English Content-Based Instruction in Higer Education

Why do I think content based classes would be better for higher level students?
In my home country, Mexico, students start attending English as a foreign language class (mandatorily) at middle. Hence, after 6 years of communicative languages classes, where students learn mostly basic vocabulary and grammatical rules, something different and more challenging most be presented in classes. But, why necessarily a CBI approach? Becasue in many majors students require to know English for their classes, for instance Medicine/Nursing or Business students...  

Final reflection

During this course we learnt how to use many web tools, as well as, ideas of how to use them in the classroom, for instance using twitter and about 100 ways to implement it on classes (from Science, History, English, and foreign languages), web quest to design interesting and digital quest for students on all grade levels (from the examples we read, I liked the use of podcast for Harlem Renaissance and Poet Laureate because they both included many activities and research students had to do collaboratively, and wikis as a space for students to do their teamwork without have to leave their houses, which make it very convenient. Besides, students can all edit each other work and add new posts.

I expanded my knowledge on Google docs; I only knew of the document and presentation, but I learnt about the form and drawing. I also learnt how to do a podcast, which turned out to be quiet simple after all. I also learnt how to make and edit a movie (in movie maker) and pictures (in flickr, which also includes slideshow).

I will like to use the following technologies Wikis, Google docs, Podcast, Web Quest, and RSS feed in my classes because for both wikis and Google doc’s students will practice and improve their writing skill, while doing meaningful exercises (I am describing the objectives for English as a Second Language class). Podcast to either practice or assess their speaking skills, and web quest to engage them in activities that will help them develop the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), while working cooperatively. Finally, I will use RSS to lead them into authentic materials.

I am not so sure about integrating twitter in my classes because I still have a little hard time understanding how it works, and I do not want to have students use something I am not familiar with since I will not be able to assist them properly.
I am not a very technological person, thus, I am not updated when it comes to new software or web tools, but I am aware that our students need to learn how to use technology, and that it could be adapt to any classroom, hence, I need to learn for future demands of my career. Nevertheless, I had fun using some of the technologies, for example creating a movie, and creating a podcast (although at the beginning I had no idea what to talk about).

I think my advice will be to read the articles I selected for my Google reader account because I include some web pages, which explain the new educational technologies in the market. Besides, I will need to read the tutorial to have a better understanding of the web tool potential.

Podcast

References:

Shelly, M. (1934). Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. Heritage Press, New York. P. 53

Freesound

Digifishmusic and lighting rain

Google Earth

This is the first time I use Google Earth and I have to say it has been a good experience. It is not difficult to use and it does not take long to download.
This gadget allows many activities for class, for instance students could be ask to look for important buildings they are studying in there lessons, and using the timeline tool see the difference across time. They can also use the fly to search to locate places, let's say they are studying war world I or II; google earth would be useful to identify the countries involved, the cities were battles took place, or record the army's path. they can also use the moon or mars pictures for projects or presentations about the space.
there are many more possibilities of how to use the software, it will depend on you and your class.

PODCAST #1

Using Twitter in the classroom

I am not familiar with how twitter works, but I never thought it could be use for educational purposes. I really could not imagine any activity using twitter. Yet, after read some blogs and viewed presentations about the uses for twitter, I noticed it can be adapted for classes. Almost every suggested activity included having students write about a book, article, or something (taking into consideration that only 140 words can be post per tweet), which challenge students to understand the book in order to write the main points. Besides, I liked that many activities included following other users because it could help students view different perspectives of a theme, as well as compare/contrast their ideas with other people. 

At this point, I am not sure if will use twitter in class, I think I need to learn more about it (to feel comfortable using it) before having students employ it.

Using Google Doc's

Regarding Google doc's, I found they to be useful from both the teacher and students perspective. As teachers, Google doc's provide material for improve the class, such as using forms to obtain data from students or to apply quizzes, as well as, using the presentations for ads of coming events in the school or class projects. As students, google doc's could be helpful when doing research. students could use the form for surveillance, spreadsheet to analyse the results (for example graphs), and slides to do class presentation. 

In addition, users benefit from having their information save and available online. Personally, it could be very useful because I frequently loss my USB and with it tons of information and hours of work.