A Clockwork Orange

This was a film directed by Stanley Kubrik. The film deals with a psychopathic delinquent called Alex who was obssesed about sexual abuses, punishment and Bethoveen's Music. This film was characterized by psychological contents and rebel young gangs (Alex and his "droogs") who are often getting into trouble. I liked this film because it made me think about how to deal with a society like this whith these kinds of psychothic people, dictatorial authorities and severe rehabilitation methods.

I would recommend this film to those people who can appreciate the different characteristics and behaviors a person can have with a disturbed mind like Alex and the difficult and emotional situations he had to deal with during his life.

Melissa Herrera's micro-lesson

Melissa's micro-lesson was simply amazing. I did like her presentation since she was clear and concise enough; she was quite dynamic and self-confident: She was entertaining and managed the topic; she used the teaching space in a proper way: She was concerned about the seating arrangement which is a very important element before presenting; and she also adjusted herselft to the limit of time (no more than 15 minutes).

The topic she chose had to do with how to cope with different problems and difficult situations which may occur inside the classroom. I noticed she prepared her micro-lesson sistematically since she followed all the stages. By the other hand, I think she just committed minor mistakes in some words pronunciation and her voice proyection was a little bit weak.

Analyzing Texts

This was the topic of Fabian's micro-lesson. He explained the main tips to analyse a text in a easier and productive way. He demonstrated that he managed the topic quite well, he was clear enough to explain and teach the topic. I learned something new that I will always consider on analyzing a text of any kind.

Concerning the weaknesses, I think Fabian was too static, so he did not take advantage of the teaching space. He should have used body language; perhaps Fabian was too nervous since he committed a few pronunciation and spelling mistakes. However, Fabian's micro-lesson was very systematic because he followed all the stages of a good micro-lesson. I know he will use the teaching space much better and improve both his English pronunciation and spelling.

IT - Information Technology

Marlene Orellana presented her micro-lesson by referring this relevant topic. She remarked the importance of ITs in the teaching practice since they are very useful tools to produce Learning in our students. As teachers of English, we can take advantage of all the existing and available technologies to plan dynamic and entertaining lessons at present. I noticed that Marlene explained the topic in a clear way, she managed almost all the information and she also used the teaching space in a proper way.

However, I think she did not follow the three main stages of a micro-lesson, so it was not structured enough. She also talked too much, she did not let us participate actively in her micro-lesson. She should have been prepared a more dynamic activity for all of us. I hope she considers all these aspects before presenting a lesson next time. I know she will plan more structured and dynamic lessons by the time she improves her English and organizes the necessary material.

Social Networks

Leandro Barahona presented his micro-lesson by introducing this important topic. He explained the importance of Social Networks in this technological era in which we are living nowadays. Social Networks such as Facebook, Blogger, Flickr, Twitter, Linked in, among others are web pages created and designed to connect people with the world in order to socialize on Internet and to be updated with relevant information. I noticed Leandro prepared his micro-lesson very well, he managed the whole topic, he used the teaching space properly and he spoke clearly with a fluent English.

The only one weaknesses that I found was his Teaching Talking Time. I think we all noticed Leandro talked too much; besides his activity took too long so he passed the required limit of time. I would recommend him not to forget that It is imperative to make students participe actively in lessons since it is the key method in which they can learn in a more memorable and dynamic way. As a result, Leandro did it well and I know he will certainly improve a lot in a prospective future.

Why do teachers should travel abroad?

This was the lead-in question in Francisco Campos' micro-lesson. I can say that he managed the topic, he taught us relevant things with reference to teachers and their training practice. He told us that most of people in Chile do not know how to speak in English and the people who do, do not speak very well. Therefore, Francisco pointed out that teachers of English must improve their English by traveling abroad since they can obtain a better fluency, pronunciation and vocabulary which are key elements to teach the language properly.

Francisco's micro-lesson was structured, he followed the three main stages of a lesson. He demonstrated to have a good voice proyection and a good control of students' attention because he made us concentrate our mind and attention on his topic during the whole micro-lesson. However, he committed some minor mistakes in past sentences, I noticed he skipped the "ed" endings in some verbs. As a result, I think he needs to improve his fluency and pronunciation but I know he can do it since he is constantly practicing his Enlgish; besides he has been to New York and I am sure he will improve his English by the time he goes to USA again or another English speaking country.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD)

María Fernanda Armijo presented this topic in her micro-lesson. She did it well, she explained many important things related to this kind of disorder which affect lots of people in the world, mainly children. I was able to discuss the difficulties that a teacher may face when they have students with this disorder and also the different strategies a teacher should use in order to deal with these students. The topic was quite interesting and relevant. María Fernanda spoke clearly and also managed the topic.

