Ｑ１：How do you like the weekly writing prompts? Are they interesting or boring? Inspirational or weird? Are they related to your life? Can you suggest anything better and give some examples?
1) I enjoy this blogging activity. This project is generally “free” ( we students have to check the newest task and finish it on time instead of passive learning ), but actually, the teacher offers us an opportunity to learn various things by writing blogs and also makes us self-disciplined.
2) The designed tasks are interesting, inspirational and thought-provoking. Most of the weekly tasks are related to students; thus, I think the assigned topics make it easier for students to reflect on their thoughts. For me, those questions exercise my brain and gradually enhance my critical thinking. Although some tasks are challenging, like “strawberry generation” and “self evaluation”, I try hard to think deeply and write down meaningful reflections as possible as I can.
3) The design of two to four questions every week is appropriate. Additionally, I suggest that diversifying the subjects could be better. For instance, an international important event, a renowned figure, a new invention, a musician, an artist, etc could be subjects of tasks.
Ｑ２：Do you like the two-way online discussion with your key pal? Or do you think we should have more people (like 3~4 students) form a group blog to exchange ideas? Why or why not?
One of the advantages of the two-way online discussion is that it is easier for one to contact the other and remind him or her of carrying out the tasks. On the other hand, if one always discuss with his or her partner, it would be difficult for students to see one thing from different perspectives. From my standpoint, I think a group should at most include 3 students. Too much people in a group would reduce efficiency. However, students can make a comment on any blog at will to interact with others. That is also a way to learn.
Ｑ３：Have you encountered any difficulties during the semester when using blogs to discuss with your key pal, e.g., computer problems or anything?
Generally speaking, I think interacting with my key pal seldom troubles me because she tells me why she responds to me late and later, she posts her comments as soon as possible. Sometimes, we chat online, and thus we become familiar with each other. I believe that the friendship between my key pal and me will become increasingly stable.
Ｑ４：How do you like the project website? Are they friendly enough? Have we left out any important content? How do you like the layout/design?
The design of the project website is creative and user-friendly. So far, I find that content is abundant and nothing is left out. Moreover, I prefer stylish and well-designed things, like the arrangement of the project website, which attracts my attention. Marvelous!
Ｑ５：What have you gained from this blog activity?
I see and reflect on various topics that I have never noticed or paid attention to.
In fact, I benefits considerably from this blog activity:
(1) I learn to be studious, punctual and self-disciplined.
(2) I learn to understand my key pal as well as my classmates’ opinions and thoughts on the blogs.
(3) I learn numerous new words and usage after reading others’ compositions and comments.
(4) I learn how to interact with my key pal online, maintain our friendship,and learn many from her responses and her great insight.
(5) I learn to cultivate a positive attitude toward learning English and become more confident instead of always being afraid of writing English essays.
Ｑ６：If you had an opportunity to start over, would you have done anything differently? If so, how?
First, I hope I could change my learning mode into English mode as possible as I can. Furthermore, I want to apply some writing approaches or principles (e.g. point-by point method & five-paragraph essay) to my compositions to make them well-organized and easily understood.
If I had an opportunity to start over, I would spend more time on word choice, grammar and originality. Also, I have to think quickly and express my ideas clearly and precisely when writing English compositions. All in all, I think my works left much to be desired and I am always willing to improve my English proficiency.
Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to my tutor and my key pal. The tutor creates a wonderful space for us to learn English by exchanging our ideas and reflections. Besides, both this long-term blogging activity and the mode of peer learning are innovative. In conclusion, I really enjoy this writing project!
Dear Glory,
回覆刪除To be frank, I think blogging activity is an interesting for us to learn and it allows us to share our opinions and experiences in this space. Moreover, we can feel free to respond to key pal’s thoughts. When I was a freshman in the English department, my composition and conversation advisor didn’t ask us to do peer evaluation which means to correct my classmate’s writings. My classmates from other sections used this way to do the initial correction for writing. By others’ correction, evaluation and perspectives, we can see what we lack of and even make improvement on it. Now, what we do on this writing project has the same function as the peer evaluation.
When it comes to weekly topics, I think those topics are quite good. Nevertheless, my suggestion is professor can provide the hot topics shown on the current news report such as ECFA. I believe that many college students don’t read newspaper regularly and it may lead to lacking of common knowledge of Taiwan’s current situation even international important news.
I have to admit that I learn a lot from this writing project and get to know my key pal. Actually, I know Glory’s direct junior school sister by participating in the Work and Travel program in this summer. What a small world it is! As you have mentioned above, our cooperation in this writing project is necessary. After reading your comments, I also gain many helpful and interesting perspectives. Other than that, I believe that the number of two people for this writing project is very appropriate since too many partners may result in a mess.
Overall, it is an intriguing way to learn how to write compositions and we can practice on it freely. Thank you for your patience and consideration in these months.
Dear Lily,
回覆刪除The idea of discussing about hot current domestic event is good. I agree with you that we students do not make it a rule to read newspaper or watch news reports so that we do not know updated or the latest information. If we want to enhance our international views, it is necessary for us to pay attention to current international events.
Finally, I hope we can cooperate with each other net semester.
Lily, you are the best key pal in my mind.
Thank you.：）
Truly yours,
Glory