TESOL 2008TESOL 2008

Creating and Maintaining A Creating and Maintaining A Classroom Community through Classroom Community through

Writing OnlineWriting Online

Mary Lee WholeyMary Lee WholeyMiriam HorneMiriam Horne

Concordia UniversityConcordia UniversityContinuing Education Language InstituteContinuing Education Language Institute

Montreal QuebecMontreal Quebec

APPROACH TO WRITING AT A2APPROACH TO WRITING AT A2

• Series of Writing Tasks Leading to Research Series of Writing Tasks Leading to Research

PaperPaper

• Focus on A Variety of Critical Thinking SkillsFocus on A Variety of Critical Thinking Skills

• Awareness of Audience and PurposeAwareness of Audience and Purpose

• Practice in The Process Approach to WritingPractice in The Process Approach to Writing

• Emphasis on Developing Editing SkillsEmphasis on Developing Editing Skills

CollaborationCollaboration

Students Students work in pairswork in pairs as well as as well as in in

small groupssmall groups as they need as they need classroom classroom

practicepractice and and encouragementencouragement from from

each other and teachers. each other and teachers.

They are working within a framework of They are working within a framework of

mutual respect and cooperation.mutual respect and cooperation.

To be relevant, learning To be relevant, learning processes need to processes need to recruit, rather than attempt to recruit, rather than attempt to ignore and ignore and erase, the different subjectivities, erase, the different subjectivities, interests, interests, intentions, commitments and intentions, commitments and purposes- purposes- students bring to learning” students bring to learning”

A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies: Designing A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies: Designing Social Futures The New London GroupSocial Futures The New London Group

MultiliteraciesMultiliteracies• Instruction is a process that learners undertakeInstruction is a process that learners undertake

• The instructor is a designer of that processThe instructor is a designer of that process

• Responds to the learner’s own interaction with the Responds to the learner’s own interaction with the material, with the instructor and with each othermaterial, with the instructor and with each other

• The task or learning activities focus the learner on The task or learning activities focus the learner on the important elements of the instruction. Gives a the important elements of the instruction. Gives a chance to try out ideas and reflect on how an chance to try out ideas and reflect on how an individual point of view affects others.individual point of view affects others.

• Helps foster individual expression at the same Helps foster individual expression at the same time cohesive classroom community through time cohesive classroom community through individual/collective exploration of issues. individual/collective exploration of issues.

The BlogThe Blog

An effective tool both for accomplishing An effective tool both for accomplishing academic goals in writing and for academic goals in writing and for developing self-reflective writing that can developing self-reflective writing that can be shared with others. be shared with others.

Gives every member of the class access to Gives every member of the class access to their writings; establishing an immediacy their writings; establishing an immediacy that can be likened to conversations. that can be likened to conversations.

Purpose of the ProjectPurpose of the Project1)1) Students become aware of themselves Students become aware of themselves

as writers summarizing and reacting as writers summarizing and reacting to their reading as well as responding to their reading as well as responding to their classmates’ summaries and to their classmates’ summaries and reactionsreactions

2)2) Increase the opportunities for reaction Increase the opportunities for reaction and opinion writing on a variety of and opinion writing on a variety of topics topics

3)3) Open a channel for communicating Open a channel for communicating and connecting with each other in a and connecting with each other in a different contextdifferent context

4)4) Establish a new way of communicating Establish a new way of communicating with the teacherwith the teacher

The hidden agendaThe hidden agenda

Along the way Along the way

they begin to build an awareness of they begin to build an awareness of

themselves and others as members themselves and others as members

of of

a community of writers.a community of writers.

A Community of WritersA Community of Writers

• Develop a sense of themselves as Develop a sense of themselves as writers with something to saywriters with something to say

• Aware of themselves as writers with Aware of themselves as writers with an audience and a purpose.an audience and a purpose.

• Benefit from different perspectives Benefit from different perspectives in the feedback to their writingin the feedback to their writing

• Develop a shared sense of belonging Develop a shared sense of belonging to a group of learnersto a group of learners

A Community of WritersA Community of Writers

““Weblogs provide an excellent tool Weblogs provide an excellent tool where literacy advances for both where literacy advances for both individual expression and individual expression and collaborative learning.”collaborative learning.”

