tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31822618480510933132024-02-08T06:17:30.986+01:00teach&shareThis blog is a repository of ideas, lesson plans, worksheets for teachers of English.
"Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality." Dalai Lamatarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-51818449326006490252015-07-28T01:14:00.057+01:002010-11-19T00:20:50.494+01:00<div id="big-titles">Welcome to teach&share! <span class="smaller-title"> This is a repository of teaching ideas, tips, handouts, quizzes, lesson plans, games for the English classroom and much more... </span></div><div id="explanation"><h2>What is this blog about?</h2>The idea behind this blog is pretty simple and straightforward. Teachers of English all over the world have a lot of things in common: Apart from the fact that we are teachers and that we teach English as a subject, we all go to our classrooms with one important question in mind: How do we get our students involved and get them to succeed? One answer, though not the only one, is that we need to present good content that is both motivating and authentic. Different teachers have come up with different ideas and creative ways to enhance the way their students learn and boost their love for English. It is with that in mind, that this blog came to exist in the first place: Teachers of English can share great ideas and resources that can make a difference. And this blog wants to be part of that effort. So, if you believe in the power of sharing, you have just come to the right place. Feel at home and let us make it happen!</div><div><p></p><br />
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</div><h3>Latest Articles</h3><div id="fourcols"><div><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/fourth-issue-of-the-tunisian-english.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWLYSogQqcn7-J3nRWg00qihJy2dX7v2dc6vXAc_sUKA9ACefSX5oeDzfEjUc9FTVMcSA9ExL3rSrJatz11z30enAWVh-Vv1-niFCu6pVFopkPuwcN8XRDZWjpP9Czc-qlywsfzTZAnU/s1600-r/issue4_cover.gif" alt="issue 4" height="230" width="244" /></a>Check the fourth issue of The Tunisian ELT Forum. <a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/fourth-issue-of-the-tunisian-english.html"> Read more ...</a> </div><div><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/mother-sissi-and-cozy-cat.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_4WesNOnoBy_0gu1mrX0McyA2dV_TWYwlQz-pKqWEq2T0mnR17_FkzCqpVVH8-peSZ23TxdECEoQjUjeSE7xLZWeHRM985kPoFITgtRYmeg_n8aNnY077T1pcKcIn_Kakpue6lo639I/s1600-r/artcle_snapshot.gif" alt="short story" height="230" width="244" /></a><br />
New publications: A short story for kids. <a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/mother-sissi-and-cozy-cat.html">Read more ...</a></div></div><div><p></p><br />
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</div><h3>Newest Additions</h3><div id="fourcols"><div><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/jclic-tutorial.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFoVFMGNqt33M4TbrZzJRzEXgrmF3K8Ag38Ms02HtxBnCNczHrW-pgyr69DwXciHzDJBPNP287cwftlJ07tmvpy6noU87GBoXuqKaAmCrMQGoewvHaIStiOuSw7_pDefqEMqX2SWubVk/s1600-r/tutorial.gif" alt="JClic Tutorial" height="250" width="556" /></a></div></div><div id="fourcols">JClic is an application for the creation of interactive multimedia activities. It has been used for a wide range of purposes but it is particularly ideal for the creation of educational CDs and interactive tasks for school children.<a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/jclic-tutorial.html"> Read more ...</a></div><div><p></p><br />
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</div><h3>Weekly best links from my email box</h3>This is a section in which I will share the best links that colleagues and friends sent to my email box. <div>The first link takes you to a webinar by Shelly Terrell about Cooperative Learning. Along with the VoiceThread video, I find the list of resources and references extremely useful. <a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-week2-best-links.html">Read More ...</a></div>tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-250875994911169652010-11-14T14:28:00.015+01:002010-11-18T21:39:08.930+01:00November 2010, Week 2: best links<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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This is a section in which I will share the best links that colleagues and friends sent to my email box.
<div> The first link takes you to a webinar by<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > Shelly Terrell</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>about Cooperative Learning.<span class="fullpost">
Along with the VoiceThread video, I find the list of resources and references extremely useful. Check the webinar here:<a href="http://technology4kids.pbworks.com/w/page/32259835/CooperativeLearning#CooperativeLearningResearchnbsp">Cooperative Learning </a>. Also make sure to visit Shelly's great website <a href="http://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org/">here</a>.</div>
<div>Here's another great webinar on CLIL by <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keith Kelly</span></span>. It is entitled "Integrating content and language - shich language?" and it is hosted by MacMillan English.Check <a href="http://www.macmillanenglish.com/webinar.aspx?id=47120">Keith Kelly's webinar</a>.</div>
<div>Subscribing to <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >David Kapuler</span>'s Posts from Technology Tidbits is definitely one of the best decisions I ever made. David regularly posts very useful lists about Web2.0 tools. He has recently sent a list of top ten sites for creating quizzes. Here is a link to the post <a href="http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/2010/11/top-10-sites-for-creating-quizzes.html">here</a>. To subscribe to David's mailing list, check the "join our mailing list" on his blog's sidebar.<p> </p><p></p></div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-49797411073993528432010-11-12T00:45:00.007+01:002010-11-14T15:50:45.388+01:00JClic Tutorial<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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The aim of this tutorial is to help you to have a grip on JClic author(*) and to create interactive educational activities with confidence. You are going to follow a step-by-step guide that will demonstrate how you can create a simple interactive activity with JClic author and how your students can initiate this activity from JClic player(*).
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You can also read this tutorial <a href="http://issuu.com/thetunisianeltforum/docs/issue4">here</a>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-19973589297443120422010-11-12T00:36:00.004+01:002010-11-14T15:51:04.692+01:00Mother Sissi and the Cozy Cat<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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This is a short story for readers aged 10 to 15 years old (8th Year Basic Education, 9th Year Basic education, 1st year Secondary Education, and 2nd Year Secondary Education). The book is part of a new series of short books (<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Smart Reader Book Series</span>) in English targeting beginner, intermediate and upper-intermediate pupils.
The idea behind this series stems from the authors' conviction that reading stories should be part and parcel of the curriculum if we want our pupils to shine in the English language. This goes hand in hand with the general trend and conviction in Tunisia that the English language should have a prominent role in our students' education.
Teachers may use the books to foster the learners' reading skills and to enhance their appreciation of the English language both inside and outside the classroom.
The book authors may be contacted via email here: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/med.saha@gmail.com">med.saha@gmail.com</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/tarakbrahmi@gmail.com">tarakbrahmi@gmail.com</a><br/><br/>
<div><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdark%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=101017114217-2c425e569a824a18afcfcc3c5088ac59&docName=mother_sissi&username=tarakbr&loadingInfoText=Mother%20Sissi%20%26%20the%20Cozy%20Cat&et=1289518857620&er=0" style="width:600px;height:300px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:600px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/tarakbr/docs/mother_sissi?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdark%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=tarak%20brahmi" target="_blank">More tarak brahmi</a></div></div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-57015204398990983942010-11-12T00:12:00.012+01:002010-11-14T15:51:24.595+01:00The fourth issue of the The Tunisian English Teaching Forum<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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The fourth issue of the The Tunisian English Teaching Forum is out now.
