29 out 2015

by | in Educational Technology, Teacher Development, Technology

I still remember when I considered productive having a big room full of teachers for a training session on computer skills. It is still vivid in my mind the beginning of Google in which I'd have trainings with teachers on "How to effectively use Google Search". Were you there when Geocities was around? That was the time when I used to help teachers build their own sites. It was such a huge task. Some were brave enough to endure the technical details. Others gave up quite easily. I...

25 set 2015

by | in Educational Technology, Reflections about Education

When we, English teachers, think of the internet, we often tend to think about what it has to offer: unlimited information at our fingertips, ready-made materials for download, songs with their lyrics, clipart and other graphic resources, teaching ideas, podcasts, videos, tutorials, educational online games and many other resources that were unavailable when most of us were students of English a few years (well, in my case decades) ago.  The World Wide Web has become some sort of an Oracle expected to provide answers to all our questions...

28 jun 2015

by | in Career, Educational Technology, Teacher Development, Technology

In my daily job in education, I find the most talented and vibrant community of educators. Their very specific skills range from making, sometimes with hardcore engineering skills, to arts, with those amazing strokes of light and hope. Many, though, lack self-confidence. They perceive themselves as just one more in the crowd. Their talent is seen as ordinary, something that has been with them for so long that they don't even notice the distinguishing features of their own character and practice. I've seen many of them go unnoticed...

27 jun 2015

by | in Classroom Experiences, Educational Technology

Hi! This month I want to finish sharing with you the remaining three teaching techniques I recently got to know as I searched the Internet for innovation. The idea is to create affordances in class so that students feel compelled to learn. Below I briefly refer to remaining three teaching techniques. The previous three were the topic of last month’s post. 4. Gamification: ‘Gamification’ is another way of saying learning through play - a class procedure effective at any age since it keeps students motivated. The use of games is usually considered appropriate...

15 maio 2015

by | in Educational Technology, Technology

Olá a todos e todas! Vamos a mais uma postagem sobre dicas de como usar o celular na sala de aula! Embora já tenha falado anteriormente sobre alguns apps que podem auxiliar nas suas práticas de sala de aula (aqui, aqui e aqui), desta vez pensei em focar em apps e no próprio smartphone, por assim dizer. Hoje em dia, é muito comum nossos alunos virem para a sala de aula munidos não apenas de seus livros e cadernos, mas também desse pequeno aparelho multiuso. Em alguns estados...

31 mar 2015

by | in Classroom Experiences, Educational Technology, Reflections about Education, Technology

Dear all, From now on, I'll write about my journey to becoming an e-moderator in order to reflect upon it. I realized the way online courses have evolved and my online teaching experiences intertwine. Thus, you'll be able to accompany me in this journey to the past and to understanding what has been going on in this field for a while now. ...

30 mar 2015

by | in Educational Technology, Lesson Ideas, Technology

Instagram is part of my daily life, and I know it is also very popular among our teen students and some adults. Though the focus is social, the imagery and, depending on the user you follow,  Instagram can be a very powerful teaching/learning tool. You can explore with students from grammar aspects of the language to an in-depth take on cultural issues. The news is also there. Here, I've selected some of my favorite Insta IDs with some activities you might want to try in your next class: Natgeo Besides being...

18 mar 2015

by | in Classroom Experiences, Educational Technology, Resources, Skills, Technology

My Portuguese grandfather was a globetrotter and, when he died, we inherited dozens of postcards from every city he had visited. I was the only one in the family who took some interest in the postcards and the beautiful places that I never thought I would have a chance to go to. However, I decided to turn those travels into my own experiences and I started writing on them to my imaginary English speaking readers. I reminisce about these things every time I come across old pictures and...

28 jan 2015

by | in Classroom Experiences, Educational Technology, Lesson Ideas

I was about to start this post, and had a totally different idea in mind. But then I couldn't miss sharing with you such interesting, simple and effective idea for the classroom with all resources already there, a click away. I've just come across this post "Interactive Learning Menus (Choice Boards) Using Google Docs" , which gives a practical idea of how to prepare a learning menu based on a Tic-Tac-Toe using Google Docs. The idea behind it, giving choice, control and autonomy to the learner is such a simple...