Friday, January 29, 2010
La profesora Susy
Susy and her husband direct Spanish Traveling, a school in Antigua where students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture. Lessons are conducted outdoors; in a coffee plantation, at the beach, in the street...always outdoors and while you are traveling. She thinks it is a shame to be learning Spanish an a classroom when it's a beautiful day outside and so much to learn!
By the way, Guatemala is known as the country of the eternal springtime. They don't know what cold is about. When it is chilly they say it is freezing!
Susy is married to Antonio, a local from Antigua as well and they have 2 beautiful girls: Jessica and Sofia.
Susy loves teaching the Spanish language and her love for sharing the culture of her country is always there. When students come to Spanish Traveling to improve their Spanish skills they have a great time with her.
Check out the video of one of her students:
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time slots for students class time
We would like to know what is the best time slot in your week to take your class. Please take the survey below.
It will take you less than a minute.
We are trying to provide as many options for time class as possible and hopefully you can make it work in your schedule.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Learning reflection journal
What's a blog?
A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.
What's a blog for the Spanish online course?
Publish your thoughts in Spanish anytime you want. We also want to provide you with a tool to make reflections about your learning every week. You can write in English about your reflections and in Spanish about your thoughts, plans, routine...just express yourself!
This reflective journal will be part of your grade and it will provide Instructors insight on their teaching and for students on their learning.
You will have access to the recordings of your live direct contact hours and feel free to review the recording before you write your journal entries.
Here it goes some tips on an effective reflective activity:
- Share a synthesis of the learning experience. We encourage you to share genuine emotions in a nonthreatening environment.Example: Aha! experiences.During the time of this course you may experience what is term an "Aha" moment- a moment when something that you have read or study makes sense with an unexpected clarity.
- Describe the personal value of the content you will be studying with your life. Example: if words you will be learning are you planning to use them soon in your life, in your community...
- Post new things that you have learn that week in class with Susy in English or Spanish!
Remember to reflect, activities that are done quickly are reactive, not reflective.
It is very simple, just follow the following steps.
1. Go to www.blogger.com
2. Create an account
3. Name the blog
4. Choose a name: http://_____________.blogspot.com
Now you are ready to blog in the Spanish class!!
Reflective journal at Blogger.com
What's a blog?
A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.
What's a blog for the Spanish online course?
Publish your thoughts in Spanish anytime you want. We also want to provide you with a tool to make reflections about your learning every week. You can write in English about your reflections and in Spanish about your thoughts, plans, routine...just express yourself!
This reflective journal will be part of your grade and it will provide Instructors insight on their teaching and for students on their learning.
You will have access to the recordings of your live direct contact hours and feel free to review the recording before you write your journal entries.
Here it goes some tips on an effective reflective activity:
- Share a synthesis of the learning experience. We encourage you to share genuine emotions in a nonthreatening environment.Example: Aha! experiences.During the time of this course you may experience what is term an "Aha" moment- a moment when something that you have read or study makes sense with an unexpected clarity.
- Describe the personal value of the content you will be studying with your life. Example: if words you will be learning are you planning to use them soon in your life, in your community...
- Post new things that you have learn that week in class with Susy in English or Spanish!
Remember to reflect, activities that are done quickly are reactive, not reflective.
It is very simple, just follow the following steps.
1. Go to www.blogger.com
2. Create an account
3. Name the blog
4. Choose a name: http://
La profesora Susy
Susy and her husband direct Spanish Traveling, a school in Antigua where students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture. Lessons are conducted outdoors; in a coffee plantation, at the beach, in the street...always outdoors and while you are traveling. She thinks it is a shame to be learning Spanish an a classroom when it's a beautiful day outside and so much to learn!
By the way, Guatemala is known as the country of the eternal springtime. They don't know what cold is about. When it is chilly they say it is freezing!
Susy is married to Antonio, a local from Antigua as well and they have 2 beautiful girls: Jessica and Sofia.
Susy loves teaching the Spanish language and her love for sharing the culture of her country is always there. When students come to Spanish Traveling to improve their Spanish skills they have a great time with her.
Check out the video of one of her students:
How will it work?
The first need I need to find out is the best time for you to take the "Direct contact class" with Susy and organize the groups.
You need to take a 1 minute survey posted on "Time slots for students"
Technology requirements
1. High-speed internet (Cable or DSL)
2. Strongly recommended to use a Webcam. Test it before the class
3. You will need a headset.
To access the class
Once you know your assigned time for the class, you will go here:
Student link: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2007002&password=M.BA7BAF400ED710EB45E65AE4FE29C9
Very important information for accessing the virtual class:
1. First time entering the class and right after typing the password, it will ask you to download a flash application to enter the class.
2. Once you enter, click on "Audio" and run the "Set up audio wizard"
3. Click on the "Send the video" button to broadcast your camera.