When we decided to create this webtask like it is right now, we tried to follow some important aspects, for us essential in TEFL:
Intercurricular approach. This means that our pupils are not only to deal with a foreign language like English, but also, they are going to learn about other areas such as Science and Social studies. The topic selected for the task would allow them to treat it from different perspectives, this would enrich their learning process.
Cognitive engagement.Since the final task is a creative one together with two very important elements for pupils, fun and the use of ICTs, it makes this task would attempt to raise a cognitive engagement in all the pupils, regarding their cognitives styles, proficiency levels or even interests. The tasks are clearly explained and they are also relatively short, it should make pupils feel engage, which is essential for the learning process using this kind of medium.
Meaningful tasks.As was said above, the tasks are quite related among them. On the one hand, they provide information to develop the rest of them, on the other hand, all of them are contextualized in the area where these pupils live and they very practical. This real aim, that we have taken into consideration when we designed the tasks, follows the idea that if the pupils see, step by step that they are creating something useful for society, they feel motivated while they would be involved in the different tasks.
Team work. The tasks have been designed to be done individually or in groups. This is because some pupils prefer to work in groups, and some other do not. However, all of them need to learn how to interact with each other and how to work with their partners. In the future, they would find themselves working in teams, so, they need to have acquired these habits from the very beginning, at primary school.
Support/Scaffolding. The tasks follow a clear way, from the easier and more guided one to the more free and difficult. They will find a lot of information as support for the final task. Many links have been included to help them in the development of the two big tasks. They have also presentations and visual support that could help them to understand what they are reading.
Motivation. The mere fact of using ICTs is motivating for pupils. Moreover, as it has been explained above, the final task is something real, connected to their city and there is also an element of fun. All these components should make pupils to feel motivated with this task.
Skills
With regard to the skills developed, the general focus is on integration, i.e., there might be one prevalent skill on focus, but the rest are needed to wholly accomplish the activity attempted. In every mini and final task, activities have been designed to develop and integrate the receptive and productive skills. To us this means that students will aim at receiving and reproducing the target language in a realistic way, regarding all - or as many as possible- aspects that in essence, are self-contained in the use of a language as a means of communication.
In this wiki we have emphasized first reception skills, like reading and listening, to try to provide a sound environment of exposition to the target language. We understand that especially at early stages - such as at primary school- learners should be provided with enough input to prepare themselves for a subsequent production phase, oral and written. We must also bear in mind that the interactive nature of group work is of utmost importance and therefore, will ensure that students will not only work on an isolated skill, e.g. reading. Reading and checking with their partners, discussing and listening to the other students' spoken practise, their teacher's instructions and assistance will contribute to the students practice of all skills and strategies needed.
Main objectives in target
We created this wiki on the hope that by means of it SWBAT
- Learn about the three different industry sectors in general and in particular, in Spain
- Learn about the chain of production and the meaning of 'services'
- Practise their reading skills to infer general and specific information
- Learn and practise new vocabulary related to the topic
- Select interesting information of Jaén as a tourist destination
- Follow intructions to design and create a leaflet promoting their home town
- Interact to provide and ask for information related to a planned visit or giving and asking for directions
- Interact in a collaborative task
- Work in promotion of social and group values, attitudes and mutual respect
- Learn to work with new technologies as tools to communicate and acquire new knowledge
Skills
With regard to the skills developed, the general focus is on integration, i.e., there might be one prevalent skill on focus, but the rest are needed to wholly accomplish the activity attempted. In every mini and final task, activities have been designed to develop and integrate the receptive and productive skills. To us this means that students will aim at receiving and reproducing the target language in a realistic way, regarding all - or as many as possible- aspects that in essence, are self-contained in the use of a language as a means of communication.
In this wiki we have emphasized first reception skills, like reading and listening, to try to provide a sound environment of exposition to the target language. We understand that especially at early stages - such as at primary school- learners should be provided with enough input to prepare themselves for a subsequent production phase, oral and written. We must also bear in mind that the interactive nature of group work is of utmost importance and therefore, will ensure that students will not only work on an isolated skill, e.g. reading. Reading and checking with their partners, discussing and listening to the other students' spoken practise, their teacher's instructions and assistance will contribute to the students practice of all skills and strategies needed.
Main objectives in target
We created this wiki on the hope that by means of it SWBAT
- Learn about the three different industry sectors in general and in particular, in Spain
- Learn about the chain of production and the meaning of 'services'
- Practise their reading skills to infer general and specific information
- Learn and practise new vocabulary related to the topic
- Select interesting information of Jaén as a tourist destination
- Follow intructions to design and create a leaflet promoting their home town
- Interact to provide and ask for information related to a planned visit or giving and asking for directions
- Interact in a collaborative task
- Work in promotion of social and group values, attitudes and mutual respect
- Learn to work with new technologies as tools to communicate and acquire new knowledge