87.Additional Questions on Content I

[Kerala University English Teacher Educator’s Forum - KUETEF]

Some  questions  requiring  clarification have already found mention in Post # 86 of this   Blog.

The  following  are questions on  EDU - 04.2 : THEORETICAL BASE OF ENGLISH EDUCATION- I   requiring clarification  mailed by  Mr. Jijan, one of the leaders of the two  groups which  discussed the  Optional Papers during the Workshop held on  26 October 2013. I have tried to answer them.

* Q.  When should  entry  in  Reflective Journal  be made?

Ans:  During Practice  Teaching.

* Q. What  is  Blended  Learning and Virtual Learning?  How  shall  we  introduce these topics?

* A blended learning approach combines face to face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities.  To put it  in another way, in ‘Blended Learning’  we  are  blending old and new instructional methods, and more technically we are blending a sequence of both synchronous (Same Time / Different Place)  and asynchronous (Different Time/ Different Place) learning events. Further, there is a fundamental change in the way teachers and students approach  the learning experience.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) also used synonymously with  Learning Management  System (LMS- Eg. MOODLE) is  a place, where teachers and students can come together and interact with one another to achieve a learning outcome. In many institutions of  Higher  Education,   VLE is  part of the Blended  Learning experience where the students   in addition to the face to face lessons  provided in the campus,  receives or performs Online activities/ tasks using LMS. An obvious advantage of  VLE is that it makes  possible the ‘integration’ of  learning  tools like  Open Educational Resources (OER’s),  Blogs, Forums,  Wilk’s,  email etc. which are available  free of charge on the Web.

(We need to consider  providing training  for  teacher educators in  Blended Learning and VLE)

* Q. Is CE  to be conducted for  Unit II only?

Ans: By the time Unit  II is covered, almost half of the total hours allotted for  instruction would be  over. This means both Unit I and II  is to be included for CE.

*Q. Language Theories  and Principles- To make use of extracts?

*Ans: What is required is that trainees need to familiarize themselves with  the  major  Theories and  Principles of language teaching. The  teacher educator can exercise his/her discretion and  supply   essential  input.

*Q. Should  Practicum be  based on any particular Unit?

*Ans :  Not necessarily.  We  can  identify a few areas  during  our meetings.

Q. Strategies for developing language skills-

Ans:  The objective is to develop the essential competence  required to  communicate effectively.  So  related skill-based  training should be provided.

Q. Checklists....?

Ans. We need to develop  Checklists for the four language skills. One  which  is already  available can be refined during our  meetings.

[PS.  Thank you  Jinan for emailing the photos of the  Workshop.]

Dr. C. Praveen

Secretary, KUETEF