““The Educated Blogger: Using Weblogs to Promote Literacy in the The Educated Blogger: Using Weblogs to Promote Literacy in the Classroom. By David HuffakerClassroom. By David Huffaker

Sample Blog WritingSample Blog Writing

Making connections for themselves and Making connections for themselves and to each other:to each other:

a) Actively engage with topics in a) Actively engage with topics in course course

b) Examine process of their b) Examine process of their research research writing writing

c) Reflect on their writing processc) Reflect on their writing process

Engage with Course Content Engage with Course Content Responses to Lecture on Responses to Lecture on

Communication Patterns; Communication Patterns; Meaningful learning; An on-line conversationMeaningful learning; An on-line conversation

I personally enjoyed the lecture this morning a lot. In the I personally enjoyed the lecture this morning a lot. In the lecture, the different communication patterns in Male lecture, the different communication patterns in Male and Female were focused on from the point of view of and Female were focused on from the point of view of linguistics and pragmatics. linguistics and pragmatics. The word of pragmatics was The word of pragmatics was new to me, but I understood well thanks to the lecturer's new to me, but I understood well thanks to the lecturer's explanation, how we chose word.explanation, how we chose word.

The lecturer explained about the Cultural difference in The lecturer explained about the Cultural difference in communication pattern with an example of Japanese and communication pattern with an example of Japanese and American students' discussions. American students' discussions. What I found when I What I found when I heard the situation of Japanese students....heard the situation of Japanese students.... ? ? as one of Japanese, is... let me see, well, yeah it all as one of Japanese, is... let me see, well, yeah it all depends. …depends. …because people in Japan care about the because people in Japan care about the others' feeling so much. That's why ! I can't say 'No' others' feeling so much. That's why ! I can't say 'No' directly to anyone, that's why I don't wanna disagree with directly to anyone, that's why I don't wanna disagree with someone's opinionsomeone's opinion.... .... Eriko, post on Feb. 8, 2007Eriko, post on Feb. 8, 2007

The Beginning of RelationshipsThe Beginning of Relationships

• Richard saidRichard said: u know, it's kind of fun that mr. scott use : u know, it's kind of fun that mr. scott use japanese as an ex. because as one of ur classmates, japanese as an ex. because as one of ur classmates, i will i will think ........is eriko speaking like this? does she have this think ........is eriko speaking like this? does she have this pattern? ya, i can find some patterns from the pattern? ya, i can find some patterns from the communication between u and me......for ex. u rarely say communication between u and me......for ex. u rarely say "no" to people"no" to people. sometimes it might be polite but also it . sometimes it might be polite but also it might make u some troubles especially u r in north might make u some troubles especially u r in north america now. i think the culture is quite different. anyway, america now. i think the culture is quite different. anyway, just a suggestion,saying no sometimes might not be a bad just a suggestion,saying no sometimes might not be a bad thing.........hahahhathing.........hahahha!!! !!! February 8, 2007 2:59 PMFebruary 8, 2007 2:59 PM

• Maggie saidMaggie said... ... i noticed that you have many friends here, and i know i noticed that you have many friends here, and i know you've been here for just several months, you've been here for just several months, so i guess "never so i guess "never say no" helps you gain friendship. but anyway, i agree with say no" helps you gain friendship. but anyway, i agree with RichardRichard, sometimes you need to learn how to reject , sometimes you need to learn how to reject requests otherwise you may put yourself in difficult requests otherwise you may put yourself in difficult situations. but please, don't say no to me ^_^ situations. but please, don't say no to me ^_^ February February 8, 2007 3:37 PM8, 2007 3:37 PM

Engage with Course Engage with Course ContentContent

• DiscriminationDiscrimination1. Extended Definitions1. Extended Definitions

2. Video: “A Class Divided”2. Video: “A Class Divided”

3. Reading: 3. Reading: The Curse of The Curse of Being DifferentBeing Different by by Robert Adler, Robert Adler,

in in The New Scientist,The New Scientist,

Jan. 13, 2007Jan. 13, 2007

Comment on the Following:Comment on the Following:“Oh, great sprit, keep me from ever judging a man “Oh, great sprit, keep me from ever judging a man until I've walked in his moccasins.“until I've walked in his moccasins.“

