tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4690996674759276620.post3598384487471072498..comments2019-07-25T05:03:48.359+05:00Comments on <i>the</i> <b>BE<i>o</i>n<i>o</i>mics</b> <i>blog</i>: The mediaeval octopusUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4690996674759276620.post-17562567946476995852011-04-12T10:48:10.968+06:002011-04-12T10:48:10.968+06:00I don't think you're alone, Vicki, althoug...I don't think you're alone, Vicki, although I'm not sure they ever completely devoted their attention to the class - it was just less obvious when they didn't before phones, PDAs, and laptops.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05514826861180959029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4690996674759276620.post-58759206649846790812011-04-12T09:31:00.234+06:002011-04-12T09:31:00.234+06:00Ah, so this was a within-a-lesson activity? In tha...Ah, so this was a within-a-lesson activity? In that case, I feel differently about it. <br /><br />It's when it happens at the starts and ends of lessons that it bothers me. When they're answering messages from all and sundry, they're not getting into an 'English class' state of mind. Am I alone to hanker for the days when our students would devote their attention to the class when they walk into the room?Vicki Holletthttp://www.vickihollett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4690996674759276620.post-41400229597915567402011-04-08T22:56:15.993+06:002011-04-08T22:56:15.993+06:00Thanks for your thoughts, Vicki.
As I understand i...Thanks for your thoughts, Vicki.<br />As I understand it, they were in the middle of a class and sharing things via their various devices. So, they were communicating with each other, just not with speech. And if they were learning the language too, then that's a good thing.<br />As for depriving students - I think that's why letting them use their devices is a good idea. They're not thinking about using them if they are using them, and this frees them up to join in with the conversation, paradoxical as this may sound. If you deprive them, however, there is a silent yearning - and the last thing a class needs is silent yearning!<br />Cheers,<br />TonyTonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05514826861180959029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4690996674759276620.post-88975762767588282692011-04-08T13:39:55.458+06:002011-04-08T13:39:55.458+06:00I'd be very happy to have my students posting ...I'd be very happy to have my students posting their thoughts on their 'puters for us all to read as a lesson progresses but oh my! That video from Carl sent shivers up my spine. Were they in a class or just starting one? <br /><br />It's when this goes on before class starts or during coffee breaks that it's an issue for me. The thing is, I've known REALLY good coversations and learning stuff arising from the spontaneous communication that goes on as we start up or wind down to a break. It's a time when there's a natural social requirement (not simulated) for them to initiate conversation and bring up topics that will interest the group.<br /><br />With my last class I said look, if you want/need to check your email in breaks, I'm OK with it. I know things are going on elsewhere that need taking care of, but I'm here and I'm available to talk and we could all make use of the time for conversation - but it's up to you to decide what's a priority. <br /><br />They made an effort and put the ipads and telephones away and we did wind up having some good discussions. But what it meant was it became more of an effort. In the past it would have been viewed as simple free (FUN!) time, but now it has an element of deprivation.Vicki Holletthttp://www.vickihollett.comnoreply@blogger.com