CULTWEEPLE – enhancing interaction and collaboration in

written English among EFL learners.

Raquel de Oliveira Teachers’ Seminar – A responsible citizen: putting teachers in the picture.

Abstract Abstract

• Emerging Technological tools are transforming the way we live, and

educators all over the world today have many of opportunities to

move pedagogy forward and optimize the learning experience.

This presentation will focus on the Twitter project I have been

developing together to my Cultura Express 6 group – which aims at

allowing students to learn collaboratively, to get and work on

information together, exchanging experiences as they acquire

the necessary skills to use Twitter, which foster the idea of self

development and learning.

The pedagogical aim of the project. The pedagogical aim of the project.

• It is provide more opportunities for interaction in English outside the classroom.

– Main goal: As a 21st century EFL teacher, I want to understand more about teaching and learning processes in order to develop my teaching skills and knowledge as well as to take actions to improve my students learning.

Research Calendar:Research Calendar:

First Reflections: What does it feel like being a 21What does it feel like being a 21st st

century Teacher?century Teacher?

– We need to be aware of many things at the same time. • That’s the motivation behind teaching: teachers should be life

long learners.• True learning is taking all the tools that are available to us

and being able to use them to solve life's problems.

• We need to be really flexible.– what I love the most about teaching: the undeniable fact that a

teacher’s job is never done.– “What can I, as a teacher, do “to” myself that will cause my

students to be inspired?”

““For the first time we are preparing students for a future we For the first time we are preparing students for a future we cannot clearly describe.” – David Warlickcannot clearly describe.” – David Warlick

• We have to know who our learners are. What are their needs?– Update yourself. Be daring. Teaching for life requires matching

our lessons’ goals to the context our students live in, not otherwise.

– Not only the variety of online teaching resources may help us with our daily planning struggles, but the social media tools on the web also have a lot to offer to ourselves and our students.

• We have to see ourselves as learners as well. We are all human beings.– Am I learning anything in all of this? If a teacher isn’t learning

more about the art of teaching each day, they need to find a new career. Fast.

• Our  research puzzle: How can Twitter enhance interaction and collaboration in written English among EFL learners (I also view myself as one) out of the classroom scenario?

–  Does this mean that you are involving sts in the research process?

• YES!

Chosen methods to carry out our research: Chosen methods to carry out our research:

• Learners’ feedback and Reflecting on learners' work .– Where? How?

Rach, what will our Twibe name be?

• Education is not the filling of a pail,

but the lighting of a fire.~ W. B. Yeats

1. Listen,

2. reflect,

3. rephrase.

4. Elicit suggestions

5. and mediate opinions.

– CULTWEEPLE: they came up with this “new” word according to what they were living in and outside the classroom.

Our community of practice

• CULTWEEPLE• Start a story on our group account.• Ask my students to continue the story with 140

character Tweets. • Why? This is a great way for EFL students to

practice writing, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. It can also promote interaction and collaboration in written English among my EFL students out of the classroom scenario.

First Surprise

• A learner started writing the story.– Decentralization,– Autonomy improvement,– The Internet and tech has allowed students to create their own

content.

– Language working as a vehicle for learning, as opposed to being the learning objective by itself.

Our Twibe

Food for Thought

• When it comes to writing, it not not about the knowledge, but what you do with the knowledge.

• That kind of differentiation has always been there because students learn individually based on their prior knowledge

• Debriefing content and language use in class.– never underestimate students’ potential to peer assess and

self assess.• Collaboration happened before there was a web. All the web

did/does is expand the range and make it faster.• Interaction Improvement• Quality of Life in class enhanced• Learners become friends.

And now?

Future purposes

• 1. Does online collaboration help improve students’ writing? If so, does it help

– 1.1 motivate them in writing ?

– 1.2 increase their sense of audience?

– 1.3 teach them the importance of revision?

– 1.4 reduce their stress in writing?

– 1.5 cultivate positive attitudes towards writing?

• 2. Is peer help beneficial to the students’ writing process?

• 3. What are the limitations of the use of online collaboration in the proposed context?

• Raquel Oliveira

• Raquel.oliveira@culturainglesa.net

• The future of education will be premised on what students need - and that will include creative solutions, flexible, personalisable tools, and device responsiveness that is culturally relevant. It’s going to be exciting and challenging!

• Thanks!• Raquel Oliveira -

raquel.oliveira@culturainglesa.net