Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lesson planning is a cinch now that I have reduced my plans to post-it size where I answer these 3 questions: 1) what material do I have to cover today?2) what verbs am I going to use to get my students involved?3) how am I going to follow up? Now, I have more time toContinue reading “Cooperative Learning”

 I have noticed that my classroom management skills are tested in situations when I set up new tasks, which means there is a drop in attention, or when policy reminders and follow up needs to take place. So to help with this, here are a few strategies I have modified for my own classroom. ClassroomContinue reading “Classroom Management: Like a Champion”

In a forum I have been participating in this week, a point came up that peaked my interest. The topic is building positive learning environments, and one of my discussion mates stated that to build a positive learning environment, classrooms should be inclusive. I thought about this and have taken it a step further.  InContinue reading “Inclusion and Cultural Competence”

“Students who reflect of their learning are better learners than those who do not” (Barkley, p. 30). Reflection, in my opinion, inspires change. To make change, you have to identify what needs to be changed. We don’t just wake up and decide to change. This is a process that comes from seeing, doing, or learningContinue reading “Reflecting on What's in Your Closet”

Chapter 4 of Student Engagement Techniques by Elizabeth Barkley talks about assessment and feedback. Her point is that learners need to know how they are doing, and how they can improve.  Essentially, this is why they are taking classes. Teaching is not just about providing information (through textbooks, videos, handouts, etc.) Teacher value comes from observing, analyzingContinue reading “Assessment and Feedback”

It is said that teaching and learning usually go together. It is also widely known by all of us who teach, that student’s do not always learn. As I read the chapters of Student Engagement Techniques by Elizabeth Barkley, I find myself thinking about the relationship between these two words.  In my first class in this program, my instructor KarenContinue reading “Engagement and Active Learning”

Objective“Persevering at online learning is also affected by computer and information literacy, time management…online communication skills…self-esteem…feelings of belongingness in the online program and the ability to develop interpersonal skills with peers” Reflective I chose this quote because I have taken many professional development and extension certificate programs online. I have learned from these experiences isContinue reading “Persevering at Online Learning”

Objective“…tests are anathema to andragogy, which assumes adults are capable of self-evaluating their own learning,” The focus of this journal entry will be: Tests should be part of every adult learners education  The difficulties with self-evaluation  Strategies for learner autonomy and creating a critical environment  Reflective Proficiency tests are widely used as objective measure ofContinue reading “Tests are Anathema to Andragogy”

Objective “Adults are problem-centered, not subject-centered and desire immediate, not postponed application of the knowledge learned.” Reflective Upon reflecting on this quote, I realized that the “problem” adult language learners have is related to managing course demands and achieving results, so this idea can easily be applied to the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) andContinue reading “Problem-Centered Learning”

Motivating student to come to class is a challenge, especially if they do not enjoy being there. One of the best ways to fill the seats in a classroom is to work on building Positive Learning Environments. The resource posted here has a collection of documents and tasks ready to go focussing on course development, classroom strategy,Continue reading “Creating a Positive Learning Environment”