Reflective Journal by Jennifer Mariel Rodriguez

4TH MODULE session 4 What are the effects of using a virtual classroom in a regular face to face English class? That was the first presentation in this chance. I`ve learned the importance that using a virtual classroom might bring to teachers and students. In my opinion , one of the biggest advantages is the feasibility of being in contact with students , as well as , the fast and availability of documents and visual aids that we as teachers can upload and share with our class. Second , the time is one of the biggest challenges when teaching a class since there`s no enough time to develop certain information or activities at the time of the class. In the other hand , a virtual class will save you time when there is no chance to share information due to the schedule. There are also many platforms to have such contact with our students such as , moodle , schoology ,and even blogs or forums. Internet availability gives us the chance to take advantage of such excellen...

4th MODULE 3rd SESSION  In this opportunity , the class started with two groups`presentations regarding their graduation project. The first one was T HE EFFECTS OF USING TECHNOLOGY IS ESL CLASSROOMS , and what I recall from the information provided is that years ago , we did not have the feasability of finding out fast information related to certain topics since there was no internet as nowadays . Today , students have the chance to get information almost in a minute and just with one click on the keyboard. Students are able to download books , material , and sources for their learning process.  Furthermore , teachers are not always physically present in a classroom they have now the chance to implement classes on-line by suscribing to folllow the material shared by the teacher .  To conclude , there are  more advantages for the educational system to work , and there is no excuses for students to be doing nothing with their learning when there is plenty...

4TH MODULE :  2nd session  In this session , we started by watching a video where a teacher explained a certain situation he had with his students . The students were actually applying grammar rules correctly , but at the time of talking students tend to make too many pauses while trying to figure out what to convey out of their mouths, so he basically decided to apply his own curriculum based on teaching English without teaching English . We had the chance to discuss in groups some questions regarding the video , and one of the questions that got my attention was the next one:  WHAT DO YOU THINK MR GUZMAN REFERRED TO MISTAKES AS ``DEVELOPMENTAL ERROR`` ?  In my opinion and based on what the teacher on the video said , this has to do with making mistakes ,and to see them as a natural fact while learning a language . Most of students , and I include myself , tend to be afraid of making mistakes because of what others will say , and that tendency causes...

4TH MODULE 1st SESSION  The session was all around the introduction of the 4th module by establishing the purpose of analyzing principles and practical implications of CBE . Then I was able to refresh what BLOOM´S TAXONOMY is all about , but after going too deep the Teacher explained to us who the author of this taxonomy was. Benjamin Bloom , contributed by establishing this taxonomy in 1991 .  B.Bloom was a psychologist and educator who also contributed in the field of learning and cognitive development . He was also an advisor to governments like Israel and India.  Now , I want to define what is a taxonomy in my own words:  A taxonomy is considered a system which permits the organization of simple and complex words which are categorized in order to express approprietly what is expected as a goal in a learning process.  Here we have several definitions of a taxonomy :  Are mental operations that can be classified on six differen...

8TH SESSION  The session started by the group presentations , I learned about the Lexical Approach , Task based Instruction , Content based Instruction .  I will point out some of the aspects I remember from each of those methods. First , the lexical approach deals with chunks and collocations. Chunks are  groups of words that are usually found together. like for example , USUALLY COMBINED  , CRITICALLY INJURED , RELATIVELY SMALL and so on ,  learners acquire the target language by adopting these chunks. In the other hand , we have collocations which a word or phrase that is often used with another word or phrase , in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives. For example ,  the hard rain , fast food , quick shower , quick meal , a fast train.  In the other hand, we have content based instruction which is a method that involves the learning of contents and language at once , students are exposed to authetic ...

7TH ENTRY  TASK BASED INSTRUCTION  CONT... NOW, IS IMPORTANT TO STATE THE TYPES OF TASKS IN TBI:  INFORMATION GAP ACTIVITY :  This is an activity where students decode information from their peers.  For instance,  two groups of students have a map but in one of the maps the information regarding the specific streets and their names are missing the group 1 will have to ask to the other group for that info in order to fullfill the questions to develop about places and directions.  R EASONING GAP ACTIVITY:  IT´s similar to information gap activity , but in this case students are given with two options with which they have to critically think and give their opinion about the two options.  OPINION GAP ACTIVITY :  This type of activity involves learners to express their feelings ,worries and opinions based on a certain situations . There is neither a wrong nor good answer.Teacher must not expect to have same level of res...

6TH ENTRY  My team and I have prepared a presentation about TASK BASED INSTRUCTION which basically involves a series of principles,teacher role , student role etc,.  Before defining what is TBI we need to get familiar with some basic concepts:  TASK : is an activity with which the learner is able to use the target language with a purpose (goal).  NUNAN ,2004 defines TASK as a piece of classroom work that involves learners in comprehending , producing , and interacting in the target language while attention is focus on meaning rather than on form. Now , TBI can be defined in a simple way ... this is a method where learners have the chance to use meaningful language which means realistic language while interacting with others. For instance , BOOKING A FLIGHT , GOING TO THE DOCTOR , ASKING FOR A MEAL AT A RESTAURANT are situations in which learns must know how to react and use accurate language.  Advantages : it creates fluency .  It also build...