Beyond the English Classroom Walls

La Universidad Es Tuya

2010-09-30T01:04:00.000-04:30

Graduation at the School of Education

2010-02-21T02:17:00.008-04:30

Hi!

Time of graduation has come! It's time for celebration. Many of my former students graduated and I feel so strange. I really feel happy for them, but I also feel nostalgia because they left our classrooms; perhaps the same feeling mothers experience when children live home. A wonderful group of students indeed that I will never forget. Some graduated from the face-to-face annual program and others from the Distance Education one (EUS). Thanks to the Internet and the new technologies, I established a very good and close relationship with them, which made me become not only a better teacher but also a friend, living and sharing moments with my students that I will never forget, like having coffee with Natacha at the cafeteria and talking about children; having lunch with Luisana and her friends Neyda, Elsa, Chary and Nubia after our EUS session on Saturdays, for instance; chatting by Yahoo messenger at midnight with Jose Miguel Flores about his desire of learning English; reading and replying Maria Fernanda's or Arelis's emails concerned about their summaries; or the voice chats I had with Orieta who lived in Belgium while taking English III and who told me about her exciting experience learning several languages at the same time. Before starting the graduation ceremony, Orieta whispered in my ears with a sweet voice and mischievous smile: 'Teacher, I married a Belgium man last Friday!'. I was super happy with the news and gave her a big and warm hug.

That day was definitively very special, I was so excited every time I found one former student in the same auditorium wearing his/her graduation gown and cap, and enjoyed with them when they were called by their names. Yenifer Hernández was first. I was so happy to see her again because she lives in Colombia now. We keep in touch through Facebook. Belkys Torres, one of the best students I've ever had, was next. She received honors as the best student of the UCV. She reached the position No. 1 and the Summa Cum Laude recognition. How proud I was! I couldn't avoid crying. She is a person worthy of admiration, with a very humble soul and a strong spirit. I'm sure the Lord is with her and will be forever.

The ceremony was beautiful and full of exciting moments, as when the Graduation Godmother (professor Rosaura Escobar) and Godfather (Professor Pedro. C. Rodríguez) offered their heart-felt speeches and many of us left some tear drops fall down. However, the most touching moment for me was when Belkys Torres dedicated some words to Professor Elena Dorrego, one of the best UCV's professors we've had and who died recently.

Many sweet memories come to my mind when I see the pictures I took once and again. I'm sorry if I didn't mention you all. You can be sure I'll keep you in the bottom of my heart. Some students were missing in this ceremony, like Marcos Alonzo to whom I would have loved to see wearing the grad gown but he couldn't attend; I really missed him. He is a physiatrist and I will never forget he kindly helped my uncle with therapy before my uncle passed away. I will be grateful forever.

Other students couldn't finish their thesis on time to graduate but they will very soon and join the following graduation journey. I'll be waiting for them too with the same love to say 'Good bye'.

Congratulations dear colleagues! You've chosen the best profession of the world. May the Lord bless you! Let's keep in touch through Facebook. :-))

Below you will see some pics I took during your graduation.

Love.
Your teacher,
Evelyn

Barcelona - Second virtual class on WiZiQ

2010-01-16T13:22:00.003-04:30

Hi dear students!

The recordings of the Wiziq classes are already available. Just go to the corresponding box and click on the link. Then, log in with your email and password to get access the class recorded.

I was really sorry to know that many of you faced some problems to attend the class due to the new national electricity regulations; fortunately, the recordings are here.

My best wishes,
Evelyn

Inglés I

Inglés I , Asesoría Virtual No. 2 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés II

Inglés II - Asesoría virtual No. 2 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés III

Inglés III - Clase virtual No. 2 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Happy Teacher Day

2010-01-15T00:33:00.000-04:30

First virtual class for EUS-Barcelona 2009-02

2009-12-12T19:20:00.008-04:30

Hi everyone!

This weekend I had the oportunity to try WiZiQ as a virtual room again. It worked very good this time. All room facilities were available and the students enjoyed this new experience. It was a totally new experience for some of them, and the second or third time for others. Not all students had camera and microphone, but they did their best to participate. Congratulations!!!! If you missed the class, you will find the recordings for each class below. Your comments are welcome!

