I've worked with TED Talks for two years. They are a quite appealing way of profiting from technology which stir curiosity and avoid boredom among your students. Why? Because a TED Talk is a showcase for speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes. YES. Just 18 minutes. This short time provides the teacher with the possibility of presenting an interesting idea which has been already approved by experts and has been carefully prepared in order to keep the audience alert throughout the whole session. Since it only demands the audience' attention for a short period of time, it decreases the chances of mind wandering or daydreaming during class.
Some of the benefits of using TED Talks include: introducing a new and surprising idea or invention which your students have not heard of and, even if they have, the arguments behind this idea will probably challenge your students' beliefs and perspectives.
Remember that an idea isn't just a story or a list of facts. A good idea takes certain evidence or observations and draws a larger conclusion
The Artist's Statement
In these talks, artists showcase their art and explain the meaning and process behind what they create.
These are some instances of TED Talks I myself have worked with as well as some extra videos that include controversial issues that will spark off intense debates among your students. As I have a passionate interest in Psychology and Social Studies, most of these videos are closely related :
Owen Fitzpatrick: Topic for Debate: Mind Control
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Xgbh2E0NM
- Madonna : Topic for
Debate: Misogyny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc&t=51s
- Amy Cuddy : Topic for
Debate: Body Language and Your Mind
Classroom Activity:
I use TED Talks that relate in some way to the subject material I am currently covering. The idea is not to incorporate this as an isolated task but as a part of a bigger topic that is being taught. I don't tend to restrict my students to think linearly, on the contrary, by dealing with the most pressing issues of today's society, I encourage them to discuss and defend their frames of mind.
From time to time, my students and I enjoy going to the computing lab and learn more English with interactive exercises, useful downloads, games and weblinks. They can have fun while practising grammar, vocabulary, pronounciation, listening and reading. They just have to select their level and start working!
Activity: They usually compete against one another or are divided into two groups. Another potential option that have thrown positive results in my lessons has been to project the whole students' site on my board and to make the go to the front during the competition.
The one I use the most is the English File version. Have a look and enjoy!
https://elt.oup.com/student/englishfile/advanced3/?cc=global&selLanguage=en
I have created an account with my professional profile. This Social Networking tool allows me to set up closed groups where I can share private information with my students, upload files, and write reminders such as homework or make any extra comment I forgot to mention in class.
Teachers can use this app to give their students feedback on good behaviour and parents can have access to it from home. Everything is syncronised in everyone's devices. Once invited, parents can check the students' progress at school throughout the whole year.
In the present, I am learning to use Google Classroom. Everyone says it is quite easy to used but, for me, technology takes time. Using this program, you can set up a digital Classroom where you can manage assignents and communicate with your students in a very convenient place. It is also versatile since teachers and students can work anywhere, anytime, and on anydevice. Google Classroom seemlessly integrates with other Google tools and helps educators refresh their curriculum with integrated education apps. It is also affordable becase it is free for schools.
I use TED Talks that relate in some way to the subject material I am currently covering. The idea is not to incorporate this as an isolated task but as a part of a bigger topic that is being taught. I don't tend to restrict my students to think linearly, on the contrary, by dealing with the most pressing issues of today's society, I encourage them to discuss and defend their frames of mind.
Online Interactive Exercises
From time to time, my students and I enjoy going to the computing lab and learn more English with interactive exercises, useful downloads, games and weblinks. They can have fun while practising grammar, vocabulary, pronounciation, listening and reading. They just have to select their level and start working!
Activity: They usually compete against one another or are divided into two groups. Another potential option that have thrown positive results in my lessons has been to project the whole students' site on my board and to make the go to the front during the competition.
The one I use the most is the English File version. Have a look and enjoy!
https://elt.oup.com/student/englishfile/advanced3/?cc=global&selLanguage=en
Social Networks
I have created an account with my professional profile. This Social Networking tool allows me to set up closed groups where I can share private information with my students, upload files, and write reminders such as homework or make any extra comment I forgot to mention in class.
This also enables them to interact with one another and to clarify doubts, which usually helps the ones who missed a lesson.
CLASS DOJO
Class Dojo helps educators to improve classroom's behaviour quickly and easily. It captures and provides data about behaviour and this can be shared with parents and administrators.
Teachers can use this app to give their students feedback on good behaviour and parents can have access to it from home. Everything is syncronised in everyone's devices. Once invited, parents can check the students' progress at school throughout the whole year.
Another important benefit is that it is free!
I don´t use this App with grown-ups. I just used it once year with litlle ones at a school of English but I didn't quite get how it works, so I am not sure whether I would recommend it.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM
In the present, I am learning to use Google Classroom. Everyone says it is quite easy to used but, for me, technology takes time. Using this program, you can set up a digital Classroom where you can manage assignents and communicate with your students in a very convenient place. It is also versatile since teachers and students can work anywhere, anytime, and on anydevice. Google Classroom seemlessly integrates with other Google tools and helps educators refresh their curriculum with integrated education apps. It is also affordable becase it is free for schools.
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario