Video Conference at the American Embassy

Today, I have attended teleconference at the American Embassy, Sudan.Maria Snarski talked and discussed her experience in Slovenia, based on her article on English Language Forum:" Methodology Material: Braking the Teacher-Fronted Cycle in the Classroom".About 30 teachers of English from Khartoum universities, gathered *in time* for the even.It was nice that I knew most of them, except those two from Al Gazeera, outside Khartoum.On the other hand, it was sad to meet "same faces same names" who are keen to participate and eager to develop professionally.There were so many questions from Sudan part and all attendee had enjoyed the discussion a lot.It was the first time for most of them to attend such sessions.
What I pity,a pity mentioned before the event over a discussion with one of the Sudanese staff at the Embassy, was our "tie"( authentic translation from /Arabic), that anything American or British always holds a glowing look, whatever the content is!
I mean,Conferences like this one, and much more, could be done with many community of teachers around the world.Teachers around the globe are much interested in discussing common problems and issues.Problems like big classes or motivating students to learn English, could be addressed form different prospectives and all are eager to share experiences and find solutions.
When I held my presentation at the British Council, I sent emails and SMS for two weeks to about 100 teachers inside and outside Sudan. Only 30 attended!But, when I announced Vance Stevens coming to Sudan for a workshop, all started to call and email me asking about the date and time! I guess this is found in many parts of the world, not only here.
"Release the power" to your students was what I took away with me."What will the students do with it? Will they abuse it? Will they think you are not serious? Will it be teacher-centered or learner-centered approach? will it work with large classes like ours? Maybe it will a mess if you couldn't manage the classes.It is not an easy task." (Maria Snarski). I imagine my students will be resistance to change, but after I get a one heart attach and two stokes, they will finally say; "Aha! This is how we need to learn!!In a fun way!"

My Growing Multilitracies

The term 'multiliteracies' was coined to describe what constitutes literacy in today's world…not only language, but " multiple kinds of literacies which are embedded in multimodal texts".Warscharure states,on his book "Electronic Literacies" that; "concepts of literacy changes".Also, "..technology change intersects with other social ,economic, cultural and political factors to help determine how literacy is practiced."
I am working on my del.ici.ous account these days, working on the mess, there trying to keep everything in its place, in an organized way, before the beginning of the year.
I was so impressed to see how I was indulged into multilitracies, wondering how did I mange to move from the first page I desinged in PP100, using dreamweaver (with all the broken links except of my baby's!)to the pbwiki I created in PP107 course with Vance.
How great is the gab?

Second Life is not for Me!

I have been to SL only once. It was not a happy experience, as I experienced a computer crash three days later. I didn't know whether the reason is for SL existing inside my hard disk, or was it only a coincidence!
I have not tried to install it again. This year in EVERYWHERE!I HAD to install it because it is one of the tasks I have to go over in both baw08 and Tips and Tricks sessions. I thought, ok, I will give it another try, maybe it is me who didn't work hard on digging and working on it further. SO? I did it! I was there with Dave Winet and some other tipsandtrickers. I spent around three hours there. Yes, I enjoyed it very much, but I am now very sure, SL is not for me as long as I am in Sudan!More reflections after the coming SL tour with Dafne in February.
Above is Me, Caty Habilis, with the foxy face, at the night club ( wow!)in the English Village.

The law of attraction

I can be of control of attracting good things to my life! I have stumbled upon The law of attraction phrase!.I believe I have watched a video with the same title on one of a friend's student's blog.The Law of Attraction is about attracting whatever you wish, want or need to your life.Wow! " I am a living magnet".Also, "Like attracts like".I wish it is that simple. I mean living a life the way you want with knowing the true cause of events in your life.Anyway, life worth to be enjoyed without thinking of attracting 'whatever' you want to you.If you didn't miss somethings you want so bad, life would loose the taste of hard work, laughing with tears, excitement and faith.Digging for the video, this is what I have got.Very inspiring!

Jing & WiziQ

I just lovejing!!
I was participating in a session with one of the EVO08 sessions, Tips and Tricks of David Winet.It was a great session and Dave did a marvelous job leading everybody and talking about WiZiQ.It was an opportunity to play a little with jing, saving videos and images on screencast, and getting to know WiZiQ.The latter has great potentialites for teaching and learning online with a tool that does not need downloading and can work using an Internet connection with a fairly speed.
My first Screecast, without audio after I gave up trying to embed it!