At this point in the semester, we have tested out several different tools. We've blogged like crazy. We've also just completed the first test/quiz (semantics). So, basically there's a lot to talk about. However, what I found most interesting this week were the tools we tried out on Monday, as I can see using them in my own teaching.
I really like the idea of Grockit Answers because I use YouTube quite a bit in ENG 105, especially when I'm teaching the rhetorical analysis. In future semesters, I feel like I may incorporate some of these videos into the class, using them as homework assignments where students can then respond to the video as a whole on their blogs (which seems to be working well in other ENG 105 classes, such as Katie M's). It seems like students would be responsive to this type of activity. The only thing I wish Grockit Answers could do was upload TED talks as well as YouTube videos.
I also found Socrative to be useful. Although many students have smartphones, I would use this website in the computer lab because then I'd know that everyone had access to it. The space race activity would be most applicable to my class, as there is nothing like a little competition to get people going at 9:10am... Perhaps I will test that idea out later in the semester.
Unfortunately, at this time I cannot implement these technologies into my ESL practicum class without access to computers. However, in the future, I can see myself using these tools in an ESL/EFL setting.
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI love TED talks, they could benefit classroom instruction! Have you seen the ones with dancers/movers?
Best,
Cynthia
I haven't. I'll have to look them up. Do you recommend any in particular?
ReplyDeleteI love that TED doesn't define educational talks as just what we consider traditional academic lectures. One of my favorite videos on that website is from an improv group. :)