Hey everyone,
Before discussing what I have learned in this 10 week course, I would like to say that it was a great pleasure meeting all of you dear colleagues and studying alongside you. It's been tough at times but nothing that good time planning cannot solve.
Through these very short weeks, we've learned a lot and shared a lot. I started off by learning about a very valuable tool called Webquests, which proved to be extremely useful provided the children have the proper training.
Afterward, I moved on to learn about PBL and its uses in making the class feel more like a family and less like a boot camp. PBL helps in creating bonds beyond the classroom with the children. You see, a proof of this was during my book signing on Saturday when my students from the school I used to teach last year came and stayed for a couple of hours while one of them actually stayed from 1:30 till 10 PM to show support.
Later on, Robert shared with me a very special website called Lessonwriter. I think I will use this website for a very very long time due to all the benefits and ideas it brings forth.
All in all, almost every topic we discussed was extremely useful and beneficial. Thanks again Robert for all your time and effort and a special thanks to all the guests who joined us over the weeks.
Regards,
Charbel
Monday, December 6, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Issue of the Multiple Intelligences
I have been working in the teaching domain for at least 3 years now, that is without mentioning the one year of training that I had in the beginning. From what I have seen so far in most teachers is that they only consider 3 of the 9 types of intelligences which are auditory, visual and kinaesthetic. While teaching languages in general, these are the only intelligences that teachers consider.
The problem here lies in the fact that the remaining 6 intelligences are almost not addressed at all, which is basically why many students become delinquents. In my opinion, any intelligence which is not educationally developed will find another means to develop itself and it's usually not so beneficial. For example, a person with existentialist intelligence will probably seek alternative experiences through the use of drugs or other means of self-stimulation.
Therefore, I believe that we should address all intelligence in almost every session of the class so that they are al developed and all students find themselves equally and adequately challenged.
The problem here lies in the fact that the remaining 6 intelligences are almost not addressed at all, which is basically why many students become delinquents. In my opinion, any intelligence which is not educationally developed will find another means to develop itself and it's usually not so beneficial. For example, a person with existentialist intelligence will probably seek alternative experiences through the use of drugs or other means of self-stimulation.
Therefore, I believe that we should address all intelligence in almost every session of the class so that they are al developed and all students find themselves equally and adequately challenged.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
What I really would like to find online!
The Adha vacation is over. It was a long and great one indeed for me, especially that I went to London for some ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) training which went really well. I learned a whole lot from it and came back to Lebanon with a whole range of new methods to try. I feel like I went shopping for new methods and came back with the New Winter 2011 Collection.
In addition to the many new methods that I am eager to apply, I also came back with a list of things that I wish I could find online for free. They may be present there, but probably not for free. The problem with finding those things online is probably due to the vast difference between the curriculum in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Our curricula take a lot of time to be update it as they are subject to a lot of political influences.
Anyway, what I would really like to find online are age appropriate texts and exercises for kids with special needs. You see, children with special needs have almost the same interests as their same age "normal" peers. However, they cannot learn more about these topics because of the lack of availability of texts which are about these topics but are written in a less complex style with less difficult terminologies. For example, teenagers with special needs may like to know more about a certain movie star or sports champion but, they cannot understand what is being written about that person because the language is rather hard for them to decode.
Also, in case these texts are present, another issue that poses itself if finding them. I haven't found any search engine that can get you materials which are appropriate for specific grades. It would be really cool for a search engine to be able to determine the grade level of any text it finds. I know it's more of a dream than a reality but, I believe that it can be done. Just like www.lessonwriter.com can detect certain words and deems them difficult, another search engine or program may be able to find certain words in a text, compare them to a standard list of words which should be recognized by a certain grade level and then send out the verdict based on that.
I hope some of you second my opinion,
Regards,
Charbel
In addition to the many new methods that I am eager to apply, I also came back with a list of things that I wish I could find online for free. They may be present there, but probably not for free. The problem with finding those things online is probably due to the vast difference between the curriculum in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Our curricula take a lot of time to be update it as they are subject to a lot of political influences.
Anyway, what I would really like to find online are age appropriate texts and exercises for kids with special needs. You see, children with special needs have almost the same interests as their same age "normal" peers. However, they cannot learn more about these topics because of the lack of availability of texts which are about these topics but are written in a less complex style with less difficult terminologies. For example, teenagers with special needs may like to know more about a certain movie star or sports champion but, they cannot understand what is being written about that person because the language is rather hard for them to decode.
