Techy Toolbox 2: Google Docs "Chunking" Activity

Reading a difficult text in one, linear sitting is usually not too helpful if you want to retain information. Thus, reading teachers often teach the idea of "chunking" a text.

This is for larger texts where each paragraph has multiple ideas, or one idea is supported by multiple paragraphs. In short, not for five-paragraph essays with clear topic sentences and cookie-cutter organization. You know, how people actually write.

With this second Toolbox installment, I would like to explain how using Google Docs can help create a vibrant and productive environment for chunking.

Techy Toolbox 1: QR Code Scramble

In a previous post, I explain what QR codes are and how to make them and set them up. And I also talk about the scramble activity.

What I would like to do here is start a series of simple activities you can do using various technology.

Authentic Integrated Content Based Instruction ... Phew! That's a Mouthful!

Click here to see ESLA: Our SU 14 E-Portfolios

As an ESL teacher at an Intensive English Program, I am a huge believer in three primary pedagogical approaches: authentic student products, integrated curriculum and content based instruction. So what I try to do in my classes is assure all these things happen, and I do it with e-portfolio blogs.

Simply, these where we take student products from all skill areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking and grammar), put them in a portfolio that we then publish online. I will explain this in more detail below the jump, but I encourage you to first browse (by clicking the photo) what we have done for my Level 4 (high intermediate) students this summer.

Smartphoning Your Classroom: Four Easy Ways to Use Hand-Held Devicesfor The Power of Good

These don't have to be evil distractions in your classroom

Smartphones are omnipresent in our lives, and, to some teachers’ chagrin, they are a constant in many classrooms. Sometimes it seems there is nothing we can do to get rid of them in the classroom. 

But they are not going anywhere. They shouldn’t go anywhere.

According to Pew research center, 56% of adults own a smartphone. But while that is an incredible number considering this technology is still relatively new, splitting up the demographics shows their staying power for the college-aged and adult learners. For those ages 18-24, the number increases to 79% ownership, and 23-34 is 81%.

Inspiring Curiosity with QR Codes

QR codes inspire curiosity and student engagement

After seeing a QR code promotion at some store, I knew I wanted to use them in my classroom. And after using them for a few years, I can easily say they have made my classroom much more fun and active. 

I always look forward to the first time I use this activity with a new group of students. They walk in the classroom and stare intriguingly at these strange, squiggly-lined boxes posted throughout the room. Because many students know what these are and have scanned them at various places, some start scanning before the class begins, and I have to shoo them away and urge them to wait to see what it is all about. 

Obviously, this is a good sign. It means the students are engaged and curious. 

Flashcarding 21st Century Style

A new way to Flashcard

I remember studying vocabulary the old-fashioned way. You buy a stack of 5 x 3 index cards, write the word on the blank side and your definition and notes on the other side.

Then you would stare at the word, quiz yourself and then flip it over to confirm whether you were right. The words and terms you memorized went in one stack, while the tougher ones went into another stack for further study.

Like many things old school, this now exists electronically. And no application or web site I have found is better than Quizlet.

Activating "Anticipation" Using Polls and Smartphones

Poll Ev is an easy way to turn smartphones into student clickers

One school district I worked at was thrilled after purchasing hand-held clickers. These were all the rage then, and rightfully so.

All students can participate in an activity by simply clicking a button and answering poll questions projected on a whiteboard. So even shy students, or students concerned about speaking up in front of the class, could add their thoughts. There is also the element of the student doing something and it immediately appearing on the screen. 

But nowadays districts and schools need not purchase these expensive devices. Students’ smartphones can be the clickers, and that is because PollEv provides the software and the Web site.

Enhancing Collaboration with Smartphone Quizzing

Socrative provides a number of interactive quizzing options

Socrative is officially described as a quiz-based web site and smartphone application, but I have watched it transform the way we do group activities in our classroom. 

You obviously start by making an account (“Teacher Sign Up”) and logging in. Socrative will assign you a virtual room number, which you will see on the main page. My number is 457893. This number is important because when students log into Socrative on their mobile devices, they need this number.