Experience Directly Related to TopicExperience Directly Related to Topic::I understand the effects of discrimination on children very I understand the effects of discrimination on children very well because I was experienced during my childhoodwell because I was experienced during my childhood. I . I don't want to use such a strong word to my family, but I don't want to use such a strong word to my family, but I have to say that have to say that I was discriminated by my grandmother I was discriminated by my grandmother for a very long time. The only reason… because I am a girl, for a very long time. The only reason… because I am a girl, the only female grandchild in my family….the only female grandchild in my family…. I was so I was so confused and felt being hurtconfused and felt being hurt. I thought it's my problem, I'm . I thought it's my problem, I'm not good enough to get my grandmother's attention even not good enough to get my grandmother's attention even though in fact I did excellently. For a long time though in fact I did excellently. For a long time accumulating gradually, it became my behaviour. When I accumulating gradually, it became my behaviour. When I do anything I decided to do, I demand myself exactly. …do anything I decided to do, I demand myself exactly. … In my case, although I successfully treat my problem and In my case, although I successfully treat my problem and get many surprise by discovering myself, it's still a very get many surprise by discovering myself, it's still a very stressful and painful experience that a child should not stressful and painful experience that a child should not suffer. suffer. When I saw this video, I was shocked. It's really the When I saw this video, I was shocked. It's really the most efficient way to teach people understanding most efficient way to teach people understanding discrimination through experiencing it by themselves. discrimination through experiencing it by themselves. Posted by Helen.Posted by Helen.

Revealing themselves; Connecting to Revealing themselves; Connecting to othersothers

• Tomas said…Tomas said…

I had an experience very I had an experience very similar to yourssimilar to yours, for some , for some years I annalysed some years I annalysed some features of my behaviour and features of my behaviour and personality that made me personality that made me suffer and made me loss my suffer and made me loss my self confidence, somehow, I self confidence, somehow, I changed somethings after a changed somethings after a period of reflexion, period of reflexion, introspection and reading and introspection and reading and thinking a lot...I guess it´s thinking a lot...I guess it´s something normal during the something normal during the transition for being an transition for being an adult...well, what I wonder adult...well, what I wonder Helen is...Helen is...Do you think that Do you think that your grandma was your grandma was discriminated during her discriminated during her childhood the same way she childhood the same way she did against youdid against you??

March 6, 2008 6:25 PMMarch 6, 2008 6:25 PM

• HelenHelen said... said...

Tomas, may be you are Tomas, may be you are right! My grandmother right! My grandmother probably was probably was discriminated by others discriminated by others because of her gender so because of her gender so that she thought it's that she thought it's normal to do this to me.normal to do this to me.Anyway, I forgive her. I do Anyway, I forgive her. I do get some other benefic get some other benefic from this experience. It's from this experience. It's all over...all over...

March 6, 2008 8:44 PMMarch 6, 2008 8:44 PM

Teacher Blog Teacher Blog Responses to Course ContentResponses to Course Content

We really enjoyed the lunch which gave us the opportunity We really enjoyed the lunch which gave us the opportunity to chat with you on another level than in the classroom!!to chat with you on another level than in the classroom!!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend. There are a lot of colds and Enjoy the rest of the weekend. There are a lot of colds and the flu going around. Try to be careful: eat well, drink the flu going around. Try to be careful: eat well, drink fluids and sleep enough.fluids and sleep enough.

By the wayBy the way, I have been reading your summaries and must , I have been reading your summaries and must say that you certainly have understood the concept of a say that you certainly have understood the concept of a summary. summary. However,However, since this was a first draft there is of since this was a first draft there is of course room for improvement in terms of clarification, course room for improvement in terms of clarification, grammar points and cohesive devices. grammar points and cohesive devices. We'll be working on We'll be working on that on Monday and/or Tuesday.that on Monday and/or Tuesday.

See you on Monday, LiliSee you on Monday, Lili

Examine the Process of Examine the Process of Research WritingResearch Writing

At the StartAt the Start• Make a rough plan for the Make a rough plan for the

research topic. Start with your research topic. Start with your list of questions from the list of questions from the brainstorming and the readings brainstorming and the readings you have done so far. you have done so far.