In this issue you can read:
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Teaching, Learning, and Fairness</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> by </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Steve PEHA</span>
<br/>Meeting the needs of all learners in a diverse society through reading.<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Classroom Management for Young Learners</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> by </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Noamen AMARA</span><br/>
How to create a positive learning environment through good classroom management.
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Interview</span>
<br/>With our special guest for this issue, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Patricia Donaghy</span>.<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >JClic Author Tutorial</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> by </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Tarak BRAHMI</span><br/>
Creating interactive activities with JClic author.<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Ten great online resources for teachers</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> by </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Tarak BRAHMI</span><br/>
Review of 10 websites that provide videos, photos and audio files for free.<br/>
<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The lighter side</span><br/>
Riddles, puns,and jokes.<br/><br/>
<div><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" flashvars="mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fcolor%2Flayout.xml&backgroundColor=FFFFFF&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=101006202924-894fcd0fe4a34f289f33cbe6f119e8f7&docName=issue4&username=TheTunisianELTForum&loadingInfoText=The%20Tunisan%20ELT%20Forum%204th%20Issue&et=1289517429020&er=58" style="width: 420px; height: 297px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/TheTunisianELTForum/docs/issue4?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fcolor%2Flayout.xml&backgroundColor=FFFFFF&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=technology" target="_blank">More technology</a></div></div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-70864941262175156002009-09-14T01:26:00.003+01:002010-11-14T15:53:03.723+01:00Guidelines for better PowerPoint presentations<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>Guidelines for better PowerPoint presentations</p><span class="fullpost"> <p>This is a presentation about how to make your PowerPoint presentations look simple but more powerful and professional. </p>
<div><embed src="http://embedit.in/LfC4GwTlst.swf" height="400" width="466" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></div>
<span class="bl1"></span><!--bottom_left--><span class="br1"></span><!--bottom_right--></span></div> <!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-61478493019146295562009-09-02T23:47:00.007+01:002010-11-18T23:11:39.554+01:00Blog Companion v V by David Kapuler is online!<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>Great News! David's Blog Companion version V is now ready!</p><span class="fullpost"> <p> As one reader pointedly observed, David's "Blog Companions [are] true web2.0 resource gems." The thorough review and description of the tools along with examples and remarks on how to use the tools, the organization of the Blog Companions in categories makes them must-have references for teachers interested in the latest web 2.0 tools. This latest version "focuses on Digital Art and photo editing". To see and download all of David Kapuler's Blog Companions, follow this <a href="http://www.bookrix.com/library.html?lang=en&user=dkapuler">link</a>. </p>
<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8Sm___bic5CqyX1uukkHfrSP6U8U-Prvrg_y-5hDU7vtNLOlaYRF6CgbujoruybtU-11Cs2-qFTwf0BuZkBFji58T0Cxi3nHUYVQBv-vzdHodJerMItXylN6ILE41I_QQmTfPIXBaQCn/s1600-r/blog_Companionv5.jpg" alt="Blog Companion V" width="424" height="540"/></div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-89501369407318090932009-09-01T16:31:00.005+01:002010-11-14T15:54:28.819+01:00Our Magazine for teachers of English is here!<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style> <div id="csc"><!--the_box--><span class="tr1"></span><!--top_right--><span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">SEP</span><span class="cal_day">01</span></span> <!--this would be the content-->
<p>Our free magazine for educators and teachers of English is finally online.</p><span class="fullpost"> <p> we are so happy to share The Tunisian English Teaching Forum magazine with you!</p>
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<p>To download the Tunisian English Teaching Forum e-magazine, to rate it, add feedback and comments, embed it on your own blog or website, share it with friends or print it, please visit our page here:
<a href="http://issuu.com/thetunisianeltforum/docs/tunisian_elt_forum_issue1">The Tunisian ELT Forum</a></p>
<span class="bl1"></span><!--bottom_left--><span class="br1"></span><!--bottom_right--></span></div> <!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-61032150071574316742009-08-24T15:54:00.007+01:002010-11-18T23:14:17.453+01:00Tools for educators and students 2<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>After the success with which the Blog Companion versions <a href="http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-companion.html">I</a>, <a href="http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-companion-volume-ii.html">II</a>, <a href="http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-companion-volume-iii.html">III</a> were received, David Kapuler is again doing the hard work for us and his <a href="http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-companion-volume-iv.html">Blog Companion IV</a> is already here. </p>
<span class="fullpost"> <p>This time, "Volume four focuses on search engines that can be used as an educational tool". For more details, visit David's <a href="http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/">blog</a> for the links to this and the previous versions of Blog Companion.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWXBnBKOfZ6gn5FDSNuFX_jcSNleNKv7idZ4wCoPAcshIPD6Nt2Qc8aX2NKLX6TdU6-WKDqQw03Mc71EULFhiPznBjTwUnvcyklJcdKfc9uNDs_FQF4Q3qwg0IWpnxrTbP5AY3zytrk/s1600-h/blog_compv4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHWXBnBKOfZ6gn5FDSNuFX_jcSNleNKv7idZ4wCoPAcshIPD6Nt2Qc8aX2NKLX6TdU6-WKDqQw03Mc71EULFhiPznBjTwUnvcyklJcdKfc9uNDs_FQF4Q3qwg0IWpnxrTbP5AY3zytrk/s400/blog_compv4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373549126344893138" /></a>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-30104188317601057102009-08-08T21:35:00.006+01:002010-11-14T15:55:36.147+01:00Raising students' awareness about cultural diversity<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p class="question"><span class ="q_a">Q:</span>
Where can I find resources that would help raise my students' awareness about <span class="impt_wrd">cultural diversity</span>?</p>
<p class="asker"><b>Tarak Br</b> asked</p>
