Tag: Session

  • ‘Work out daily to stay healthy’

    ‘Work out daily to stay healthy’

    ‘Work out daily to stay healthy’ 1

    PETALING JAYA: Being forced to stay indoors is no excuse to let up on daily exercises. This is the advice from health instructor Jay Sharma, who is encouraging people to stay in shape for the duration of the movement control order (MCO).

    He is urging Malaysians to continue with their daily workout to stay healthy, and has recommended several routines that are not time consuming, yet effective.

    “Try body weight squats, which can be done with your hands either extended forward or crossed at the chest,” he told theSun yesterday.

    “Do this at least 45 times, with breaks after every 15 squats. That will be three sets altogether,” he said.

    Another is push-up.

    “Do 10 push-ups, take a break and then go for another 10. Do at least three sets of 10 push-ups each.”

    The final routine is the jumping squat, which is the most challenging.

    “Try three sets of 10 to 12 times per set but pace yourself. Just do what you can,” he added.

    Sharma said each person will likely burn up 300 to 400 calories with each session of these exercises. Those wanting to burn more calories should try these routines several times a day.

    ‘Work out daily to stay healthy’
    Read More
    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/work-out-daily-to-stay-healthy-EF2241464

    Views: 0

  • WHO to continue support for Chagas disease programme that promotes patient self-care

    The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Catalan Ministry of Health say they’ll collectively support the dissemination of a programme that gives support to sufferers affected by Chagas disease to handle their very own well being and promote self-care.

    The Catalonian ‘Expert Patient Programme on Chagas disease’ includes interplay and sharing of knowledge amongst individuals affected by the disease and is performed by an knowledgeable patient. The programme is taken into account to have completed very properly because it was first initiated in 2017.

    “Over the previous few years we now have seen exceptional improve in consciousness and confidence amongst sufferers to pursue medical care and follow-up with physicians” stated Dr Pedro Albajar Vinas, who’s accountable for WHO’s Chagas disease programme. “When sufferers discuss to each other there may be higher deal with general perceptions of well being, life-style, bettering shallowness, self-care and particular person satisfaction.”

    The programme additionally encourages self-responsibility and features as a part of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Care Programme of the Government of Catalonia. It is predicated on three key approaches:

    • support supplied by sufferers and observing professionals to these in power part of the disease;
    • promote interplay in teams by 9 fastidiously deliberate periods;
    • consider efficiency of previous periods by questionnaires earlier than a brand new session begins.

    Many individuals who attended the programme over time say they might suggest it to household and associates because it vastly helps to enhance information about disease.

    Initiators of the programme are assured that the methodology used, and classes discovered can type a part of a broader technique to push for complete care for a disease that continues to be largely uncared for. For instance, regardless of the efforts of the previous decade, the worldwide detection fee for Chagas disease is lower than 10%.

    Through this settlement, WHO will present support in facilitating the interpretation of supplies and paperwork in languages utilized in its Member States in addition to help within the improvement of any mobile-based software if the necessity arises. The Government of Catalonia will print and distribute for advocacy functions.

    To promote international advocacy for the disease, the World Health Assembly – WHO’s decision-making physique – in 2019 adopted a call to have a good time World Chagas Disease Day on 14 April.

    The disease

    Chagas disease was as soon as confined to rural areas of Latin American international locations the place the primary route of transmission is vectorial transmission.

    But over the previous many years, the disease has been more and more reported in lots of international locations exterior Latin America primarily due to motion of populations and migration.

    According to WHO estimates, round 6-7 million individuals are contaminated with Trypanosoma cruzi – the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease.

    Vectorial transmission happens when people are available in contact with the faeces or urine of triatomine bugs (referred to as ‘kissing bugs’, amongst many different native names).

    These bugs – the vectors that carry the parasites – reside within the wall or roof cracks of properties – the place they disguise in the course of the day and lively at evening after they feed on human blood. They often chew an uncovered space of pores and skin such because the face (therefore its widespread identify ‘kissing bug’).

    Right after a chew, the bug defecates/urinates shut to the chew space. The parasites enter the physique when the particular person instinctively reacts to the chew and smears the bug faeces or urine into the chew, the eyes, the mouth, or into any pores and skin break.