• Bring in your plan on Monday. Bring in your plan on Monday. LiliLili

THE PLANNING PROCESSTHE PLANNING PROCESS

I had a good plan for research project about e-commerce. However, I I had a good plan for research project about e-commerce. However, I thought that was too general to research so that I focused on more thought that was too general to research so that I focused on more specific subject, which is the Enterprise Resource Planning System. specific subject, which is the Enterprise Resource Planning System. So far, I just started reading the books and gathering articles, So far, I just started reading the books and gathering articles, monographs, and papers …but honestly speaking, I am really monographs, and papers …but honestly speaking, I am really struggling for paraphrasing, summarizing, and organizing. struggling for paraphrasing, summarizing, and organizing. I know the reason that I spend too much time for planning to do I know the reason that I spend too much time for planning to do something well when I think that is very important for me so that I something well when I think that is very important for me so that I afraid to start to do it without planning and considering deeply. afraid to start to do it without planning and considering deeply. In addition, In addition, I am a programmer so when I program something, I do I am a programmer so when I program something, I do not program it without the map of process for it because the process not program it without the map of process for it because the process of planning and analyzing as much as detail is the most important rule of planning and analyzing as much as detail is the most important rule to avoid re-program or re-design. to avoid re-program or re-design. It is an obsessional habit. I hope I will finish in on time with It is an obsessional habit. I hope I will finish in on time with satisfaction. satisfaction.

I welcome who has a good advice or tips for me.I welcome who has a good advice or tips for me. Could you comment Could you comment for mefor meThanks you….Thanks you….POSTED BY SEO,JEOUNG-HWAN AT POSTED BY SEO,JEOUNG-HWAN AT 3:04 AM3:04 AM

Sharing Perspectives on Sharing Perspectives on the Writing Processthe Writing Process

• amporn said... hello my buddy....I am also a programmer. we have things in common. I think, you had better start writing because the plan for writing program and writing paper are different. We can use the same logic to plan, but it does not need to be long. It is not a big big big project. Planing to write program is essential and we have to be very specific to make a plan, otherwise the process of writing program can not be develop organizely. So, Just start it my friend. If you need help for paraphrasing or summary, i am available after class....Good luck

• FEBRUARY 26, 2007 10:01 AM  

• Seo,Jeoung-hwan said... Thanks you for your advices. Now I have started to write my research but still cannot ㅜ .ㅜFEBRUARY 26, 2007 6:28 PM  

liliconcordia said... • look at you plan quickly and

just free write! We will work with you from there. Your intro was fine.

Hope to see you in class soon

Mid-Way: Writing Drafts- ProgressMid-Way: Writing Drafts- Progress• Post from TeacherPost from Teacher: :

You have all been working hard and you need to continue to do You have all been working hard and you need to continue to do so....in this last English course before you go out into the big so....in this last English course before you go out into the big world....university, work, travelling, etc.!!!world....university, work, travelling, etc.!!!

SOME REMINDERS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE RESEARCH PAPERSOME REMINDERS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE RESEARCH PAPER

1. 1. Write something everydayWrite something everyday and send to us whatever you have written even if it is and send to us whatever you have written even if it is only one page. In other words, don't wait till you have finished the section to send us only one page. In other words, don't wait till you have finished the section to send us your work.your work.

2. Send only the work you haven't already given to us2. Send only the work you haven't already given to us. For example,if you gave us(or . For example,if you gave us(or sent us) the first two pages of a section, don't give or send them again along with the sent us) the first two pages of a section, don't give or send them again along with the next few pages. next few pages.

3. 3. Don't forget to attributeDon't forget to attribute (in text references: eg.(Meyrs, 2004)at the end of a (in text references: eg.(Meyrs, 2004)at the end of a paraphrase or Meyrs (2004) points out....... or when quoting a sentence or a passage, paraphrase or Meyrs (2004) points out....... or when quoting a sentence or a passage, "...................." (Meyers, 2004, pg 15). "...................." (Meyers, 2004, pg 15).

4. Even if you are not sure of the exact form, 4. Even if you are not sure of the exact form, you need to put in the references as you you need to put in the references as you are writing.are writing.

