I like to present because not only do I get to share my edtech experience in class, but I also learn a lot from the feedback and ideas I get from colleagues. I also get to use my clicker

2022

Title

5 things I wish I knew about research

Type

Stand-alone presentation

Event

PD Week, HCT

Country

Sharjah, UAE

2021

Title

Online learning strategies

Type

Stand-alone presentation

Event

PD Week, HCT

Country

Sharjah, UAE

2020

Title

The fewer, the better

Type

Local conference

Event

the ALLT 2020 Academic Summer Forum

Country

Dubai, UAE

2019

Title

Activity systems model for instructional environments

Type

International conference

Event

The European Conference on Education —IAFOR

Country

London, UK

2019

Title

Avoiding cognitive load: why should we care and how

Type

International conference

Event

the 24th Annual TESOL Arabia International Conference

Country

Dubai, UAE

2018

Title

Using Self-Directed Professional Learning to Cope with Technology-Driven Changes in Academia

Type

International conference

Event

Education Reform: University of Worcester PG Conference

Country

Worcester, UK

2017

Title

Using videos as instructional tools: Exploring current practices at an HE institute in the UAE

About

This presentation shares the findings of an exploratory study that surveyed 79 teachers about their current practices and perceptions towards the use of videos as instructional tools in their language classrooms. The presentation also shares recommendations and teaching implications based on the findings.


Type

International conference

Event

The 2nd General Education Conference

Country

Abu Dhabi, UAE

2017

Title

Empowering low achievers with videos

About

Videos are powerful learning tools, even more so when students create their own videos to showcase their learning. In this session, Sebah will share project ideas and tools to facilitate learning for low achievers using videos.


Type

International conference

Event

JESS Digital Innovation Summit 2017

Country

Dubai, UAE

2017

Title

Using Cell Phones as Learning Assistants in Foreign Language Classrooms

About

Cell phones are commonly used among young learners (and adults) that it has become harder to enforce a no-cellphone policy in our classrooms. In an effort to create a more authentic and engaging learning environment for students, this workshop calls for integrating cell phones as language learnings assistants in our daily classrooms. The presenter will share her own experience in utilizing smartphones as learning tools with ESL learners from different levels. Attendees will be actively participating in hands-on activities and learning strategies utilizing smartphones as learning tools. Finally, towards the end of the workshop, attendees will be assigned to transform a typical language lesson into a mobile-friendly learning experience.


Type

International conference

Event

The European Conference on Language Learning 2017

Country

Brighton, UK

2017

Title

On your desk, get set, create!

About

Almost everyone is given the right to create (snaps, tweets, videos, etc.), but why do we only allow our students to consume? This presentation shares some learning activities that have successfully encouraged language learners to enjoy learning English and create original content at the same time.


Type

International conference

Event

TESOL Arabia International Conference: Advancing the ELT Profession

Country

Dubai, UAE

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2017

Title

The case of SoftChalk

About

This workshop provides insights into the use of authoring tools that allow teachers to transform static worksheets into interactive e-lessons which can be accessed via computers, tablets, and smart devices. To exemplify this, the presenter will focus on the example of SoftChalk and, as different activities are explored, she will share her classroom experience and highlight the do’s and dont’s that she has discovered are worth bearing in mind in relation to the different activities. SoftChalk is a powerful educational e-content authoring tool which has become common in universities and colleges around the world. With its user-friendly interface, SoftChalk provides teachers with an e-learning environment that can generate a wide variety of activities and assessments to reinforce the various language skills. These activities include crosswords, flash cards, drag and drop, labeling, and many other interactive and colorful learning objects. SoftChalk lessons are also automatically scored with the ability to provide immediate feedback to students. Teachers can create and use these lessons without any prior knowledge of advanced, or technical coding.
In addition to reviewing lessons already successfully used with English language learners in the region, the presenter will guide participants through the process of creating their own lesson in SoftChalk! She will also share an online bank of SoftChalk resources that teachers might find useful for their classes.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• create a SoftChalk lesson
• set up 5 interactive activities and assessments
• utilize and customize the style of a SoftChalk lesson • open and edit pre-existing SoftChalk lessons


Type

Workshop

Event

TESOL Arabia Pre-Conference Professional Development Certificate Course

Country

Dubai, UAE

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2017

Title

3 tools to create interactive reading assignments

About

This workshop will highlight 3 online tools (and free!) that can help you transform static reading comprehension worksheets into interactive ones that give students immediate feedback and allow you to track their progress. The workshop will offer hands-on activities, so please bring your laptop. You will need it 🙂


Type

Local event

Event

Innovations in Reading and Writing

Country

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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2017

Title

Using Cell Phones as Reading Assistants

About

Instead of banning smart phones in reading classes, this presentation calls for integrating them as reading assistants to facilitate reading comprehension and to allow students to demonstrate their understanding. Please make sure you have your cell phone to be actively involved during the presentation.