    The parasite may also be transmitted by:

    • consumption of meals contaminated with T. cruzi by, for instance, contact with faeces or urine of contaminated triatomine bugs or marsupials (this type of transmission sometimes causes outbreaks with extra extreme morbidity and better mortality – infecting teams of individuals concurrently with extra frequent instances of extreme disease and better variety of deaths);
    • blood or blood product transfusion from contaminated donors;
    • passage from an contaminated mom to her new child throughout being pregnant or childbirth;
    • some organ transplants utilizing organs from contaminated donors; and
    • laboratory accidents.

    There is not any vaccine in opposition to Chagas disease. Domiciliary vectorial management and transfusional management, along with congenital transmission, stay the simplest strategies of stopping transmission in Latin America.

    Chagas disease was named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, a Brazilian doctor and researcher who found the disease in 1909.

    WHO to continue support for Chagas disease programme that promotes patient self-care
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/29-03-2020-who-to-continue-support-for-chagas-disease-programme-that-promotes-patient-self-care

    Views: 0

  • WHO to accelerate action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol

    The
    harmful use of alcohol causes roughly Three million deaths yearly and the
    general burden of illness and accidents attributable to alcohol consumption
    stays unacceptably excessive. The tempo of improvement and implementation of
    alcohol insurance policies has been uneven in WHO areas, and assets and capacities
    for implementation of the WHO Global technique to reduce the harmful use of
    alcohol 10 years after its endorsement don’t correspond to the magnitude of
    the issues. On this foundation, the WHO Executive Board in its choice EB146
    (14)
     known as for accelerated action to reduce the harmful use of
    alcohol. 

    The Board thought of the report on the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, notably Annex 3, entitled “Implementation of the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol,” and the report on the findings of the consultative process on implementation of the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and the way forward.

    The Board, in its choice EB146 (14),  requested  the WHO Director-General, inter alia, “to develop an action plan (2022-2030) to effectively implement the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority, in consultation with Member States and relevant stakeholders, for consideration by the 75th World Health Assembly through the 150th session of the WHO Executive Board in 2022”, and “to develop a technical report on the harmful use of alcohol related to cross-border alcohol marketing, advertising and promotional activities, including targeting youth and adolescents, before the 150th session of the WHO Executive Board, which could contribute to the development of the action plan”,  in addition to “to adequately useful resource the work on the harmful use of alcohol.

    In response to choice EB146 (14), the WHO Secretariat will implement the following:

    • March– April 2020: Commissioning of the scoping evaluate on the harmful use of alcohol associated to cross-border alcohol advertising and marketing, promoting and promotional actions, together with concentrating on youth and adolescents.  Commissioning background papers for the report improvement. 
    • ­April-May 2020: Producing zero draft of the working doc for improvement of an action plan (2022-2030) to successfully implement the Global technique to reduce the harmful use with proposed important parts and parts.  
    • ­June 2020: Technical professional conferences organized by WHO headquarters to talk about zero draft of the working doc for improvement of the action plan and the content material of the technical report on the harmful use of alcohol associated to cross-border alcohol advertising and marketing, promoting and promotional actions.  
    • ­July-September 2020: Finalization of the working doc for subsequent session course of. Web-based session on the working doc for improvement of the action plan open to Member States, UN organizations and different worldwide organizations, and non-State actors. All related suggestions acquired will probably be revealed on WHO web site. 
    • ­October 2020 – March 2021: Regional technical consultations with Member States on the working doc for improvement of the action plan (2022-2030). 
    • ­March– April 2021: Development of the first draft of the action plan primarily based on the enter acquired on the working doc in the course of of the regional consultations.
    • April -June 2021: The web-based session on the first draft of the action plan open to Member States, UN organizations and different worldwide organizations, and non-State actors.  All related suggestions acquired will probably be revealed on WHO web site. Discussion of the first draft at the Third WHO Forum on alcohol, medication and addictive behaviours attended by technical focal factors from Member States, representatives of UN entities, civil society organizations, WHO collaborating centres, and academia. Consultation with financial operators in alcohol manufacturing and commerce on their contribution to decreasing the harmful use of alcohol inside their core roles.  An casual session with Member States on the first draft of the action plan.
    • ­July-August 2021: Development of the second draft of the action plan primarily based on the suggestions acquired on the first draft throughout the earlier levels of the session course of. 
    • ­August-November 2021: Briefings on the second draft of the action plan organized at the Regional Committee conferences.  Release of the technical report on the harmful use of alcohol associated to cross-border alcohol advertising and marketing, promoting and promotional actions, together with concentrating on youth and adolescents, with a abstract of fundamental findings and conclusions out there in six languages.  A proper assembly of Member States for consideration of the second draft of the action plan. Finalization of the draft action plan considered suggestions and inputs acquired from Member States and different stakeholders throughout the session course of in April -October 2021.  Development and submission of the report by the Secretariat to 150th session of the Executive Board. 
    • ­January/February 2022: The 150th session of the WHO Executive Board will think about the report of the WHO Director-General containing the draft action plan (2022-2030) to successfully implement the Global technique to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

