
The end is almost here. I am longing for it. My students want it. My daughter already has it. So, here I am and I must wait.
But in the meantime, my students are (for the most part) happily finishing their projects for the year. German I: iMovie demonstrating the uses of all the interrogatives. German II: demonstration using iMovie and effects apps to demonstrate the preterite. German III and AP: an essay and presentation (using Touchcast) on Cabaret (not the American musical) and the differences between American and European/German styles of cabaret. The year has been good, but I want it to be done. Projects are taking too long and students are not getting them done in a timely fashion. They are given enough time in class to complete the assignment but due to their own lack of time management, they do not get it done.
But in the meantime, my students are (for the most part) happily finishing their projects for the year. German I: iMovie demonstrating the uses of all the interrogatives. German II: demonstration using iMovie and effects apps to demonstrate the preterite. German III and AP: an essay and presentation (using Touchcast) on Cabaret (not the American musical) and the differences between American and European/German styles of cabaret. The year has been good, but I want it to be done. Projects are taking too long and students are not getting them done in a timely fashion. They are given enough time in class to complete the assignment but due to their own lack of time management, they do not get it done.
Blended Learning and the Flipped Classroom

So I have been doing more and more blended learning in the classroom. I am not entirely flipped out. That doesn't work with the foreign language classroom as we need that face to face learning and practice that is so extremely important. BUT, I am having a problem with the students: they are not doing the online learning. Out of a class of 25 students, over the weekend only 5 of them went on and did the online assignment to prepare them for the day. Disheartening. So, when the students stroll into class (and some late), I have to direct them to the computers to do the assignment, take the notes, and then they are ready to join the students who are already done and have begun the enrichment activities. The students are just plain lazy. I do get the occasional, "my computer broke" but that is usually the same group of students who always have a "broken computer." Maybe they are running Windows. More on this later.