2. D: Using Teacher-Generated Bioghraphy as Input Material

Chapter D: Using Teacher-Generated Bioghraphy as Input Material

1- 1.What is the teacher-generated biography? What makes it interesting for students?

Because transfering cultural content to classroom is important, by using teacher-generated bioghraphy, students may be more eager for it. Teacher-generated biography can provide what students need through teacher's experiences.

2-  What is ‘Big  C’ and ‘ small c’ ? What is the main difference between them?

Big C includes topics which are known by everyone. Small c includes topics which has more personalized focus on sociocultural aspects of the day to day lives. Big C is a bit  hard and remote for students so children are more likely not to motivate on it.

3- What can be the advantages and disadvantages of focusing on Big C and small c?

The topics of Big C may seem remote to students and this can be demotivating. 

4- What are the three main reasons of using biographies as course materials?

Students need to get interesting material to get motivated. Teacher should provide more cultural input. Books are not to fulfill student's need on this issue.

5- What is real content? How does it differ from imaginary content?

Real content is about the real world outside the class. Most of the coursebooks are not qualified enough to create real content.

6- What is authenticity in course materials?

It is learner's interaction with the text according to Lee. 

7- How are bottom up approach and learner-centered classroom related?

The bottom-up approach tries to build confidence in student to use real language rather than academic behaviour.

8- How does developing materials help teachers?

Teacher's bioghraphy can fulfill contextualization, timeliness, personal match.

9- What kinds of materials are developed by the teacher and how are the used in the class?

Teacher should act according to what student needs and wants. There are two basic types;
The first one is teacher created written test and the second one is personal realia.

10- What are the suggested solutions for the possible problems?

We should make teacher-generated biography more accessible to learners for who specific cultural input may not be suitable. Students should contribute to its production, as well. Only contributing to development is not enough in my opinion.