Inglés I

EUS - Barcelona - Inglés I 2009-02 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés II

EUS - Barcelona - Inglés II 2009-02 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés III

EUS - Barcelona - Inglés III 2009-02 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

My students promised to take some pictures from themselves during the class. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Hugs,
Evelyn

My return to Barcelona

2009-11-18T16:03:00.004-04:30

Hi dear all!

This past weekend I travelled to Barcelona, Anzoategui state, in order to start my three new English courses for this semester. It was a very nice experience indeed, in spite of the discomfort that an undergoing restoration can produce. I found a place full of dust but also a wonderful group of students waiting for me and eager to learn a new language.

The new classrooms are quite comfortable. We have air conditioning, good day and night illumination, spacious areas, broadband Internet connection, laptops and video beams. Doesn't it sound great? I couldn't offer the Moodle training I had promised to my students because our server in Caracas was down, but I could manage the whole class with my materials on the web.

Here you will see some pictures I took from the new site, my new courses and the lab, which is not available for the time being. I almost die when I saw what you will see in the pictures. Fortunately, the restoration works are almost getting to the end.

Podcasting

2009-10-27T14:23:00.000-04:30

WiZiQ Tutorial

2009-10-04T21:55:00.004-04:30

Hi dear all:

I want to share with you my English version of the WiZiQ Tutorial. Your comments are always welcome!
Thanks,
Evelyn

Social Networking Nov 5-8, 2009

2009-09-30T23:34:00.003-04:30

If you are an English teacher, don't miss it!

Social Networking 2009 - An online conference for English Teachers - Nov 5-8, 2009

2009-09-18T18:31:00.003-04:30

Dear colleagues,

As an Avealmec founder member, I am delighted to inform you that from November 5-8, 2009, we will be running the Social Networking 2009 Conference. This open-knowledge event will be completely online and free and it is aimed at encouraging practioners to reflect on the role of communities of practice as a social network in ELT.

This event is being jointly organized by AVEALMEC and ARCALL, two Latin American associations, one based in Venezuela and the other in Argentina, interested in promoting the use of ICT in the language classroom.

For this event, we invited conference speakers from different parts of the world:

*George Siemens -Canada
*Etienne Wenger -United States of America
*Vance Stevens -United Arabic Emirates
*Nik Peachey -United Kingdom
*Charalambos Vrasidas and Maria Solomou -Cyprus
*Nicky Hockly -Spain
*Erika Cruvinel and Ronaldo Lima –Brazil
*Rita Zeinstejer and Paula Ledesma -Argentina
*Nellie Müller Deustch –Israel
*Carla Arena –Brazil
*Graham Stanley –Spain
*Jennifer Verschoor, Evelyn Izquierdo and Erika Cruvinel –Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil

During four days, our guest speakers will be sharing their experiences and expertise with participants and will help us grasp a better picture of how social networks can be used in the language teaching and learning field. We will be discussing about the concepts and theories around social networks, communities of practice and the Web 2.0, as well as about the use, advantages and drawbacks of social networking tools.

Join us and participate in this amazing learning experience!
Further information here: http://avealmec.org.ve/

Spread the word! Let´s get socially connected!

AVEALMEC (Asociación Venezolana para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje de Lenguas Mediados por el Computador)
ARCALL (Argentinian Computer-Assisted Language Learning Association)

Barcelona 2009-01 My best teaching experience ever!

2009-07-25T03:57:00.005-04:30

Hi dear all:

Here are some pics from my students. This has been my best teaching experience ever! I enjoyed these courses a lot. My students were very enthusiastic and motivated. I am so happy; for the first time I could use many ICT tools in my distance courses. Cheers!!!!!!!

Congratulations to all! I will never forget such great moments! Thank you!!!

Your teacher forever,

Evelyn

WiZiQ second experience - EUS Barcelona

2009-06-30T11:45:00.008-04:30

Hi dear all:

I am so happy to tell you that our second experience in WiZiQ was great! My students were more familiar with the virtual room and were relaxed during the class. We didn't face any technical problems but the normal limitations, which we could manage very well. In Barcelona, there were several power cuts during the class, but my students remained and came back. Some of them had cameras and mics, so it was very exciting to see them and listen to their comments and questions.

This time, we also had some visitors. We met students and teachers from India, Colombia, Ecuador and USA. I was very happy to see my students interacting with them.

Below you will find the recordings for the three classes. Please, remember, you have to wait between 30 and 45 minutes for the class to start. The first part was dedicated to check audio and video. You might not want to spend your time in that, might you? ;-).

