Assignments
Fall 2009 ELT Assignments
Learning Objectives – Expectations– Weekly Topics – Project – Course Evaluation – End of Term – Previous Courses
Overview
EFL educators in Iraq have been geographically isolated and negatively impacted by sociopolitical events in recent years. Their access to professional development and networking with colleagues is now re-emerging. The Building Teaching Skills Through the Interactive Web courses are designed to:
- Model innovative online teaching practices for Iraqi ELTs.
- Improve understanding of and actively engage in the analysis and systematic adoption of innovative materials and tools for ELT.
- Offer opportunities for Iraqi EFL educators to observe and analyze real-world application of such new materials and practices.
- Provide Iraqi ELTs with support and problem-solving mechanisms as they implement new materials and practices in their teaching.
- Act as a train-the-trainers model so that participating ELTs can move forward after the course with concrete dissemination plans.
Learning objectives for the course
Participants in the course will develop a formal plan for incorporating technology into their teaching or class preparation in at least one new way and share their ideas with the group.
Participants in the course will practice with search tools, skill-building websites, project-based learning, and online teacher resources, then explain how they could use or adapt these for their own purposes.
Participants in the course will learn about writing behavior-based learning objectives, learning styles, learner autonomy, teaching large classes, the one-computer classroom, and a variety of assessment techniques, then explain how they could apply or adapt these concepts to meet their own needs.
Expectations
Participants in the course will read at least one of the assigned readings, think about how the readings apply to their own situation, and share their reflections with the group (and mentioning some of the ideas of others in their posting, as appropriate) at least once per week.
Respect, mutual help, and enthusiasm for learning will be cornerstones of all interactions, whether teacher-participant or participant-participant.
Each week, ELT participants will complete the following activities and tasks. All materials and tools will be freely available at no cost to participants.
- Beginning Week 1: Readings on language teaching methods (pedagogy) and practices.
- Beginning Week 2: Active experimentation with and reflection on the use of e-learning tools (e.g. email, asynchronous discussions, course management systems, etc.).
- Beginning Week 2: Weekly post on a personal blog, sharing what you did, what you learned, and how you will apply the information in your teaching. This will form the basis for the final project that will be due at the end of the course.
- Beginning Week 3: Work toward a final project.
- All weeks: Analytical and reflective discussions related to the above.
- All weeks: Work in step-by-step with UO AEI instructor guidance to implement teaching projects in local Iraqi universities and schools.
Weekly Topics and Tools
Week 1– Week 2 – Week 3 – Week 4 – Week 5 – Week 6 – Week 7 – Week 8 – Week 9 – Week 10
This schedule is subject to change, based on course discussions and the interests of class participants.
Project
Participants will complete work on a final project. Download more information in PDF form or go to the Projects web page.
Course Evaluation
We want your ideas about what worked well and what could be improved about the course. Please fill out the online evaluation form – it’s easy and anonymous. It is especially helpful to have your written comments explaining what you think. The web link and password were sent to you via email; let Deborah know if you don’t have them.
End of Term
Participants must submit all final assignments by 11 December 2009.
UO AEI instructors will complete grades, certificates, and reports by 21 December 2009.
All participants who successfully pass the course–with 70% or higher completion of assignments–will receive certificates of completion. Certificates will be priority mailed to the US Embassy Baghdad, Public Affairs Section/English Language Office and then distributed locally. Please allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks for receipt of certificates as efforts may be impeded due to unforeseen local events and irregularities in local delivery systems.
Previous Courses
This courses below are now closed, so the course materials are available for self-study only.