You are invited to attend
The Student-Centered Learning Symposium
Sponsored by
TESOL Arabia (Abu Dhabi Chapter, Research SIG, Teacher
Education SIG) & Zayed University’s Center for Professional
Development of UAE Educators
Developing Motivation through Learning Strategy Instruction
Dr. Jessica Midraj
~
Introduction to Cooperative Learning
Dr. Toni Briegel
~
Student Centered Activities for Teaching Grammar
Dr. Sadiq Midraj
~
Using Integrated Technology Projects to Promote Literacy:
Creating Your Own Small Business
Lillian Seoud
at
Zayed University, Abu Dhabi
Thursday 16th February 2006
10:00am - 12:30pm
Non-Members will be asked to pay 40AED for attending the sessions
For further information, please contact:
Douglas Thompson: Abu Dhabi - Chapter Representative dthompson@pi.ac.ae
David Palfreyman- Research SIG David.Plaferman@zu.ac.ae
Lauren Stephenson- Teacher Education SIG Lauren.Stephenson@zu.ac.ae
Developing Motivation through Learning Strategy Instruction
Research indicates that there is a significant positive correlation between language proficiency and intrinsic
motivation. Thus, teachers might ask, “How can I strengthen my students’ intrinsic motivation?” The presenter
maintains that one way to encourage students’ internal desire to learn is by empowering them through learning
strategy instruction. Effective learning strategy instruction can motivate learners of all ages and levels of language
proficiency. The presenter will highlight basic information concerning learning strategies instruction; discuss how
to incorporate strategies instruction into the language classroom using the Cognitive Academic Language Learning
Approach instructional framework; and model lessons that integrate language learning with learning strategy
instruction.
Speaker
Dr. Jessica Midraj, Assistant Professor at Zayed University, has done research on the effects of motivation on K12
UAE students. Her professional interests include teacher education, curriculum design, educational standards, and
learning strategy instruction.
Introduction to Cooperative Learning
Teachers will learn the difference between cooperative learning and group learning. Essential features of
cooperative learning will be discussed. Simple and easy-to-use cooperative learning structures will be demonstrated
in class. Overviews of the roles of the teacher and students, grading concerns, and planning a cooperative learning
lesson will be included.
Speaker
Dr. Toni Briegel is an Associate Professor in the College of Education at Zayed University. Dr. Briegel has edited
and authored over 50 articles and books in the field of education. Her most recent books, Soul of Sand and Soul of
Sea, are collections of poetry about the United Arab Emirates that complement the photography of Gloria Kifayeh.
Dr. Briegel co-edits the College of Education journal Teachers, Learners, and Curriculum.
Student Centered Activities for Teaching Grammar
This workshop discusses teaching grammar through a contextualized setting that supports the learners’ cognitive and
linguistic development. The facilitator uses media-enhanced and integrated-skills instruction to provide a
kinesthetic and hands-on feature to teaching grammar. Participants will identify three dimensions of language that
make language teaching more authentic and reinforce learners’ communication and intrinsic motivation. In
addition, the facilitator will discusses the variables that determine the importance of grammar, types of grammatical
errors, and the hierarchies of grammar difficulty.
Speaker
Dr. Sadiq Midraj taught ESL and all grade levels in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, USA and UAE before moving to higher
education. He has taught in the undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education at Zayed
University. His main interests are teacher education, curriculum development, learning organizations and
bilingualism.
Using Integrated Technology Projects to Promote Literacy:
Creating Your Own Small Business
In this workshop, teachers will be introduced to an integrated technology project used in the classroom, observe the
resulting student work and learning outcomes achieved. At each stage of the project, students enhance their literacy
and communication skills within both real world context and school settings. Students work in pairs to produce a
viable Business Plan, create a sample of their Product, design a small Business Office including "official" business
documents and promotional flyers using Microsoft Office, and finally present and promote their new Business and
Product to classmates. Project planning, implementation and assessment rubrics are included.
Speaker
Lillian Seoud is a teacher of Computing, Mathematics and Science who has been working on integrated-IT projects
in several learning areas including the Humanities. She is currently undertaking her Masters in Education degree at
the University of Melbourne, specializing in Assessment, Evaluation and IT in Teaching and the Curriculum. She
currently guest speaks for a publishing company in the UAE, conducting in-service workshops for textbook and IT
Resource utilization in Math, Science, Reading and Literature.