An Inspiration

I was instructed to keep a journal, at the time I was earning my master degree, when I didn’t understand why I had to do so. But I came to know why I had to, because that helped me take down messy information coming to me. Now, taking the course, I was asked to write a blog. Besides working as a platform where I can share with other participants ideas of the course, the writing blog reminds me of the journal I made in the graduate school.

     I think the two are similar. A journal is a good source for me to retrospect what flashes into my mind during a time period; a blog plays a similar role. Most of time I stick to my computer, dealing with hodgepodge. Whatever I am tackling, ideas or thoughts keep hitting on me, and how should I keep track of them? As I used to write a journal, writing a blog becomes a channel for me to manage assortments of information.

     As a teacher, I have developed a like lifestyle. Like things; like people every day. Though my life sometimes is infused with innovation, it is a drop in the ocean. However, the course pours into a lot of new things to my teaching. This week, I touch a new online tool, Delicious, a bookmark tool, such a device being one I have never used. And I think the ensuing weeks novelties will enter my life. In addition of new online tools, this weekly reading offers me a great chance to review my own teaching as well as to get acquainted with others’ instruction. The class project I read is one made by a teacher in Romania, a country alien to me. On seeing the project, it occurs to me that how fascinating to take in a report written in a remote country. I find Ms. Nicolici’s teaching itinerary is one arranged beforehand, and modified along the way, which gives me a sigh of relief. More often than not, I alter my teaching map, and I feel afraid because I wonder if it is my negligence or poor preparations. Ms. Nicolici teaching project dawns on me, even though a well-organized teaching project is still need of adapting to living up to students’ needs. No wonder quite a lot of reverend predecessors say teaching is an art. Art should be something felt by our heart; it is more than schedule and arrangement.

    I always start with my class by asking students to listen to a piece of short news, a clip I select from ABC news. Therefore, one task this week asks me to express my opinions on listening. I should say teaching listening is my favorite; teaching listening by using authentic materials is especially challenging and interesting. Last week, in a lesson whose topic is connected with the idea that we are bothers, I used a ABC news report, in which American country song super star, Brad Paisley, works with hip hop musician, LL Cool J, to make a song about the eradication of discrimination. I could see students glittering eyes while they were listening to that song after the news report. Then both students and I feel the process is constructive learning, and how wonderful the learning outcome is. Actually, the advance of IT facilitates teaching in many ways. And that is why UO’s programs contain IT pedagogy.

     I can imagine what a stunning effect it will have on me after I complete the course. It must be very fantastic.