3. International Collaboration Projects
Learning Together: an internatioanl collaboration
project between students from Argentina and Egypt.
Harry Potter Book Project : A Collaborative
Initiative Between Students from Egypt and Canada
4. BAW (Becoming a Webhead) / EVO online
sessions
Socializing through different PLNs
Yahoo groups, Google +, Facebook, …etc.
6. Interviews through Skype
Video conferencing
Skype is a synchronous web tool which allows real
time, live discussions which expand the walls of the
traditional classroom and engage students to
communicate with authentic audience.
"Skype helps to improve listening skills as the user has
to pay active attention to what the interlocutor is
saying; it's useful to practise vocabulary and everyday
language in a natural way; it fosters improvization
and puts our knowledge to the best both when writing
and speaking; it helps to improve our ability to
understand our facial gestures (video calls)"
7. Before the interview
Language context
Clarifying the aims of the interview
Motivating the students to practise their English in real time
Social context
Talking to students about the teacher to be interviewed
Pre-interview preparations
Question preparations on the part of the students
Questions sent to the teacher so as to check topics
8. The interview
Students’ motivation
Students’ participation
Students’ understanding of the interviewed teacher
9. After the interview
1)Instant feedback (directly after the interview).
I thought what We learnt a lot She had a
would have of things about different
happened if I Argentina & had language.
hadn’t prepared a great deal of
any questions fun
It was very It was It’s good to
interesting but I exciting know about
though I other countries.
blamed myself that I hope we can
I haven’t shared in didn’t share
do it with other
that interview countries.
10. After the interview (cont.)
Better and authentic language practice: Writing a
diary, an autobiography, a story, a dialogue.
Continual, on-going language practice
The creation of the ArgentEgypt group in…
11. ArgentEgypt
Facebook private group
Any member can post a comment or question
Chat in English
Arabic and Spanish learning: language, customs and
culture
A range of topics: greetings, birthdays, likes,
festivals, interests
13. Harry Potter Book Project : A Collaborative Initiative
Between Students from Egypt and Canada
Ayat Al-Tawel (Egypt) - Bernadette Rego (Canada)
14. Project Objectives
- Change stereotypes about other countries.
- Improving SS reading skill, writing and critical
thinking
- Using the language confidently in an authentic
environment.
- Enjoying travelling virtually to other countries
and making new friends.
15. What is Edmodo?
•
• http://www.edmodo.com
• Free learning management system
• Currently more than 6.5 million teachers and
students connected to Edmodo
User statistic source: http://about.edmodo.com/
16. Edmodo's Features
• It's a free, safe and closed place to connect, collaborate and
share content.
• No e-mail required for student sign-up
• Students cannot privately message each other
• Assignments, quizzes and grades can be created and shared.
• Important links and docs can be stored in folders.
• Teachers can create multiple groups and sub-groups.
• Teachers can award students badges.
• Parents can sign up with a special code.
17. Harry Potter Book Project:
Preliminary Work
• Teachers met via Skype and exchanged e-mails
• Used Google docs to organize class lists and create sub-groups (4-8
students).
• Educating students about each other's respective countries and
cultures
• Established an Edmodo group.
• Obtaining signed permission from parents
• Explaining conduct guidelines to students
• Creating student accounts
• Ensuring internet access for all students
18. Preliminary work (cont.)
• Establishing a wiki for students where they have a link
to the online open book website, vocabulary and
questions for each chapter.
19. Harry Potter Book Project:
Student Introductions
• Students introduced themselves in Edmodo
• Created voice introductions using Voxopop
(http://www.voxopop.com)
21. Harry Potter Book Project:
Initial Challenges
• Educating students about online etiquette
• Encouraging students to post introductions
• Dividing students into sub-groups
•Motivating students who will work on their
own as an extra activity.
• Students’ access to internet.
22. Harry Potter Book Project:
Some Obstacles
• Voxopop (closed / open talk group)
• Students working online at school.
• Students working online on their own at
home. (Jing tutorial)
• Open book link no longer working (Plan B)
• Time constraints discouraging some students
(Adding a variety of optional work to do)
23. Harry Potter Book Project:
Successes
• Student enthusiasm in communicating with
peers and learning more about each other (daily
life, school day and subjects, Pyramids, RCMP,
food, landmarks..etc.), moving from a book
content to a general content.
• Students mastering Edmodo
• Students working effectively in groups
• Students' privacy protected throughout the
learning process
24. Harry Potter Book Project:
What We Have Learned
• Importance of weekly communication between teachers
• Importance of educating students about online etiquette
• Selecting tools that :
- are appropriate for the students’ age and ability.
- protect students' online privacy.
- improve on what I can do without technology.
• Accepting obstacles may arise while embracing a positive
attitude
25. Recap of tools used
- Facebook
- Edmodo
- Voxopop
- Wiki
- Google docs
- Skype
26. "If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry
on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the
children." - Mohandas Gandhi
Thank you
ayatawel@gmail.com
@ayatawel