How to survive Tanya Borisova Vazrazhdane Secondary School, Ruse, Bulgaria

1. How to surviveTanya BorisovaVazrazhdane Secondary School, Ruse,Bulgaria A Natural disasters course on web2.0erc.eu http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php?id=308

2. The aims of the course – The course aims to develop students’ skills in three areas: 1. Survival skills; 2. Language communicative skills; 3. Social skills

3. A: Survival skills: To provide students with information on the nature of three natural disasters ( earthquakes, floods and fires) which are most likely to happen in our geo-physical location as well as to inform them about the most appropriate actions they have to take in order to be prepared to face dangerous situations so as to survive, or to help other people in case of casualties, or how to avoid additional injuries and damages.

4. B: Language communicative skills: Through various activities to exercise the four main communicative skills – receptive and productive: To encourage students to read additional information in articles, (developing their reading skills), to listen and watch videos for general understanding ( developing students’ listening skills) to share thoughts orally – in class – speaking and in written form on the platform ( developing their speaking and writing skills) To teach new vocabulary on the topic To create inter disciplinary links between Geography, Historyand English

5. C: Social skills *To encourage students to do their “boring” school work *To encourage students to use the internet for educational purposes *To get students know more about specific jobs such as of a nurse and a firefighter, which do not seem to be popular with and desired by young people To improve students’ interpersonal relations through group work

6. The Course 1. Natural Disasters- an on-line, web2.erc.eu based course in three Modules Module 1 – Earthquakes Module 2 – Floods Module 3 – Fires Practical training – Lectures and training: At the school’s surgery- At the regional fire station In class training and language development

7. Teacher’s work • Planning • Educational Materials selection • Setting the tasks • Helping students with their work on-line • Taking part in the discussion • Supervising and commenting • Assessment ( summative and formative)

8. Teaching language on-line • Students develop their communicative skills • Reading comprehension • Listening comprehension • Writing • NB – Speaking can also be practiced on-line in webinars via skype or other social network options

9. Procedure • The on-line Modules’ structure: • 1. Warm-up questions for discussion on the Forum space • 2. Articles to read and discuss • 3. Videos to watch and discuss

12. Module 1 Earthquakes • http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php?id=308 • earthquakes

16. Module 2 Floods • What causes floods http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/landslides-and-more/floods/

21. Module 3 Fires • http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php?id=308

24. Fires at home

25. In class activities • Discussions on the topics • Writing a Thank-you letter

26. INTERDISCIPLINAR LINKS Knowledge and skills in Geography History Social studies and Civil defense Communication Medical care and first aid

27. Results • Students feel more confident • Students have learnt about the Nature of Natural disasters and ways to survive • Students learnt New Vocabulary on the Topics • Students know how to write a formal Thank-you letter and speak about past events • Students know how to help other people in case of an emergency • Students know how to use the web2.0erc.eu platform for educational purposes

28. STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE COURSE

29. Students’ would take part in other courses