Preparing for the plan

Previously, I've written:

"The course I am going to base my project on is directed to train teachers that teach non-linguistic-areas through a CLIL methodology in bilingual public schools in the area of Granada, Spain. The main aim is to reinforce CLIL methodology in their classes. If I need to describe one problem they have, it is that sometimes they feel they have to invent the wheel all the time: they don't have adecuate text books and so, they have to create their own materials continuously. In our training courses and sesions, we try to make them share materials and build together new ones, but that is not always easy. Individualism is a central part of our proffesional culture. I've seen several lessons made by different teachers that address the same topics: water cycle for 2nd graders in Primary, integers for 1st graders in Secondary... That is a waste of energy and time. In that sense, I feel that technologies can help a lot. There are many ways to enhance collaborative projects so that teachers build together their materials, and share what they've previously done. We've tried several approaches (some of them technology based), but I'm learning a lot from this particular course, and I think that maybe we can try blogging. We've never done that before. I'm thinking of blogging as a resource for teachers to write their ideas and the stages they pass while making new CLIL materials. All blogs would be connected, and teachers would have to comment on other teachers' blogs, knowing what others are doing and receiving comments on what they are doing. This idea need to be developed, anyway."

"The technology-related solution for that could be blogging. If teachers have to post every certain time, after every certain step they take, we could be more on top of what their problems are in order to provide a solution. Besides, if they have to comment on other teachers' blogs, they could be aware of other similar problems and how they have been solved. Keeping a public diary helps the teachers reflect on their own and others' process of learning and helps the trainers help the teachers."

To achieve all this teachers would have to open an account at blogger.com, and that needs to be done presentially, in my opinion. Besides, they would have to follow other teachers's blogs. This means that the activity would be blended training, with a part online and a presential part, there in our center. Knowing personally the teacher you will follow on the web adds a human component to the process.

The rubric for blogging would be presented also in that sesion, and have teachers assess other already prepared blogs.