Mid-Way ReflectionsMid-Way Reflections

As a survivor of this extremely stressful As a survivor of this extremely stressful experience, I have many useful tips that I want experience, I have many useful tips that I want to share with you guys...to share with you guys...

At beginning of this projectAt beginning of this project, I knew it's not an , I knew it's not an task that can be dealed with easily. I'm very interested task that can be dealed with easily. I'm very interested in the way we doing the research paper. Every steps in the way we doing the research paper. Every steps that we prepared for the paper including how to use that we prepared for the paper including how to use library and how to find the articles is so intersting that library and how to find the articles is so intersting that I'm very active to participate in all the activities. I'm very active to participate in all the activities.

But Lili and Adrianne But Lili and Adrianne show us the research paper that be show us the research paper that be done by others beforedone by others before, , I'm dumbfoundedI'm dumbfounded. It seems like . It seems like a very formal real assignment that is given to an a very formal real assignment that is given to an university student. I wondered how it can be done so university student. I wondered how it can be done so perfectly and completely. perfectly and completely.

Anyway, we have already Anyway, we have already

startedstarted..• Searching articles on database, Searching articles on database,

finding books in the library, finding books in the library, I did I did everything as the schedule planned, everything as the schedule planned,

but I feltbut I felt perplexed.perplexed. I didn't feel I didn't feel that I was getting into my topic.that I was getting into my topic. Of Of course, the part of the reason is my course, the part of the reason is my topic is a big one which is difficult to topic is a big one which is difficult to find the point I need focus on. find the point I need focus on.

• When I was doing research in the When I was doing research in the

librarylibrary,, I was so exciting because I thought I was so exciting because I thought I found what is exactly I want to talk about: I found what is exactly I want to talk about: the the relationship between stress and relationship between stress and memorymemory… but because memory topic is … but because memory topic is related with biology fieldrelated with biology field which I'm which I'm not not familiarfamiliar with, I with, I gave up memory topic, gave up memory topic, instead of it, I choose stressinstead of it, I choose stress as my topic. … as my topic. …I thought so at that time, it's I thought so at that time, it's not very difficultnot very difficult to read all the materials and to use notes to to read all the materials and to use notes to order the logic and then papers will come out order the logic and then papers will come out naturally. naturally. But when things are really going But when things are really going on, sometimes they are not like what you on, sometimes they are not like what you think they should be. think they should be.

When I finally got starting to write my paper, the When I finally got starting to write my paper, the

more I wrote, the more I felt confusedmore I wrote, the more I felt confused. .

To my surprise, I found it's very hard to get into my topic To my surprise, I found it's very hard to get into my topic

without the clear explanation of memory and stress, if I without the clear explanation of memory and stress, if I

want to explain it clearly,I have to do both topic toghter! want to explain it clearly,I have to do both topic toghter!

But I still thought I could find a solution because But I still thought I could find a solution because it was it was

too late to change topictoo late to change topic,, so I continued to write until so I continued to write until

Tuesday evening, then, I really felt if I want to do a good Tuesday evening, then, I really felt if I want to do a good

job, job, I have to stop working, something wrong with I have to stop working, something wrong with

the process. It's a serious situation.the process. It's a serious situation.

• For this reason, I decided to rebuild all my work so For this reason, I decided to rebuild all my work so that I was abstent two whole days in the librarythat I was abstent two whole days in the library. I know . I know the the dangerousness of doing this in university, but I want to give dangerousness of doing this in university, but I want to give myself a chance to focus on the thing I'm interested in this timemyself a chance to focus on the thing I'm interested in this time. . I read a lot about stress and memory, although it has many I read a lot about stress and memory, although it has many technique parts that really drives me crazy, technique parts that really drives me crazy, I told myself that it's I told myself that it's not that hard, I can and have to handle it because it's my choice not that hard, I can and have to handle it because it's my choice that I have responsibilitythat I have responsibility. .

