Have you thought about introducing technology activities, but you’re not sure where to start? Here are four simple activities to help you get started, from Graham Stanley’s award-winning book Language Learning with Technology.
1. Set up a class blog
A class blog provides a communal online area that you and your students can add entries to on any subject you choose. This makes it a great platform for students to express themselves while still practising important reading and writing skills.
One way to use a class blog is to have your students write a short blurb about themselves. This could be on their hobbies or any unusual facts about themselves. Then have the class read and comment on each other’s. This works as a great way for the class to get to know each other at the start of a new semester.
You can download more information about this activity Class Blog – Language Learning with Technology.
2. Word Clouds
Word Clouds present a collection of words in a random shape, order and sizing, making word lists visually engaging for students. They’re are a great way of presenting vocabulary in a fun manner while being very simple to create.
As an opening activity for a class, why not make a word cloud using a news story from that day. Students can then try and guess which story you have used by reading the words in the cloud. Once they have identified the story, ask them to create their own sentences using only the words included in the cloud.
There are many online Word Cloud generators free for you to use, for example Wordle
3. Online assessment
Have you ever used technology for assessing students? By generating your own tests online, students are likely to see it as fun rather than taking a test!
You could even take it a step further and ask your students to create their own tests using any of the free online test generators. Once they’ve finished creating their own, they then share it with their classmates for each other to complete.
There are many test generators you can choose from, such as Quia.
4. Make sure to have a Plan B!
Have you ever gone to teach a class and found the technology isn’t working? You’re not alone! Though technology brings many advantages and new activities to the classroom, it still remains temperamental. That is why it is important to always have a back up plan if you ever plan to run a lesson dependent on technology.
Here are a few tips and ideas for making a Plan B! Plan B – Language Learning with Technology
If you liked these tips, you can find over 130 more activities just like them in Language Learning with Technology.
Click on the link to find out more about Language Learning with Technology.