Friday 27 June 2014

YouTube & Google Docs as other ways of maximising time out of the classroom




Once again, Google products is here to make our classrooms and classes more interesting than never before.

When I started teaching, I found myself asking students to write an e-mail in a sheet of paper as homework and I didn't understand why they should do so when e-mails do exist and my students -being digital natives- master the use of technology. So, I just told them to actually send their e-mails.

They did, but I was then in a new problem: feedback? I decided to record it and send them the link to check their productions. They did check and enjoy the experience.

PROS: integration of ICTs into teaching and students' motivation.
CONS: time to produce each video.

Afterwards, I found a new -and much better- option  to provide feedback. Students create a Google Doc with their productions and, then, I just add comments where I consider necessary. It saves time and it is user-friendly.

Me as a techie student 2014 - Sharing II - 13/06




Today, we've been working with Google Apps - just rushing through them. Two of them have caught my attention.

Did you know that you could customize your Gmail priority inbox? Awesome! Click HERE to learn more.

Google has also given us the possibility to create stories... This is my favourite (that's why the picture in this entry) Want to know how to do it? Follow THIS LINK. I've created mine - very simple... and just for fans of Games of Thrones.

I think that projects that can be conceived with this app are never-ending and that we should allow our -and our students'- imagination to run wild. I've just introduced this to my students and I'm eagerly waiting for their productions. As an example for them to follow, I came up with this simple story which contains some samples of modals -the grammar point we've been practising, shared the link with them and encourage them to create their own. These are two examples: Francisco & Abigail.

Friday 13 June 2014

Technology as a paradigm changer


I love trying and I hardly ever give up so when I learnt about the concept of 'Flipped Classroom' I couldn't wait to learn more about it.

For years, we've read about changing the current tools, methods and, even, the paradigm to fulfil today's need. Ideas flew but I believe that this concept has been able to transform -not only enhance- teaching and learning with technology.

As part of a postgraduate course on ICT, I had to choose a topic to plan a class and, clearly, this was the one I chose. HERE it is my final work (it's in Spanish as that the language used throughout the course. However, the material selected and the exploitation of the activities are in English. Pay particular attention to point three: '3. DinĂ¡mica y secuencias de clases') Hope you like it!