• I found a big problem which lead to that I couldn't get I found a big problem which lead to that I couldn't get into my topic is because too much technique parts I into my topic is because too much technique parts I couldn't really understand without helping of couldn't really understand without helping of rudimentsrudiments. Therefore, I went to google and found many . Therefore, I went to google and found many nonprofessional articles to help me get general ideas and to be nonprofessional articles to help me get general ideas and to be familiar with some important technique vocabularies. And then, familiar with some important technique vocabularies. And then, it's much easier to understand journals. I turned off my mobile it's much easier to understand journals. I turned off my mobile phone and not to check my E-mail so that I can do my job quietly. phone and not to check my E-mail so that I can do my job quietly. After two days hard working, I finally figure out my problem. I After two days hard working, I finally figure out my problem. I felt that I'm ready to go to school because I don't know what I felt that I'm ready to go to school because I don't know what I can say with teachers when I'm not really figure out my problem.can say with teachers when I'm not really figure out my problem. (I'm really sorry to Lili and Adranne...) (I'm really sorry to Lili and Adranne...)

• When I talk with Lili and Adranne, I found it's When I talk with Lili and Adranne, I found it's really helpful when discussed with teachersreally helpful when discussed with teachers, , and I thought what they told me that when students and I thought what they told me that when students have trouble with their tasks, it's better to ask help have trouble with their tasks, it's better to ask help form teachers and professors, is right. They are form teachers and professors, is right. They are experienced and much more professional that experienced and much more professional that students, they understand what you are trying to do so students, they understand what you are trying to do so that they can help you get an easy way of your task. that they can help you get an easy way of your task. It's saving time.It's saving time. Obviously, I'm not good at asking Obviously, I'm not good at asking for helpfor help. . That is because I have already used to the That is because I have already used to the education model in Chinaeducation model in China. In China, one class has too . In China, one class has too many students so that it is impossible to help every many students so that it is impossible to help every student in the class for a teacher. student in the class for a teacher. I'm trained to figure I'm trained to figure out own problems by myself from childhood, so I am out own problems by myself from childhood, so I am not even realized that I need help.not even realized that I need help. I do get a lot of I do get a lot of knowledge when I deal with the problem alone, but it knowledge when I deal with the problem alone, but it spent too much time which in fact is not necessary to spent too much time which in fact is not necessary to spend on and it's not allowed to do this in university. spend on and it's not allowed to do this in university. Thanks to this extremely stressful experience, now I Thanks to this extremely stressful experience, now I know what need to do when I face the similar situation know what need to do when I face the similar situation next time.next time.In my case, research project is not finishing In my case, research project is not finishing yet. But I'm trying to do a good job. I hope that I can yet. But I'm trying to do a good job. I hope that I can get a happy ending~~~get a happy ending~~~

Coming to the Finish LineComing to the Finish LineTHIS WEEKEND IS DEDICATED TO FINISHING UP YOUR THIS WEEKEND IS DEDICATED TO FINISHING UP YOUR

RESEARCH PAPER.RESEARCH PAPER.

•

11. . Remember to send us your drafts. Don't wait to finish your entire paper before sending to Remember to send us your drafts. Don't wait to finish your entire paper before sending to us whatever you have done throughout the next couple of days. We especially need to see us whatever you have done throughout the next couple of days. We especially need to see anything that is still a first draft so that you have time to correct.anything that is still a first draft so that you have time to correct.

2. 2. When you have finished correcting, you can send to us what you have corrected When you have finished correcting, you can send to us what you have corrected and eventually the entire paper.and eventually the entire paper.

We (Adrianne or Lili) will edit and send to you the corrections electronically or in person as We (Adrianne or Lili) will edit and send to you the corrections electronically or in person as quickly as possible. Don't wait for our corrections. Just keep on sending as you finish little by quickly as possible. Don't wait for our corrections. Just keep on sending as you finish little by little. little. If you live in the downtown area, please let us know). We will give you a time to meet us on If you live in the downtown area, please let us know). We will give you a time to meet us on Sunday to talk over your corrections. But even if you do come on Sunday, remember to send Sunday to talk over your corrections. But even if you do come on Sunday, remember to send your drafts to us today and perhaps tomorrow morning, so that we can suggest corrections your drafts to us today and perhaps tomorrow morning, so that we can suggest corrections before we see you. before we see you.

3. Don't forget to 3. Don't forget to consult your Book:consult your Book: Honest Work in College Honest Work in College, Chapter 7 in particular or the , Chapter 7 in particular or the Concordia Library Information At the end of the Unit on Male/Female)Concordia Library Information At the end of the Unit on Male/Female)

4. 4. Make sure that you send us your Reference ListMake sure that you send us your Reference List so that we can help etc .if necessary. so that we can help etc .if necessary.

