ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Concerning worksheets > Sorry for coming back with the same question
Sorry for coming back with the same question
magneto
|
Sorry for coming back with the same question
|
Hello, dear colleagues!
Sorry for coming back with the same question, but I �m not sure I �ve completely understood the rules...Is it OK to use dictionary definitions in wss if you acknowledge the source and add your own examples/ exercises? I �ve read the rule that states: "Please don �t take texts from other ESL
websites or books, it would be unfair", but I �ve got to ask: I understand the point about texts, etc. taken from ESL books/ websites, but I �m not sure dictionary references are included, as they are acceptable, say, in academic assignments (provided you acknowledge the source and, thus, avoid plagiarism) and they are a common point of reference for all students, teachers, etc. I �m also asking because I remember reading a post by another member, saying that one of his/ her wss had been reported for including definitions taken from a dictionary. Sorry to be pestering you with the same questions again and again, but I �ve got to be certain. I �ve already got some answers from members (thank you again for your replies, by the way) the last time I asked about this (http://www.eslprintables.com/forum/topic.asp?id=24343). I �d particularly appreciate some replies from moderators on this.
Thank you in advance for your replies and for bearing with me. Sorry if I �m being stupid or overly worried.
Cheers! magneto
|
25 Nov 2010
|
|
|
PhilipR
|
You �re kidding, right?
Dictionary definitions? A worksheet full of them? Or just one in a worksheet? As far as I know dictionaries are reference books.
Take a deep breath and try to see things in perspective. Don �t panic. If all fails, a mild sedative wouldn �t hurt.
Let�s not take take things too seriously. We�re just a bunch of dedicated amateurs working for peanuts anyway.
|
25 Nov 2010
|
|
|
PhilipR
|
You �re trying to reinvent the wheel. Just use an existing wheel (dictionary).
PS: I �d buy those meds in bulk if I were you. |
25 Nov 2010
|
|
|
zailda
|
Hi Magneto!
When dealing with definitions I normally use the definitions provided by online dictionaries, depending on the level of the students. You know, sometimes dictionaries definitions don�t work because they include words our students haven�t learned yet, therefore I sometimes risk to write my own definitions.
I see no problem in including word definitions found on dictionaries. It�ll be nice to include references if all of them were taken from the same source though.
If the worksheet only contains words + definitions from a dictionary it�s a completely different story, and it�s to be reported for not being the member�s work.
Hope it helps and have a nice day / evening.
(Please, don�t take as many pills as recommended by Philip, you may have a serious reaction, or won�t be able to wake up on time to go to work tomorrow�) |
25 Nov 2010
|
|
|
mish.cz
|
Hi Magneto,�
as an example, I can tell you that I also made a worksheet which was based on dictionary definitions. The task included was to match the words with their definitions (which I took from several dictionaries) and I added questions to think about and discuss. The aim was to provide my students with the specific vocabulary I wanted them to know and I wanted to make it more challenging and helpful for them as I wanted to make them explain the words later in English (a simple list of words would not have been so useful). The main thing was to make the explanations clear and correct. I am a teacher, and I think I should provide my students with the proper material, not too necessarily create it, I am not here to write books or dictionaries but to learn them to work with them.� To sum up, I don �t think that working with a dictionary in the proper way is copying or stealing. I strongly believe that the worksheet you are going to create will be ok considering the concern you are showing. BTW: My worksheet stayed not reported.� Have a nice day, Mish |
25 Nov 2010
|
|
zailda
|
I want to add that teaching the students how to use a dictionary is one of the things we are supposed to do as teachers.
@magneto: I�m sure your ws will be a useful and original work.
BTW, take it easy with your pills, are you sure you�re as good at math as you are at English? If you feel confused, just ask somebody else to prescribe the correct amount of them� LOL
EDIT: I wouldn�t take Philip�s advice; although he�s a very skilled English teacher, I doubt he�s a good doctor as well�
|
25 Nov 2010
|
|
|
|