Week 6 Change - Part 1

The major task for this week was to start implementing "a change" in the classroom - using a new technology.

I should admit that I began preparing for this "change" 2 weeks ago by talking to my class about new ideas and trends in second language teaching, CALL in particular. All of my students became very excited and I had to answer a hundred of questions: what, where, when, how and how soon. Moreover, at that time, I asked my students to make sure they were able to get online at least 1-2 times the following week and 2-3 times the week after.

A few days later, after our online discussion, I knew exactly what I was going to do and talked to my students again, explained the aims of our 2-week adventure, tasks and strategies how to complete them. The "change" I've planned consists of 2 parts and Part 1 took place this week.

Before I start describing the project, I should mention the background information: the class has been reading and discussing the play "Night of January, 16" by A.Rand since the term started. (The main character Karen Andre is on trial, suspected of killing her lover, a world-know tycoon Bjorn Faulkner. This video will give you more idea what this story is about Trailer 1 or Trailer 2.) Ayn Rand gives two endings of the story and lets the audience choose what happens to her characters. Moreover, as you may remember I wanted to use prezi or squidoo. However, after the careful consideration and Robert's advice, I chose wiki as the most suitable for my students educational needs and internet possibilities.

Thus, the Part 1 Task was the following:

1) Read the final chapter of your book "Night of January, 16" by A.Rand.

2) Complete the quiz which checks how well you know the story.

3) Vote for the ending of the story online.

4) Think what happens to the main character Karen Andre after the trial, choose the date in the future after January, 16 (the following week, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years) and write 200-250-word diary entry. Submit your work to the wiki "Karen Andre's Diary".

The outcomes by the end of the week: the quiz and voting task are completed by all the students. 60% of the students have submitted their diary entries, the others, as all average pupils do, will complete that at the last minute:) Let's see what happens by the deadline, Sunday, 23.55.

And, as usual, there is some food for thought: British Council: Voices for diversity and equal opportunities in ELT (IATEFL Cardiff Online, 2009). The video is an hour long, watch at least the first 3 minutes and minutes 21.00-24.00.