<span class="fullpost"><div class="answer"><p><span class ="q_a">A:</span>Taking into consideartion cultural diversity when teaching a language is important for a number of reasons: In fact, teaching a language is not only about how words are put together to form sentences but it is mainly about teaching learners to see value in and learn to accept the cultures of other people. Besides, it can be a great tool for promoting values of tolerance and respect for others. </p><p> Here are some <span class="impt_wrd"><i >great tips</i></span> that were shared by the members of <a href="http://www.classroom20.com">classroom 2.0</a>: </p>
<p><b>1-Using movies: </b><span class="exple">Teachers are encouraged to schedule sessions where students can watch a selection of films to improve their grasp of the cultural values of the language they are studying.</span></p>
<p><b>2-Going through travel guides: </b><span class="exple">They usually have tips on cross-cultural etiquette.</span></p>
<p><b>3-Partner schools: </b><span class="exple">Thinking about having partner schools in other countries can be a great tool to encourage discussion and awareness.</span></p>
<p><b>4-Inviting guest speakers: </b><span class="exple">You can ask guests who have lived abroad to pay visits to your classroom to talk about their experiences.</span></p>
<p><b>5-Videoconferencing: </b><span class="exple">Google for videoconferencing tools that can be used to arrange online meetings with schools from other countries.</span></p>
<p><b>6-Exchange programs: </b><span class="exple">Check if there are exchange programs in your area that promote exchange of visits, discussions between communities.</span></p>
<p>Thanks <b>Monica Brown</b>, <b>Julie Baird</b>, <b>Mandy Lindgren</b>, and <b>Beth Coleman</b> from <a href="http://www.classroom20.com">classroom 2.0</a> for sharing these great tips!</p>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-43616981239665497502009-08-07T23:08:00.009+01:002010-11-14T15:56:00.346+01:00I am confused about the use of thecomma. Could you help me with that?<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p class="question"><span class ="q_a">Q:</span>I am confused about the use of the <span class="impt_wrd">comma</span>. Could you help me with that?</p>
<p class="asker"><b>Lamia M</b> asked</p>
<span class="fullpost"><div class="answer"><p><span class ="q_a">A:</span>Using your commas and punctuation appropriately can help you succeed in writing precise and outstanding essays in English. To relieve your confusion, here are some rules that you can follow:</p><p> The <span class="impt_wrd"><i >comma</i></span> is used:</p><p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>1-to separate the elements in a list of three or more items:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">We bought carrots, garlic, tomatoes and onion.</span></p>
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>2-to separate introductory elements in a sentence:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">After a long working day, Samuel quickly fell asleep.</span></p>
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>3-to separate parenthetical elements in a sentence:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">Anne, the fourth lady from the right, was the funniest girl in the school.</span></p>
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>4-to separate direct speech or quoted elements from the rest of the sentence:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">"This car," he explained, "is the most expensive one."</span></p>
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>5-to separate elements in a sentence that express contrast:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">I just wanted us to laugh, not to make a fool of you.</span></p>
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>6-to separate dates and years, towns and counties etc:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">He is from Sfax, Tunisia.
</span></p>
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>7-to separate several adjectives:</i></span><b>Example: </b><span class="exple">This charming, pretty, intelligent girl is Fed's daughter.
</span></p>
<p>For more on how to improve your understanding of punctuation, visit this <a href="http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/index.htm">website</a>.
<p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>References:</i></span>http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/index.htm</p>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-71353458310008860122009-08-07T01:46:00.052+01:002010-11-14T15:56:23.329+01:00What do these words mean: idiom, phrasal verb and collocation?<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>Here are the answers to the questions our readers submit to our blog. You can send any question related to English grammar, vocabulary, writing, spelling, etc..We will also try to answer questions pertaining to teaching principles and try to share tips and advice about common problems faced by learners and teachers.</p>
<p class="question"><span class ="q_a">Q:</span>What do these words mean: <span class="impt_wrd">idiom, phrasal verb</span> and <span class="impt_wrd">collocation?</span></p>
<p class="asker"><b>Ahmad</b> asked</p>
<span class="fullpost"><div class="answer"><p><span class ="q_a">A:</span>An <span class="impt_wrd"><i>idiom</i></span> is an expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its separate parts. <b>Example:</b><span class="exple">Gain is the only thing that matters in business. It's a <b>dog-eat-dog world</b>.</span></p><p> A <span class="impt_wrd"><i >phrasal verb</i></span> is construction that consists of a verb plus a preposition or an adverb (also referred to as particle).<b>Example:</b><span class="exple"> He <b>switched off</b> the light before leaving the office.</span></p><p><span class="impt_wrd"><i>Collocation</i></span> refers to the way words are used together regularly, that is the way the words combine with one another. If you want to learn the language correctly, you need to know which words usually collocate together. It helps to remember whether a word usually collocates with a positive or a negative word /with people or things, etc.. <b>Example: </b><span class="exple">We <b>hit upon a good idea</b></span> is correct. But, <span class="exple">we hit upon a <span class="strike_it" > silly</span>idea </span>is incorrect.</p></div><p></p>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-55749555127581645602009-08-05T19:23:00.005+01:002010-11-18T23:16:22.717+01:00Check classroom 2.0 for great tools<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>Classroom 2.0 is a fabulous social network for educators . It is a community of more than 27,800 members who "are interested in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Web2.0 and innovative technologies</span> in education."</p>
<span class="fullpost">Membership is free. As a member, you can access thousands of great articles, forum discussions, unfailing support, advice and tips from colleagues and experts.
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-85917429400252444092009-08-05T18:42:00.009+01:002010-11-18T23:17:14.552+01:00How to make reading enjoyable?<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>Ever wanted how to motivate your learners and make them enjoy reading? Yes? Then, this site is your perfect friend: <a href="http://www.storylineonline.net" target="_blank">storyonline</a> by the Screen actors Guild Foundation is an online streaming video program featuring members reading child books aloud.</p>
<span class="fullpost">
<p>There is even more: follow the lesson ideas and encourage your learners to look at the accompanying reading activities!
