Not the First, But a New Ending!

 

Bonjour mes chers lecteurs, one last time 🌟

Writing a goodbye post for Current Issues in Teaching feels a little ironic, because this is not my first time saying farewell to this course. I took a very similar version last year, so I began this term thinking it would be familiar territory. However, what surprised me most was not how much I remembered, but how differently I understood everything. Maybe it is because I am closer to becoming an actual teacher, or maybe because experience changes how you listen👩‍🏫

One of the biggest strengths of this course was how effectively it showed us how technology can be used in the classroom. Rather than presenting technology as something extra or optional, the course focused on meaningful and purposeful integration. Seeing practical examples of how digital tools can support learning, student engagement, and classroom management made the content feel relevant and realistic.

The main difficulty for me was keeping up with the practical side of the course. Applying ideas, thinking critically, and connecting theory to real classroom situations sometimes required more time and mental effort than expected. Still, this challenge helped me grow and reflect more deeply.

My favorite part of the course was seeing and remembering that every teacher or pre-teacher faces challenges just like I do while trying to adapt something new. It was reassuring to realize that struggles are a normal part of the teaching journey. My least favorite part was the occasional lack of time to fully explore each topic in depth.

My favorite task was definitely the 'flipped teaching videos'. I used to study with those kinds of videos when I was preparing for the university entrance exam (YKS). While completing this task, I realized that I was on the other side of the screen. This time, I was the one teaching, not learning. It was a truly valuable and eye-opening experience.😺

My least favorite task was 'AI in ELT'. I cannot fully wrap my mind around AI yet. It is still a little difficult for me to understand, and I do not feel comfortable with the idea of my students using AI all the time. Of course, when it is implemented well and in a controlled way, AI can be an amazing tool. However, I do not feel confident enough to use it effectively at the moment. Maybe when I gain more teaching experience, I will be ready to revisit this task.

To students who will take this course next year, I would say this: do not underestimate it. Engage with the ideas, question them, and try to imagine yourself in a real classroom. This course contributes to professional development by helping future teachers become more aware, adaptable, and confident in a constantly changing educational world🌍

Au revoir, and thank you for the growth along the way. 🌱

Love, Begüm