Online tools

Some online tools I want to share with you...

a. Prezi

b. Kahoot

c. Google Docs

d. Edmodo 

e. Storyrobe

Suggestions of activities to use these tools in the classroom:

a. To summarize some information the students need to study for the test, they should use this amazing tool which makes them think of the main information and key words of the text and present it in a more eye-catching and engaging way. They can make the presentation as they want, add images, create the presentation from scratch or use already made templates to do it more quickly.

b. The students do multiple choice quizzes (created by the teacher). It is a great tool for revising theory or vocabulary. They play this game by using their mobile phones to choose the answer and the one who choose the correct option more quickly gets more points. The correct answer is displayed on an overhead projector or common screen.

c. The students can work all together in a google docs to create a glossary of words they have learnt through the school year. 

d. The students should post pieces of news they find interesting and leave a question or comment to their classmates on Edmodo's wall, so that they can start online discussions.

e. Students can create their own digital stories adding images, videos and audio recordings. Then, the students will exchange their stories and retell the story they have watched to another classmate, while the teacher monitors them.

Off-line tools

These are some offline tools I have used in the past. I hope you find them useful.

1. Microsoft Word
2. CD player
3. PowerPoint 
4. Paint
5. Downloaded TV episodes

I'll mention some activities we can do using each of these tools in the language classroom:

1. Guess who: The students will write a description of any famous person, cartoon character or even one about themselves using Microsoft Word. They only are allowed to give clues: physical appearance, personality, relationships with other people, among others without saying who the person /character they are describing really is. Then, they will swap places with their classmates and try to guess who is the character/person described.

2. The students will listen to a soundtrack by using the CD player. While listening, they should get the general idea of it. After that, they will draw the visuals which can accompany the soundtrack. Finally, they can discuss the visuals they have drawn and their differences.

3. The students can create their own stories by using Powerpoint. They can add effects to their slides and pictures offered by Powerpoint. Once they have finished, they can share their story to the whole class. 

4. By using paint and an overhead projector,  the students can play Pictionary: One student is given a sentence and he/ she should draw its representation using paint. The drawing will be exposed to the rest of the class and they have to guess what sentence he/she is trying to represent (e.g. The cat is on the armchair). The student who guesses the right sentence is the one who comes to the front and draws the representation of the next.

5. The students will watch an episode projected by a beamer. They are given a while watching activity in order to make them reflect about the themes of the episode. As a follow up activity, they can be given questions about the episode to discuss in small groups.