     

    WHO to accelerate action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/28-03-2020-who-to-accelerate-action-to-reduce-the-harmful-use-of-alcohol

    Views: 0

  • Do not take RTK test for Covid-19 without doctor’s advice: MOH

    Do not take RTK test for Covid-19 without doctor’s advice: MOH

    Do not take RTK test for Covid-19 without doctor’s advice: MOH 2

    KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MOH) has called on the people not to undergo rapid test kit (RTK) tests arbitrarily without seeking the advice of medical practitioners.

    Health director-general, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said it has the potential to a give wrong interpretation from the result obtained.

    “The test via RTK technique which is now available in the market is to detect antibodies produced by the body as a result of an infection. The antibodies will appear in the body in five to eight days after infection.

    “The RTK test which detects antibodies, cannot detect virus and it is administered for quick confirmation. As such it cannot help in the detection of initial Covid-19 cases. Therefore, RTK test is not recommended for diagnosing Covid-19,” he said in a statement today.

    Elaborating further, Dr Noor Hisham said MOH is using the Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) technique at government health laboratories to detect the presence of Covid-19 virus found in the body of patients.

    If the rRT-PCR COVID19 test is found positive, it means the individual has been infected by Covid-19 virus.

    “The result of the rRT-PCR technique is very important in managing Covid-19 patients effectively,” he said.

    In this regard, Dr Noor Hisham advised the people not to discriminate members of the tabligh congregation following the spread of Covid-19 from the cluster and should in fact assist MOH in tracing close contacts among them.

    “We should not blame tabligh members, do not discriminate them, we should not stigmatise the tabligh congregation. What is important is for us to assist, trace and treat Covid-19 infection among tabligh members, their families and their contacts,” he said.

    Apart from that. Dr Noor Hisham said KKM is cooperating with MERCY Malaysia to provide psychosocial support to the people especially frontliners and individuals emotionally affected by Covid-19.

    They can obtain the service by contacting 011-63996482 / 011-63994236 / 03-29359935 from 8am to 5pm daily.

    Members of the public can also contact the virtual health advisory team for a webinar session daily from 9am onwards at http://www.doctoroncall.com.my/coronavirus. – Bernama

    Do not take RTK test for Covid-19 without doctor’s advice: MOH
    Read More
    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/do-not-take-rtk-test-for-covid-19-without-doctor-s-advice-moh-IB2175930

    Views: 0

  • 11 Malaysian participants of Sulawesi tabligh rally detected in Tawau

    11 Malaysian participants of Sulawesi tabligh rally detected in Tawau

    11 Malaysian participants of Sulawesi tabligh rally detected in Tawau 3

    PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health today confirmed that 11 Malaysians who had travelled to Sulawesi, Indonesia to attend the international tabligh gathering had been detected in Tawau, Sabah yesterday.

    Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said all of them had undergone Covid-19 screening and had been quarantined pending test results.

    “It is true that we have been waiting for them in Tawau and we have detected 11 of them … the swab test has been carried out, we are just waiting for the result,“ he told a Covid-19 daily press conference here.

    He said about 80 to 100 Malaysians had travelled to Sulawesi to attend the gathering based on an engagement session between him and the tabligh leaders.

    Asked about the remaining Malaysians who attended the rally, he said they were likely still in the neighbouring country.

    Local media reported that the Ijtimak Asia 2020 function planned for March 19 to 22 was cancelled in view of the worsening Covid-19 situation.

    Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said of the 1,306 cumulative positive cases in Malaysia as of noon today, 62% of the cases or 743 patients were linked to the to the tabligh gathering cluster at Masjid Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.

    “This means that one in every 10 individuals who attended the tabligh gathering tested positive of Covid-19,“ he said.

    He said based on his discussions with leaders of the tabligh group, the gathering in Sri Petaling involved 16,000 people.

