Week 6

Project Step

This week as usual I have learned new things useful for me and my students. Many interesting teaching techniques for managing a large class have been shared on the discussion board. Clearly, it is important that teachers should employ teaching techniques that can foster active engagement to help the students learn better and enjoy learning. Cooperative and collaborative learning activities, for example, allow students to work together and construct knowledge. In addition, small group activities not only reduce students' anxiety but also promote social skill development. Apart from those creative techniques, the content of language teaching materials has to be relevant to students' needs and interests to make learning meaningful to them.

Again, technology like PowerPoint can be included in the classroom and by making it become an interactive presentation, it could be a tool to draw attentions and increase students' participation in learning process. Different kinds of media should be wisely included in PowerPoint to appeal to different learning styles. Personally, I have learned a method to make PowerPoint presentations interactive with games using action buttons. It is the first time for me to be able to make a plain-looking PowerPoint become more lively and interactive to get the students more engaged with what is being taught. I intend to learn more about different ways to make PowerPoint presentation interactive.

Regarding the implementation of technology-related change, I have chosen 'infographics' to resolve my students' reading competence. After spending time to search about using infographics in education, I have become clear to begin my plan.

This week I have introduced my students an overview of infographics. I have used a PDF file made by Short (2013) from http://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/cms/lib09/NC01910456/Centricity/Domain/6052/exportable_infographic.pdf to present facts and details about infographics to my class. Due to time constraints and a tight schedule making it impossible to complete the first task in the classroom, I have assigned the students to do an out-of-class activity, Exploring Infographics. This task aims to have students take their time noticing different models of infographic designs and layouts meanwhile getting them engaged with the reading texts of their interest.

The objective of  the first task is: Exploring infographics samples from http://dailyinfographic.com/, students will be able to choose one infographic, draw at least 4 information/facts they get from it and state at least 3 statements how the use of graphics including the design, the use of fonts, color can contribute to how they feel about the information.

It is expected that after exploring a variety of infographic examples, the students will be able to create their own infographic to present an issue or topic they are studying.

Next week, I'm planning to involve them in a step to create an infographic.