Webquest Project

Hello everyone! This week we were supposed to evaluate a Webquest. This project was a bit tiring but so helpful for me because I have learnt which characteristics a qualified webquest should have. Students can develop their language skills, creativity and learn thinking critically with the help of Webquests. Also Webquests help teacher get qualified output. I want to use Webquests in my future career.

The webquest I’ve chosen is about rewriting a story from villain’s point of view. This is the Webquest I’ve chosen.  

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=231619

Overall Aesthetics

Overall Visual Appeal: Visual elements are related to task and helpful for understanding. For example, students will begin their assignment by reading a story. They have an explanation of which story they will read and they also have a picture of the story. Moreover, background color is suitable for reading easily. Type size and color differences are used consistently. It makes readability easier. 4/4

Navigation & Flow: It is easy to follow instructions. Students can easily understand what they should do in the next step. 4/4

Mechanical Aspects: There is no problem with the links, pictures or any other elements. Everything is accessible. The only problem is that in some places there is no space between two words especially in conclusion part. 1/2

Introduction

Motivational Effectiveness of Introduction: Introduction part has lots of motivating questions. For example, students are asked whether they have ever asked themselves why the villain was so evil. It makes students curious and motivated for the task. 2/2

Cognitive Effectiveness of the Introduction: Introduction part prepares students for what they will face. It says ‘….you rewrite a fairy tale where you tell the story from the villain’s side!’ but it has no reference to learners’ prior knowledge. 1/2

Task

Connection of Task to Standards: What students are expected to do is stated clearly. They are asked to read different stories and rewrite a story from the villain’s point of view. So they can develop their both reading and writing skills as well as analyzing skills with the help of this project. 4/4

Cognitive Level of the Task: Task is not related to finding information on the web. It is definitely a creative task and it helps teacher get qualified output from students. 6/6

Process

Clarity of Process: Process consists of steps and every step is such well-defined that every student can easily follow the instructions. It is almost impossible for them to get lost. 4/4

Scaffolding of Process:  Students have sufficient tools to complete the task. All these tools are related to task and easily reachable with links. Learners can develop their entries using these links because there are some helpful tips for students. 6/6

Richness of Process:  The process mainly consists of reading and writing. There aren’t so many separate roles but students can gain different point of view because they are asked to rewrite a story from different point of view. 1/2

Resources

Relevance & Quantity of Resources: Every resource is associated with the information students need but there are a lot of samples in some of the resources to choose and go over in a limited time. For example there are 209 tales in Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tales web site.  2/4

Quality of Resources: Resources are specific for the task. They provide students direct information and some tips helpful for the students. 4/4

Evaluation

Clarity of Evaluation Criteria: Criteria for evaluation are clearly stated as a rubric. Students have 3 rubrics. They can easily understand what they are expected to do utilizing the rubrics. 6/6

Total score: 45/50

I created my wiki page!

The task of the week is about wikis. We were asked to write a book review. It was enjoyable to think about our favorite book and introduce it.

The only difficulty that I faced with was deciding my favorite book.

I think wikis provide help for EFL learners to develop their writing skills. If they are asked to create a wiki page about specific topic with the guideline, they see that they can produce a page about their favorite things on their own and maybe it makes them feel more self-confident about writing. Also it can be used to improve the creativity of the learners.
  
I want to use wikis in my future career to develop my students' skills. Here is my favorite book. Hope you enjoy!

http://myfavouritebookproject.wikispaces.com/Flowers+in+the+Attic

taken from here

Creating a Story: First Day of the Job

In this project, I worked with Tuğçe Kılıç. I vocalized an excited teacher and Tuğçe vocalized my best friend.

When I heard the project, I felt a bit nervous. It made me excited and even scared because I have never recorded my voice while I am talking in English before and whenever I hear my voice it sounds as if that was not me.

After I completed the project I realized that it was very beneficial project for me. This is the first time I have heard my pronunciation and realized my mistakes directly. Also it was enjoyable to work in pairs and trying to create a story.

We had a few difficulties like making pronunciation mistakes or having slips of the tongue almost at the end of the record so we recorded ourselves several times.

I think it is very useful for EFL learners in terms of improving the pronunciation and speaking skills when it is used with a specific purpose.

When I become a teacher, I will use podcasting to improve my students’ speaking skills and pronunciation. I think EFL learners can become more fluent with the help of podcasting.

Audio recording software >>

Hello everyone! Welcome to my new blog. This blog will be used for educational purposes. I hope you enjoy!