Also, in case these texts are present, another issue that poses itself if finding them. I haven't found any search engine that can get you materials which are appropriate for specific grades. It would be really cool for a search engine to be able to determine the grade level of any text it finds. I know it's more of a dream than a reality but, I believe that it can be done. Just like www.lessonwriter.com can detect certain words and deems them difficult, another search engine or program may be able to find certain words in a text, compare them to a standard list of words which should be recognized by a certain grade level and then send out the verdict based on that.
I hope some of you second my opinion,
Regards,
Charbel
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Pity for the Ancient Teachers
As I read through the articles we had this week regarding learner autonomy and the one computer classroom, I couldn't stop thinking about what I would do in a classroom had I not had any computers. For me, imagining a class with no computer is almost total chaos. I would know what to do, but it would be so de-energizing.
I also started to think about the teachers that taught me without a computer in the class, nor even at home probably. I felt so much pity for them. Not only did they not have access to a computer, but they also had at least 25 students in each class. I am filled with respect to them on how they managed.
However, what really annoys me today is the fact that there are some of these ancient teachers still teaching nowadays with their same old methods, even if they have computers in the classroom. If you talk to them and ask them why they don't use it in teaching, they would tell you that they are too old to learn how to use it themselves, how would they use it with their students? And if you ask them why they don't go learn how to use it, they also reply that they are too old to learn as well. They have been teaching the same things in the same way for 20 or so years, they are too rusty to change. Despite that, there are some "old" teachers that I know who went technological as soon as they could. In my eyes and in the eyes of their students, these teachers are still young and energetic despite their physical age. It is these teachers who really teach their students, not only classroom lessons, but also life-lessons about never giving up and always being updated.
Blessings to the young teachers in old bodies...
Charbel
I also started to think about the teachers that taught me without a computer in the class, nor even at home probably. I felt so much pity for them. Not only did they not have access to a computer, but they also had at least 25 students in each class. I am filled with respect to them on how they managed.
However, what really annoys me today is the fact that there are some of these ancient teachers still teaching nowadays with their same old methods, even if they have computers in the classroom. If you talk to them and ask them why they don't use it in teaching, they would tell you that they are too old to learn how to use it themselves, how would they use it with their students? And if you ask them why they don't go learn how to use it, they also reply that they are too old to learn as well. They have been teaching the same things in the same way for 20 or so years, they are too rusty to change. Despite that, there are some "old" teachers that I know who went technological as soon as they could. In my eyes and in the eyes of their students, these teachers are still young and energetic despite their physical age. It is these teachers who really teach their students, not only classroom lessons, but also life-lessons about never giving up and always being updated.
Blessings to the young teachers in old bodies...
Charbel
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Blessing of PowerPoint!
Week six of the Webskills course is already here. So far, we're halfway through the course and the technological changes that I am implementing in the classroom are way more effective and much better adapted. Many thanks to Robert and all the guests he brings in.
This week, it's all about powerpoint, one of my favorite teaching tools because of all the little elements it has which make learning much easier and a lot more fun. My concern now is teaching the children to make and use a powerpoint presentation since it is a part of their curriculum. Basically, I'm not going to teach them anything about making interactive powerpoint presentations. What I care more about is making presentations, however, I always use interactive presentations with them, and they know that it's through powerpoint. I always get the famous question when some nice effect happens on the screen: "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?" The usual answer I give is "The magic of powerpoint." So far, my students recognize the potential of powerpoint and they are very motivated to learn how to use it.
In a few weeks, the students will start learning how to apply it...I bet they will like it although what worries me is the mechanical boring stuff that they will have to do...
Now, regarding the project task of implementing a change related to technology in the classroom. I decided to work more on the issue of making authentic language available to the children through the use of skype in a conference-like situation. i already spoke about it to a British friend and talked him into helping out. He liked the idea and promised to help. As a backup, I also talked to a friend of mine in Los Angeles and he's going to help out as well. I think I will try it in Thursday's session. Wish me luck
Hope all's well with all of you,
Charbel
This week, it's all about powerpoint, one of my favorite teaching tools because of all the little elements it has which make learning much easier and a lot more fun. My concern now is teaching the children to make and use a powerpoint presentation since it is a part of their curriculum. Basically, I'm not going to teach them anything about making interactive powerpoint presentations. What I care more about is making presentations, however, I always use interactive presentations with them, and they know that it's through powerpoint. I always get the famous question when some nice effect happens on the screen: "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?" The usual answer I give is "The magic of powerpoint." So far, my students recognize the potential of powerpoint and they are very motivated to learn how to use it.
In a few weeks, the students will start learning how to apply it...I bet they will like it although what worries me is the mechanical boring stuff that they will have to do...