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDHOOYhbTu7FeHLDpSs9VhhxiGyeojLqJbumqKSB9hQDOI6kSG-vcGhAg0b-X8dY8YUGzAO-cde6XSfBDJjhqxg96R1tJu9vNWTRLzWMEKWb1kbvECsoEv8zpqvVdIiC5So6Zu4F6vvk/s1600-h/storyonline001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDHOOYhbTu7FeHLDpSs9VhhxiGyeojLqJbumqKSB9hQDOI6kSG-vcGhAg0b-X8dY8YUGzAO-cde6XSfBDJjhqxg96R1tJu9vNWTRLzWMEKWb1kbvECsoEv8zpqvVdIiC5So6Zu4F6vvk/s320/storyonline001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366539454983600770" /></a>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-84403274128962641852009-08-05T18:16:00.004+01:002010-11-14T15:57:48.532+01:00The Idioms Quiz<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>This is a quiz for learners of English about <b>idiomatic expressions</b>. Test your knowledge of idioms with this quiz and get your score immediately.</p>
<span class="fullpost">
<img border="0" style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" width="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bHQ9MTI*ODgxMTMzMTc5NCZwdD*xMjQ4ODExMzgyNTkzJnA9MTYxNjAxJmQ9d3d3LnF1aWJibG8uY29tJm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmb2Y9MA==.gif" height="0"/><div align="center"> <object data="http://apps.quibblo.com/static/flash/qwidget/qwidget.swf?s=&theme=orange&quiz=avm_rM5" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="all" width="300" height="400" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash">
<param value="http://apps.quibblo.com/static/flash/qwidget/qwidget.swf?s=&theme=orange&quiz=avm_rM5" name="movie"/>
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</object> <br/> <font size="1"> <a href="http://www.quibblo.com/">Quizzes</a> by <a href="http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/avm_rM5/Idioms">Quibblo.com</a></font> </div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-23962741550666435032009-08-03T15:54:00.009+01:002010-11-18T23:18:10.101+01:00Tools for educators and students<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>This article and coming posts look at some of the great tools that teachers and students can use inside their classrooms.</p><span class="fullpost"><p>Looking for great stuff over the Internet is like going fishing. You cast your fishing rod and you wait. Sometimes, you are lucky enough to catch some nice big fish and many other times you go home empty-handed. Now, imagine that while desperately waiting for some fish to come and bite the bait, a man passes by and you can see he is carrying a basket full of awesome fish. You look at the basket and you exclaim in amazement:”That is great! You are lucky!”. So, he smiles and kindly offer to give you the whole basket. That is exactly what happened to me: I was aimlessly googling for some good tools that teachers can use in the classroom when I chanced on an excellent document published recently by David Kapuler,Technology Integration Specialist from Greendale School District, U.S.A. The document displays a wonderful, carefully-picked collection of tools and websites for teachers and bloggers. For more details and more tools, refer to David’s blog companion and his blog: <a href=" http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Technology Tidbits</a> . Many thanks for  David for kindly giving me the permission to show his document on my weblog along with this post.</p>
<p><center><embed src="http://www.embedit.in/X7Zh2hXxJz.swf" height="600" width="466" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></center></p> <p></p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong><font size="4"><font color="#e718c8"></font></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4"><font color="#e718c8"><a href="http://www.glogster.com" target="_blank">Glogster</a> </font>:A great website which is ideal for student research projects:<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/Snb55blsdII/AAAAAAAAAYc/A7XKjaeycXA/s1600-h/glogster%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="glogster" border="0" alt="glogster" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/Snb57N0avGI/AAAAAAAAAYg/EWl4_rnf5HU/glogster_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="341" /></a> </font></strong></p> <p>Students would usually look for various materials to go with their presentations like text, images, video, audio tapes, etc... However, most of the currently available software fall short of combining all these in one basket. Sometimes, content is scarified for a visually appealing project and vice-versa. It is here that Glogster excels: it is the perfect solution for versatile, rich and great-looking presentations. In addition to providing the ability for users to mix video, text, audio and graphics in slick glogs, Glogster offers master-accounts for teachers integrating all student accounts in its new addition to the site: <strong><a href="http://www.glogster.com/edu" target="_blank">Glogster.com/edu</a></strong>. Creating an account, starting adding text, images, sound, video is very easy and simple. I created a glog for testing purposes in no time. Don’t forget to have a look at hundreds of creative glogs created there for inspiration. Here follows the glog I created and a sample of a glog created by  a student:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/Snb58k6U_KI/AAAAAAAAAY0/jQWiOnlE7cs/s1600-h/glogster_exple%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="glogster_exple" border="0" alt="glogster_exple" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/Snb5-ieiENI/AAAAAAAAAY8/uoHBvgriKoU/glogster_exple_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="477" height="270" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/Snb6AQ6_ZaI/AAAAAAAAAZE/KaMIY4PwRM8/s1600-h/glogster_exple1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="glogster_exple1" border="0" alt="glogster_exple1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/Snb6Et1ZRTI/AAAAAAAAAZM/lwDegoGNbI0/glogster_exple1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="304" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2221fe6c-ec2d-49e8-b0db-018bf81bb440" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blog+companion" rel="tag">blog companion</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/classroom+tools" rel="tag">classroom tools</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/glogster" rel="tag">glogster</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/research+project" rel="tag">research project</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/teaching+English" rel="tag">teaching English</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology+tidbits" rel="tag">technology tidbits</a></div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-84757522920431444592009-08-02T04:39:00.020+01:002010-11-14T15:58:21.982+01:00Free printables: Proverbs in action<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style> <div id="csc"><!--the_box--><span class="tr1"></span><!--top_right--> <p><span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">AUG</span><span class="cal_day">01</span></span> <strong>Summary:</strong> In this activity, the learners will have the opportunity to think about the significance of proverbs, and how they are formed. They will be asked to complete the proverb with the missing words with reference to the pictures. The aim of activity is to provide a visual reference that learners can later use to remember the proverb. Besides, it is a good activity for visual learners, especially kids. For intermediate level learners, this can be used as a starting point to think about how proverbs work and to relate proverbs to their own lives through writing or speaking.<!--this would be the content--> </p> <span class="fullpost"> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Skills:</span> Speaking/Reading<p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Objectives:</span> To learn about proverbs and their cultural significance </p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time: 10-15 minutes</span></p><p> <strong>Level:</strong> beginner to intermediate</p> <p><strong>Procedure:</strong> Learners sit in groups. They are asked to complete the missing words to get the proverbs. Then, they think about similar proverbs in their own language. The learners may be encouraged to ask their partners to guess the proverbs. If they do, they get on point for that. If they don’t, the next partner tries to do it, and so on. The pictures can also be used later to help the learners remember the proverbs. For intermediate level learners, the teacher can ask them to write about a particular proverb that is particularly meaningful for them and how it relates to their real lives.</p> <embed src="http://www.embedit.in/k2SWA4fJRA.swf" height="664" width="466" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" ></embed>
<p>This is a second handout that can be used along with the first one.</p>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-37120340997102438072009-08-01T12:44:00.005+01:002010-11-14T15:58:53.205+01:00Answer sheet for Proverbs in pictures<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">AUG</span><span class="cal_day">02</span></span>