    Of the total, 14,500 were Malaysians while the rest were foreign citizens from 25 countries, he said.

    Dr Noor Hisham added that so far, 11,000 participants had undergone screening.

    He said there had been no Covid-19 cases from other gatherings in the country. – Bernama

    11 Malaysian participants of Sulawesi tabligh rally detected in Tawau
    Read More
    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/11-malaysian-participants-of-sulawesi-tabligh-rally-detected-in-tawau-JN2168946

    Views: 0

  • Higher Education Ministry gives go-ahead for e-learning

    Higher Education Ministry gives go-ahead for e-learning

    Higher Education Ministry gives go-ahead for e-learning 4

    PUTRAJAYA: The Higher Education Ministry (KPT) has given the approval for all higher education institutions (IPTs) Including public and private universities to conduct online teaching or e-learning.

    KPT in a statement today said online teaching could only be conducted if all students have access to lecturers and all infrastructure requirements are in place.

    “The ministry is aware of the level of readiness of some higher education institutions, in terms of infrastructure and lecturers as well as those offering programmes via Open and Distance Learning,” wrote the statement.

    KPT hoped there would be no issue over connectivity causing some to miss the e-learning session adding that face-to face learning is strictly prohibited. — Bernama

    Higher Education Ministry gives go-ahead for e-learning
    Read More
    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/higher-education-ministry-gives-go-ahead-for-e-learning-KB2164048

    Views: 0

  • CND accepts all WHO recommendations on the control of several psychoactive substances from the 42nd ECDD meeting

    CND accepts all WHO recommendations on the control of several psychoactive substances from the 42nd ECDD meeting

     

    During its 63rd session, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) accepted all recommendations from the 42nd meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD). This effectively brings twelve psychoactive substances, including eleven New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and one medicine, under international control.  Given the potential for dependence or abuse and known adverse effects, these compounds pose a risk to public health and society and are largely without any therapeutic benefit.

       Based on an in-depth review of candidate compounds by the ECDD, an independent group of experts in the field of drugs and medicines, the WHO provides annual recommendations on substance scheduling to the CND, a policy-making body comprised of 53 UN Member States. This ECDD review includes a balanced consideration of potential for abuse, dependence and harm with therapeutic value. The CND then votes on whether or not the WHO recommendations for placing reviewed substances under international control should be endorsed.

          The 42nd ECDD recommendations included the addition of four synthetic cannabinoids and three synthetic stimulants to Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances given similar action and adverse effects to other substances in this Schedule. These synthetic cannabinoids have been associated with impaired mental status, impaired driving, and fatalities, whereas the included synthetic stimulants have been linked to fatal intoxication. Similarly, two fentanyl analogues, with their opioid-like effects, were brought under Schedule I control (strict control) of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs given similar action and effects to other drugs in this Schedule. Two benzodiazepines including the medicine etizolam were brought under Schedule IV control of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, both of which have been implicated in fatal and non-fatal intoxication and impaired driving. A hallucinogen was also recommended to be brought under control, specifically to Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, based on abuse potential and non-fatal and fatal intoxication. This is the first hallucinogen to be reviewed in many years, suggesting a potential shift in drug trends. For more information on these recommendations, please review the 42nd ECDD meeting report. .  

        In addition, the ECDD conducted a pre-review of several Schedule III opioid preparations, some of which can be accessed as over-the-counter options, such as codeine-based cough syrups, to consider their abuse potential.  The ECDD recommended a critical review be carried out at a later date.

    CND accepts all WHO recommendations on the control of several psychoactive substances from the 42nd ECDD meeting
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/18-03-2020-c-n-d-accepts-all-w-h-o-recommendations-from-42nd-e-c-d-d

    Views: 0

  • Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates

    Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates

     

    Banner of the Cervical cancer Elimination newsletter

    February: Garnering international support on the path to eliminate cervical cancer

    On
    5 February, the WHO Executive Board recommended to the 73rd World
    Health Assembly the adoption of the draft Global Strategy to accelerate
    the elimination of
    cervical cancer as a public health problem, and urged its
    implementation. The proposed resolution urges Member States to implement
    the strategy, calling for the support of international organizations
    and other relevant stakeholders, and includes a request
    for the Director General to support Member states in this endeavor.
     The WHA will consider the resolution when it convenes in May 2020.  The
    session included 23 interventions from EB Member States, most of them
    in full support of the Strategy and resolution;
    18 from other Member States, 6 observers and 6 non-state actors. Dr
    Nono Simelela, ADG and Special Adviser to WHO Director-General Dr
    Tedros, responded at the end of the session, thanking delegates for the
    broad support, and addressing some of the comments
    by sharing some of the ongoing work such as the efforts with the
    immunization partners to address HPV vaccine supply challenges and
    transparency in pricing.

