Sunday, 3 November 2013

Positive Tools

This class has given me an ample number of tools that will be invaluable in my own class. Schoology, screen casting, blogging, and making a website to name just a few. I can see myself implementing almost all of these new tools. However, armed with the task of only choosing one. I base my selection on the easiest to implement immediately. Therefore, the heavyweight champ after twelve rounds is Screen casting.

Without mincing words too much. The screencast was fun, basic, and new. It is a great way to demonstrate something either very simple or complex. I can use it in multiple ways in my classes.

Firstly, I can demonstrate anything technical that I expect from my students like attaching documents to e-mails, how I want them to name assignments, how to upload files and the like.

Secondly, I could assign it as homework where students have to create their own screencast. The reason this is great is because they have to prepare a script and then execute it orally. Korean students can be shy in front of the camera at times, so this method will be less daunting.


Lastly, I believe anything structured around an oral delivery is positive for language learners. Obviously perfect practice is desired but any practice is better than no practice.

3 comments:

  1. Screen casting was a very useful tool we learned in our class. It's going to make teaching your students digital technology so much easier. Initially, setting up the digital classroom with screen casting will advocate the use of screen casting. I would follow up the introduction class with a screen casting assignment to get the ball rolling. I agree with you that it is a great way for students to practice their English in a faceless, practical way.

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  2. Dave I agree with your post 100%, especially when you said that this course has given you a number of tools that you can apply to your classes. I feel exactly the same way. I also intend to use these tools to help improve my classes and like you, I think introducing screen casting to students is an excellent idea, especially for language learners. It will definitely help students improve their oral skills. Some students do feel shy and intimidated to stand in front of class and speak, so screen casting can be an alternative way to assess their oral skills.

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  3. I'm in agreement with the you as well. I definitely see lots of possibilities to implement Screen Cast into my classroom. I have seen screen casts before on YouTube but never knew how to create one myself. Didn't even know they were called Screen Casts. ha I would also like to use screen casts to give my students opportunities to review some of the aspects of my lessons. Maybe, you could create a Google Doc or Dropbox for them to use when they want to look at your screen casts. Plus, you are correct by saying that any chance a students gets to speak is a positive thing. I try to get my students participating and speaking as much as I can. I am firm believer that Practice make Perfect.

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