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<p>This is the answer sheet for the "proverbs in pictures" handouts along with other proverbial sayings that can be used with the other proverbs in the two previous worksheets.</p>
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</span></div><!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-25998796264135868812009-07-29T07:28:00.013+01:002010-11-14T15:59:12.960+01:00Tips for new bloggers<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style> <div id="csc"><!--the_box--><span class="tr1"></span><!--top_right-->
<span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">JUL</span><span class="cal_day">25</span></span>
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<p>This is a series of posts about blogging , choosing templates, picking the right widgets, the most frequent and wanted hacks for blogger and how to pump up traffic to one's blog using easy but effective techniques</p>
<span class="fullpost"> The idea of writing this series of posts came from three convictions: <p></p> <p class="list_p"><span class="list_number">1</span>
<span class="list_text">Blogging is primarily about “<strong><em>sharing</em></strong>”. So, I wanted to share some of the things I have learnt through the process of trial-and-error that I went through to finally give this blog its present shape. </span></p> <p class="list_p"><span class="list_number">2</span>
<span class="list_text">The job of making a decent, good-looking blog is not an easy one. It takes time and effort. In fact, I spent almost two weeks, polishing my “modest” coding skills and refining my knowledge of blogging hacks and tricks. Although I learnt quite a good deal while doing my research, I wasted a lot of time and I wished there was one place I could go to minimize the effort and <em><strong>save some valuable time</strong></em>. So, I wish this could be a good place where bloggers can start. </span></p> <p class="list_p"><span class="list_number">3</span>
<span class="list_text">If this blog and numerous other blogs look the way they look it is, in greater part, because some <strong>great <em>folks did/are doing a great job creating free code</em></strong><em>, providing help</em> and guidance to others. Providing links to their websites “en guise de gratitude” is the least I can do by . </span> </p><p></p> <p>The following posts will deal with the topics below. You are free to read them all or to skip some of the posts and only read those that are of immediate interest to you: </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-what-and-how-of-blogging.html">The why, what, and how of blogging</a> </li> <li><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/templates-choices-to-make.html">Templates: Choices to make </a></li> <li><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/widget-power.html">Widget power </a></li> <li><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogger-hacks-and-tricks-most-wanted.html">Hacks and tricks: most wanted </a></li> <li><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-blog-is-ready-what-now.html">My blog is ready: what now? </a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Next post:</strong><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-what-and-how-of-blogging.html">The why, what, and how of blogging</a></p>
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</span></div><!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-68778083815336323802009-07-28T04:38:00.010+01:002010-11-14T15:59:35.763+01:00The why, what, and how of blogging<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">JUL</span><span class="cal_day">26</span></span>
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<p>This post deals with why one should have a blog in the first place, what in a blog that would make readers identify with the content and how to make these readers come back again.</p>
<span class="fullpost"><p>So, what is a blog anyway? Blogger in its <a href="http://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g" target="_blank">quick tour</a> defines a blog as: “ a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.” What is even more interesting for us in this particular context is the next quote: “Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.” What one can conclude is that, on the one hand, blogs can be about anything you like. On the other hand, blogging is becoming so widespread and versatile that it is becoming more and more difficult to convince and get potential readers to come back to your blog, unless of course you start thinking about what will make your blog unique and genuine. This is what this post is about: Why should one have a blog in the first place? What can I put in my blog? and how can I make my readers want to visit my blog again?</p> <p>The answer to the first question is obvious: There are, in fact, as many reasons to blog as there are people over there: people talk about their tastes in fashion, literature, food, music or discuss issues pertaining to their day-to-day problems , politics, education, economy, etc.. the second and third questions do overlap as what you are going to talk about and most importantly how you are going to do it ( your personality, the originality of your point of view ) will be deciding factors on whether readers will come back again. First impressions are the clue: If you are careful about the content you are presenting and what your readers need to know, this will make a good impression on them and hopefully bring them back. This is a great article on <a href="http://www.bloggertalk.com/" target="_blank">bloggertalk</a> that is a well-rounded guide on <a href="http://www.bloggertalk.com/?p=30" target="_blank">what to write on your first blog</a> (N.B: the article’s location may change as the site references articles by page).There is also a plethora of articles about best blogging practices from the experts.</p>
<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnS_NwgOzrI/AAAAAAAAAXs/ZMcW-OEoaiU/s1600-h/bloggertalk%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="bloggertalk" alt="bloggertalk" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnS_O1qB94I/AAAAAAAAAXw/zhoTua3ackY/bloggertalk_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" border="0" height="313" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.bloggertalk.com/" target="_blank">bloggertalk</a>: A good starting point for new bloggers</p> <p><strong>Next post:</strong><a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/templates-choices-to-make.html">Templates: Choices to make </a></p>
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</div><!--csc--></span>tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-85855436015439541212009-07-27T04:40:00.010+01:002010-11-14T16:00:29.166+01:00Templates: Choices to make<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
<div id="csc"><!--the_box--><span class="tr1"></span><!--top_right--><span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">JUL</span><span class="cal_day">27</span></span> <!--this would be the content--> <p>Once you thought about the content of your blog, it is time for choosing the right template. This step is important not only because it tells a lot about who you are and what you want to convey to your readers but also because you need to think about which one is most convenient to your needs: Do you want a two-column blog, one with three columns or even more? There are in fact three options to choose from:</p> <span class="fullpost"> <p>1-<strong>Templates that come with blogger</strong>: They can be accessed from the site’s interface: From the layout tab, you can opt to pick a new template from a number of available ones. Here are the pros and cons of this option:</p> <table width="486" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="247"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">Pros</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="237"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">Cons</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="247"> <ul> <li>You don’t need to be a web savvy to implement them. Choosing a new template is easy and almost intuitive. </li> <li>They are simple and you can maintain, change and add widgets to them as you wish. </li> <li>They can serve as a good starting point if you intend to “manually” change the look of your blog later. </li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="237"> <ul> <li>They often lack sophistication and look plain and boring. </li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>2-<strong>Templates that one can download free from other sites</strong>: There are a couple fo great websites that allow bloggers to download from a variety of awesome templates. You can strat by having a look at Amanda Fazani’s <a href="http://www.bloggerbuster.com/" target="_blank">bloggerbuster</a> which displays <a href="http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2008/08/125-more-excellent-blogger-templates.html" target="_blank">125 awesome templates</a> along with the links to download them. Better still is another post by the same Amanda Fazani that talks about the <a href="http://www.bloggingtips.com/2008/07/14/the-top-10-blogger-template-resource-sites/" target="_blank">top ten sites</a> that offer free blogger templates .