Now, regarding the project task of implementing a change related to technology in the classroom. I decided to work more on the issue of making authentic language available to the children through the use of skype in a conference-like situation. i already spoke about it to a British friend and talked him into helping out. He liked the idea and promised to help. As a backup, I also talked to a friend of mine in Los Angeles and he's going to help out as well. I think I will try it in Thursday's session. Wish me luck
Hope all's well with all of you,
Charbel
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Project Based Learning and the Lebanese Official Exams
Hey everyone,
I really wish my teachers knew about Project Based Learning when I was still at school. However, i don't blamed them because they were too busy trying to finish a preset curriculum because, here in Lebanon, the educational system is still rather retarded. Teachers are always stressed out because they have certain areas that they have to cover before Grade 9 when students will sit for an official exam. And then again, they have three years to finish all the areas related to the Grade 12 official exams.
The official exam itself is not the problem, it's the material we have to learn, or actually memorize, that is causing the real problem. Basically, by the end of the Grade 12 official exams, students are so over-charged with knowledge that they need a whole new re-education to be able to function well at the university. This reminds me of one of my teachers at the university who used to tell us that we are so used to being "spoon-fed" information that we never learned to go look for it and neither do we have the energy to do so either.
I believe that PBL can help out a lot in this area however, the students may find a lot of information which is important but not related to the expectations of the official exams. What do you think can be done regarding this?
Charbel
I really wish my teachers knew about Project Based Learning when I was still at school. However, i don't blamed them because they were too busy trying to finish a preset curriculum because, here in Lebanon, the educational system is still rather retarded. Teachers are always stressed out because they have certain areas that they have to cover before Grade 9 when students will sit for an official exam. And then again, they have three years to finish all the areas related to the Grade 12 official exams.
The official exam itself is not the problem, it's the material we have to learn, or actually memorize, that is causing the real problem. Basically, by the end of the Grade 12 official exams, students are so over-charged with knowledge that they need a whole new re-education to be able to function well at the university. This reminds me of one of my teachers at the university who used to tell us that we are so used to being "spoon-fed" information that we never learned to go look for it and neither do we have the energy to do so either.
I believe that PBL can help out a lot in this area however, the students may find a lot of information which is important but not related to the expectations of the official exams. What do you think can be done regarding this?
Charbel
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Hangaroo
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to share with you this week something new that I learned which is a new and great way to teach vocabulary as well as spelling to children. Many of you are familiar with the game Hangaroo. If you are not, do get familar with it: http://games.ncbuy.com/hangaroo/
First thing you should consider before implementing the game in the classroom is the volume. Make sure it's OFF because Hangaroo is a bad mouth. Second, you cannot implement the game as it is because it's more related to general knowledge but, what you can do is write a new phrase file for it based on what you want your kids to practice. You can learn how to make a new phrase file through this link: http://games.ncbuy.com/hangaroo/create_layout.html
Basically, what can be done is the following:
1- Teach the new vocabulary to the kids
2- Make a new phrase file
3- Play the game with the kids to practice spelling and synonyms because, in the clue section, you will be putting the synonym so that they can guess the word either by the clue or by guessing out the letters.
I hope that helps,
Charbel
I just wanted to share with you this week something new that I learned which is a new and great way to teach vocabulary as well as spelling to children. Many of you are familiar with the game Hangaroo. If you are not, do get familar with it: http://games.ncbuy.com/hangaroo/
First thing you should consider before implementing the game in the classroom is the volume. Make sure it's OFF because Hangaroo is a bad mouth. Second, you cannot implement the game as it is because it's more related to general knowledge but, what you can do is write a new phrase file for it based on what you want your kids to practice. You can learn how to make a new phrase file through this link: http://games.ncbuy.com/hangaroo/create_layout.html
Basically, what can be done is the following:
1- Teach the new vocabulary to the kids
2- Make a new phrase file
3- Play the game with the kids to practice spelling and synonyms because, in the clue section, you will be putting the synonym so that they can guess the word either by the clue or by guessing out the letters.
I hope that helps,
Charbel
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Benefits of the Tablet PC in Teaching
I knew that a Tablet was recommended for teachers and now I know why. It's so easy and convenient to use especially with all the options you have. All you need to do is hook your Tablet into the LCD projector and then you can control everything that goes on on the board straight from your PC. You control the music, you control the videos, you can write and you can also make perfect drawings especially when you use the ritePen application which makes your circles, lines, and squares just perfect.
