1 . Are you one of the increasing number of students who are struggling for college education online?     1    .

Many students assume that online classes require less work and are easier than traditional classes.     2    

Arrangement according to class schedule is important. Log on to your course according to the required schedule. Manage your time just as you would in a traditional course.

    3    You may not be able to turn in papers, view videos, or participate in groups if you don’t have the proper technology. Make sure that you have the proper Internet connection and software programs installed (安装).

During class, you are advised to be focused. Read and practice everything. Go through every screen Don’t run through a course skipping videos, animations (动画), and ungraded self-assessment activities. Be comfortable communicating through text. Most communication in an online course occurs through the written word. Discussion board posts, written assignments, and email are all common modes of communication in online courses.     4     Be prepared to read and write a lot in online courses.

Remember to be active. If you have questions or don’t understand an assignment, tell your instructor.     5     Don’t wait until after you’ve turned in an assignment to let the instructor know that you have struggled. If you email or call the instructor before an assignment, quiz, or exam, you’ll prevent the struggle, and avoid having your grade suffer.

Online learning has become an important way to learn recently. However, online learning have both advantages and disadvantages.

Its advantages are obviously. It allows us learn at any time wherever we are. Besides, it is much more easier for us to absorb resources who are available online. However, its disadvantages cannot be ignoring. Staring at the screen for a long time is harmful to us eyes. Worse still, we don’t have many opportunity to interact with teachers and classmates.

Then how to be smart online learners? First, we should discuss problems with others courageously. Second, it is wise to take the short break after learning for half an hour.

On conclusion, only by being smart online learners can we truly enjoy the benefits of modern technology.

5 . A Wisconsin teacher has become a web star for his amusing take on a popular TV song.

Paul Miller, a teacher in America, _________ a video on YouTube where he does his take on “I’ll Be There For You,” a song from Friends.

“No one told me school was gonna be this way,” Miller sings in a classroom, in _________ to the pandemic and the nationwide _________ of in-person teaching. “I got my lessons ready but students are absent. Though _________, we can still have a great year. ’Cause I’ll be here for you when you’re learning at home.”

“_________ our social distance, school will still be great.” Miller continues. Having _________ the reasons why online learning has its _________, Miller jumps into the chorus, telling his students what they can _________. “When back,” he sings. “You really start to shine. No matter what, I’m here for you.”

Miller’s video has received over 45,000 views and lots of _________ comments. One wrote: “Teachers are __________ on earth in human form.”

In an __________ with WMTV, Miller says he __________ starts every school year with a song. This year, however, he has to be more creative. The teacher says he’s been __________ by the positive responses he’s gotten. “Really the __________ we are getting this year is completely off the __________,” he adds. “I have gotten messages from Arizona to India. Apparently, Friends is a very popular show.”

7 . Welcome to the Electronic Village to explore new ways of language teaching and learning.

Electronic Village Program (Thursday, June 18, 2015)

Nearpod

◇   9:00 am to 10:00 am

◇   Room 501

Nearpod is a software program that creates a rich context for students to learn vocabulary. The presenter will show how to use it.

TEO

◇   2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

◇   Room 502

Our students come from different backgrounds but have the same desire to learn on-line. The presenter will use examples from his first on-line class to explain how any teacher can begin teaching on-line with TEO.

Kahoot

◇   10:30 am to 11:00 am

◇   Room 601

Kahoot software can be used to create grammar tests which can be graded on a network. It can provide students with instant feedback(反馈), including reports about their strengths and weaknesses.

Prezi

◇   3:00 pm to 4:20 pm

◇   Room 602

Uses of Prezi in listening and speaking courses draw students’ attention to speaking more fluently. The presenter will show how students can use Prezi to confidently present on all kinds of topics, including introducing family, friends, and hobbies.

10 . Online education has grown fast over the past ten years. The explosion of technology has made teaching outside the traditional classroom possible for teachers and has provided learners with easy access to course materials. Its attractiveness, benefits, and challenges are addressed.

In April, 2005, I was approached by a student who was interested in our doctoral program. However, the first question out of her mouth was, “Do you offer any online courses?” Later that day, as I was reading the conference program guide trying for interesting presentations, I noticed many workshops on web-based learning and online education. I later attended two of those workshops and met several professors from different universities who had either taught online courses for quite some time or who were discovering the best practice for teaching online. These experiences helped me realize at least to some extent the degree of growth in online education.

My responsibilities for the term included gaining more understanding of online education. Consequently, I made several attempts to enrich my knowledge of distance learning and online teaching. I consulted with my colleagues who were teaching online courses. This helped me recognize the importance of getting materials prepared even before the start of a term. I also learned that online courses may consume more time than regular classroom teaching. And I attended several workshops regarding online education and established a network with those who were involved in online programs at other universities. I will consider these people as my consultants as I begin to design my own online course. Also, I conducted a brief survey with 15 students and two faculty members who had taken or taught an online course before to understand their experience. Eventually I completed a literature review which gave me the foundation and the background of understanding the need for online education.