</p> <table width="486" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="247"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">Pros</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="237"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">Cons</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="247"> <ul> <li>They look awesome. </li> <li>There is a wide variety of templates to choose from. </li> <li>They are free. </li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="237"> <ul> <li>They are sometimes hard to control, maintain and less prone to adding widgets. </li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><a href="http://www.bloggingtips.com/2008/07/14/the-top-10-blogger-template-resource-sites/" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="templates" alt="templates" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEWHw-ZO0I/AAAAAAAAAXc/0bi_NEkVqZY/templates%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" border="0" height="372" /></a></p> <p><a title="http://www.bloggingtips.com" href="http://www.bloggingtips.com/" target="_blank">bloggingtips</a> has a lot of tips for bloggers.</p> <p>3-<strong>The start-from-scratch approach:</strong> If you are not satisfied with the existing templates and you want to have a “personalized” look for your blog, you may try to change the whole look of your blog by changing its layout, colors, fonts, menus, etc.. </p> <table width="486" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="249"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">Pros</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="235"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">Cons</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"> <ul> <li>You have almost total control over the look of your blog. You can add menus, tabs, scripts, etc.. The limit is your imagination. </li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="235"> <ul> <li>You need to master or at least have a basic knowledge of Html, CSS and maybe even JavaScript and Ajax. </li> <li>It is time-consuming. </li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Some basic knowledge of Html and CSS is usually enough. In fact, you don’t want mess up your code while trying to add a hack or workaround. Here are a excellent and easy tutorials to begin with : <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/html/DEFAULT.asp" target="_blank">html basics</a> , <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_intro.asp" target="_blank">CSS basics</a> from <a title="http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_intro.asp" href="http://www.w3schools.com/" target="_blank">w3schools</a> and <a title="http://www.cssbasics.com/" href="http://www.cssbasics.com/" target="_blank">cssbasics.com</a>. Besides, there is no need to reinvent the wheel every time you want to add a feature to your blog. A Google search about free code, menus, cool buttons is often all you need. These are must-see sites that both inspire by their look and help with their content and tutorials: <a title="http://www.smashingmagazine.com" href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/" target="_blank">smashingmagazine</a> (fonts, turorials, css tips, freebies, graphics, etc..) , <a title="http://www.webdesignerwall.com" href="http://www.webdesignerwall.com/" target="_blank">webdesignerwall</a> ( awesome tutorial about css menus) and <a href="http://www.noupe.com/" target="_blank">noupe</a> (check great tutorial about a <a href="http://www.noupe.com/tutorial/drop-down-menu-jquery-css.html" target="_blank">sexy drop down menu with Jquery and CSS</a>).</p> <p><strong>Side note:</strong> Jquery and JavaScript are great for adding nice features to websites that are otherwise not possible but they have client side browser <em>limitations</em> and they may not work on some browsers by default unless support for it is enabled (which is not always the case as users may keep it turned off). For examples and best practices, you may have a look at <a href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/16/jquery-examples-and-best-practices/" target="_blank">this article</a> on <a href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/" target="_blank">smashingmagazine</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.webdesignerwall.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="webdesignerwall" alt="webdesignerwall" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEWI2zhKHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/PjdoEiyrqnM/webdesignerwall%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" border="0" height="336" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.webdesignerwall.com/" target="_blank">WebDesignWall</a>: cool tutorials and web design resources.</p> <p><strong>Next post:</strong> <a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/widget-power.html">Widget power </a></p> <span class="bl1"></span><!--bottom_left--><span class="br1"></span><!--bottom_right--></span><!--csc--></div>tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-47216429575869816382009-07-26T04:42:00.008+01:002010-11-14T16:00:51.328+01:00Widget power<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
<div id="csc"><!--the_box--><span class="tr1"></span><!--top_right--><span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">JUL</span><span class="cal_day">28</span></span> <!--this would be the content--> <p>So, what is a widget? It is a “a live update on a website, webpage, or desktop. Widgets contain personalized neatly organized content or applications selected by its user.” (<a href="http://www.lazworld.com/glossary.html" target="_blank">source</a>). In simple terms, a widget is a small chunk of code which can add more functionality to a website. Users can configure them to suit their needs.</p> <span class="fullpost"> <p>On blogger, there are two types of widgets: There are gadgets that you can find on your blogger interface by going to the page elements on the layout tab. Click on add a gadget and you will be presented with a number of gadgets that you can include on your blog: (Followers gadget, Search box gadget, picture gadget, etc..). The names are self-explanatory: if you want add followers (a place where visitors can choose to follow your blog) use the Followers gadget. If you want to add a picture, use the Picture gadget, and so on.. The three most important widgets will be discussed in the hacks and tricks post.</p> <p>the second type of widgets are those that you can download from other websites: one of these is <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/" target="_blank">widgetbox</a> which exhibits an abundance of widgets organized by tag. Other websites or blogs choose a list of top widgets that they recommend to their users: <a href="http://widgetsforfree.blogspot/">widgetsforfree</a>, <a href="http://mashable.com/2007/09/06/widgets-2/" target="_blank">mashable</a>, <a href="http://widgets-gadgets.com/2007/08/top-10-web-widgets-for-your-blog.html" target="_blank">widgets-gadgets</a>, <a href="http://www.bashbosh.com/best-ten-blogspot-widgets-addons/" target="_blank">bashbosh</a> , etc..</p> <p><a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="widgetbox" border="0" alt="widgetbox" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEWuMVy5fI/AAAAAAAAAXM/5eLM8eI5nSg/widgetbox%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="426" /></a> </p> <p>While widgets are most often great looking and one is tempted to use as many of them as possible, it is important to remember using a lot of them may be as detrimental as having nothing interesting to show at all. They can make your blog look cumbersome and readers may just find a lot of staff and no “breathing” space frustrating and amateurish. Moreover, they can add to your page-loading time, which may make your readers flee.</p> <p>Here are some rules-of-thumb for picking widgets: The most important is that “less is more”: Choose only those that can benefit your readers and your blog. Think in terms of what may encourage<span style="color: rgb(64,128,128)"> </span><span style="color: rgb(128,128,128)"><strong>interactivity with your readers</strong></span>: recent comments and top commenters widgets (discussed in the hacks and tricks post) are ideal for encouraging your readers to comment on your blog and posts. <a href="http://www.outbrain.com/get/ratings" target="_blank">Star ratings</a> give your readers a chance to say what they think about your content.