Blog Post # 7 - My Favorite Tech Tool from This Class....

There have been several great tools I've learned in this course, and I plan on using some of them to enhance my teaching content and student learning experience, but I'd have to say that my favourite tech tool that I've learned so far would be making Power Point slide shows with embedded videos, because this is very well suited to teaching a large ESL class. (I often have in excess of 40 students in a typical freshmen class, and a minimum of 25 students for most levels and courses). One of many challenges working with sleep-deprived students who often feel insecure about their English language abilities  is sustaining their focus and interest in the teaching material. That's one of the reasons I enjoy using visuals, including pictures and short videos, as they translate well into an ESL context. I use them independently but also as supplementary methods to explore various topics and issues, mainly in my conversation and discussion classes. 

I also think videos and images give me more flexibility in how I can interpret the teaching material in terms of what I can do with them. For example, I could use images  to stimulate prior knowledge, as well as for brainstorming and working in collaborative groups to generate ideas and implement topic-related vocabulary. (I already use short videos but wasn't using Power Point or other slide software, primarily because I've never been "pushed" to use this technology, and also because my employer doesn't adequately fund our department for tech equipment, and what we do have is often outdated, old or incompatible with current trends).

After viewing a particular video, students can work in pairs or small groups, to extend the activity into a short class presentation of their ideas (listening, speaking and some basic presentation skills). I can also extend the lesson into an individual or group assignment, such as creating their own short video response to a clip or short film we watched in class. I can further reinforce concepts learned in class by including a small writing exercise on an exam. (They also work on learning and using opinion vocabulary, which they must use in a written or spoken assessment).