As an extension of Teaching and Learning Development Unit at Ozyegin University School of Languages (ScOLa), this website is a reflection of our ongoing love for teaching and learning. As life-long learners and English language teaching professionals, we believe in continuous professional development (CPD) sharing & caring.
Dear all,
please find this week’s news and updates below.
1.Webinar for ScOLa Students by Saadet Şahin
Summer school is a great opportunity for the make –up exams or to start the new semester successfully after a very demanding semester. However; what are obstacles affecting our success in summer schools?
Together with the effects of the season, summer school can be very stressful for many students.
Stress & time management have enormous impact on the success in summer school.
In this webinar we will be touching on how to cope with stress and time management during summer school by sharing a real life summer school experience.
Title: Success at Summer School: Leave Mental Mistakes Behind
Date: 14.07.2020 – Tuesday
Time: 15:45-16:35
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91151895402?pwd=WUNlY1I1Q1F5Nm5YdldLZUpJeVllUT09
Note: Could you please share the zoom link with your students so that the interested ones could attend?
2. Webinar for ScOLa Instructors by Saadet Tıkaç
Social Construction of Mobile Phones in the Classroom: An STS case study on the relationship between the use of mobile phones and English language development of ab-initio pilots
This paper explores the social construction of mobile phones in an English class designed and delivered for first year pilot training students at a private university in İstanbul. Originally an irrelevant and a distracting item for the class, mobile phones get shaped into a core learning device as described in the case study. The process of social construction is detailed using the methodology of Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) theory as presented by Bijker (1997). Through description of historical development of mobile phones, and relevant social groups first; it is explained how transformation of mobile phone into a learning device is achieved in the mentioned classroom and how closure happens as the problems surrounding the artifact are removed. Along with the shaping of the technological item, a social shaping by the use of technology is also observed; which allowed a personalized learning, practice and feedback chance; thus improving the speaking skills of the students.
Date: 17.07.2020-Friday
Time: 14.45
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98664065663?pwd=cUI1QVk3SWRiM1VvS3RBM2Y2MVJCZz09
Meeting ID: 986 6406 5663
Password: 537553
3. July Birthdays
As part of our #AtHome with the British Council programme, we are organising a series of Higher Education Dialogues which will help you connect with colleagues from around the world and share your experience.
The topic of the discussion is ‘How can academic relationships flourish when there is less physical mobility? ’
Universities grow stronger by enhancing knowledge exchange and collaboration with their counterparts domestically and internationally.
Join us to explore the different ways universities, scientists, and researchers can still work closely together, even in times when travel is limited. The panel will answer your questions live during the session.
Many learners seek opportunities outside the classroom to practice and improve their skills. The methods they choose vary from more traditional (studying vocabulary, reading) to more innovative (videos, interacting through video calls or chat, etc). However these activities can occur without structure and without learners’ awareness of what they might get out of them. Students can always use guidance for how to coordinate these activities and how to use them best, given their proficiency level.
In this webinar, Bill Bonk will take a look at how teachers can leverage these student-driven activities as well as use tools like the GSE Teacher Toolkit to help students chart their own course towards English proficiency, based on their own needs and current level.
Date:
Many universities are already concerned about the student enrolment this autumn, including some UK universities with regard to international students. While the virus is still out there and the various travel restrictions in place, many significant questions arise.
Join us in this session as we explore how the current Covid-19 crisis will affect the demand for student mobility in the long term. The panel will answer your questions live during the session.
When?: Wednesday 01 July 2020 – 16:00
This webinar is the first in a series of English Assessment webinars. In this kick-off session, Nick Laul, will introduce you to the role assessment plays in the journey to language proficiency.
You will learn about the innovative, cutting-edge developments happening within English assessment, and how technology, data and AI are transforming the way assessments are delivered and used.
Presenter: Nick Laul
Welcome to the first in a series of English assessment webinars. In this kick-off session, Nick Laul, will introduce you to the role assessment plays in the journey to language proficiency.
You will learn about the innovative, cutting-edge developments happening within English assessment, and how technology, data and AI are transforming the way assessments are delivered and used.
Every Tuesday at 4pm this summer NILE will bring together a panel of special guests to discuss YOUR questions on a range of exciting subjects. We will cover everything from teaching young learners and creativity in the classroom to ELT management and using technology.
Each one-hour online panel discussion will be a celebration of the great work teachers are doing across the globe as well as a thought-provoking, engaging debate. There will be lots to learn and lots of fun had!
To join us all you have to do is check the programme below, choose the topics you are most interested in and click to register and reserve your place. You will receive your invitation to submit questions for the panellists with your registration confirmation.
Panel discussions will begin at 16:00 UK time each week.
Attendance certificates will be available after each Insights discussion
Places are limited – book early to avoid disappointment
| Discussion theme | Host | Panellists | Date | Read More and Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELT Management Insights | Mike Riley | Martyn Clarke, Chris Farrell, Abeer Okaz, Julie Wallis | 30 June | MORE |
| Teacher Training and Development Insights | Susi Pearson | Briony Beaven, Kate Gregson, Simon Smith | 7 July | MORE |
| Teaching Young Learners Insights | Mike Riley | Sarah Hillyard, Claudia Rey, Siv Sears | 14 July | MORE |
As part of our #AtHome with the British Council programme, we are organising a series of Higher Education dialogues which will help you connect with colleagues from around the world and share your experience.
This week we are discussing ‘How can universities support their academic staff?’ The swift move to online teaching revealed skills gaps of the teachers. More so, than ever before Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for academic staff must remain a focus of universities since it will not only enable them to rise to the current challenge but also prepare them for the future. Join us in this session where we will explore guidance of online professional development of academic staff, tools and resources in the current climate to support them including time management and wellbeing.
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on universities across the world. Higher Education institutions had to respond to the pandemic very quickly. During this session we will bring together sector experts to discuss supporting academic staff.
Date: Wednesday 24 June 2020 Time: 16:00
Research shows that just showing students video does not help them to learn. Then again, the same research says video can be an especially engaging teaching tool.
What is the key factor which determines whether video fails or succeeds in educational contexts?
Dear Teacher, that key factor is … you.
Join this webinar for expert insights into using video to teach English.
Speaker:
You can check the equivalent time in your country with this time zone converter.
Effective communication with your team is always crucial to your role as a leader/manager, but especially in a crisis. In this webinar we will discuss the what, the why and the how of communication, focusing primarily on remote teams. Reference will be made to purpose, trust, communication strategies and protocols, conducting effective check-ins and meetings and avoiding pitfalls such as the HiPPO effect.
Date: Tue, 23rd Jun 2020, 12:00 – 13:00 (+03)
Registration: No need to pre-register for the webinar, you only have to click on the registration link below to join.