</p> <p><a href="http://www.outbrain.com/get/ratings" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="star_rating" border="0" alt="star_rating" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEWuqoqkGI/AAAAAAAAAXU/UtFuyF8jlsY/star_rating%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="45" /></a> </p> <p>Think also about <strong><span style="color: rgb(128,128,128)">keeping your blog organized</span></strong> with widgets. the Labels gadget which will be discussed later is a good trick to make your site well-managed and easy to browse. Recent posts (to be discussed in hacks and tricks post ) and <a href="http://www.techknowl.com/2008/12/show-popular-posts-on-blogger.html" target="_blank">Popular posts</a> from <a title="http://www.techknowl.com/2008/12/show-popular-posts-on-blogger.html" href="http://www.techknowl.com/" target="_blank">techknowl</a> can prove useful for displaying latest content.</p> <p>One other important criterion to consider is which gadgets can help pumping up the traffic to your blog: show off your visitors by using this cool widget from <a href="http://feedjit.com/" target="_blank">feedjit</a>.</p> <p><strong>Next post:</strong> <a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogger-hacks-and-tricks-most-wanted.html">Blogger hacks and tricks: most wanted </a></p> <span class="bl1"></span><!--bottom_left--><span class="br1"></span><!--bottom_right--></span><!--csc--></div>tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-73485840519597038252009-07-25T04:45:00.008+01:002010-11-14T16:01:17.093+01:00Blogger hacks and tricks: most wanted<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
<div id="csc"><!--the_box--><span class="tr1"></span><!--top_right--><span class="cal"><span class="cal_month">JUL</span><span class="cal_day">29</span></span> <!--this would be the content--> <p>Hacks are workarounds to find solutions to some problems/limitations that might arise. These are some of the most wanted hacks that I came across:</p> <span class="fullpost"> <ol> <li>How to add <strong>an element after or before Blogger header or blog posts</strong>:<a href="http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/02/add-page-element-to-blogger-header-and.html" target="_blank">link</a> </li> <li>Adding a <strong>Search Box</strong> : <a href="http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/02/add-blogger-search-box.html" target="_blank">link</a> </li> <li>How to add a simple <strong>horizontal navigation bar</strong>: <a href="http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/08/horizontal-menu-navigation-bar.html" target="_blank">link</a> </li> <li>Enabling <strong>smileys</strong> to comments: <a href="http://adityamukherjee.com/geekaholic/archives/29" target="_blank">link</a> </li> <li>Add <strong>Recent Posts</strong> manually: Go to Layout--->Page elements--->add gadget: Add the Feed gadget (see below): <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXFl3wWqI/AAAAAAAAAT0/8JTvm1ZT-4k/s1600-h/feed%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="feed" border="0" alt="feed" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXGRMMOnI/AAAAAAAAAT8/gif327yK-LQ/feed_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="68" /></a>Next, you will see this, with an empty text box:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXHH1PUgI/AAAAAAAAAUE/VM5uUmega8Q/s1600-h/cof_feed%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cof_feed" border="0" alt="cof_feed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXHrCA5OI/AAAAAAAAAUI/kXSL5rs3S7Y/cof_feed_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="109" /></a> Write <strong><span style="color: #800000">http://yourblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</span></strong> . Of course, you need to change <span style="color: #800000">yourblog</span> with your own name. Click continue: You will see this now: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXI3hnk0I/AAAAAAAAAUU/pNBd4QJgv38/s1600-h/cof_feed2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cof_feed2" border="0" alt="cof_feed2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXJkz5DnI/AAAAAAAAAUY/y0wRo1OlES0/cof_feed2_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="284" /></a> Change the title to: Latest posts or something similar. Choose the number of posts/items you want to show and whether you want to include the publishing dates of the posts and the author. Click save and voila! </li> <li>Add a <strong>Recent Comments</strong> manually: the process is exactly the same as the one above (hack 5) the only change is to write:<font color="#cecece">http://<strong>yourblog</strong>.blogspot.com/feeds/<span style="color: #800080">comments</span>/default</font> instead of <font color="#d2d2d2">http://<strong>yourblog</strong>.blogspot.com/feeds/<span style="color: #800080">posts</span>/default</font>. That is it! </li> <li>Adding Contents or categories section to your blog like this one:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXKJ2vDxI/AAAAAAAAAUk/9nZBy4RvAmU/s1600-h/contents%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="contents" border="0" alt="contents" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXLJ2rL2I/AAAAAAAAAUo/iQY7QLMLnMs/contents_thumb%5B12%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="173" /></a> The first step is to start by adding labels to your posts (in this case I labeled some posts ebooks, others tutorials, etc..). See image below:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXL5RUryI/AAAAAAAAAU0/gCjexOBo0Ms/s1600-h/labels%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="labels" border="0" alt="labels" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXMgBLe_I/AAAAAAAAAU8/lWLRCEqYScs/labels_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="255" /></a> Then, from the Page elements, you choose Add a Gadget. And click on the labels gadget (image below):<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXNVRUugI/AAAAAAAAAVA/V8WJFpM-NM4/s1600-h/labels01%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="labels01" border="0" alt="labels01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXN1NrdqI/AAAAAAAAAVM/U-lB_v6WVrc/labels01_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="65" /></a>You will get this: All you need to do is change the title to something <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXOuP5OxI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/JYODgfjVI9c/s1600-h/labels_config%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="labels_config" border="0" alt="labels_config" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXQBiSYlI/AAAAAAAAAVY/AlAMCfFTpMc/labels_config_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="329" /></a>like “contents”, “categories”, etc.. And here you go! </li> <li>When you add A contents section (hack 7), whenever you choose click on a category ( let us say “ebooks” in my example), you will see this annoying message:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXQrR3JRI/AAAAAAAAAVk/sGZ_ypCFYlE/s1600-h/remove_showposts%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="remove_showposts" border="0" alt="remove_showposts" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEXRUjk-2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/0Sn3fymVtRM/remove_showposts_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="49" /></a>This is a <a href="http://www.blogbulk.com/2008/10/removing-showing-post-with-labelshow.html" target="_blank">link</a> with instructions on how to remove it. </li> </ol> <p>That is it for the most wanted hacks. </p> <p><strong>Next post:</strong> <a href="http://tarakbr.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-blog-is-ready-what-now.html">My blog is ready: what now? </a></p> <span class="bl1"></span><!--bottom_left--><span class="br1"></span><!--bottom_right--></span><!--csc--></div>tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-11571789782868609872009-07-24T05:12:00.008+01:002010-11-14T16:01:46.295+01:00My blog is ready: what now?<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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<p>Now that your blog is ready, all is left to think about is how to pump up the traffic to it and attract potential readers. </p> <span class="fullpost">These are a few tips that can drive traffic to your blog: <ol> <li>Become an active member of the social web and use social bookmarking sites: Make sure you have accounts with twitter, Facebook, linkedln, Digg, Myspace, del.icio.us, stumbleupon, yahoo, Technorati, etc.. and that you link to these accounts from your blog. A good place to connect to many such social networks with one button is on <a href="http://www.socialfollow.com/" target="_blank">socialfollow</a> .<a href="http://www.socialfollow.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="social" border="0" alt="social" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnS9sB3l0XI/AAAAAAAAAW4/iDAB4jIyHYs/social%5B22%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="105" /></a> You may also visit <a title="http://www.go2web20.net/twitterFollowBadge/" href="http://www.go2web20.net/twitterFollowBadge/">go2web20</a> for a great looking customizable twitter button.