Glogster

In this week, for the last technology integrated project, we were supposed to create a glog about what 21st century communication is for us. We had to
work in pairs so I worked with Cansu Kılcı on this project.
Actually, creating an online poster wasn't so diffucult for us.It was an enjoyable process. While looking for some videos, pictures or cartoons, we saw some others
that is really funny and beneficial. I hope you will enjoy our glog.

Digital Storytelling

This week, we created a digital story in a group of three. I worked with Seda Kaya and Tuğçe Kılıç on this project. Actually, this was a time-consuming project for us. We spent quite many hours on it. In addtition, it was a multi-staged project. For example, firstly, we drew the background of the video and the characters. Then, we painted and cut them. The process of video recording was also big challenge for us because there was nobody to help us so we had to start over the video record many times.

However, this project was really enjoyable for us. We had so much fun. Also, it was beneficial for us in terms of seeing our pronunciation and developing the creativity. Because this is funny and motivating for students, I will use it in my teaching career.

Here is our digital story: ''Three Little Girls''

Creating a Comic Strip

For this week's assignment, we had 3 options one of which was creating a comic strip with a partner.
I chose this one and I worked with Cansu on this project. The comic strip had to include an idiom and the meaning of the idiom had to be clear.
The process of this project was really enjoyable, we had a lot of fun while doing it. It wasn't difficult for us. Besides, we learnt
some different idioms other than we chose.  Creating a comic strip is really beneficial for students. It is also funny and attractive. I will use it in the future. It provides the students with an enjoyable and useful tool for learning.
Here is our comic.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=12899468C1261114

THE WEBQUEST EVALUATION

Hi everyone!
Our assignment in this week was to evaluate a Webquest. Initially, I didn’t have an idea about what exactly I’m going to do, I was a little bit confused about the project. Then, I understood it. I chose a Webquest from Zunal whose name is It’s your Future Calling… . This Webquest is about the choice of a profession. I think Webquests are very useful tools for students because they can know what their teachers want them to do in detail and explicitly. The teachers can also benefit from the Webquests. They can have a chance to evaluate their students in many aspects. In my future career as a teacher, I will use the Webquest. 

You can access the Webquest I evaluated by clicking on the following link:

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=172878

Here is my evaluation:

1. Overall Aesthetics

Overall Visual Appeal: I think the Webquest is simple and comprehensible for students. Different types of visual elements are used to draw attention of students such as pictures, videos and power point presentations. The layout is colorful and attractive. The letters are written colourfully. However, some colours are difficult to be seen easily. 2/4

Navigation & Flow: The navigation and flow is really seamless. Everything is in order and so clear. Students can know what the next step is and access anything they want easily, they don’t get confused about anything because there is nothing which can cause an uncertainty. 4/4

Mechanical Aspect: In mechanical aspects, I didn’t face with so many problems. All the links are accessible except for one. Here it is.http://careers.iptv.org/search.cfm 1/2

2. Introduction

Motivational Effectiveness of Introduction: In the introduction part, there are some motivating questions and also some utterances which make the students excited and curious about the project such as ‘WOOHOO! You will graduate in couple of years.’ 2/2

Cognitive Effectiveness of the Introduction: Actually, the introduction doesn’t build on students’ prior knowledge but it enables them to think about the project and prepares them for it. 1/2

3. Task

Connection of Task to Standards: With this project, the students can discover the facts about specific careers and education. It also enables the students improve their skills. For example, while making a presentation, their oral skills improve and while writing a paragraph regarding the career, their writing skills improve. 4/4

Cognitive Level of the Task: The task is doable for students. It enables them to have a critical thinking about the project. It is also requires synthesis of multiple sources of knowledge. 6/6

4. Process

Clarity of Process: There are some sub-titles under the main title ‘Process’. Every step is explained clearly. This makes the students follow the process without confusions. 4/4

Scaffolding of Process: The tools given in the process part are really sufficient. They meet the needs of the students. They make them think critically about the project. At first, the students may have a one-way thinking about the choice of a profession but in the process of time they have different points of view. 6/6

Richness of Process: In the process part, there isn’t one duty for students to do. The process consists of several duties such as writing, researching, preparing a power point presentation and optionally, conducting an interview. 2/2

5. Resources

Relevance & Quantity of Resources: I think all the resources given are related to the topic. For example, https://careerzone.ny.gov/views/careerzone/index.jsf.  However, I think there are many resources to go over. I am not sure students can go over all of them in a given time. 2/4

Quality of Resources: The resources are really qualitative and useful for students to achieve the project. They don’t need to go over any other resources because the available ones are enough. 4/4

6. Evaluation

Clarity of Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation of the project is done according to a rubric and the power point presentation. All explanations are so clear for students to understand. 6/6

Total Score: 44/50

taken from here

My Wiki page!

As this week’s assignment, we were supposed to create a Wiki page related to our favorite book we read. The book I chose is Dead Poets Society. I read it in my first year of the university. 

I think this project was really good, I took so much pleasure in writing it. Besides, recalling the book made me feel good. Actually, I didn’t have difficulties on this project. 

I think wikis are very useful tools for EFL learners. Because a wiki makes them improve their writing skills in terms of writing on their own and seeing other friends’ writings and mistakes. It is also very useful in cultural aspect. It makes them gain some information about something  they haven’t learned yet such as books, movies, writing projects and so forth. That’s why, in the future I want to use Wikis in my career as a teacher. 

The following link will address you to my book review. I hope you like it.

http://myfavouritebookproject.wikispaces.com/Dead+Poets+Society+2

taken from here

Creating a Story: Best Friend's Wedding Disaster

As our assignment for this week, we needed to create a podcast and upload it to our blogs. I worked on this project with Cansu Kılcı.

Initially, I was a little bit nervous about this project. Because I didn't know how it was going to be. When I heard myself speaking English, I felt really weird.

During writing the story, we didn't have so many difficulties. It was really nice and we had a lot of fun of it. However, it was more challenging for us to record our voices. We were so excited and anxious about making mistakes like pronunciation or slips of the tongue. We were satisfied with our record after trying several times.

I think it is very useful for EFL students to improve their pronunciation. It can also make them feel more confident. In the future, as a teacher, I will use podcasting to improve my students' skills.

Audio recording software >>

Hi everyone! Welcome to my new blog. I'm going to use this blog for the purposes related to my course. I hope you will enjoy it!