Comments and Evaluation
The English lessons
enable Ss to be engaged in the teaching-learning process, as they
include different types of activities that can be done by groups. They also
encourage Ss to look for information in the internet inside and outside
class. This helps Ss to learn independently and actively, and makes teachers
`work easier and more enjoyable. The English project
(the simple past and the present perfect) deals with and tries to solve ss`
problems in using grammatical structures correctly especially the simple past
and the present perfect, because they both refer to a completed action though
they differ in their usage. So, the topic of the project is suitable.
Concerning the activities and experiences: We notice that Ss were divided
into groups and engaged in collecting information from different resources
including the internet, and doing different types of activities such as
acting roles, writing paragraphs and exchanging letters. Some of these
experiences and activities are published on the website to encourage other Ss
and to serve as a model. Both teachers and Ss were faced by many problems and
difficulties such as lack of computers or the internet, parents` disapproval
of Ss` use of the internet, lack of time and great effort. But we tried our
best to overcome these problems. Consequently, Ss showed a certain amount of
progress in their use of these two tenses as a result of being engaged in
this project. This shows that modern technology together with teachers’
experience in teaching methodology can develop Ss’ level of achievement to a
certain extent. Moreover, the project
contains exercises to evaluate Ss’ understanding of the two grammatical
structures. It also includes a summary in Arabic for weaker Ss and anyone who
doesn’t master the English language well and likes to get an idea about the
work. The project also contains examples of Ss` works but not all of them. As
a result of this project Ss participated in writing brochures
and newsletters
which are published on the English website. My role was just to direct Ss
during their work. I asked them to collect information and write articles and
paragraphs to be collected and organized in articles written in English and
Arabic. Through their work they needed the use of the simple past and the
present perfect. Thus their work consolidated their understanding of the
rule. Moreover, the topics were closely related to Ss` environment and needs.
Ramadan and King Hussein are good examples for brochures while tourism is an
example for the newsletters. This work helped to increase Ss` motivation and
ability to learn. We should not forget the fact that Ss acquired experience
in using the internet, and developed their skills in using computer in
general as all work was done using the computer and the internet. Ss` work in
the English project developed their ability to do collaborative work as they
worked in groups. |