How to survive
Tanya Borisova
Vazrazhdane Secondary School, Ruse,
Bulgaria
A Natural disasters course
on web2.0erc.eu
http://platform.web20erc.eu/
course/view.php?id=308
The aims of the course –
The course aims to develop students’ skills in three areas:
1. Survival skills;
2. Language communicative skills;
3. Social skills
A: Survival skills:
To provide students with information on the nature of three natural
disasters
( earthquakes, floods and fires) which are most likely to happen in our
geo-physical location as well as to inform them about the most appropriate
actions they have to take in order to be prepared to face dangerous
situations so as to survive, or to help other people in case of casualties, or
how to avoid additional injuries and damages.
B: Language communicative skills:
Through various activities to exercise the four main communicative skills –
receptive and productive:
To encourage students to read additional information in articles, (developing their
reading skills), to listen and watch videos for general understanding ( developing
students’ listening skills) to share thoughts orally – in class – speaking and in
written form on the platform ( developing their speaking and writing skills)
To teach new vocabulary on the topic
To create inter disciplinary links between Geography, History and English
C: Social skills
*To encourage students to do their “boring” school work
*To encourage students to use the internet for educational purposes
*To get students know more about specific jobs such as of a nurse and a
firefighter, which do not seem to be popular with and desired by young
people
To improve students’ interpersonal relations through group work
The Course
1. Natural Disasters- an on-line, web2.erc.eu based course in three Modules
Module 1 – Earthquakes
Module 2 – Floods
Module 3 – Fires
Practical training – Lectures and training:
At the school’s surgeryAt the regional fire station
In class training and language development
Teacher’s work
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Planning
Educational Materials selection
Setting the tasks
Helping students with their work on-line
Taking part in the discussion
Supervising and commenting
Assessment ( summative and formative)
Teaching language on-line
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Students develop their communicative skills
Reading comprehension
Listening comprehension
Writing
NB – Speaking can also be practiced on-line
in webinars via skype or other social network
options
Procedure
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The on-line Modules’ structure:
1. Warm-up questions for discussion on the
Forum space
2. Articles to read and discuss
3. Videos to watch and discuss
Module 1 Earthquakes

http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php
?id=308

earthquakes
Module 2 Floods
•
What causes floods
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment
/environment-natural-disasters/landslides-andmore/floods/
Module 3 Fires

http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php
?id=308
Fires at home
In class activities
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Discussions on the topics
Writing a Thank-you letter
INTERDISCIPLINAR LINKS
Knowledge and skills in
Geography
History
Social studies and Civil defense
Communication
Medical care and first aid
Results
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Students feel more confident
Students have learnt about the Nature of Natural
disasters and ways to survive
Students learnt New Vocabulary on the Topics
Students know how to write a formal Thank-you
letter and speak about past events
Students know how to help other people in case of
an emergency
Students know how to use the web2.0erc.eu
platform for educational purposes
STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE AND FEELINGS
ABOUT THE COURSE
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
Students feelings
about the course
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
:)
:I
:(
Students’ would take part in other
courses
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
3-D Column 1
20%
10%
0%
Would Wouldn't
work on like to
another work on
on-line other oncourse
line
course