How do I start connecting and sharing with other teachers

How many of us have been blessed with ideal classrooms, great technology tools, all the luxuries a class can have,  a projector, a TV, a computer with high speed WiFi, a CD/ DVD player, a recorder,  a printer,  Interactive White Board, easy to adapt class books,or enthusiastic fellow teacher in your school? If you live in Indonesia, the answers  are probably easy to guess.These luxuries only belong to high-class private schools, The ex RSBI ( pioneering International schools) , or expensive English Courses.

Now, Let's change the question. How many of us have tried our best to make our disadvantage of not having those luxuries above into lifelong educational experience?

Our Course's first day ever in Blogging : Starting Blogging for my classes in Tegal Central Java where internet access is not that promising.

A Glimpse of Tegal Slideshow: Budi’s trip to Tegal was created with TripAdvisor TripWow!

Our Course's  first day ever in Blogging : Starting Blogging for my classes  in Tegal Central Java where internet access is not that promising.

I live in Tegal, Central Java, Indonesia. It is a town  situated on the north coast of Central Java, about 175 kilometers (109 mi) from Semarang, capital of Central Java and 314 kilometers from Jakarta, capital of Indonesia.Tegal is famous for its warung, commonly called "warteg" or warung tegal. It is also known for its tea products, such as teh botol Sosro, Tong Tji tea, 2 Tang tea, Gopek tea and other brands.

Although it is not the most  remote area in Indonesia or the farthest town  from the capital city of the province of Indonesia, I find it difficult to connect with other teachers using the internet. The access is fluctuating, up and down or even no connection at all.

I have used internet for browsing and surfing important materials for my class, with all the connection barriers of course for many years, but I just found out how to make the most of it since I met some very friendly friends from www. iTDi.pro. I realize how important it is to connect,share and grow.

Blogging is one way of connecting to other teachers or students  breaking the walls of my class. It is not that easy to start it but I am doing it anyway. I have begun posting things I know and want to share, not the coolest you will see, but I am quite proud of it.

Then I realized how important  it was for my students to do blogging, share what they experience, connect with other students and learn at the same time with others around the Globe.

We just began this week. I really wanted to involve my students and  share the same responsibility for the blog, so we discussed the name and the description of it.We even decided the lay out and the template together. I made this into a lesson while reviewing  and practicing some expressions we have discussed in the class. Everybody seems excited and ready to post something in our blog. Now, the problem is only the internet access. Although we have computers in our school, we don't have internet access in it neither do most of my students. I finally decided to use my  netbook to post all students' work and projects.

So far, we have posted a few posts from students' projects and homework. I have to find time to post students projects in up and down internet access.It might not be the best you have seen, but we're trying our best. If you have students making blogs, Could you please share the link? we hope we can connect our students as we have realized how important it is to connect, learn and share.

If I may quote my great mentor"Chuck Sandy" words'  " I can't do this, but I'm doing it anyway."

Here are some of my students blogs:

www.thecitiEZones.blogspot.com

www.mylifehanif.blogspot.com

www.happilyenglish.blogspot.com

Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up

Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up (Lyric Video)

Not so long ago, My motivation was up and down, too busy, worried,unprepared or overwhelmed with all new job, teaching challenges and surroundings.  Establishing schools, dealing with marketing and promoting, surviving this  small course and teaching  all classes at the same time really drain me out. Not to mention how I felt about  leaving my 8 year long job,  it was never easy for me. In an attempt to seek help, I was introduced to iTDi. Now, I am blessed to know you guys, who never give up on me and support what I am now. I begin to connect, share and learn.I meet  new people to learn from and collaborate with, learn new ways  how to do things in my tiny classroom. My immensely warm thanks to Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto, Chuck Sandy. all iTDi family and www.iTDi.pro. This song is for you.

Build your widself @ www.buildyourwildself.com

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I learnt to use this web tool (voki) after I attended a Webinar Initiated by www.iTDi.pro. Ozge from Turkey introduced us some web tools we can use in class. I was thankful and blessed that I attended this event since I have got a brand new experience using this web tools and the students seem to enjoy it.I suggested my students use this web tool when we discussed new Target language. It's fun and highly suggested.

3. REINVENTING INDONESIAN TRADITIONAL GAME IN EFL

 4. CUBLAK CUBLAK SUWENG

“Cublak cublak suweng,
Suwenge tinggelenter
mambu ketundung gudhel…
Pak empong lera lere
Sopo ngunyu ndelek ake
sir, sirpong dele kopong
sir, sirpong dele kopong
sopo nguyu ndelek ake "

(The original song sung in Cublak cublak suweng game)

HISTORY

The word "cublak" means guessing game while the word suweng means earrings. This game is  originally from East Java created by one  of  “Wali Songo” named  Sheikh Maulana Ainul or commonly known as Sunan Giri. He  spread the religion of Islam in Indonesia, particularly the island of Java.

GAME FEATURES

This game is played by 5-7 people with ages ranging from 6-14 years. For those who are  6-9  years old, they are  considered as still learning, while for the age 10-14 years are  to train their younger siblings. It also  requires an equipment such as suweng (Earring)


HOW TO PLAY

The game is played by some children / people, but at least three people, preferably between six to eight people. The purpose of this game is that Pak Empo (one who has to play) finds an earring (suweng) hidden by someone.

First, a few people get together and draw / choose one of them to become “Pak Empo” usually by pingsut (Paper Rock, and Scissors game) or regular lottery. Once there is a role as “Pak Empo”, they all sit in a circle while “Pak Empo” lies face down on his hands in the middle of them. Each person puts his/her palms facing upwards on the back of “Pak Empo”.
One of them takes an object (originally an earring) then they all sing together rolling the objects from one palm to the others until the song is sung several times (usually 2-3 times).
When reaching the last verse , “Pak Empo” stands  up and other players pretend to hold the object in their left and right hands as if grasping something tightly closed. This is to outwit Pak Empo who is looking for his/her object (earring). Each player holds up their fingers and rubs the right and left index finger just like slicing  ​​chilly. They all keep singing repeatedly until “Pak Empo” chooses one hiding the object (earring). The role switches if the guess is true.

The Use In EFL

This Game includes Physical activities  which we can use / modify as Time Filler, Warmer or Game for Practicing a Target language. We can also teach these expressions such as: guess, hide, whose turn, next etc. I often use this game a warmer. The one who has to play needs to guess correctly or /she needs to spell vocabulary discussed last meeting or answer questions. Of course we can change the song to any English Children Songs. Lots of Fun.

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