http://sawy4122428.wikispaces.com

http://dciw345.wikispaces.com

Though I have been teaching Computer Studies for two years, I am not confident in teaching it as I have not got any degree qualifications in information technology. I am still wondering why my principal asked me to teach this subject. She replied that as I got UIT level, then she was confident that I am capable of teaching it. As a teacher, I know I must be well-prepared for each lesson though I am not good at a certain topic in Computer Studies. I consult my colleagues when I encounter problems. However, for most of the time, I just learn it once from the textbook or find other resources to help me. Actually, I have learnt a lot during the process of getting familiar to different topics.  Sometimes, I may think I can’t do it. However, now I know if I have not tried it at all, then I will never know the result. Out of my expectation, I can do it. I am really happy whenever I can teach my students successful about a certain computer application.

After taking this course, I have learned the application of different CALL learning tools. They are very useful during my daily teaching especially for English Language Teaching. I introduced the Millionaire Game to my Primary 5 and Primary 6 students. They were very excitedly when they were making their own Millionaire Game. When I told them that their Millionaire Games will be used as teaching material during my class, they felt very proud of themselves. I interviewed some of the students. They said during the process of making Millionaire Games, they could reinforce their learning of the most recent grammar rules that they learnt during class. They are surprised that English can be learnt in such an interesting and challenging way.  Recently, my Primary 6 students were doing a project about pollution in Hong Kong. After introducing Cooliris to them, they really used it to do their presentation. The teachers and audience were impressed with their usage of Cooliris to present their ideas.  Some of them even use Wiki to present their findings and report. They think using Wiki can create a sense of ownership among their members. They can post their ideas about how to improve their report on Discussion Section in Wiki. They enjoyed the whole process of doing this project.  I really feel glad to see that most of my students can use IT in their English learning. Just like me, I am quite afraid of using IT at the very beginning. With sufficient guidance and assistance by my teachers and colleagues and self-learning, I discover that I can do it. It just the lyrics in the song “ I believe I can fly”- if you can see it, then you can do it. I think if we can use CALL properly, it must be beneficial to our students as well as our professional development in language teaching.

Among all the softwares introduced in the course, Photo Story 3 is the most engaging software for my extra-curricular students. A majority of students actively participated in the process of making their digital stories. Though some of them lack confidence of telling stories in English, they feel less anxious when they are giving guidance and assistance. They enjoy the process of searching photos and background music, writing up their ideas and recording their narrations. They said they had not thought they were able to make a digital story on their own. They are proud of their finished products.  They shared their digital story with their classmates. They have a chance to show it to their schoolmates during lunchtime too. They love the ways of sharing their own digital stories among their peers. This will definitely empower to the learning of English and story telling.

    I drafted it first. Before recording I kept revising it. When I recorded it, I could not record my voices. I tried to fix the problem but I was not successful. Finally, I asked my school’s technician to help me. I could not record it at first. When I came to the last two narrations, the school bell rang. It interrupted my recording. I needed to record it at home. But it was not successful again. Thus, I tried to do it again at school. Finally I got it but I found it quite difficult for me as I needed to have revision with my students this week. I used up my free lessons to have oral exams with them. Besides, I had to set eight examination papers within these two weeks. Therefore, I had to admit that I did not have much time to do it. 

When I was recording my story, I kept revising it as I found some of the pictures did not match my narration perfectly. Actually, I kept thinking if I should post it on WordPress or not as it can be quite private for me. Thus, I sometimes really did not want to record it at school.

   Making digital story can be quite fun for students if all the technical problems were solved. Students will love the ideas of creating their own stories through the software “Photo Story 3”. They will enjoy the process of writing the stories on their own and have their stories recorded and broadcast in front of their classmates. This will empower students on writing. It will enhance their motivation of learning English as well.

Potential benefits of digital storytelling for ESL learners

Since learners can record their voice and import images into the digital stories, they will get facinated with this software. My students  love trying new things.  It is very animated and attractive for students to practise their writing and have them displayed in a movie form. The digital story will encourage them to make use of their creativity to write their own stories. Students will be empowered to the writing process. They will get excited to know that they can share their digital stories with people around the world. As a result, their incentive to write the script for the stories will be  enhanced.  Hopefully, this presentation of stories will make students love writing . It lets students  know that  there is an innovative way  for them to publish their stories through Windows Movie Maker. Besides, this will give them a sense of success when they participate in the process of making the digital stories. Students may feel like a film maker or film director when they are creating their digital stories.

I started using Audacity to record the listening 

CDs 3 years ago. Last year, I worked together with

 my NET to help students record their favourite

song introductions and school events. Their

recordings were broadcast bi-weekly

during lunchtime.  At first, students did it  in slow

progress. Later, they were very familiar with the

manipulation of Audacity. The only problem is

that sometimes some microphones did not work.

Thus, it’s very important for teachers to make sure

the microphones are working  in good condition.

I think it is a good idea to include some recording in the Powerpoint. My students always claim that they do not know how to pronounce words when they are doing revision at home. I will try to record the target vocabulary and dictation scope for them. They can get access to it through the Intranet. Hopefully, the Powerpoint slides will remind them of the pronounciation of difficult words.

In the Millionaire Game, students will be tested about the past participle and past tense  of regular and irregular verbs. Most of my students seldom spend time on memorizing the different forms of verbs. To challlenge students with Millionair Game, it is hoped their participation during class will be enhanced as well as their incentive to memorize the correct forms of verbs. 

Try this game to challenge yourself !

Millionaire Game

Besides,using wikis will help me organize a  project  work  in a more systematic ways.   Teachers can provide students with useful websites which they may find useful in doing their homework.   For instance, I am now doing a project about pollution with my students. Students  can always refer  to the wiki to have a clear idea about what tasks they are going to do.  They can also find useful websites from the wiki. I will upload some videos about pollution  to arouse their interest about pollution.  They can share their ideas about how to prevent pollution with me through the wiki.

My Wiki URL :

http://antheawong.wikispaces.com