#14 | Recap of What We Did So Far / Final Post of the Term

   Hello everyone!!

 

   Now it’s time to say goodbye :((  The fall term has ended, and we have to write a final blog post.

   As you know, I was using this blog as an online portfolio for one of my courses about the integration of technology in education. My friends and I were preparing tasks for each topic. This term, we talked about Corpus, Flipped Classroom, AR/VR Integrated Lessons, and AI in ELT.  

   Now I want to talk about our course, Current Issues in ELT.

   This course’s best aspect is that when we learn about something, we always turn the knowledge into practice by preparing materials and lesson plans, the best way to learn. Almost in all our courses, we always encounter expressions like do this or do that, but they fall short of answering the how question. The practice we do in this kind of safe environment, before the real classroom, is beneficial for us; we are becoming familiar with the real process. I liked the materials we made and the technologies we used so much that I’m going to use them when I become a teacher too. Also, this course strengthened my teaching perspective. With time I realized that I started to think about things in a more teacherly way rather than a student when something school-related happens; I think about the pedagogical aspect of it first, then my inner student takes the wheel.

   Our tasks were neither easy nor difficult. I think they were appropriate for our age and abilities; I don’t remember having any kind of difficulty. We were able to use our creativity for the materials; the process was really fun and beneficial for each task.

   My favorite task was using Corpus because I had no idea about its use in the language classroom. Yes, I knew what it was and how to use it, but I have never considered it as a tool to teach grammar or vocabulary. It made me realize that we can turn everything into teaching material as long as we have our imagination and pedagogical knowledge. And my least favorite task was Flipped Classroom. Not that I hate it, but other tasks were more enjoyable than this one. Flipped Classroom allows us to cover the knowledge outside of the class and put this knowledge into practice during class times. I think this is the most suitable approach for language classes since we have limited time and so many things to do.

   To improve this course, I can only say that more tasks and feedback should be given. Our teacher gave all of us feedback for each task, and it was really helpful. We were able to use these insights for our other courses too. It may be a little unrealistic, but I think it would be useful for us to listen to other groups’ feedback too; in that way, we are not only seeing our classmates' materials but also can make use of their feedback too. My advice for the next students of this course is to listen to your feedback; it will save your life!!!

 

   And that was all. I am going to miss writing here. Take care of yourself, this is only a small break :)) <3