5. 5. In the RESEARCH PROJECT unit, (Part 1 of your materials), take a look at the In the RESEARCH PROJECT unit, (Part 1 of your materials), take a look at the check list of what you need to do before handing in the papercheck list of what you need to do before handing in the paper. If you have any questions ask.. If you have any questions ask.

That's it for now...Take a look at the blog again tomorrow...may have more That's it for now...Take a look at the blog again tomorrow...may have more instructions.instructions.

Have a good working weekend. Don't stress out too much...although a little stress Have a good working weekend. Don't stress out too much...although a little stress might actually push you to finish!!might actually push you to finish!!

Hard Lessons LearnedHard Lessons LearnedJarno saidJarno said::

Now I am sitting before my laptop thinking...Now I am sitting before my laptop thinking...I learnt so many things from doing research project which I really I learnt so many things from doing research project which I really need to learn!need to learn!

When I was in primary school...doing maths...I always did it over When I was in primary school...doing maths...I always did it over and over to make sure that I have the correct answer...this habit and over to make sure that I have the correct answer...this habit has been along with me till now. Whatever I wrote, even in Chinese, has been along with me till now. Whatever I wrote, even in Chinese, I will read it over and over to make sure the spelling, grammar, I will read it over and over to make sure the spelling, grammar, prop words and everything. That's one of the reasons that I have prop words and everything. That's one of the reasons that I have not finished it.not finished it.I don't like the situation now, all of you have done your successful I don't like the situation now, all of you have done your successful wonderful projects, except me...wonderful projects, except me...From now on, I won't wait until last minute, although maybe I will, From now on, I won't wait until last minute, although maybe I will, but I will try my best...I need to change the way of doing a research but I will try my best...I need to change the way of doing a research project, actually, the way of doing almost everything...project, actually, the way of doing almost everything...To the project itself, To the project itself, I really notice the importance of citationI really notice the importance of citation. I'll . I'll continue throughout everything before I write a section and make continue throughout everything before I write a section and make something like a outline, although everything I might change...something like a outline, although everything I might change...For my writing skills, I really do not know...maybe nothing...For my writing skills, I really do not know...maybe nothing...But But I learnt how to search different sources, it is very important to I learnt how to search different sources, it is very important to the universitythe university......I appreciate Advanced Two to give us such important chances to I appreciate Advanced Two to give us such important chances to learn before university!learn before university!I am lucky enough to have my wonderful teachers Lili and Adrianne I am lucky enough to have my wonderful teachers Lili and Adrianne to worry about Jarno, care about Jarno, help to Jarno, encourage to worry about Jarno, care about Jarno, help to Jarno, encourage Jarno...Jarno...

SupportSupport

Natasha Natasha said:said:

• Your message sound as a poetry ... that's really Your message sound as a poetry ... that's really beautifulbeautiful. Don't worry about the time that you take for . Don't worry about the time that you take for writing your paper. writing your paper. It's the first time that you write a It's the first time that you write a research paper so it will be better the next time research paper so it will be better the next time because you will have already got an experiencebecause you will have already got an experience......It is It is the process of learning for everybody in this class so the process of learning for everybody in this class so you are not in the wrong way ;-)you are not in the wrong way ;-) Jarno,you are a Jarno,you are a completist, me either. For me, I think that asking completist, me either. For me, I think that asking ourselves to do things perfectly is not too bad. ourselves to do things perfectly is not too bad. Although, we always feel very tired but at least we are Although, we always feel very tired but at least we are working hard and learn a lot from our hard working. working hard and learn a lot from our hard working. You don't have enough self-confidence, You don't have enough self-confidence, you should be you should be proud of yourself, you are doing very well! We are slow proud of yourself, you are doing very well! We are slow but we will get our own way of doing things. Don't but we will get our own way of doing things. Don't worryworry..

