blended learning = F2F instruction & paper-based manuals + tutored self-study using a range of educational technologies* * may include one or more of the following web-based learning modules in a VLE (virtual learning environment) CD-ROMs (e.g. electronic dictionaries, interactive quizzes, tutorials, etc) interactive whiteboards discussion boards / fora text and voice chats email wikis blogs...
How can you tell whether a graphic will support or disrupt learning?
That’s one of the questions I had never asked myself before I started reading extensively on the topic of using visuals in e-learning. I used to think that it was always good to have a picture or a diagram next to any text, and it was the cost and creativity required that prevented me from uploading hundreds of graphs and photos to accompany everything I wrote. Now things have changed: it...
What do EFL/ESL teachers tend to use blogs for?
Here is a quintessential summary of the ideas I have come across in my webquest. ELT teachers tend to use blogs to post links to interactive online quizzes for their students to do to post links to reading matter & downloadable materials for their students to explore to embed videos for their students to watch to provide feedback after a F2F class to pre-teach vocabulary by posting links to...
Do language teachers have to be able to draw?
Having taught English for over 10 years now, it is my considered opinion that it does not hurt to learn to draw. I am not an artist, but I wish I could draw everyday objects, animals and people on the board quickly and easily. This skill became critical when my child was born, because kids like all sorts of arts and crafts, and you can easily keep your offspring entertained if you can produce...
Collaborative Learning Techniques
That’s the title of the book by Barkley, Cross and Major, a copy of which I purchased a few months ago. The authors distinguish ca. 30 Collaborative Learning Techniques, or CoLTS for short, and divide them into five categories. Here is a nice list of them all to help jog your (and my) memory later, should there be a need for that: I. CoLTS for Discussion Think-Pair-Share Round Robin Buzz...
Should teachers be allowed to make their students publish their work online?
The question is not that ridiculous. I have seen many photos, blogs, wikis and videos featuring student names and photos, and I can’t help thinking that this should not be allowed. Many students are minors and their parents should give their permission when it comes to their children being made to post any private details on the Internet. The most horrendous thing is when a teacher shoots a...