Evelyn
*************

Inglés I

Inglés I - Asesoría Grupal No. 3 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés II

Inglés II - Asesoría Grupal No. 3 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés III

Inglés III - Asesoría Grupal No. 3 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

EUS Barcelona in WiZiQ - What a great experience!

2009-06-06T20:47:00.018-04:30

Hi dear all!

I am so glad to share these three recordings of my first virtual classes in WiZiQ carried out this weekend with my EUS students from Barcelona-Anzoategui State. It was a totally new experience for them. They were nervous and anxious to see how this worked, and so I was, he he, although I have used WiZiQ for several years.

Since most students had problems to follow WiZiQ instructions in English; I was forced to create a tutorial for them, which was very useful indeed.

I had decided to take 30 minutes at the beginning of each class to check audio and video settings; however, it took us about 45 minutes to start every class. We faced some tech problems at the beginning, but we managed them very well. Most students got familiar with the platform and enjoyed the class, others had to deal with slow Internet connection and no audio devices available which made them feel a little bit frustrated. I hope they can handle it much better next time.

As you might know, these classes were public, so anyone might join the session, and it actually happened. On Saturday morning, we had some foreign visitors joining the session. It must have been a surprise for my students to listen to me speaking English in their virtual class. I just image what they thought. :-) I must confess our visitors were very polite. I loved that!

Once I finished the third class, I was reflecting on this WiZiQ experience and I was very happy, in spite of all tech difficulties we might have faced. I know there are many ways to improve future sessions, especially adding more dynamism to some activities. I wonder how I would, because it has to do with reading. I am seriously thinking about it. What I know is there are many ways to teach reading and having fun at the same time. I think the board must be one of the WiZiQ resources to be exploited, as well as the text chat; considering that just a few students used a mic.

Listening to myself, I realized this is a good exercise to confirm teachers make mistakes too. I found some around there, he he. I am so sorry! :-( It was not planned, but happened. Teaching in WiZiQ for the first was not an easy task. It was like being an orchestra conductor. As online teachers, we have to pay attention to the lesson plan, observe students joining the session, check if they have headsets or speakers, upload the materials, keep track of the time, control the chat and students participation, look at the camera, etc. But, once you've done it a couple of times it turns easier.

Below you will find the recordings. If you are one of my students and missed the class, please go on up to slides 10 or 12 directly,perhaps more. Remember, the first slides are dedicated to check audio and video settings. You might not want to spend some time there.

Just to add a few words more, I asked my students to take some pictures attending the class. Some of them did and promised to email the pics to me very soon. I am looking forward to seeing and sharing them with you.

You are all invited to leave comments. Thanks!!!

English I

Inglés I - Asesoría Grupal No. 2 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés II

Inglés II - Asesoría Grupal No. 2 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

Inglés III

Inglés III - Asesoría Grupal No. 2 by Evelyn Izquierdo

Get your own Virtual Classroom

EUS Barcelona 2009-01

2009-05-19T18:15:00.004-04:30

Hi dear all!

I started my journey again, and this time I went to Barcelona, Anzoategui State. It was a very exciting experience. First, I had to travel by bus. Then, I shared a hotel room with two colleagues. It was very nice indeed. We got together and went to the university. At first sight, I was shocked because my classroom didn't have any windows and I was going to spent 6 hours there. I didn't have any desk or chair, either; however, I didn't mind. It was great to be there meeting my new students. I was impressed when I asked them if they had email accounts and almost 100% answered 'Yes'. I was fascinated. I couldn't use the computer lab on Friday, because it was busy on that day, but I did on the following day with my English III course.
What a wonderful surprise!!! We had ten computers with Internet access available, Wi-Fi and a high speed connection!!! Wow, it was a dream.

I took my laptop and I could use all my materials with my students. I had the fortune to introduce them some Web 2.0 tools, give them a tour by the UCV Virtual Campus, talk to them about SEDUCV, show them some online works made by my former students and share some pics about other UCV sites in Venezuela. We created a Yahoo Group and inmediately started to use the ICT tools. I am very pleased with this first encounter and wish for the best. We are supposed to have a new face-to-face contact in three weeks, well, let´s see what happens...
Below you will see some pictures I took. Enjoy them! I promise to come back with more.;-)

Reflections on my distance courses in Amazonas

2009-03-15T01:10:00.012-04:30

The semester came to the end and I keep in my heart the sweetest memories of Amazonas, a hidden treasure in the southern part of Venezuela. I am so sorry for not having had the facilities to introduce Web tools to my students. It would have been wonderful to have an intercultural exchange as I had dreamt of, but it was not possible this time.

