Group items tagged

Great resources for planned and executing project-based learning in your school: "According to Edutopia, studies have shown that students who use project-based learning remember the material much longer and have healthier attitudes toward education. "Project-based learning is based on the idea that students learn best by tackling and solving real world problems. Students are much more engaged with the subject matter and look to the teacher as more of a coach who guides them through their own reflections and ideas. Project-based learning often involves students working in pairs or groups, thus facilitating a deeper understanding of cooperation and communication in solving problems."

Some good ideas include encouraging students to share their work, using Google Hangout for teacher-student conferences, and holding class in Second Life (which might turn out to be as dull as lecturing in real life. Mostly ideas for adult or mature secondary school learners.

"I was recently in a third grade classroom and was struck by the presence of rules that were posted for how to have a conversation. The poster said, "Each person must contribute to the discussion but take turns talking. Ask each other, 'Would you like to add to my idea?' or 'Can you tell us what you are thinking?' Ask questions so that you understand each other's ideas. Say, 'Can you tell me more about that?' or 'Can you say that in another way?'" "Having visited many middle and high schools, I think these same rules could -- and probably should -- be posted there as well. " How important the rules of conversation are! We all too often expect our students to "get into groups and discuss," but how often are these productive conversations? These tips/strategies are well worth practicing at the beginning of every year/semester, and not just with young learners. These tips are also a nice practice for EFL/ESL students as they prepare to speak with native speakers.

"This screencast was created to present four ideas for how teachers and students can use Evernote during the K-5 literacy block." Good ideas for using this useful app.

"One of the Eight Essential Elements of Project Based Learning is Revision and Reflection. This important element enables learners to improve their work through the use of feedback from multiple sources - peers, teacher, and expert. "However, giving and receiving feedback from others can be tricky. It can take time, and the giver might not know how to frame his or her feedback, both in terms of content and tone. The receiver might take critical feedback personally, or be misled by feedback that is off-target in some way. "One way to avoid potential pitfalls and help ensure feedback is "kind, specific, and helpful" (to quote Ron Berger) is to use a protocol. One of our favorite feedback protocols is the Gallery Walk. The basic idea is to post pieces of work on a wall - as in an art gallery - so people can move around and look at it. In BIE's "PBL 101" workshops, teachers use this protocol to give and collect feedback on their initial ideas for a project they're designing. "

Detailed lesson ideas for using this popular online building game.

Fun ideas using visual prompts to help students practice the prepositions of place. This blog also has more general ideas and links to resources for teachers.

"Whether it is to solve a problem, plan a project, or develop new story ideas there are plenty of occasions in the course of a school year for students to brainstorm together. I still believe that nothing beats getting together in a room to swap ideas in person, but that's not always practical or possible. For those times when in-person brainstorming sessions are not possible, the following five tools offer a good way to host brainstorming sessions online." t/h R. Byrne

Good ideas and links to references. Blogs might be a way to connect your students to each other, and it gives them a voice and a venue for writing practice. Includes ideas on netizenship, Internet safety, and how to comment properly.

These are absolutely great ideas to use technology appropriately, while adding creativity, critical thinking, and surprises. Some sites/ideas are also good for very young learners.

This teacher blog offer teachers the oppportunity to add more suggestions and ideas for lessons. Uses both low tech and higher tech ideas.

"I have begun a new Maths Map in Adelaide focusing on addition ideas that can be seen or referred to on the map. It would be great to have your contributions it is very easy to do:" This doesn't have to be just in Adelaide--use Tom Barrett's ideas for a Google Maths Map in your local area. There are math activities for K-5--it's fun, too!

A monthly blog from EFL Classroom that gives you ideas, resources, and a place to set up your own online classroom. Links to video talks, new online resources, ongoing discussions and blogs, student-created content, ideas for current seasonal holidays, and their own Diigo Group, et al. EFL Classroom has developed well over the past year or so, and is well worth following.

"Say the word 'grammar' to teenagers and you might be met by yawns or icy stares. But don't be daunted - the experience can be positive, or even fun. On LearnEnglishTeens, you'll find fun grammar resources to use in class and for self study. Here are some ideas for making grammar teaching more teen-friendly." Some good tips (not all easy to live by, e.g., "give rules which are true.") One of the most important is probably using texts to teach grammar. Several important lesson ideas here.

"Sometimes, it is just necessary to stand in front a group of children and speak to them. It's not the strongest tool in a teacher's box of tricks, but speaking to groups of pupils is hinged with one notable problem - keeping their attention - especially if you are trying to get key points across to help their learning. However, these ideas - adapted from spring.org.uk, can easily be amended for classroom situations, and are worth exploration in ensuring attention is kept by the majority of pupils:" These are some simple, but effective ideas to keep the motivation going.

R. Stannard's ideas for using the screen capture tool JING: "This set of JING tutorials goes through some of useful tips and tricks for using this excellent free screen capture tool. Russell Stannard has been training teachers to use JING since 2006 and in this video he suggests some great tips and tricks regarding JING. JING is a very useful tool for educators that allows you to record the screen of your own computer like a video. The tool is free. This set of tutorials shows you some more advanced ideas. If you are looking to learn the basics of JING then start by watching these videos. Key Educational Technology Tools- A Full Introduction to JING": http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/screen-capture-software/jing-superb-free-screen-capture-tool.html

"Here's a powerful example of a poem-photo combination that can inspire unlimited possibilities for writing. In the poem "Skateboarding" by Massbay College student Rose Scherlis, colorful images swirl and converge until the world blurs and the skater's mind becomes receptive to new ideas. The swirling lines and shapes in the accompanying photo add to the effect:" Using digital images to inspire writing.

This is going to a relatively short "The Best…" list sharing places where ESL/EFL/ELL teachers who are both new and experienced with using educational technology can find resources, ideas, and support.

"Brainstormer is a great tool for group brainstorming. Teachers and students contribute ideas to a shared board, build on each other's thoughts, and vote for their favorite ideas. Plus, it's completely free and no accounts are required. " T/h Nick LaFave

R Byrne has a nice set of links to tools and a brief discussion of how to do a book review site. Try out his book trailer ideas for a lively class project.