Detroit Riverfront~Walk and Cruise

Using Multimedia in teaching

Questions from Stacey~~

1. How can you/do you use MultiMedia (for example Powerpoint/Desktop Publishing/Video/Audio) in your classroom?

Normally I use PowerPoint to teach students to sing English songs, introduce new vocabulary or sentence patterns, do pictue-talking , compare westen and easten cultures, and even play guessing games with the whole class. Besides, I use VCDs and DVDs which are related to some specific themes as a supplimentary to enhance my teaching variety. Adding additional media, such as audio or video, can support communication and learning by creating interest.

2. How can you/do you want to use Multimedia in your classroom?

Frankly, I use multimedia to support my teaching very often. Motivating students to learn is important, so I am fond of using multimedia to catch students' attention and stimulate their interests. The combination of text, graphics, and full-motion video can increase the learning and motivation of students. Multimedia can also enhance communication and encourage interaction beween teachers and students.

I would like to use MS Publisher to creat award cards to encourage students, edit menus for students to learn how to order food, design ads flyers for students to do problem-solving tasks, and use the letter and envelope templates to teach students how to write leters and addresses. I can also create flash cards I need for different lessons.

3. How can you/do you use a digital camera/scanner or other mulitmedia devices in the classroom?

Oftenly I use scanner to scan story books or readers when I teach reading or do story-telling. The pictures and texts can be enlarged and be seen in a big screen which makes teaching earier.

And students can pay more attention to me but not the small books on their desks.

Additionally, I always use digital cameras to take pictures when students do activities like playing games, working in groups or pairs, role playing the dialogues, acting a story or a play, and performing the reader's theater. Then I post those photos on my blog so that every student can see the photos through the Internet. Taking pictures is a good way to record students' learning process and performance, and the photos will be great materials to design a teacher's porfolio.

Greenfield Village~Henry Ford

Nice old-fashioned view in Greenfield village


18-19 century traditional food severed for travellers


18-19 century drinks served for travellers


One is tall, one is not too tall, but same gestures.Ha!!!


A pot of hot coffee and two charming ladies


A fair lady on the old, traditional countryside bridge


Green water, green grass, and green trees
as a background of the old riverboat.


Great classmates in front of a mini puppet theater


Happy for exploring new things
and not attending any classes


The old train is really attractive.


Find something interesting in the sky?
You would see what's up there if you're smart enough.

MET 2009 Part 1

Spreadsheets

Questions from Stacey~~~

1. How do you use Spreadsheets?

A spreadsheet is record-keeping tool to me as a teacher. I use it to calculate students’ final grades and test scores. Moreover, when I work on a project, I also use it to calculate and analyze the data, as well as create graphics and charts I need. Spreadsheets are definitely helpful tools for math teachers, they can be used for demonstrating multiplicative relationships in elementary math and answering mathematical problems. I might use it to record the payments and bills in my daily life, or use it for any accounting reasons.

2. How do your students use Spreadsheets?

I guess the only time that students use spreadsheets is when teachers ask them to key in test scores for their class in an elementary school. But since spreadsheets’ main function is to generate numeric information and graphical representations of that information, teachers should integrated spreadsheet software into lessons and activities which can stimulate and develop students’ abilities of organizing information, describing relationships, and solving problems, especially for high graders.

3. What else would you like to do with SS - think in terms of student tools/assessment as well as teacher productivity?

I think spreadsheet software can be incorporated into social studies, science, math, and even language learning.
In addition to score-keeping, English teachers may use spreadsheets to create crosswords worksheets, word puzzles, vocabulary lists, and lesson plans.
Students may use spreadsheets to develop their data-analyzing abilities as well as rules-generating skills.

Database

Questios from Stacey~~~

1. How do you use Database?

As a teacher, I can use Database as a filing cabinet to organize students’ basic personal information, such as names, student ID numbers, birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, parent’s names, and their special needs. Besides, I can also use Database to record students’ assignments grades, test scores, and their attitude of participation in class. Because the information within each record is digital, it can be transported to other files or applications such as reports, letters, or labels. Personally I may use Database to file and sort my favorite recipes or the information about my friends and colleagues.

2. How do your students use Database?

To tell the truth, my students never use Database. But it’s really a great tool for them to gather and record information that needs to be sorted. I think they all should learn how to use Database as a filing tool, or learn how to search and make the most use of the databases online.

3. What else would you like to do with DB - think in terms of student tools/assessment as well as teacher productivity?

Teachers may create some Database files to organize bibliographies for a class-library, or use database programs as a supplementary for students to present a report. Students maybe grouped to analyze the data they need for their report or complete a problem-solving task within a lesson that Database-using is incorporated. It’s a good way to develop students’ research skills by using database programs.

We're having a great time!

The Southfield Public Library is way too cool!

Ann Arbor Art Fair made me crazy about it!

We're having a great time here in Michigan!

A great summer in Michigan!

Look at all these photos, beautiful places, friendly people, and wonderful memories to keep!

Word Processing Software

Questions from Stacey:


1. How do you use Word Processing Software?

I use Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint every often. Typically I integrate the word processing programs with my teaching in the classroom. I use them to create exams, quizzes, worksheets, handouts, teaching files, and even picture books for students. I also use word processing to write reports or proposals. Sometimes I send letters to parents for some specific purposes.
Moreover, blogs are really popular right now, so my students and I can interact through blogs even after school.

2. How do your students use Word Processors?

There are multiple ways for students to use word processing software. Normally they use them to do assignments like book-report writing, creative writing, story making, or class-book making.
For lower graders I assign them to make alphabet books or word famiy books. High graders are even assigned to write and send e-cards to me on holidays for cultural teaching.

3. What else would you like to do with WP - think in terms of student tools/assessment as well as teacher productivity.

I think students can use Word Processing programs to edit newsletters for their classes or school. Besides, they can also create web pages, write journals or poetry if possible.
For teachers Word Processing Software can increase productivity and incorporate teaching and learning. Teachers can design syllabus and lesson plans, and even edit documents for publishing.

Who's Birdie?

I'm Birdie from Taiwan, and my Chinese name is Mei-Ju Lai. I've got a long nickname which is "A bird that can sing ABCs", isn't that cute? I teach English in Taoyuan Elementary School in Taipei. I've been married for years,and I have two wonderful daughters who make me feel happy all the time. I do appreciate that I've got a great family. My hobbies are reading, listening to music, traveling and collecting beautiful memories. I've been teaching English for almost 17 years, so I'm willing to share my expenience with any one of you.