Reflections on Blog Reflections on Blog Writing; Writing;

Expressing Ideas Fully and Freely Expressing Ideas Fully and Freely – I have two blogs in Chinese, but before we started writing our blogs, I'm I have two blogs in Chinese, but before we started writing our blogs, I'm

still worried about it because still worried about it because I'm not good at free writing in English and I I'm not good at free writing in English and I really hate time limited when I'm writing something. really hate time limited when I'm writing something. As you saw, the first post As you saw, the first post about skyscraper which we wrote in the lab is a mess, even myself don't want about skyscraper which we wrote in the lab is a mess, even myself don't want to read it again when I finishedto read it again when I finished. But according to my personality, once I . But according to my personality, once I decided to do something, I will push myself to try my best. I made a big change decided to do something, I will push myself to try my best. I made a big change from creating my own blog style. I from creating my own blog style. I want to mark it as mine, maybe a little bit want to mark it as mine, maybe a little bit special, but that is the only way make me feel that this is my field which I special, but that is the only way make me feel that this is my field which I should be responsible. Change the appearance is not the only thing I want, should be responsible. Change the appearance is not the only thing I want, create my own writing style and develop the ability to say what I want to say create my own writing style and develop the ability to say what I want to say are the most important points that I try to get.are the most important points that I try to get. At the beginning, it's not easy to At the beginning, it's not easy to write in a free way because I don't have enough confidence to use the language write in a free way because I don't have enough confidence to use the language well. With continuing of this course, the skills which I learnt from our well. With continuing of this course, the skills which I learnt from our practicing help me to get into this project deeper. practicing help me to get into this project deeper. It's getting easier to do free It's getting easier to do free writing and I wrote longer and longer than beforewriting and I wrote longer and longer than before ( Although sometimes longer ( Although sometimes longer doesn't mean better...). doesn't mean better...). And I found that it's very interesting to read and leave And I found that it's very interesting to read and leave comments for other classmates ( I even get more ideas when I read other's comments for other classmates ( I even get more ideas when I read other's blogs).blogs).

– Blog is a real good way to show a person in a different way, and also a new way Blog is a real good way to show a person in a different way, and also a new way to communicate with each other ( I love this part!) I know that the best way to to communicate with each other ( I love this part!) I know that the best way to do blog is to do it as early as possible so that you can get more chance to show do blog is to do it as early as possible so that you can get more chance to show your idears to more people and discussyour idears to more people and discuss, but due to the stressful research , but due to the stressful research project I didn't do it on time...However, I tried to leave comments for your guys project I didn't do it on time...However, I tried to leave comments for your guys early at least~~~As Jarno said, I think that keep renewing our blogs is a very early at least~~~As Jarno said, I think that keep renewing our blogs is a very good way to practice our English and keep touch with each other, and I hope I good way to practice our English and keep touch with each other, and I hope I can do it for a long time ( although I can not promise...)can do it for a long time ( although I can not promise...)

““Here are my experiences of what works with students:Here are my experiences of what works with students:

Concrete tasks in the classroomConcrete tasks in the classroom

Set up tasks where students have to link to each otherSet up tasks where students have to link to each other

Insist on feedback to other studentsInsist on feedback to other students

Encourage feedback of postsEncourage feedback of posts

Set tasks that require reading and linking to other weblogs”Set tasks that require reading and linking to other weblogs”

Jill WalkerJill Walker

From Network Literacy Learning with Blogging and Web 2.0From Network Literacy Learning with Blogging and Web 2.0

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Thanks to the teachers and students Thanks to the teachers and students of Advanced 2 Sessions in 2007-of Advanced 2 Sessions in 2007-20082008

• Eriko, Richard, Maggie, Jeoung-Eriko, Richard, Maggie, Jeoung-Hwan, Amporn, Helen, Jarno, Tomas Hwan, Amporn, Helen, Jarno, Tomas and Natasha and Natasha

• Adrianne Sklar and Lili UllmanAdrianne Sklar and Lili Ullman

ContactContact

• Mary Lee Wholey: Mary Lee Wholey: ml_wholey@hotmail.comml_wholey@hotmail.com

• Miriam Horne:mimhorne@hotmail.comMiriam Horne:mimhorne@hotmail.com• Concordia UniversityConcordia University• Continuing Education Language InstituteContinuing Education Language Institute• 1600 Ste. Catherine Ouest1600 Ste. Catherine Ouest• Montreal QuebecMontreal Quebec• H3H 2S7H3H 2S7