I reviewed “Espacios” an intermediate Spanish textbook from publisher Heinle Cengage in August 2012
I reviewed “Nexos” a first year Spanish textbook by publisher Heinle Cengage in October 2011
I reviewed “Vívelo” a Spanish textbook for publisher, Wiley and Sons in 2010.
In Februrary 2010 I participated in a Webinar on Foreign Language Classroom Assessment in Support of Teaching and Learning by Dr. Matthew Poehner of Pennsylvania State University. The Webinar was provided by LARC Language Acquisition Resource Center at San Diego State University. Included formative and summative assessment, Dynamic assessment and self assessment. http://larc.sdsu.edu/podcasts/2011/02/11/poehnerwebinar/
In May 2011 I participated in a two day workshop on Assessment in language classes with John Norris from the University of Hawaii.
I participated in a two week workshop at Rice University (led by Hajime Kumahata) in May 2011 where I learned many different uses of technology that will benefit my profession and my Spanish classes. During the workshop I learned how to create a teaching portfolio using WordPress. We also learned how to use the Collaboration and Course Management program (powered by Sakai) that is used at Rice University called OWLSPACE. We learned how to use flip cameras for video projects in our language classes. At the end of the workshop I created a website using WORDPRESS where I organized communicative activities that can be used in first and second year Spanish classes. I also developed several communicative activities which I explained in English on the website so they can be adapted to other languages. I later expanded the page to include activities for other languages. This website was created to be used as a resource page for language classes at Rice University. By the end of the workshop I had also developed my own personal teaching e-portfolio . http://languageclass4thhour.blogs.rice.edu/
I completed a 5 week online course on Assessment in language classes developed and taught by CAL (Center for Applied Linguistics) in May 2011. The course was from April 15 through May 18. We learned about different types of Assessment and how they are used as well as what was needed for a good assessment. Types of Assessment: formative and summative . Good assessment must be valid and realiable.