Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Motivation
The crucial element which triggers the participation in blogs is motivation. Whether the blog is meant for colleagues or students, we need to concentrate on the topic that will move prospective participants to action.
I opened a blog for a group of EFL teachers who are attending a CALL SIG (Special Interest Group)in my place, and I found that, even when the members in this group had joined it out of their own will to learn about blogging, it was my duty to
keep the ball rolling. And I guess the same might happen with blogs aiming at complementing classwork. Age, for example, and their different interests need to be taken into account, as well as different groups' needs. But, above all, it was me who needed to stay motivated !! I feel this to have been my first difficulty I encountered in practice, and would like to hear what others have to say in this respect.
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Hello Rita,
I expect you are having a wonderful time travelling around, meeting the webheads and enjoying your time. I am sure you will come back energized and full of ideas!
As you say, it depends very much on the moderator, teacher to keep the momentum and encourage students to post by devising meaningful activities that will develop a taste for reading, responding to posts, writing, publishing online and keeping track of their learning.
As you say,there are many variables to consider: age, interests and also their learning styles and their perception of how to learn a language.
Fortunately now you can also include audio, photos and video (still difficult but possible) so those who are handicapped with text, may respond better to sound and images.
I expect you are having a wonderful time travelling around, meeting the webheads and enjoying your time. I am sure you will come back energized and full of ideas!
As you say, it depends very much on the moderator, teacher to keep the momentum and encourage students to post by devising meaningful activities that will develop a taste for reading, responding to posts, writing, publishing online and keeping track of their learning.
As you say,there are many variables to consider: age, interests and also their learning styles and their perception of how to learn a language.
Fortunately now you can also include audio, photos and video (still difficult but possible) so those who are handicapped with text, may respond better to sound and images.
I think you have made a crucial observation: the teacher needs to stay motivated. I think we all know from experience that it is almost impossible to get a group of people to do something if we ourselves aren't motivated to do it. THe question, of course, is how to stay motivated. Professional development opportunities like this EVO session sure help, don't they?
Hi, Rita,
I agree that motivation is key. I used a class blog with my students last semester, and I found that I had to make assignments to get them to post. Some really didn't like it very well, so I'm hoping for new ideas from this group.
Webhead Chris Jones
I agree that motivation is key. I used a class blog with my students last semester, and I found that I had to make assignments to get them to post. Some really didn't like it very well, so I'm hoping for new ideas from this group.
Webhead Chris Jones
Wow..., what a nice surprise to come back home after a long trip visiting places and enjoying sharing fabulous times with friends... , what a nice surprise to come back, I say, and feel still in contact...
As to my experience abroad, I need to say it publicly: who dares to say Internet isolates people...? I've had the times of my life with two Webheads!! First, in New Haven (USA), when seeing Webhead Karen f2f and talking for hours like old friends... We visited Yale University and had lunch together...
And then my visit to Lisbon and meeting beloved Tere and Joao, and their two beautiful friends, Ze Luis and Inha... I'm still "in trance" after this unique experience, already feeling "saudade"! Yes, Tere is the most incredible host any Webhead can think of....;-))!
As to my landing home ..., well, quite a difficult stage, but re-joining this community will help...;-)
I've read many juicy, enriching comments published by so many members and by the moderators (thanks, Aaron, Bee and Graham, we are learning soooooooo much!!) and will now start seeing how to make the most of this course...
Glad to be here!!!
As to my experience abroad, I need to say it publicly: who dares to say Internet isolates people...? I've had the times of my life with two Webheads!! First, in New Haven (USA), when seeing Webhead Karen f2f and talking for hours like old friends... We visited Yale University and had lunch together...
And then my visit to Lisbon and meeting beloved Tere and Joao, and their two beautiful friends, Ze Luis and Inha... I'm still "in trance" after this unique experience, already feeling "saudade"! Yes, Tere is the most incredible host any Webhead can think of....;-))!
As to my landing home ..., well, quite a difficult stage, but re-joining this community will help...;-)
I've read many juicy, enriching comments published by so many members and by the moderators (thanks, Aaron, Bee and Graham, we are learning soooooooo much!!) and will now start seeing how to make the most of this course...
Glad to be here!!!
HOLA RITA, Welcome home!!!!
Ok, so what about another posting with all your impressions about your trip, and settling into the routine of being back.... that would be motivating… to live vicariously!
It is great to visit blogs and follow other people's train of thought!
Motivation is a biggie…. what can we say? I need some of that….. humm motivation, how to stay motivated…. energized….
YEAH let's go for love…. that would work.
Cariños--- Karen freezing in subzero weather and escaping into thoughts of flying into the sunset.... but first... back to work.
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Ok, so what about another posting with all your impressions about your trip, and settling into the routine of being back.... that would be motivating… to live vicariously!
It is great to visit blogs and follow other people's train of thought!
Motivation is a biggie…. what can we say? I need some of that….. humm motivation, how to stay motivated…. energized….
YEAH let's go for love…. that would work.
Cariños--- Karen freezing in subzero weather and escaping into thoughts of flying into the sunset.... but first... back to work.
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