Module # 4: Reading Reflection (Graves Chapter 4, 8, 9)

 
      Chapter 4 Response: Conceptualizing Concept

In this chapter, the author is explained about conceptualizing content. It was involved what conceptualizing content is and how to effectively apply the content. The product of conceptualizing is a kind of syllabus in that delineates what you will teach (p.38) this paper suggest the several sort of conceptualizing content which are mind map, grid, list, flow-chart. After reading this chapter, I thought it is not easy how to choose and organize specific content. Conceptualizing content is to “choices to what is feasible” (p.39) as much as we may want to teach many things, the resources and constraints of our situation will help us to narrow our choices to what is feasible. Three forms are the best effective way e to release and organize the content.

Chapter 8 Response: Developing Materials

Materials development means creating, choosing or adapting, and organizing materials and activities so that students can achieve the objectives that will help them reach the goals of the course (p.150) It seems that Materials are supposed to perform as supporting roles for learning and teaching. I agree with this point, “The materials you develop are influenced by your beliefs and understanding about teaching learning languages as they apply to your particular course in its particular context” however teachers should not too much depend on materials. Quite interest thing is flexibility is important so that teachers provide materials that engaging and appropriate. Teachers should consider about flexibility of context what students’ need.

Chapter 9 Response: Adapting a Textbook

Many teachers are required to use textbooks, a majority of teachers don’t have the time or resources to prepare their own materials and so textbooks are a necessity (p.173) after reading, this chapter makes me remind Korea's educational environment. Teachers here in Korea normally choose textbook as a teaching tool and main material in course. This chapter talks about advantages and disadvantages in order to use textbook as a tool in course design. Some teacher simply skipped it other one considers about it. Textbooks can be totally fitted to the teachers’ and students’ objectives and the context of course. Graves says “To understand how a textbook is an instrument or a tool, we can compare it to a musical instrument, a piano, for example. The piano provides you with the means for producing music, but it cannot produce music on its own. The music is produced only when you play it. Playing well requires practice and familiarity with the piece. The more skilled you are, the more beautiful the music.”(p.175) I totally agree this opinion, just as a piano does not play music, a textbook does not teach language. The textbook is a stimulus or instrument for teaching and learning it should be considerate of textbooks like materials are not supposed to play a main role.