ScOLa Sempozyum

1st SELI Symposium  June 12-13, 2012

 
1st SELI Symposium Abstracts

 
 
2nd ScOLa Symposium

 
2nd ScOLa Symposium Abstracts
Session: 1
Presenter(s): Nergis Enmutlu Elpe
Title: Extending borders: A blended learning project to promote language learning
Abstract: Our presentation aims at proposing a framework for language teaching strategy in English as a foreign language context by referring to a study conducted in an attempt to explore the effectiveness of blended learning and students’ views on the process. The model used at Ozyegin University and the results of the study will be presented with some suggestions.
Session: 2a
Presenter: Amy Erenay
Title: Creating Meaning: Inferences
Abstract: 
Session: 2b
Presenter: Nazan Özçınar Sirel
Title: How to develop yourself and how to develop materials at ScOLa
Abstract: Teacher’s professional development is closely related to teachers’ tasks and their professional roles. Glatthorn (1995: 41) defines it as the professional growth a teacher achieves as a result of gaining experiences and examining his or her teaching systematically. When teachers critically and systematically examine what they are doing in class, they can improve not only themselves but also their teaching. This examination might stem from a sense of personal dissatisfaction with what they are doing in class and having a feeling that things could be better. When teachers have this kind of a feeling, then they will strive to work on adapting, implementing and creating alternative materials in order to supplement what they have in hand and address students' learning needs. In this workshop, I would like to share my experiences of how I tried to cater for my students reading and listening skills by developing podcasts and assigning academic reading texts to be summarized.
Session : 3a
Presenter:  Zeliha Aydın
Title: Use of Wikis to Promote Collaborative Writing in EFL
Abstract: This presentation will share the results of a study which investigates the use of wikis in foreign language education and students’ attitudes toward the integration of wiki-based collaborative writing activities into their foreign language learning process.  A theoretical background on collaborative writing will be presented first. Then, previous studies on using wikis in ELT will be summarized. Finally, the performance of the participants in three different tasks (argumentative, informative, and problem-solving) in the present study and their attitudes towards using wikis will be discussed. The session will end with a reflection on how we can incorporate the wikis into our context.
Session 3b
Presenter: Beyza Yılmaz
Title: Benefiting from The Wonders of Web 2.0 Through Easy Tools
Abstract: Web environments provide learners and educators with endless opportunities. However, in many different schools teachers and students suffer from lack of time. While some of the Web 2.0 tools require some time and a lot of training, there are some others which can be used to scaffold learning in different contexts with less effort and learner training. In this talk these tools will be introduced and their practical uses in language teaching will be listed through various examples.
Session : 4a
Presenter: Selen Şirin & Halime Kutlutan
Title: Use of Moviemaker to Help ESL/EFL Students Develop Language Skills
Abstract: “Technology can play a number of significant roles in both the teaching and the learning processes provided it is used properly as the means for a desired and worthwhile outcome” (Cuevas, 2007:4). Windows Moviemaker is just one of the technological tools that can be utilized in many ways to achieve this desired outcome. We believe, as an efficient authentic practice, a moviemaker task enables teachers to motivate their learners and helps learners practice all four skills, grammar and vocabulary in a meaningful context. To further dig into this topic, we will share our experience of how our learners develop their second language through the use of moviemaker in our classes by showing some sample student movies.
Session : 4b
Presenter: İlkay Tığlı Tuzcu
Title: Note-Taking for Listening
Abstract: Learning how to take notes while listening is a challenging process for SELI prep. school students. They do not know how they can do it and why they should do it in listening skills. The aim of this presentation is sharing some practical and useful tips about note-taking  with the teachers so that they can both implement them in their classes and share the rationale behind note-taking for listening with the students. In the presentation, teachers will be told what kind of challenges students have about note-taking and what they can do to get rid of these challenges and how they can guide the students to keep the balance.
Session : 5a
Presenter: Cem Kaya
Title: Alternatives never end: Using Series & Graded Readers in class.
Abstract: The great benefit of watching series and reading books in learning English cannot be denied. I have heard complaints, such as; ‘Our students don’t read. My students won’t interact with authentic material.’ Showing the students a way to interact with outside classroom materials will not only help them learn new structures and receive genuine language input, but also help foster their lifelong learning process. This piece of presentation will show you two alternative ways of how to adapt Series & Graded Reader books onto an English Language Learning environment.  The materials used can be adapted for higher levels and different contexts.
Session : 5b
Presenter: Bahar Hasırcı
Title:  Learning a new language while teaching ESL: An opportunity for professional development
Abstract: This research investigates language teachers’ perceptions of reflective thinking using their own experiences as a new language learner. Given the opportunity to learn a brand new language, and given the chance to reflect after their language classes, language teachers may develop a positive attitude towards critical reflection and use their language learning experience as a(n) (initial) model for their teaching.
Session 6
Presenter: Dilek Salkı Eryılmaz
Title: My coursework Diary (MCD): An introduction
Abstract: This session will be an introduction to the new system that will be used in ScOLA.