The 'nucleo' -as it is usualled called- has a computer lab for the students, but just a few computers work properly. They are not enough for the number of students we usually have per course. There isn't a lab technician either who can open the lab everyday and provide maintenance to the equipments. If that is not enough, there is no broad band available. We spend years trying to download a Web page. I wondered if my students could work from a cyber then, but we can rarely find one.

Some of my students had basic knowledge on how to use the email, but some of them didn't even have an email account, which was a real limitation to use Internet resources or Web tools. Knwon the context, I decided to create three Yahoo Groups, one for each course, instead of using the Moodle platform. I was happy because many students joined the groups, but I wondered why they almost never replied to my messages. I discovered later that there was always a student in each group who read the messages and kept his/her classmates informed. Uhmm, a good strategy for them indeed, but not for me. :-))

Here are some pictures taken during my first trip:

Second trip:

For my second visit, we used the lab. We had a computer with a video beam. Great!!!!!! I could show my blog to the students and had them to read short posts in English. I used my own posts to make some exercises and evaluate reading comprehension. It was a challenge for them, but they enjoyed it. They also saw themselves in my Flickr pictures and were very excited.

As some of you already know, I am photo fan, so I took advantage of every moment and catch what I consider interesting, attractive, beautiful or exciting. Look at these pics I took from the plane, during the workshops with my students, at Amazonas Hotel, and a beautiful 'amazonense' sunset.

Third trip:

For my third visit, I couldn't use the lab. Unfortunately, my visits to Puerto Ayacucho were too short. My time was limited and I had to focus on the basic content for assessments. I'd wish I had more time to offer them a complete training on Web tools. I'm sure they would have enjoyed it.

On my way to the airport, Professor Miroslava Azavache took me to a beautiful place called 'Raudales de Atures'. It is a gorgeous place every Venezuelan should visit. Here are some pictures:

Definitively, it was a great experience to be back in Amazonas and feel again that kindness and love Amazonense people give to us. Thank you very much! I will miss you.

Here are some pictures I took during my last trip. Enjoy them!

Teacher Evelyn

Coming back to Amazonas - A new tech experience!!!

2008-10-30T12:29:00.007-04:30

Hi dear all:

I'm so happy to share with you my new tech experience. As some of you might know, the UCV (Universidad Central de Venezuela) has a Distance Education Program called EUS. EUS stands for Estudios Universitarios Supervisados. It is a program offered for about 35 years and it is delivered in five regions of our country: Barcelona, Barquisimeto, Ciudad Bolívar, Puerto Ayacucho and Caracas. This semester I have the great fortune to run 3 English courses in Puerto Ayacucho - Amazonas State. It will be the first time that I use the new technologies with my students. Let's see how this new adventure will work. Meanwhile, I invite you to see some pictures taken during my first visit to Amazonas after 5 long years. Enjoy them!!!

My snapshots in Second Life

2008-10-12T03:20:00.009-04:30

Dear friends:

Yesterday, something funny happened to my avatar. I was trying new clothing and suddenly I became a man. How come!!!! I cried. But later, I found a place where I could buy another avatar appearance. Well, look at me now. How do you like it? I'm really happy with my new look.

Here are some snapshots of my new SL and the teacher training in Language Lab.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Do you have a Second Life?

2008-10-06T20:09:00.018-04:30

Hi dear friends:

Have you ever heard about Second Life?

I'm not referring to any religious term. I refer to the Web 3.0
Second Life is an amazing 3D virtual space where teachers and students have great opportunities to be creative. In Second Life teachers have the chance to design and create their own teaching materials with just a click. It's really fun! Below you will find some pictures of a Spanish teacher training.

Here is a class with Nelba Quintana, an English teacher from Universidad de la Plata-Argentine. She is developing a game with cubes of different colors.

This is a class with Jennifer Verschoor, a Business English teacher from Buenos Aires -Argentine. She is presenting different kinds of shapes.

Here we are carefully paying attention to teacher Mariale who explains the use of subject pronouns in Spanish.

Here, teacher Dafne González, from Universidad Simón Bolívar, explains how to teach nationalities in Second Life.