Type

Local event

Event

Cultivating Readers and Writers from K though University

Country

Al Ain, UAE

2016

Title

Silent. In your bag.

About

Aren’t you tired of hunting smartphones down? Of failed attempts to make them disappear? If you are, you might find this presentation useful. It will share hands-on activities that create a more inclusive learning environment for students.


Type

Local event

Event

TESOL Arabia chapter event

Country

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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2016

Title

Fix it

About

No matter how creative my writing lessons or feedback was, the same basic mistakes were done over and over again in my students’ essays. It drove me crazy, until I accidentally used a different technique to address these mistakes in class. This presentation demonstrates this basic technique and explains how it has helped my students write better essays.


Type

Local event

Event

TESOL Arabia chapter event

Country

Ras Al Khaima, UAE

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2016

Title

Section 4 on Thursdays

About

“I’m doomed,” I thought to myself when I first saw my schedule. “I have the same class 1-4 on Thursdays! #killMeNow”… To my pleasant surprise, all it took is one simple video project for section 4 (and myself!) to look forward to our Thursday classes. This presentation will describe the project and how it was implemented in class to help students learn English.


Type

Local event

Event

TESOL Arabia chapter event

Country

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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2016

Title

Transforming learning

About

Like many teachers, Sebah struggled for a while with the concept of “transforming learning”. It just sounded like another fancy term that needs to find its way onto her annual objectives. Until Maryam showed up. Suddenly it all made sense.
Sebah will tell you Maryam’s story and show you how it has redefined her teaching philosophy.


Type

Featured talk

Event

7th annual IAT Technological Education Conference

Place

Institute of Applied Technology

Country

Abu Dhabi, UAE

2016

Title

Thy phone shan’t be seen

Type

International conference

Event

22nd TESOL Arabia International Conference

Country

Dubai, UAE

2015

Title

3 Mobile-friendly Tools to Assess Understanding

Type

Local conference

Event

M-Learning in Context :Localizing a Global Trend

Country

Dubai, UAE

2015

Title

Reflection in ESL Classrooms: Why? & How to Do it with iPads?

Type

Local conference

Event

Foundations PD Day

Place

Higher Colleges of Technology

Country

Dubai, UAE

2015

Title

Make Your Student’s Voice Heard with Adobe Voice

Type

Local conference

Event

3rd Annual Mobile Learning Conference

Country

Dubai, UAE

2015

Title

Best Practices for mContent in ESL Classes

Type

International conference

Event

21st TESOL Arabia International Conference

Country

Dubai, UAE

2015

Title

Teaching Digital Skills to Foundations Students

Type

Local conference

Co-presenter

Nick Bates

Event

Mobile Learning Festival

Place

Dubai Men's College

Country

Dubai, UAE

2015

Title

Empower Your Students With SoftChalk

Type

Local conference

Event

Foundations PD Day

Place

Higher Colleges of Technology

Country

Dubai, UAE

2014

Title

Culture and Religion in the UAE

Type

Invited seminar

Place

American University in the Emirates

Country

Dubai, UAE

2014

Title

Instagramize Your Language Classroom

Type

Local conference

Event

TESOL Arabia’s first Mobile Learning Best Practices Conference

Country

Dubai, UAE

2014

Title

How to Use Instagram in Language Classes

Type

Local conference

Event

Mobile Learning Conference 2014

Place

Dubai Men's College

Country

Dubai, UAE

2013

Title

Instamania: Creating Engaging Learning Opportunities Using Instagram

Type

Local conference

Event

Mobile Learning Festival

Place

Higher Colleges of Technology

Country

Dubai, UAE

2012

Title

From Weeping to Speaking

Type

International conference

Co-presenter

Maryam Malki

Event

5th KSAALT Annual Conference

Country

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2012

Title

Utilizing Technology to Develop Learner Autonomy: Practical Tools

Type

International conference

Event

Qatar TESOL’s Eighth International Conference

Country

Doha, Qatar

2011

Title

How Can Web 2.0 Develop Saudi Students’ Speaking Skills?

Type

International conference

Co-presenter

Jihan Albayati

Event

4th KSAALT Annual Conference

Country

Khobar, Saudi Arabia

2011

Title

How Can Web 2.0 Develop Speaking Skills?

Type

International conference

Co-presenter

Jihan Albayati

Event

2nd International Language Conference

Country

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2010

Title

Web 2.0 at the Intensive English Program at AUS

Type

Local conference

Event

Teaching with Technology in ELT: Tips, Tools and Techniques Conference

Place

American University of Sharjah

Country

Sharjah, UAE

2010

Title

Understanding Uses and Attitudes of Web 2.0

Type

International conference

Co-presenter

Cindy Gunn

Event

16th International TESOL Arabia Conference

Country

Dubai, UAE

2010

Title

How Can Web 2.0 Services Make a Better ESL Classroom?

Type

Local conference

Place

English Language Center, Sharjah University

Country

Sharjah, UAE