My Dream Classroom

My Dream Classroom

My Experience of Using Online Reference Tools

I use online reference tools mainly for two purposes: one, to raise the awareness of my learners that such tools are there, easily accessible and they should make use of it as a target language resource; second, to help them with comprehending some text or difficult words mainly using an online translator. 

Learners in my class are all Saudi university students with language levels ranging from elementary to intermediate level, and most of them they have English to Arabic dictionary uploaded to their mobiles, and often use it when they need to understand vocabulary involved in the activity. I also sometimes encourage them to check the word in their cell phone dictionary rather than asking me with a view to develop autonomy and the ability to find and use resources in the absence of the teacher.

Regarding online translators, I mainly use them to help my students understand abstract lexical items and phrases which they may find difficult to understand because no similarities can be found for such phrases in their first language. Apart from this use of the translators, recently, as a part of a WebQuest students were asked to use online translator to help them comprehend contents of the websites included in the WebQuest. However, the students were thoroughly made aware of the pitfalls of absolute dependence on such translation tools.

As for myself, I consistently use English to Arabic dictionary as a teaching tool. I use it to translate abstract vocabulary in Arabic and then ask one of the students to read the words in Arabic to the class, and also helping them, thanks to my little knowledge of Arabic, to choose which shades of meanings are contextually relevant or irrelevant.

I have never happened to weave a complete lesson or activity around online reference tools so far.      

Devil's Dictionary

Well, you may find this one pretty straightforward but I liked the first definition.


Definition 1: One with his hand in your pocket, his tongue in your ear and his faith in your patience.
Definition 2 : someone who teaches at a college or university.


So what is your guess?

Credit for Definitions:
http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Invitation for Sharing your Refelections

I invite all my course fellows to reflect on the ways and means of integrating technology in an environment of limited ICT resources and infrastructure,  and share their reflections through the platform of this blog. Thanks   

How to Integrate Technology?

Many developments in the educational world happen in the developed world. Later these developments are adopted by the developing world or the under-developed world. The same applies to the integration of technology. Most of the developments are taking place in the developed world. Situation in the developing and under-developing is different in this world. Computers or any personal portable technological gadgets, which have become a necessity in the developed world, are still a luxury and unaffordable in the developing and underdeveloped world. In this blog, I intend to muse on integrating technology in a learning environment with limited ICT infrastructure.       

Me

Hi
My name is Hamid. I am an EFL teacher living and teaching in Saudi Arabia. My professional interests involve integration of technology in language teaching, language classroom dynamics, and culture in language teaching.