Below you see my first mini class in SL. I taught genre and some adjectives. I uploaded images in two TV screens. Teachers Mariale, Magaly and Dafne pretend to be my Spanish students.

Snapshot taken by Dafne González

Here you will see more snapshots taken by Prof. Dafne González (USB), our Spanish teacher trainer.

How to enter Second Life? To join Second Life you just need to download the program and install it in your computer. It is totally free. Then, you have to create your avatar and name it. As soon as your avatar is ready you can start discovering this fantastic 3D-virtual world.

Further info: http://www.secondlife.com/

Evelyn

Japan and the WorldCALL 2008

2008-09-08T12:42:00.005-04:30

Hi dear all:
Here is a photostream that summarizes my trip to Japan and my participation in the WorldCALL 2008. And if you want further details go to: http://worldcall2008japan.blogspot.com
Evelyn

Our 2007-2008 e-portfolio Wiki Project

2008-06-06T13:19:00.014-04:30

Class 2007-2008

Hi everyone!

One of the best Web 2.0 tools I have ever used as a teacher is the Wiki. It is a wonderful tool for collaborative work. Do you know what a Wiki is? If you don't, I invite you to visit our Text Typology e-Portfolio Wiki Project. It's been a great teaching-learning experience. I'm sure my students will be happy to read your comments either here or there.

Comments, suggestions and ideas will be very well appreciated.

Thanks!
Evelyn

Why do we have to teach technology in schools?

2008-03-25T23:00:00.011-04:30

English teachers have always characterized for being innovators. For many decades, perhaps centuries, we've been changing, transforming, adapting and creating new ways of improving our teaching practice, including the use of different types of technologies in our language classrooms. In the 21st century, things wouldn't have to be different. In fact, the use of new technologies such as Web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 have revolutionated the language teaching world thanks to the multiple possibilities for language learning, language exchange and collaborative work.

If you are a language learner, you might be thinking why you have to learn by using tech tools. If you are a language teacher, not very familiar with technology, you may be probably wondering why we have to incorporate technologies in the classroom and what their benefits are. And, if you are a technogeek there is a lot you can say about. In any case, you are cordially invited to watch the following video, make your reflections and write your comments below.
Thanks,
Eve :-)

I've won a scholarship to attend the WorldCall 2008 Conference in Japan!!!!!!!

2008-03-02T00:43:00.022-04:30

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!

The WorldCALL 2008 Scholarship Committe has announced today its final decision.

Read what was published on their official site:

'We had an extremely difficult time deciding the awardees. Many highly qualified applicants had to be turned down purely because of budgetary constraints. Our goal was to decide on individuals who met these criteria:

People who have been active in CALL (not just language pedagogy or administration) as evidenced by recent publications, presentations or on-going projects.

People who exhibited in their "Statements of Purpose" a clear goal for their attendance at WorldCALL 2008 and a plan to disseminate the knowledge so gained upon their return home.

People who represent a wide spectrum of geographical areas, balanced by gender and years of experience.

Geographical selection was also, to some extent, determined in proportion to the number of applications from that area of the world.

Congratulations to those who have been selected. At the same time, we thank those who applied and sincerely regret that they, too, could not be included.

Thomas Robb, Ph.D., Chair, WorldCALL 2008 Scholarship Committee

The Awardees

Cruvinel Teixeira Alves, Erika Brazil (Webhead)
Elramady, Asem Aly Elsaid Egypt
Fang, Ying China
Fawzi, Hala Sudan (Webhead)
Isharyanti, Neny Indonesia
Izquierdo, Evelyn Venezuela (Webhead)
Kilickaya, Ferit Turkey
Lyulkun, Nina Russia (Webhead)
Marandi, Susan Iran (Webhead)
Mo, Jinguo China
Quintana, Nelba Argentina (Webhead)
Verschoor, Jennifer Argentina (Webhead)
Viswanathan, Revathi India

The WorldCALL 2008 Conference will bring together experts and practitioners in Computer-Assisted Language Learning from around the world.'

If you want to read more, please go to http://wc3scholar.info/ and http://www.j-let.org/~wcf/modules/tinyd0/

I want to share this award with all of you. You've been my inspiration.

Thanks my Lord, thank you!!!!!!

