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Deniz

43, Female

ISTANBUL

Turkey

Profile Information:

School / Work Affiliation: Aci Primary School, Istanbul
Blog: http://denizozgorgulu.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
Website: http://denizce.wikispaces.com
Skype Account: deniz_lamer
Twitter / Plurk / Other Account: http://twitter.com/denizden
About Me: Hi !
After I got my BA degree in Western Languages and Literatures from Bogazici University, I taught English to grade 4 and 5 students for 3 years at TED Istanbul College. In 2006, I started my MA at the University of Brighton, UK in the field of Media Assisted Language Teaching and Learning. I wrote my dissertation on the Role of teachers’ attitudes and beliefs in their use of digital technologies to develop listening skills of learners in EAP settings.
Upon my completion of MA MALT, I had an opportunity to teach EAL at Irmak Schools, Istanbul, delivering the PYP program for two years.

Currently, I have been teaching the 2nd grade students at Aci Primary School, Istanbul, where a literacy based program designed around the British curriculum is followed.

Comment Wall:

Deniz

It's just amazing to see how technology integrated into our daily lives in all fields. I can spend hours in front of my laptop to find out new sites, widgits and social networks, especially for educational purposes. Hope to find more time to dive deeper in this world of technology...I just mind that I don't drown!!! :) Sincerely...

Mar 3, 2008
Meghan Connelly

Hi Deniz! Your work sounds exciting! I have started a free website for current events discussion online at SEEdebate.org. I keep thinking it may be very useful for students who want to practice their written English skills! Meghan

Mar 3, 2008
Jess McCulloch

Hey Deniz!
Are you still interested in the Lunch Box Project? I'm sorry I haven't been in touch before now. I sent you a message through the wiki, but thought it would be safer to send one here as well!
I'd love to get in touch with you about the project. It would be great to make a start on it next week. I was planning to start much earlier, but life never works out the way you plan it, does it?!
Looking forward to hearing from you.

May 7, 2008
Deniz

Hi Jess!
I replied your message a few hrs ago.:) I am looking forward to starting the project.These days, I am busy with the portfolio presentation of my students. Still, I'll be able to have some extra time to manage the project.
Please, no worries about the timing! I think, it will work very well! :)
Tomorrow, I will start adding the photos of my students and our school on the Wiki page.
Cheers! :)

May 7, 2008
Jess McCulloch

Hi Deniz!
Again, I am sorry about my timing. If I tried to explain how busy my term has been you probably wouldn't believe me! Anyway, I have watched your students' video and I LOVE it! I will leave a comment on the wiki for them. I am working at getting pictures of what my students eat up on the wiki too. We've taken them all, it's just a matter of putting them up! thank you so much for being part of this project. It is going much more slowly than I thought, but I think in the end it will be fabulous. A class from the Netherlands want to join to, so stay tuned :-) I'll be in touch again soon. I haven't forgotten you!

Jun 6, 2008
Deniz

Excellent news Jess! I do very well understand how busy you can be. Actually, I'm in the same situation. It s almost the end of the academic year. The schools will be over at the end of the next week and I am busy with writing reports and doing other stuff.

I shot another video of my students during lunch. The lunchroom was crowded and too noisy so I couldn't be sure whether the background voices would impede the clarity of the recording. But it sounds alright. What I will go for next is a condenser mic which can be fixed on top of the camera! :) So, I will put that recording up this Monday, hopefully, together with a PP presentation.
No matter how slow it works! The result, I believe, will be fabulous! :) I will stay tuned!

Jun 6, 2008
Leigh Newton

The Lunchbox Project sounds innovative and highly motivating. Congratulations to the people involved. I would love to hear how it all goes, or is it finishing this June? If so, I hope you might do it all over again next year with new wisdom from experience.

Jun 7, 2008
Leigh Newton

Say hello to Ann-Marie Amershon, up in Diploma English, for me. :-) We had time together at Koç.

Jun 12, 2008
Karen Horsfall-Smith

Thanks Deniz. I manage a College in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, UK where we work with 14-24 year old disadvantaged young people and am always looking for ideas to keep them interested. Something like your video would be great. I am not at work at the moment because I have broken my foot, but when I get back, I will be basing my recommendations on how successful a group of 7 year olds in Turkey have been ..........

Jun 13, 2008
Karen Horsfall-Smith

Hi Deniz - thanks for your concern - I must admit, it is very frustrating and very painful also.
I look forward to more videos at the start of next term, and of course I will send you/publish any videos that we do. But we tend to move very slowly with these sort of things, so it may not happen in the immediate future.

Jun 13, 2008
andrew bendelow

Thank you, Deniz. While I'm a high school teacher, i teach in a K-12 district, and so am pretty sure we can find a collaborator with yours.
If you write me at my school address, I can pass your proposal to those who can leverage it.
Here it is:
abendelow@elmhurst205.org

Thanks, Deniz.

Nov 16, 2008
Marilyn Doore

Deniz,
Thank you so much! I look forward to working with you. While I teach 6th grade I think it would be fun for our students to do something together. Our year is over May 21 so I'm not sure if there is time to do anything with our students this year, but if you'd like to that is fine by me!

Apr 16, 2009
Marilyn Doore

Deniz,
Well, I'm still waiting for an answer if I get to come to Turkey this summer or not. I do hope that I get to come. What is your school like? Your class? Where is your school in Istanbul?

Apr 29, 2009
Leigh Newton

Hi Deniz (again). I trust all is well with life and teaching. Thanks for signing up to the Video Games and Literacy Group. As you can see I've only left an introduction but it would be good to have any examples of computer game use in the classroom. I've almost finished the final essay for a masters subjects where I'm dealing with this very topic. I'm convinced it will be a major part of the rest of my teaching career. I've certainly seen how dedicated kids can be to computer games. My subject talks about children's discourses, children's culture and we have to be working with them rather than introducing matter which doesn't captivate them.

Jul 26, 2009
Samuel Fye

Hey, glad you got back to me! Is your school in session right now? I would like to stay in touch with you and collaborate on some projects at some point this year. I'll let you know if I have any ideas, and please tell me if you have some, too! Take care!

Aug 29, 2009