In addition to that, the tablet PC is lighter than the laptop and can be used just like a notebook, which saves you the trouble of needing to balance your laptop on one hand while trying to type with the other.
I really recommend a Tablet PC if you want to make your classroom advanced technologically and make your life easier...
Charbel
In addition to that, the tablet PC is lighter than the laptop and can be used just like a notebook, which saves you the trouble of needing to balance your laptop on one hand while trying to type with the other.
I really recommend a Tablet PC if you want to make your classroom advanced technologically and make your life easier...
Charbel
Saturday, October 16, 2010
My new Tablet PC
The easier technology, and especially computers, makes things, the harder it gets when a small glitch happens and ruins your whole project. I had my laptop for 2 years now and, two days ago, it decided to crash. I wouldn't blame it, especially that I trusted it to handle all my work for me. Anyway, it crashed and delayed my work by at least two days until I was able to acquire a new one.
Yesterday, I picked up a way better computer, and I chose a tablet PC instead. I heard that it was much better than a laptop, and especially for teachers now that it has a better handwriting recognition system. Anyway, I'm in the process of tweaking it up and making it ready for Monday's classes. Let's hope it all goes well because I will be expecting many students to drool over it.
Have a great weekend everyone...
Yesterday, I picked up a way better computer, and I chose a tablet PC instead. I heard that it was much better than a laptop, and especially for teachers now that it has a better handwriting recognition system. Anyway, I'm in the process of tweaking it up and making it ready for Monday's classes. Let's hope it all goes well because I will be expecting many students to drool over it.
Have a great weekend everyone...
Friday, October 8, 2010
Already Learning
Hey everyone,
Despite my overwhelming work this year in between managing a program and writing ILPs, I still could find some time to check out the blogs of many of my colleagues. Some of them have caught my attention such as Hasan and Rahmat's blogs and had really interesting insights. However, Yudi's blog was a real eye catcher especially that she started to offer valuable ideas from the beginning. Yudi wrote about webquests, which was a very interesting online instrument to use with students. In addition to that, I couldn't wait to create my own webquest and so, I made this: http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=71425. I made it for my philosophy students and I know that they will love it. I will keep you posted when I try it out next week.
Have a great weekend all of you,
Charbel
Despite my overwhelming work this year in between managing a program and writing ILPs, I still could find some time to check out the blogs of many of my colleagues. Some of them have caught my attention such as Hasan and Rahmat's blogs and had really interesting insights. However, Yudi's blog was a real eye catcher especially that she started to offer valuable ideas from the beginning. Yudi wrote about webquests, which was a very interesting online instrument to use with students. In addition to that, I couldn't wait to create my own webquest and so, I made this: http://www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=71425. I made it for my philosophy students and I know that they will love it. I will keep you posted when I try it out next week.
Have a great weekend all of you,
Charbel
Monday, October 4, 2010
A New Week, A New Adventure
Another week at school just started. Soon enough, it will be over with a lot more work left undone. I remember when I first started teaching two years ago how hectic my year was. I was still nineteen years old, I had no idea what kids with special needs were like nor did I know how to teach them. Today, I am in charge of a program for teaching such blessed kids. As organized and sure as I have become, things do tend to get out of hand often, but it's all for the good. I started using Stephen Covey's time management planner and developed a habit of taking notes whenever it's needed. However, with all the day's work, I still have a lot to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I adore what I do and I wouldn't trade anything for it in the world. I hope you are alll passing through these great adventures everyday.
Lots
Of
Valuable
Energy
Lots
Of
Valuable
Energy
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Elemental Being
Hey everyone,
I wanted to write about me more here but there was nothing that expressed me more than this poem. I hhope you'll all like it:
I wanted to write about me more here but there was nothing that expressed me more than this poem. I hhope you'll all like it:
Elemental Being
By Charbel Tadros
In my life I’m a fire
Burning, raging higher and higher
My energy fills and moves my universe
And my uses are contradicting and diverse
In my soul I am flowing water
Moving ceaselessly in the ether
Cleansing the lives of countless souls
Helping them set ever higher goals
In my friendships I’m a wind
Caressing the hearts of the chagrined
And yet wiping away the deathly heaviness
Of those who tend to ever digress
In my faith I am the stable earth
Stably progressing since my birth
Unshakable is my faith in me
Clear to those who wish to see
And so, the four elements combine
And in my life they intertwine
They are different and yet they merge
Thus truth is allowed to emerge
Fire burns the decaying pains
Water purges what remains
Wind cools the earth below
Earth contains the rushing flow
From the earth life bursts forth
Through the wind is set the course
Water flows through the way
And fire clears the dark away
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