Special thanks to: Webheads in Action; Dr. Dafne González (Webhead-USB professor); Professor Rebecca Beke (EFL Master's program UCV); Dr. Ruth Díaz (School of Education-UCV); Professor Teadira Pérez (Language School, ULA-Merida); the British Council in Venezuela; UCV colleagues; Avealmec members; and, of course, all my students who have kindly joined me in exploring the Wonderful Web World (WWW).

Evelyn

Another ESP graduate course is over

2008-02-29T12:27:00.009-04:30

My dearest graduate students:

Another English teaching/learning experience has come to the end. It is the proper time to evaluate it and share our opinions about it. To have students from different fields working together is always fascinating. Every student usually gives a special flavor to the course, and so did you. How wonderful this experience has been! I really enjoyed it. It would be great to keep our memories here, don't you think? Well, this space was been created with that purpose in mind.

If you've taken any of the English Academic Reading courses at the Graduate School of the FHE-UCV, please feel free to share your English learning experience, reflect about your language learning process and let us know how you felt working with other graduate students who belonged to many different areas. You may give some suggestions to future students.

Thanks God for giving me the chance to meet you all!

Evelyn

Picture by Andreinatje -Flickr.com

Are you an EUS student? Would you share your Moodle experience with us?

2008-02-19T20:55:00.028-04:30

Moodle, Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, is a free software e-learning platform. It is also known as a Course Management System (CMS), Learning Management System (LMS), or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Due to its enourmous potentiality for interaction and easy-to-manage modular organizational design, Moodle has become one of the most used teaching resources all over the world, especially by educators and universities that offer totally online or blended courses.
During the last three semesters, we've been using Moodle to offer the English III course within the EUS program of the School of Education; time enough to hear the students' voices about Moodle advantages and constraints, if any.

Would you kindly share you experience with us?

You may either post your comment or record it in the Voicethread. If you choose the second option you will need a microphone and a headset. Feel free to use English or Spanish!

My annual courses 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 at the Education School

2008-02-18T18:50:00.007-04:30

Dear students from the annual courses 2004-2005 and 2005-2006:

Here is a space to keep our class memories. You are invited to leave your comments and opinions about our English class. What do you remember? What was the best moment? Any recommendations to those who study English by using the Web tools? You may write either in English or Spanish, as you feel more comfortable.

Course 2004-2005

Course 2005-2006

What is there beyond the English classroom walls?

2008-01-24T19:34:00.000-04:30

Dear UCV students:

Those of you, who have been in my classes during the last three years, may have lived the experience of learning English by using different Web tools or virtual learning environments. You know very well that, besides teaching, exploring the Web is one of my passions. Some of you must have experienced the use of Yahoo Groups, Moodle, Wikis, Web browsers, forums, voice and text Chats, videos and other tools. However, we've never had a space to share those experiences together: undergraduate and graduate students, those who major in Education and those who take a master or doctorate program in the Humanities and Education Faculty, those who take or have taken a master program in English as a Foreign Language and those who study the language for the first time, those who have face-to-face classes and those who take distance programs, adolescents and adults, all, as a large family. That's the reason why I created this blog. You've been my inspiration.

If you have not been my student, you might be asking why this is so. Perhaps, you've seen my students enthusiastically or desperate trying to find a lab or a cyber to join a Chat or upload their homeworks. Why? Is there much more after the English class? What is there beyond the English classroom walls? As a language teacher and a WWW user, I can provide you with many answers; but only you, as a student, by living your own experience, can tell me in your own words all marvelous things that can be discovered behind the English classroom walls and much further. It is not only learning the language, it is exploring what is beyond, what you can use when the English class or course is over.

Learning how to use Web tools is one of those discoveries. From one side of the classroom, it can be seen as a mysterious and complicated world; but, from the other side, it can be seen as a fascinating world to deepen what has been studied in class, communicate with other classmates, exchange information, explore tech tools, and being creative.

This blog offers you a window to the WWW, which I call 'Wonderful Web World'. I hope it becomes your favorite space to communicate your ideas and thoughts on how learning English by using Web tools is. You are invited to share with the whole world what you´ve found interesting or exciting within and beyond the English classroom walls.

Since it is my first blogging experience and perhaps yours, please let's be considerate and patience if some things are out of place.

Time has come! Welcome to this wonderful blogging experience!!!

Your teacher,

Evelyn

P.S. The students in the photo belonged to my Inglés Instrumental II course in 2007-01