aware of its tremendous importance “as a language learning tool” (Graham Stanley). My wordpress blog functions as a “tutor blog” (Aaron Campbell, cited by Graham Stanley). I use it to present the activities I do with my students (in class or as extra-curricular activities), but also as a learning tool. The sections on the right side-bar of my blog contain links for songs, videos, games, books/online stories/hyperfiction, but also grammar and vocab exercises (everything to do with the topics I have to teach). As homework I sometimes ask my students to do the online self-correcting exercises. Often I use them as exercises in class, as a competition. Each student must come to the classroom computer and answer one of the questions and in the end we’ll see who’s got more points. They just LOVE it, and it’s GRAMMAR, something they… hate!
So, I’m really anxious to learn more and surprise my students next year. I’m thrilled for being part of this e-course!
