Week 1 Reflection

This is my first time to create a blog and it took so much time to create one.   I have been reflecting on what went wrong and I realize that I spent too much time exploring and trying to make it perfect.  I should have created the basics and then as I am more familiar with it, I can improve the layout and design of the blog.

It is not easy to spend a few hours straight in front of the computer working on the assignments because there are always things happening around which require your attention.  When I am back to the computer, I forget where I stopped and I have to start all over again.  That is not efficient and it causes a lot of frustration. 

During this first week, I notice that I like reading from paper rather than online because I like to take notes while I am reading.  So I printed out the materials in paper, though not environmental friendly, but it works better for me.  I also list out the weekly tasks and write down the usernames and passwords of the websites that we have to visit regularly in my notebook, and carry it with me in my handbag.   When it is not possible to have a computer in front of me, I can read the print out and write my reflection on it, or I can view my course mates' discussions via my phone and write down my comments in the notebook.

 

 

 



Since I have never created a blog, or even comment on a blog, the idea of a blog for class is new to me.   After I read "Blogging for ELT" and "Weblogs for use with ESL Classes", I think concerns I have all the time with my students can be addressed.  Through blogging, students can practise their writing in a more meaningful and authentic way  because they are writing for a real audience. They will probably be more involved and careful about spelling and grammar as well.  Shy students may feel less intimidating instead of sharing their ideas verbally in class.   According to the readings, there are many benefits of using a blog for class but I think I should not be too ambitious at this point since I am also a new blogger.  However, I wonder what I should do if students are not using standard English, correct grammar, and/or correct sentence structure?

 

The author of "Blogging for ELT" states that teachers have to reply to students' posts quickly in order to keep them interested.  I think it is a big challenge for me.  I have around 125 students each semester, how can I comment on each of their posts every week?