Connectivism through Social network

    

     
     When I watched the video  Alan Levine-New Media Consortium, it is my first time to realize the importance of building connections with colleagues in and beyond my field. It is true that "I can put out my ignorance to my colleagues. And then they can help me out through emails, blogs and RRS, etc." It is really important for me to be able to stay connected with people through social network; especially the technologies now change even when I am writing this blog. 

     I join a group which explores what the flip can do to promote English language proficiency for ELLs and for ESL and EFL teachers and for mainstream educators with ELLs on Flipped Learning Network. It is also my first time to know what flipped classroom it is. "The flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed. Short video lectures are viewed by students at home before the class session, while in-class time is devoted to exercises, projects, or discussions." I will definitely use flipped classrooms in my future teaching. Since my students can listen to my lectures at home and make notes according to their speed and understandings. Then we can practice more and I can answer their questions in the class. However, when I saw the discussions post on the forum of my group, I notice that some experienced teachers make a good point that there are real some limitations on teaching second language on flipped classrooms.  Since the key of teaching second language is to interact with students. As language teachers we cannot just depend on giving related videos and lectures to students and let them learn at home. Moreover, there are so many distractions to study at home. We still need to interact with students in the class and do a lot of practices. Another concern is that teachers can answer students questions after they listening to flipped classrooms. But how about the students who don't listen to it before class? They will have no clues in the class and gradually lose interests and motivations on learning. Therefore, I feel it is so necessary for me to join in this kind of group that I can learn from experienced teachers on my field and adjust my teaching methods.