Post 12 Instructions

***Written Essay***

Write an essay on one of the following topics.
1. Your experience learning English at the university / A general reflection

2. The use of technologies within the different subjects you've studied this year (review/opinion)

3. Self Evaluation of your academic year (2009)

Essay Structure:

- Introduction (100 words)

- Body: 2 or 3 paragraphs (200 words)

- Conclusion: (100 words)

Useful Links & Tips to write your essay:

- Basic guide to essay writing

- How to write a brief essay

- Practical tips to write a brief essay

This blog will be marked so be sure to follow the sturucture and check your vocabulary and grammar!

Post 11 Instructions

CHALLENGES IN YOUR DISCIPLINE
Write about important challenges your discipline is currently facing, connected to each of the following areas:

- Technology

- Social Matters

- Education

Define the challenges, say how you think they should be resolved in each case, and mention the critical issues involved in each area.

Word Count: 350- Leave comments on 2 of your classmates’ posts.

***Riddle of the Day***
Look at the 9 dots in this image. Can you draw 4 straight lines, without picking up your pen, that go through all 9 dots?

Post 10 Instructions

According to Wikipedia- Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution.

However, we are not worried about the science behind the seasons. In this blog session you are going to write about how you feel about the seasons and how they affect you.

• What do you like and dislike about each of the seasons?
• What do the changes of seasons signify to you?
• Do you have special memories that you associate with a particular season?

Write at least 300 word and don't forget to comment on at least two of your classmates blogs.

***Riddle of the Day***

The man who invented it doesn't want it

The man who buys it doesn't need it

The man who needs it doesn't know it

What is it?

Post 9 Instructions

IMPROVING YOUR FACULTY FACILITIES

OK gang. This weeks topic is about the facilities at your faculty. I've heard several complaints about this topic throughout the term so you should have plenty of things to say. Write at least 250 words and don't forget to comment on at least two of your classmates blogs.

1. What is the current situation in your faculty?

2. What things need improvement?

3. What would be your first steps to dealing with this situation?

4. How would you resolve this situation?

5. What would be the benifits/impact of these improvements?

6. Next steps and further recommendations.

***Interesting Fact of the Day***

A leech has 32 brains.

Post 8 Instructions

This weeks topic is another one chosen by you the students and is also the first blog that will be marked for more than just completion. You will be marked on the following categories, Task Completion, Lexis, and Grammar. So take a little extra time this week to double check that you've answered the questions and used the correct language.

Good Luck!

Family and Friends

• Do you have a good relationship with your family? What role do they play in your life?


• Who is your best friend? How long have you known them and why are they so special to you?


• Who has influenced your life more, your friends or your family?

Post 7 Instructions

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without”
-Confucius (551-479 BC)

Choosen by the majority of you, today's blog topic is music. Answer and talk about the following questions.

• Who is your favorite artist or what is your favorite song and why?
• What role does music play in your life?
• What is the best concert you have been to or what concert would you love to go to?

Make sure you explain your answers thoroughly. Write a minumum of 300 words and don't forget to comment on at least two of your classmates blogs.

Have fun!

Post 6 Instructions

Go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

> Select a news item connected to your area of studies / future career.

> Write a summary of it.

> Provide the link to your piece of news.

> Leave a comment on 2 of your partners' posts.

> 200 - 250 words

***Interesting Fact of the Day***

Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.

Post 5 Instructions

WHAT TO DO / WHERE TO GO IN SANTIAGO

• What to do and where to go in Santiago.
  
• What places should a foreigner tourist visit in Stgo?


• What things should a foreigner tourist do?


• Make a list of top 5 places/activities, describing them, giving suggestions and explaining the reasons for your choice.

Number of words: 250 - 300, and remeber to leave a comment on two of your classmates' posts.

***Interesting Fact of the Day***

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural cause.

Post 4 Instructions

Alright everyone. This weeks blog topic was your choice and you decided to talk about your favorite television series. So here are the points you should talk about.

• What's your favorite television series? Explain who the main characters are and what the series is about.


• Why do you like this particular series?


• Talk about the quality of the series. Is there good acting? Is it written well? Is it produced well? Is there a good set or special effects?

Remember to write between 200 and 250 words and don't forget to comments on at least three of your classmates blogs.

Have fun!

***Interesting Fact of the Day***

The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump

POST 3 INSTRUCITONS

Hey everyone,
Here are this weeks blog instructions, don't forget to read comment on at least three of your classmates blogs when you are finished. If you have some extra time read and comment on this article from the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8270397.stm Do you think this could happen in Chile? There are lots of Germans in the south... :)

**Interesting Fact of the Day**
The Basenji dog is the only dog that is not able to bark.

TRANSANTIAGO >> BEFORE AND AFTER

What is your opinion of Transantiago.

A) In what way(s) is it better or worse than the pre-Transantiago system.

B) Compare and describe your experience with the new system when it started and now.

C) What changes would you apply in order to make it better/more effective in the future?

Mention any other points you think are important. Number of words: 200 - 250.

POST 2 INSTRUCTIONS (week 4)

Hey class,
Here is this weeks blog instructions. You might have to use the internet a little to find some extra information. After you're done writing this week be sure to comment on some of your classmates posts from this week or last week.
If you get done early check out today in pictures from around the world and comment on them. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8235721.stm

**Interesting fact of the day**

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times

THEME: A COUNTRY I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT

- Which country would you like to go to? Why?

- What do you know about it?

- What would you like to do there?

- Would you like to study/work/live there? Explain.

- Make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts

- Word Count: 200 words

Blog Marking Rubric

Blogs Level 4 – 2009-2nd Semester

Section 1*: Posts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11. (10 posts)

Task Completion:
Full >> 2 marks
Partial >> 1 mark
Not done >> 0 marks

Maximum marks for the 10 posts = 20
*Students who don’t attend class can do task within a 48hr period to receive a mark of 1

Section 2: Posts 8 and 12*:

3 marks>>
Task: All aspects of the task are very well handled.
Lexis: Excellent use of lexical resources.
Grammar: Grammar is excellent and almost error-free

2 marks>>
Task: The task is sufficiently handled
Lexis: Good use of lexical resources /Coherence generally well handled.
Grammar: Grammar is adequate despite minor errors

1 mark>>
Task: Some details of the task are missing or erroneous
Lexis: Some problems with word formation and usage. Occasional lapses in coherence that hinders clarity of message
Grammar: Grammar is weak with noticeable errors

0 marks>>
Task: Writing is unrelated to task
Lexis: Incorrect or erroneous lexis usage (or flaws in coherence) that hinders communication of message
Grammar: Too many grammar errors to convey message

The maximum score per post is therefore 9 points
*Students who don’t attend class can do task within a 48hr period to receive a mark reduced by 50%.

Final Blog Mark > Weight
Section 1 = 50%
Section 2 = 50%

POST 1 - INSTRUCTIONS (week 3)

Post 1 >> FIRST TERM: GOOD AND BAD POINTS
Write about your experiences during the first term of 2009.
Describe:
- the relevant things you learned/studied
- the sports and free time activities you did
- the challenges you had to face
- Others (family, friends, etc..)
- Write at least 200 words