Our Educational Message

Hi, and welcome to our blog. This space is designed to share ideas and methodologies that we use to teach Turkish teenagers. In particular, there is a strong focus on ICT-ELT, which means if you like visual and technological support for your style of teaching, this blog is for you. My colleague, Brentson Ramsey, has been working alongside me for three years. He is also a big proponent of the ICT-ELT Paradigm, which means he will also be posting from his own teaching perspective on the blog.

2010 was the beginning of this new journey, and although there is no definitive ICT-ELT road map available for everyone to follow, it is exciting to explore the technological means to make teaching more fun and affective for students. Our main message is for teachers to ADOPT & ADAPT the paradigm shift for their own needs, and remember that ICT-ELT is a TOOL, NOT a SOLUTION.

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

CAN'T STOP ME NOW: How INSPIRED are YOU?


The Olympics has come and gone again far too quickly.  It was inspiring, exciting, impressive and very memorable.  Not least of all for the amazing organization by the British Olympic committee.  However, rather than go on and on about all of that excellence, as many other bloggers have already written about at length, I would like to use a couple of inspirational moments from the greatest sprinter that has ever lived, Usain Bolt.  Although there are literally hundreds of inspirational medal winners from all of the disciplines, it his successes on the track that stick in my mind.


This was the second time Bolt secured the Olympic gold for the 100m sprint.  Nobody has ever run as fast as him at the Olympics.  How is it possible for one human being to literally run like the wind?

Now look at this second clip of Bolt and see him run, woah!


Bolt is quoted as saying about his successes:

“For me, I'm focused on what I want to do. I know what I need to do to be a champion, so I'm working on it.”

I would like you to consider the following questions and share your answer with your peers:

The vocabulary we we would like you to try and use in your answers is based around INSPIRATION:
  • to inspire
  • to be inspired
  • inspiring
  • inspirational
  1. Do the videos inspire you?
  2. Are you inspired by the message of the GB video, "Don't Stop Me Now"
  3. Is the music from the GB video inspiring?
  4. Does Bolt's effort inspire you?
  5. How impressive is Bolt's performance?
  6. Does he inspire you to make more of an effort at things you do?
  7. His journey to this point, only for the Olympics as an adult, has been 8 years.  That is the same length of time as you spent in primary and middle school.  Can you imagine giving up everything else for your dream?
  8. Do you think it is possible for everyone to be inspired to achieve such greatness in their chosen field?
  9. Why do some people manage to achieve everything, while others simply fall away?
  10. As a Turkish student, and a lover of football, can your nation ever be really successful in the Olympics?
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7 comments:

  1. Jonathan15 August 2012 at 18:49

    David, thanks for this piece. I guess I must try something like this with my students. I bet they need to mull over some of these questions to think of their own future teaching careers.

    Jonathan
    (Costa Rica)

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    1. Unknown15 August 2012 at 18:59

      Thanks Jonathan, see the comment below. Blogster is a bit lame at allowing editing etc.

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  2. Unknown15 August 2012 at 18:56

    Thanks, Jonathan. can I infer you teach undergrad? I thought also of adding imperatives to the post, but it is probably enough in content, since it does get the students to consider their own set targets for inspired effort to succeed. A lot of the videos on the right are aimed at discussion circles, so they may suit your older learners?

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  3. Anonymous15 August 2012 at 19:38

    Great inspirational piece, David. I like the 9th question in particular and think it would instantly lead to a great class discussion. Here’s a quote by Bolt that is relevant to the broad theme of inspiration (and which could be helpful in getting the students to think about their own recipe for success): “For me, I'm focused on what I want to do. I know what I need to do to be a champion, so I'm working on it.” –Debbi A.

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    1. Unknown15 August 2012 at 23:56

      Thanks Debbie. I believe I had already replied. I don't get that. Anyway, you can see that I have used Bolt's quote in the post now. Thanks for the great idea. I am going to send you a link to some edu videos you will find inspiring metinks :-)

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  4. alice15 August 2012 at 23:08

    “For me, I'm focused on what I want to do. I know what I need to do to be a champion, so I'm working on it.”

    These words will be a good start for the first lesson this year , to inspire and be inspired as boyh teacher &students. Thanks for your share

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    1. Unknown15 August 2012 at 23:54

      Thanks, Alice. Although one doesn't write these lesson posts for credits, it is all about collaboration and sharing, it does feel nice to start a dialogue with fellow educators who actually care. You sound likea teacher that loves to listen to your students. Nice one :-)

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