    Read the full story

    Read the full draft resolution

    Download the
    Draft Strategy


    Dr Nono Simelela presented the draft Global Strategy towards Eliminating Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem during a webinar with partners. This presentation was given as part of
    the Us vs. HPV Prevention Week webinar series hosted by the Global
    Initiative Against HPV and Cervical
    Cancer. While highlighting WHO’s life-course approach to cervical
    cancer control, Dr Simelela also explained the proposed elimination
    threshold and targets as laid out in the strategy. She also discussed
    addressing salient challenges such as redressing inequities
    and taking special considerations for women living with HIV.

    Read the full story

    Listen to the full webinar “Gathering momentum for the global elimination of cervical cancer”

    Watch the video: Cervical Cancer Elimination – developed by Basic Health International (BHI), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC)

    Read the story:To eliminate cervical cancer in the next 100 years, implementing an effective strategy is critical


    Dr
    Simelela was invited to Rwanda to support the kick off for a national
    cervical screening program set to put Rwanda on the path towards the
    Global Strategy goals
    for elimination of cervical cancer.

     

    Dr Simelala with the 1st Lady of of the Republic of Rwanda, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame

     

    HPV DNA test self-sampling demonstrated at cervical cancer screening facility, Muhoza Health Center

    Radiotherapy facility at Rwanda Cancer Center, colleagues from MOH, WHO, RBC and CHAI

     

    Amongst
    others, Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame received her for a
    discussion on how WHO can support efforts against cervical cancer in her
    own country and
    throughout Africa. Dr Simelela held discussions on cervical cancer
    screening and treatment services, including building radiotherapy
    capacity, with the dedicated staff of Ruhengeri Hospital, Butaro
    Hospital, the Muhoza health center and hospital and the Rwanda
    Military Hospital. While cervical cancer and breast cancer are the most
    prevalent cancers among the women in the country, Rwanda has
    impressively reached a 97% HPV vaccination rate since introducing a
    vaccination programme in 2011, with a target to reach 70%
    screening coverage in five years. We look forward to a continuing and
    fruitful partnership with Rwanda and all the countries who have pledged
    their commitment to eliminate this preventable cancer. Together we can
    answer WHO’s call and improve the lives of
    girls and women around the world. 


    Follow us for more updates!

    Sign up for our newsletter
     

    Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates 5For
    news and real-time updates from around the world,
    follow Dr Princess Nono Simelela on Twitter
    @DrNonoSimelela
    ADG, Special Adviser to the Director-General on Strategic Programmatic Priorities

    Upcoming events

    International Women’s Day
    8 March 2020
     
    64th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women/Beijing+25
    9 – 20 March 2020

    World Immunization Week
    24 – 30 April 2020

     

     

    Copyright © 2019 World Health Organization, All rights reserved.

    You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from WHO.
    Thanks for helping to make the world a little healthier.

    Our mailing address is:

    World Health Organization

    Avenue Appia 20

    Geneva 27 1211

    Switzerland

     

     

     

     

    Cervical cancer elimination initiative updates
    Read More
    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/04-03-2020-cervical-cancer-elimination-initiative-updates-december-2019

    Views: 0

  • How to Write Technically for the Lay Person

    [ad_1]

    While you are writing a book or for a specific magazine or article site, you must be using flowery language using striking words, long sentences, phrases or idioms. In short, you need all those elements that will make the text more catchy and will hook the readers! However, that is not the case in technical writing, i.e. when you are writing for websites that are services or products based. Built using advanced web development frameworks, they need to be produced with clean and simple content that is conversational to the buyers. Specifically, the web content must be representative of the services and the company. But, why called technical writing? A good content on the websites plays a great part in SEO and content marketing. It helps in getting the backlinks and scale up in position of the websites in the search engines to get more visitors.

    So, the next time you are preparing content for a high-end website or online application for your business, keep these tips in mind.

