Student engagement is a key problem for improving students' performance

Whether students can engage themselves in the class is a key factor for study. The more they invest their energy into class, the better result will be.
How to help students improve their engagement  needs effort from both the students and teachers.
Following is a link which provide several tips for strengthening students' engagement. Only when students realize the important of critical thinking can they get good academic result. We instructors should constantly explore new ways to attract their attention in class.

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/10-ways-to-promote-student-engagement/

Class Strategy ~~

I find an interesting website providing vivid video about classroom strategy. 

By viewing this video, I understand how to do the brainstorm related with the topic that will be discusses; and then, grouping these words together.  After that, students can use these words to make sentences.

I find this strategy is especially helpful for me to use. I do think that I could use such strategy in my class because vocabulary is really painful for most ESL students. Although this video is for kids, I think it is still useful for students of different ages. Their amount of words can be improved greatly by doing so.

I like this one. 

The link is http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies

Why Blog?

Blog is not a new way as a social media. However, many people would like to use it for several reasons.
First, after write several blogs, one can be good at writing and the writing skills will enhanced greatly.

Second, blog is a good media for recording. I use to write my mood to my blog, and sometimes I will upload some beautiful songs to it. Several years later, when I trace back to see my blog, everything emerges from my mind vividly. That feelings are really terrific. A good blog is just like a well-kept diary, conveying each aspects of our life with the time pass by.

Third, blog is also a good place to meet new friends with similar hobby or something else. I used to meet some online friend by blog just because we love delicious food and enjoy some English songs.  Besides, sharing some good information with friends known and unknown through Blog is an exciting experience.

Fourth, creating a blog is free.
Fifth, by browsing other blogs, I can learn more and think more. Gradually, I will be accustomed to critical thinking. In addition, my horizon will be widened and knowledge in different fields will be enriched.


 Reference:

 joshua becker     15 Reasons I Think You Should Blog       Retrieve from Sep. 3rd, 2014

http://www.becomingminimalist.com/15-reasons-i-think-you-should-blog/

The classification of Instructional Strategy

"Instructional strategies are techniques teachers use to help students become independent, strategic learners. These strategies become learning strategies when students independently select the appropriate ones and use them effectively to accomplish tasks or meet goals."(Health and Life Skills Guide to Implementation (K–9) ,2002).

Effective strategies can help student invest more energy into class, consequently enhancing their absorption and better understanding of teaching materials.

I find a good journal for explaining instructional strategies. After reading textbook and this one carefully, I can have a deeper understanding of strategies.

http://www.education.alberta.ca/media/352984/is.pdf

Weekly Summary Sep.8th --12th

It  seems that I am quite busy every week. 

I was busy writing my assignment 2,and 3. Looking back these weeks, I have got familiar with facebook and twitter, especially ooVoo. I used ooVoo to make my one of my friends,who has helped me a lot.

I really found that social media is a good way to communicate and learn from others. From SIE facebook, I learned much information from it.

For my own blog, I have been trying to polish it better. Unfornately, each time I browse the website of my blog,  a Advertisement Page appears, which really annoyed me.

During the past week, my workload become heavier and heavier because of the teacher's strike in BC province. Many Chinese students try to improve their English in grammar during this time. I have to teach in daytime, and I have to practice driving for passing my driving license after work. About 7:30pm, I go back home to cook dinner for the whole family.  Therefore, I spend two or more hours for my PIDP 3240 course.

I have alreay registered another two courses for the next two months. I know my schedule will be much tight, however, I do believe I can make it by squeezing time.

The benefits of Online social Networking

Online Networking is a positive way for kids to be exposed to new ideas, opinions, and advanced technologies if they can use it properly under the guidance of teachers and parents.
Following is a link for the benefits Online Networking. 

http://www.parentfurther.com/technology-media/social-networking/benefits