There were the following weaknesses. First of all, María Fernanda did not use the teaching space properly, she should have moved around the room but at the end of the micro-lesson, she monitored the activity in a very good way since she passed for every group of students to help and clarify the instructions. I can also mention she was too serious and her micro-lesson was not structured enough, so it seemed to be a lecture since there was too much TTT (teacher-talking-time). She must give more time to make students participate. I hope she does not forget this next time she prepares a good lesson.

Video Games: An entertaining way to learn

This is the topic which I used to present my micro-lesson. I can say that I really love playing video games since they let me learn a lot together with my friends and they also drive me crazy. I have learned a lot of English thanks to the influence of video games since I was a little child. I think video games are a very useful tool to teach interesting and relevant subjects such us History, Cultural Studies, English, Biology, among others. Therefore, we can take advantage of them in order to make students participate and learn new things inside or outside the classroom.

I am sure almost all my classmates did enjoy my micro-lesson. I know they were able to understand me and learn something new about this interesting topic that has been considered a dynamic, meaningful, and memorable topic for many teachers and tutors around the world. I hope to continue preparing many other interesting and creative lessons in the future because according to my friends I am a very funny and creative man who always looks for new ideas.

Urban Tribes

This topic was presented by Patricia Espinoza. She explanied the topic quite well and spoke clearly. She made us understand relevant aspects in relation to Urban Tribes which is a very controversial topic nowadays. It was really interesting since I felt identified with a particular type of urban tribe called "Metaleros". I consider myselft a metal man who loves listening to heavy music and going out to concerts.

Regarding the weaknesses, Patricia did not use the teaching space properly. She was too static and she did not use a good color combination in her ppt presentation. I can say that she did not prepare a good micro-lesson, since the Students' Practice stage was missed. It seemed to be a lecture, but it was ok. I know she can improve her methodology and prepare a more structured and dynamic lesson.

Four Weddings and a Funeral - Film

This is a film directed by Mike Newell that tells the story of a nice man called Charles (starring Hugh Grant) and his friends who are all single. These boys realize their acquaintances are getting married. After a certain period of time, they are all invited to attend to their weddings; then this group of single boys meet together and start to think about their lives and feel sorry since they think they will never get married. Yet, in the first wedding, Charles met a very special woman, called Carrie (starring Andie MacDowell), who they will eventually meet each other in four weddings and a funeral. As I expected, Charles fell totally in love with her.

I liked this film because I spent a lo of fun and I enjoyed it a lot. I would recommend this film for those people who can appreciate romantic comedy films and want to spend a good time laughing. I know they would enjoy this film as much as I. I am certain anyone would laugh out loud if they spend the same situations Charles did in this film.

Gallipoli Film

This was a great film which I watched at home. Gallipoli is a film based on a true story which took place in Gallipoli, the peninsula of Turkey. In this film, directed by Peter Weir, we can appreciate the story of two Australian soldiers (starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee) who crossed continents, oceans, and spent many adventures in order to join a regiment which had to deal with a crucial Battle of Gallipoli.

I recommend this film, since I found it amazing. Friendship and Persistence are two key elements we can appreciate in this film in a period of tragedies in The World War I. Many important and remarkable historical facts are presented. Therefore, Gallipoli is a story that no body should help watching and sharing with friends or relatives. I invite people who like historical facts-based stories to watch this incredible film as soon as possible. It is unforgettable.

Academic Performance and Healthy Food

This topic was presented in Renato Ramirez's micro-lesson. It was really interesting since I was able to learn key tips to have a balanced food diet. Renato explained the topic very well, he taught us the importance of having a good diet in our every day meals. Besides, he made us understand that it is imperative to control what we eat in a determined number of servings to have both a healthy life style and a good academic performance.

Concerning the micro-lesson, Renato Ramirez was quite confident about what he taught. Yet, he must practise his pronunciation and pay attention to the spelling of the words he uses to explain the topic in his Power Point slides. He committed some mistakes but his micro-lesson was structured enough, Renato followed the three key stages of a micro-lesson. I liked it since I learned new things.

About Twitter

In my opinion, Twitter is a web page in which you can express and share your thoughts, ideas, feelings, critics and other emotions with many people arround the world. Besides, you can find information about many interesting and relevant topics such as Education, Technology, Movies and Art, Health and Care, National and International news, Famous People, among others.

On one hand, Twitter is a useful webpage if you have enough time to post something about a particular matter or topic. However, I do not like it because I find it a little bit confusing when posting and finding certain information; moreover, I can express and share my ideas through more attractive and popular webpages such as Facebook and Photolog. In addition, most of my close friends and acquaintances use such webpages to be in contact with me. For these reasons, I preffer to use Facebook in terms of entertainment, design and popularity.

Despite all the previous reasons, I will get familiar with Twitter and keep my account for future connections.

If you want to have a look to my Twitter Page, just visit it: http://twitter.com/juanstation