E X E R C I S E ON-LINE

The dog can't eat the homework! I think not having to make hard-copies of assignments is one of the best reasons for on-line exercises. With on-line exercises homework is posted and there shouldn't be an excuse of -I lost my paper. Most students enjoy computer class. They love to "USE" technology, therefore they are very engaged in using technology to learn. You can have frequent quizzes and hopefully they won't complain. The otherwise quiet student may open up more on-line. Having e-portfolios would be the ultimate way to watch your students' growth. I agree with McNulty, the greatest potential for an on-line classroom and exercises is in its ability to help teachers create student-centered classrooms. If we as ESL teachers or educators- in general -can instill a love for learning and a curiosity to be critical thinkers by using on-line classrooms and exercises, then the integration of technology has made a positive effect on teaching. The downfalls would be no Internet service when you have the computer lab scheduled, the tech support person isn't in your building or antiquated computers have hindered the exercises on-line.

On-line Learning on MY-TIME

On-line learning as been a part of my life for the last five years. I took almost all of my Hamline -ESL classes on-line. The great thing about on-line learning is when you live out in the sticks you can still partake in higher education. I am directly seventy-five miles form the twin cities, St. Cloud, Marshall and Mankato, so being able to go on-line and learn has been a huge benefit. Another positive for on-line learning is when you are the only person in your department in a low incident school having the ability to connect with other ESL people around the world will dramatically widen my horizon. I have had the opportunity to belong to an on-line learning community this past year. My Title III group has been communicating by using Moodle. It has been time consuming, but we have gained a wealth of knowledge about technology by participating in the project. Within these short three weeks -I have been exposed to many more technology integration pieces and there is still more to learn! The only set back is when there is a problem with my computer or Internet service. Overall, I can go to the lake and still be involved in a class. It's great. Technology- truly is great when it works!

Weblog

To blog or not to blog- shouldn't even be questioned. I need to get going and incorporate blogging into my classroom. I get various online newsletters (EdWeek Update and Teacher Update-just to name a few) and I have just glanced at the blog information from these subscriptions. I guess I better climb aboard.
Here's a link http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/jshyu/
This is just one example of the numerous articles I have been passing over!

Doreen M. Nelson - ESL Teacher

Hi, my name is Doreen Nelson and I'm the ESL teacher at the Buffalo Lake-Hector School District in Minnesota. I received my MA in ESL from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN and have worked with K-12 ELL and their families for six years and I enjoy my work immensely! I have been married for 22 years. We have five sons. Two sons are in college, and next fall the other three boys will be in 11th, 6th, and 4th grade. I love to read, travel and motorcycle. I took this class because I want to be aware of all the current educational technology resources available to assist me in teaching my students.