Hello everyone!
This
week we faced an array of interesting, useful, new issues and tools. We focused
on alternative assessment, investigated the world of project-based learning and
WebQuest opportunities.
Language
assessment has always been a critical issue in pedagogical context. In fact,
rubrics and project-based learning offer a lot of opportunities both for learners
and instructors. Unfortunately I have never heard about RubyStar and thought
that educators create every item of the rubrics by themselves. So I was amazed
to know about RubyStar options. Different in scope and structure rubrics are
important because they clarify for students the qualities their work should
have. Well-composed rubrics have suitable criteria and clear descriptions of performance.
There is no doubt that this tool would
be a part of my teaching practice.
The
idea of project-based based learning is not a new for me, but I have never gone
so deeply with the matter. Obviously well-implemented PBL can improve students’
attitude towards learning and increase long-term retention of content. I
completely agree with Bulent Alan and Fredricka L. Stoller (2005) when they say
that ‘project work can be more effective when teacher relax their control and
students regard the teacher as a guide’. Moreover PBL is a wonderful tool to
teach leadership. The students are taught how to solve the real-world problem.
Finally
we have made a step toward the final project implementation, speculating about
a suitable solution. My choice fell on Larry Ferlazzo’s ‘Best sites to practice speaking English’.
Hope
you had a productive week too.
Hugs,
Marina,
Kyrgyzstan.
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