ESL Teachers blogfest

2006-09-21T03:33:00.000-07:00

This week we revised what we had learnt about creating webpages using Frontpage. This was very useful as I had forgotten a lot of what I learnt last week and this enabled me to remember and consolidate it all. I also learnt how to change the background and insert graphics into the page. It is all really interesting and I am happy with the product so far but it will take a lot of time to make it really professional!!!

diary update

2006-09-11T00:36:00.000-07:00

Last week we revised/learnt about html and web pages and then developed a page using Frontpage. I like the fact that this allows you to develop a webpage and then puts in all the commands to make it a html document. I can see that this will take some time to produce a reasonably interesting and useful web page. I feel that I now have a much better understanding of how it all works!!! and the planning that is required to get a good end product.

thoughts about this week

2006-08-31T03:24:00.000-07:00

We learnt how to follow the cat bus and leave work just in time to catch it and not have to wait in the cold and rain! Very good.
We learnt how to record sound and save it as wav or Mp3. Will have to try this this week. Obviously we need a good microphone and a sound card to do this. Being able to email it could be very useful.
We had time to do hot potatoes which was fun.
Looking forward to Front Page.
Thanks Philip

smartboards

2006-08-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

I was very impresses by this. It can do a lot more than I imagined but for it to be really usefulwe need at least one on each floor here and one at Balga and Freo for starters.
It is really important to try it out asap before we forget what it can do. Perhaps we could recap on it again next week???? go through it all at a slower pace or concentrate on one feature.
I'm finding the amount to take in is a lot, especially after a day's work!
I wish he had prepared the sort of notes we have come to expect from you Philip but unfortunately he did not!

Try this cloze

2006-08-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

Lebanese troops have rossed the strategic Litani river to take up positions as Israel's army pulls back.
France has confirmed it is .......................... to command an expanded international .......................... working along with the .......................... army, but only under certain .......................... .
Israel's military said it had .......................... control of half of its positions .......................... the south to the current UN .......................... there.
It indicated that a full .......................... from what was a stronghold of .......................... could take weeks or even months.
Dozens of Lebanese army .......................... , armoured personnel carriers and jeeps are on the move across the Litani using .......................... bridges set up to bypass bridges damaged by Israeli shelling.
The vanguard crossed at 0600 local time (0300 GMT).

Week 4 still

2006-08-17T02:48:00.000-07:00

Ann Odgers gave us an interesting talk about PDAs and then we practised and I found some pretty pictures.

I think that it is quite difficult to be very creative after a day of activity but it is very useful to have a session each week.

Experiments

2006-08-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

Can you ever have too much of a good thing?

One question

2006-08-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

What do all these pictures have in common?

Street sign

2006-08-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

One of many useful street signs found across the continent.

Enhanced image

2006-08-14T23:54:00.000-07:00

Program Managers enjoying their work

2006-08-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

week 4

2006-08-14T18:04:00.000-07:00

This week we learnt how to use picasa which is fairly easy to use. I really like the way you give us easy programs to use that do enough for our needs. You seem to have us all under control now!!! Well done. Thanks again for the notes which are a great reminder of what to do when I forget. The homework is getting a bit heavy though but I guess it is a necessary evil!! I like the agenda you have suggested for next week's lesson. It will allow us time to explore what we have done so far. Congratulations on an excellent program so far.

2006-08-10T03:48:00.000-07:00

week 3

2006-08-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

Airport chaos after police foil plot to blow up aircraftBy Times Online and agencies
In-bound flights to Heathrow stopped
No hand luggage on aircraft
Only certain items allowed in cabin
Full list below
A major terrorist plot to allegedly blow up aircraft in mid-flight has been thwarted, John Reid, the Home Secretary said today.
Around 18 or 19 people in London and the Thames Valley were arrested last night in a major covert counter-terrorist operation that has lasted several months, although there was no official confirmation of the number from police.
It is believed that the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the USA, with the aim to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board the aircraft in hand luggage.
After this morning’s police action, passengers at UK airports were warned to expect severe delays after extra security measures were put in place for all flights. All in-bound services to Heathrow that are not already in the air have been suspended, National Air Traffic Services said. From: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/global/
Picture courtesy of http://afr.com/

some thoughts on week 2

2006-08-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

An enjoyable session in which a lot was covered. Good interaction from the group and a lot of interesting questions answered. I am amazed at how easy it is to use this application. The notes you have given us Philip help a lot and are very clear and easy to follow. Looking forward to the next lesson.

interesting links

2006-08-03T03:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of interesting sites for you to explore:

1. Visit this site for information about the AMEP National Conference which will be of interest to all lecturers working with AMEP clients.
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep/conf.asp

2. This site will give you access to the new WATESOL website. WATESOL provides professional development opportunities for ESL teachers in WA.
http://www.watesol.org.au/home.htm

3. This site has a number of online learning resources for elementary, intermediate and advanced learners.
http://www.phoenixela.com.au/graphics/studserv/it/onlineresources.html

4. This site provides a number of interesting courses for ESL teachers who want to update their qualifications or add some extra ones. The courses are available from the University of SA and students can negotiate the mode of delivery.
http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/curric/pages/ESL/pd/

5. This site has a number of pd options that may interest you.
http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/CurriculumAtWork/esl/es_pd.htm

6. The NCVER website provides information for VET teachers Australia wide.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/

possible uses of this blog

2006-07-31T18:00:00.001-07:00

interact with other ESL lecturers and professional development officers
advertise new PD opportunities
discover new PD opportunities from co-bloggers
provide links (when I find out how to do this) to useful sites
develop my skills
provide discussion opportunities for co-bloggers
post photos of interest
post lessons that may be of interest
post questions that I want answered
provide reports on PD events I have attended

Latest PD opportunities

2006-07-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

The latest fabulous professional development opportunity is a Networking Dinner at the Pavilion Restaurant, Joondalup on the 30th August. We will have to finish our session early (6pm) that evening to get to the venue in plenty of time. We may be able to prebook our choices if the "blog team" wants to work on until 6.30pm. The dinner will allow fellow bloggers an opportunity to compare notes and blog on late into the evening.

(Make sure you dress warmly as there have been recent falls of snow in the area.)

The amazingly low price for this three course dinner is $12 per person!!!!

Have a look at this menu and drool!

Entrée

Cream of Parsnip and Pear Soup
Topped with a Blue Cheese and Bacon Crouton

Salad of Squid and Melon
A Melange of Melon and Avocado in a Spicy Dressing

Classic Bayou-Country Jambalaya
Featuring Local Produce and the Chef’s Secret Spice Mix

Main

Lamb Tarator
Served on a Rich Ratatouille and with Gratin Potatoes

Grilled Fish
On a Mound of Baby Spinach Topped with Caper and Tomato Butter

Chicken Breast Stuffed with King Prawn
Topped with Green Peppercorn Sauce, Market Vegetables and Tri-Colour Couscous

Red Tofu Curry
Served on Wilted Asian Greens with Jasmine Rice and Cashew Nuts

Dessert

Calvados Baba
Served with Fresh Fruit and Custard Sauce

Tiramisu
Traditional Coffee-flavoured Mascarpone Mousse

Duo of Australian Cheeses
Served with Quince Jelly & Home-Roasted Chilli Macadamia Nuts

CANVAS YOUR BLOGGING LECTURER TO ENALBLE THIS EVENT TO PROCEED.