So this week, we trainers have started teaching our nice and patient colleagues how to blog. I had my doubts at first, whether it would be difficult or not, but as hours go by, I can see that it isn´t so hard. However, I have found it that it can be a bit hard for some people who are not used to dealing with computers. But that´s where attitude comes in. If a person keeps saying ¨no, I suck at computers, no, I´ll break it, no, I can´t use computers¨ of course he´s going to have a hard time. The person is blocking his mind. But fortunately, that hasn´t happened to anyone in my group. Everyone´s getting it.
The only complain( for lack of a better or more accurate word) I have had is the fact that some people don´t really understand why we are blogging and what purpose it will have in the future. Sure, I get where their questions are coming from. And I also understand why some people ask ¨why don´t they teach us how to use the interactive rooms instead?¨. I tell them that will come later.
Anyways, all in all, It has been a great experience so far. It takes so much time, sure, but I believe that it will be of great benefit to all of us.
I agree with you Fernando, it will benefit all of us. Better teacher will bring along more English speaking students and they will bring along even more students and more money for the CBA.
ReplyDeleteWell Fernando...what can I say ....I must be one of your difficult cases! Thanks for your patience! Actually I am starting to build my confidence in this and actually beginning to understand!
ReplyDeleteI think that is really important to learn how to use technology for our convenience. The subject about attitude is so true, I mean, it surpasses age, if the person is ready to learn and has the right attitude to do it, nothing will stop them to from learning what they want.
ReplyDeleteI think I am among the ones who are still asking themselves what's the main purpose of this blogging thing???? But still I am enjoying it and hopefully we'll finish this project as expected...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your patience Fernando!!!
No, Monica. I didn´t mean you. I was talking in general, not only about teachers but also about students in general. When I had the interactive room, I had students who didn´t want to get close to the computer or use the pad. It´s a general complain.
ReplyDeleteWe´ll be using our blogs in the future more than now.
A good use of it with our students would be to save time in clases with writing: you just give them a topic and they have to post it on their blogs and that´s it. No paper correction, no printing, and you can use your time in class for more speaking, since I believe that most of our students get to advance without much speaking skills.
Luís Fernando,
ReplyDeleteI find your blog interesting. I guess your reflection made other have interesting comments as well. I agree with you and Enrique that attitude is the key. Besides, we were so far back with the use of tech -specially WEB 2.0- that many other countries like Brazil and Colombia have been using it for quite some time; so "we need to keep up with the Joneses"
Just to mention a few of the reasons of why blogging is that it helps with self reflection which is important for Critical Thinking skills. On the other hand, people in order to blog need to follow specific process and by doing this they are forced to use technology which will help them at the time of using the Interactive Room. In addition, as you have mentioned, students can do their writing assignments in their blogs, which are more attractive and easier to follow; besides the fact of having people make comments on them and therefore foster fluency.
Well, reasons could be endless, it just depends on how creative you are as an educator to make it useful, practical, fun, and -the most important- effective.
Álvaro