    #1 Know your target audience

    The first thing you need clear-off in your head is the target audience of your site. Be it a group of businessmen or corporate services clients, they are all layman! So, keep your vocabulary outright simple. Don’t use more of technical words and flowery English to make the content snappy. Instead, keep it outright simple, such that even a kid can understand what you provide from your site.

    #2 Show but don’t dictate

    Do not dictate or describe everything about your products or services to the visitors in text. Let them discover that gradually as they proceed to different pages. It makes the visitors curious and persuades them to visit more pages of your site in a session. Thus, show them what you provide, but don’t spell it.

    #3 Use simple, short sentences and active voice

    There is actually no point in over-elaborating technical stuff in the websites. Most visitors are basically skimmers and like to wrap up things quickly. So, try using shorter and simple sentences. And, also use active voice as it’s like you are directly interacting with them.

    #4 Be assertive

    Do not assume that everyone knows about your company, products or services. They don’t. But, they are coming to your site to know about it. So, write with absolute authority and command.

    #5 Avoid the jargon

    Your website is for the layman. Not only for the technically skilled ones! Be sure you are putting information that is also easily understandable by the non-specialists. Even if you need to use complex, technical or niche terms, explain them or hyperlink them to other pages that will give their basic information.

    #6 Use text to compliment the images

    While you will be putting images at every relevant point or pages on the website, create content that will perfectly compliment them. This will enhance the visuals of the site and make it more captivating for the readers.

    These explain web development just do not end with creating a great website or application. But, developers need to have some online content marketing ideas too. They have to know well what exactly can fetch a good amount of visitors to a website, besides making it design-wise attractive.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Rob Stephen

    Views: 0

  • Combine Language Learning and Technology to Explode Your Teaching and Learning Success

    [ad_1]

    Are you looking to boost your English language teaching or learning skills to yet ever higher levels? Would you like to stimulate more interest in your language classes or break out of a slump or plateau? Combine the use of a variety of language learning techniques with continually developing technology to spur your successes. Here are some useful ideas and web sites to get you started.

    BLOGS

    A Web Log or Blog, is not unlike a dairy you keep online. You can write instructions, an essay or post any type of information you want. Graphics and images can be included to illustrate the written material. Sound and audio-visual files can also be placed into a blog for added impact. A teacher can post a reading or assignment where students can comment right online. No papers, no clutter and you can view it almost any time. Blogs are becoming easier to use and access and many sites allow you to set one up for free.

    ONLINE VIDEO / AUDIO

    Most professionals have an e-mail address or two. Your e-mail can now become a communicative tool between you and the learners. E-mail can now also include the use of images and sound or audio-visual clips, as well as the message text. Learners can send in assignments as attachments or pasted into the body of the e-mail. They can ask questions and receive timely feedback without waiting for the next class session. Teachers can send out instructions, updates or other information to learners individually, or as a group also without having to wait for the next scheduled class session.

    No computer? No problem. In many parts of the world e-cafes are so cheap they’re actually a viable alternative that students can easily afford. Whole “communities” of young learners are based on hangouts at e-cafes in some cultures. Talk to your students about it. You might be surprised.

    USE OF ONLINE RESOURCES for TEACHING / LEARNING

    The use of online games, EFL practice sites student and teacher forums, communities and activities has exploded in recent months in many parts of the world. Virtual communities and online reference libraries now enable learners to problem-solve, research a paper or to more quickly complete assignments that formerly would have taken disproportionately large amounts of time to complete. For example, a few sites worth mentioning include:

    o http://www.books.google.com/

    A web site which offers free access to books that can be read on-screen

    o http://www.universia.net.co

    This is a site which has a lengthy listing of virtual libraries in almost any genre and connects more than 900 mostly Spanish language libraries

    o http://www.redclara.net

    This site interconnects an advanced academic network of Latin American libraries

    o http://www.lablaa.org

    This site allows you access and read a large number of its collected works online and contains exposition pages

    o The official Project Gutenburg web site contains an extensive listing of literary works in English which have entered the Public Domain. It’s online at: [http://promo.net/pg/]

    Try some of these useful ideas and web sites to get you started in combining the use of a variety of language learning techniques with continually developing technology to explode your English language teaching and learning successes. If you need to know more about using these or other new technologies to boost student interest and motivation making your English language teaching more effective, feel free to e-mail me at the address below with questions or comments.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Larry M. Lynch

    Views: 0