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEdxmatuEI/AAAAAAAAAW8/tKJK-llTqRQ/s1600-h/twitter%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="twitter" border="0" alt="twitter" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_d9dh7gdaeKU/SnEdyiVTWjI/AAAAAAAAAXA/NYRAetHd4og/twitter_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="303" /></a> </li> <li>Write great articles : writing killer articles is the best way to attract readers to your weblog. For great tips, pay a visit to <a href="http://www.bloggertalk.com/" target="_blank">bloggertalk</a>. </li> <li>Use Windows Live Writer as it helps with your blog’s SEO through its pinging tool and its capability of sending notifications automatically to the social networks you subscribed to. This is where you can <a href="http://download.live.com/writer" target="_blank">download</a> it. </li> <li>Comment on others’ blogs: it is a good way to get readers who will read and comment back! However, avoid things like “nice post”, etc.. Write genuinely and intelligently. </li> <li>Check this nice article about more tips <a href="http://www.pluginid.com/blog-traffic/" target="_blank">here</a> and this is a must-read article from <a href="http://www.bloggertalk.com/" target="_blank">bloggertalk</a>: <a href="http://www.bloggertalk.com/?p=27" target="_blank">Beginners Guide to Pumping up Blog Traffic</a>. </li> </ol> <p>Happy blogging!</p>
<span class="bl1"></span><!--bottom_left--><span class="br1"></span><!--bottom_right--></span></div>tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182261848051093313.post-46108284350394677662009-07-15T03:32:00.001+01:002010-11-18T21:48:00.081+01:00On being eclectic<style type="text/css"><!-- #csc { background : #fff url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0z1KSykLgFHYd7Mc8erFDTZaoOVsUj7Ekmj7W_MbEB8nNfe8Q626Dg1VUaXaiWilNzaerI5LQUkocHUjOh_lEBTU82-8YB1bU1_uTZz3zxPS-8Ms5Eiqbb9-04CxTUtz1BVM20r29OY/s1600-r/csc_tl2.png) no-repeat; width : 100%; height : auto; position : relative; padding : 30px 30px; margin:0px 0 0 30px; color:#000; } /* these are the other three spans. classes were used to allow multiuse on a page */ .tr1, .bl1, .br1 { position : absolute; width : 39px; height : 39px; /* corner images are 40x40 */ display : block; margin-bottom : 0px; /* this is for IE */ } /* change position and image: top-right */ .tr1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNy0X8-dU0ToJhxYRJRz9GXJ9MEUN1Bpb0NCXFaNLFOu_gUE07uJopyzCn0POH_C5Pp_E6DNKVeBi-LkwV2l47xS2QdpNFgfwbOpmvYaAyecD1hhl0r9v9EMX1_6QtP-iJlJXKE_MP0/s1600-r/csc_tr2.png) no-repeat; top : 0; right : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-left */ .bl1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie09L-IiAz_k-3GWXuYjkA2QZyHhuSIhY4bHOFU8hG81icAy4qtSdPSJ5imBCczIPuRmzuqeTHYpfvrYkmOlhkOepznOtFJ5b1PV7x5u5TkJz3Ay4SCM7qFIFvPOuov_ORpvwAk5cQsWU/s1600-r/csc_bl2.png) no-repeat; bottom : 0; left : 0; } /* change position and image: bottom-right */ .br1 { background : transparent url(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgt_qD2nIUYDg327xH78xRGa4DQlfqjmAvleYGdqf5yeNxekrekFT28mdvawR88RuYCzqxHAeCd8JwuRoArtgK8gKhe1AyEnKPfpnFMjjm3q0VzuWr2B8jzx5kq0-1yGTKGSGZI6vB90/s1600-r/csc_br2.png) no-repeat; right : 0; bottom : 0; } --></style>
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For a number of years, many teachers sat on what they assume is a safe ground , that of aligning with “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclecticism" target="_blank">eclecticism</a>”. For some, it means choosing what seems adequate from the existing methods. For others, it means not only the principled use of these methods but also the need to adjust their teaching to their immediate environments as they are aware of the fact that certain methods fall short of realizing that social, cultural and other factors are determining aspects in deciding what works best for them and their students. <span class="fullpost"> <br />Eclecticism is a response to the inherent limitations of the notion of “method” because “the conception and construction of methods have been largely guided by a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach that assumes a common clientele with common goals.” Kumaravadivelu, Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for Language teaching (2003). <br />While it seemed for many a wise and cogent position, eclecticism has been criticized for being guided more by “common-sense” rather than by a principled view: "It does not offer any guidance on what basis and by what principles aspects of different methods can be selected and combined." Stern (1983). He explains that “The choice is left to the individual’s intuitive judgment and is, therefore, too broad and too vague to be satisfactory as a theory in its own right.” Stern (1992). <br />Henry Widdowson (1990) warns that “if by eclecticism is meant the random and expedient use of whatever technique comes most readily to hand, then it has no merit whatever”. </p> <p>The first claim that eclecticism is rather based on “common-sense”, hence lending itself to vagueness and inconsistency draws on the belief that to be convincing, pedagogy needs to be governed by facts and certitudes rather than by inconsistencies and differences. Teaching and learning, however, are far from being accurate sciences: As Kumaravadivelu observes, "the success or failure of classroom instruction depends to a large extent on the unstated and unstable interaction of multiple factors such as teacher cognition, learner perception, <br />societal needs, cultural contexts, political exigencies, economic imperatives, and institutional constraints, all of which are inextricably interwoven." <br />Besides, even in his account of the three parameters of a postmethod pedagogy, namely particularity, practicality, and possibility, Kumaravadivelu notes that "inevitably, the boundaries of the particular, the practical, and the <br />possible are blurred." </p> <p>The second criticism doesn't challenge the relevance of 'eclecticism' per se. However, it points teachers to the right direction by making it clear that to be successful, eclecticism should not be random and irresponsible. This is what Diane Larsen-Freeman (Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching) refers to as "principled eclecticism". <br />The point is that "eclecticism" is a fair choice if it is done properly. That is to say, it shouldn't be " an excuse not to go deeply into methodology [and] cognitive research" As Patricia Arias, a teacher from Argentina states in her reply to Scott Thornbury's article "Methods, post-method, and métodos" on teachingenglish.org.uk ( <a href="http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/methods-post-method-m%C3%A9todos" target="_blank">link to article</a> ) <br />Attentiveness to the existing theories and to their limitations, the ability to "learn to cope with competing pulls and pressures representing the content and character of professional preparation, personal beliefs, institutional constraints, learner expectations, assessment instruments, and other factors" (Kumaravadivelu, 2003) are determining aspects in shaping a good eclectic stance that is both self-conscious (aware of theories and methods) and effective (takes account of the context and “local” specificities to make sure a proper teaching and learning experience would take place). <br />So, eclecticism is here to stay although it may seem as a challenge to the certitude of theories. It is, in fact, a sign of teachers’ maturity and their readiness to take responsibility for what they know best, i.e., teaching.</p> <p><em>References:</em></p> <p><strong>Diane Larsen-Freeman</strong> 2000. Techniques and principles in language teaching </p> <p><strong>Kumaravadivelu, B</strong>. 2003. Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for Language teaching </p> <p><strong>Scott Thornbury</strong> 2009, Methods, post-method, and métodos <a href="http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/methods-post-method-m%C3%A9todos" target="_blank">link</a> </p> <p><strong>Stern, H.H.</strong> 1983. Fundamental Concepts of Language Teaching</p> <p> </p> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ac06ca40-c457-486d-b56c-944ab662151b" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/eclecticism" rel="tag">eclecticism</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kumaravadivelu" rel="tag">Kumaravadivelu</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/language+teaching" rel="tag">language teaching</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/postmethod" rel="tag">postmethod</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pedagogy" rel="tag">pedagogy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/english" rel="tag">english</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/theory" rel="tag">theory</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/method" rel="tag">method</a></div>
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<!--csc1-->tarak brahmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360568868834775311noreply@blogger.com0