Bravo! Big WIN!!

I take this course because I’m interested in how to use E-tech in language learning. I’m an ESL major now. After finishing my courses next year, I will start my dissertation research. Though the research topic is not certain so far, I plan to do some research in using E-tech in ESL/EFL class. Based on my knowledge of English teaching in China, more teachers begin to use technology in classroom. However, it seems that the application is still limited in searching information and class presentation in PowerPoint. Seldom Internet-based instruction strategies are used in practice, which I believe there is still much space for me to explore.

This is my first time to learn the Internet knowledge in a formal course. I have used the Internet for years but haven’t taken time to learn something seriously. What we learn in this course can be immediately used in our daily learning and teaching. Looking back at the contents we have learned these 8 weeks, everyone should have a sense of achievement. To me, it’s a big win.  It is the first time that I begin to edit my own blog; it is the first time that I know that there are many useful search engines other than Google; it is the first time that I feel so easy to retrieve my used URLs with social bookmarking; it is the first time that I really make a plan for my new web page; it is the first time that I know the real meaning of “Wikipedia” and participate in editing a class Wiki which I’ve never heard about. I remember that one of my high school teachers mentioned how one philosopher interprets knowledge (I cannot remember the original words): We draw a circle on a piece of paper. The space limited in the circle stands for the knowledge we have had. However, the space outside of the circle is the unknown knowledge. The bigger the circle, the longer the perimeter, and the more “unknown” space is touched in that way. After taking this course, my feeling is that the circle of my knowledge is absolute bigger, while the more I know, the more I know I don’t know.

This is not a finish line. Instead, it is my starting point on my way of research. I plan to take a course on distance education. In my annotated bibliography, there are some articles on language teaching in distance education. In China, there are more adult students at work prefer distance education. In my long-term plan, I will open an English training center. Undoubtedly, internet – involved teaching will be an important part. Distance education will make it possible for me to reach more trainees. So, I want to explore the pros and cons of teaching language in cyberspace. Language learning is different from other subjects and it requires more effective oral communication. As the research articles mention, it’s a big concern in language teaching on the web. Even though computer conference is used to bridge the special distance, online learning environment is still different from real classroom. Under such a condition, learners and instructors’ role playing will be subtly different from that in traditional classroom. There are other issues involved in distance education such as technical conditions, interactions, alternative assessment, course designs and etc. I believe further study in E-tech will prepare me for future career.

I’d like to keep this blog to share my feeling and experience on my journey of learning and research. I really hope to read more of other colleagues’ refreshing ideas in the forthcoming “reforms” in your classes and schools!

I really appreciate Dr. Dawson for her excellent course design and great passion to involve everyone in this cyberspace. Thanks for all the colleagues who share the learning experience and help me with my culminating activity! Good luck to all of us!!!