I have just returned from the IATEFL business English sig annual conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It was very useful, so I am sharing here two ideas of the many that were offered.
– I have decided to organize my own teacher workshop about teaching with technology. Something I have wanted to do for a long time, and at the conference, various conversations and presentations convinced me it is “doable.” the topic may be integrating online materials with f2f activities. Would anyone care to join me?
– it’s time to learn about DASHBOARDING ! If you know about it, would you please share? I am basically looking for a way to manage the huge flow of information from the Internet and learn new ways to teach well. At the conference, I attended a presentation by Valentina Dodge, who introduced
Diigo, the tool for bookmarking, collaborating, sharing content, and much more.
These are just two of many useful ideas. The real value of the conference, of course, was talking to people in the EFL profession and getting energized.
Great, tell us more about your workshop plan, please.
The plan is really just a plan! I would like to invite just a small group of colleagues, former colleagues and interested teachers for a 90 min/2 hour session that would just focus on one thing–let’s say just as an example, a lesson plan integrated with Internet-based homework such as making a video or slideshow. Or maybe how to create a workable blog to support a group or course. I would do something totally practical and capable of being integrated into non-tech teaching, that would have value for students and not just be a bell and whistle thing.
But much more, I like using technology, appropriate technology, and just want to share what I know with a few people who could also enlighten me a bit. Don’t have a place and time yet, of course, but I think it will come together early 2012. Hope this answers your question!