Module 4: Lesson 2 - Tools & materials Flashcards
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Computers
F2F: Computers are often used as a tool for the teacher to prepare the lessons. They can be used for lesson plans, to gather, create, or collate lesson materials, and for communication with learners. Another important use is to show learners content on the board. Used in conjunction with a projector, the teacher can share their screen to allow learners to see everything projected onto a board or wall.
Online: Through the use of computers, we can connect to the internet and conduct lessons with our learners through video calling applications or teaching platforms. The teacher can do a huge variety of functions on the computer with their learners, including sharing their screen, sending content such as lesson resources, communicate via email, and social media.
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Whiteboards
F2F: The teacher can use them to write information to the class, note errors, draw pictures, and they can even project content onto the computer. When doing the latter, the teacher has the added benefit of being able to write over the projection on the whiteboard, highlighting important information, writing the correct answers, and so on. Interactive whiteboards are electronic smart boards that can be directly connected to a computer with (or in some cases without) the use of a projector.
Online: Digital whiteboards allow teachers and students to replicate the experience of a physical whiteboard online, with an infinite canvas. They offer shape libraries and pre-made templates that can be used to create content (i.e. charts, diagrams, posters, visuals, etc.). They also digitize the content created, which makes it easier for anyone to access it online from their own personal device. Advanced online whiteboard tools like Creately offer in-app video conferencing and real-time collaboration features.
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Coursebooks
F2F: the teacher has the option to either hand out physical coursebooks or use a digital coursebook and project it on to the whiteboard. It’s good for learners to have their own copies to write notes and answers on, but it’s also useful to show the digital version to the class, as the teacher can highlight information, play audio and video, and write answers.
Online: most of the time the teacher will use a digital coursebook. It’s possible that the teacher and learner may have a physical copy with them, but the downside of this is that unless the learner takes pictures of their work, it’s very difficult to see what the learner has written. The main downside of sharing a virtual coursebook is that it’s harder to review it or set homework tasks, unlike a physical coursebook that the learners could use at home.
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Writing equipment
F2F: Teachers and learners alike can use any number of pens, pencils, highlighters, and so on in-person. They can both write on the same page, making marking homework, activity answers, and offering corrections very easily.
Online: Almost all writing online is done on the virtual whiteboard with a digital pen that is on whichever virtual teaching platform you’re using. When you get used to this type of writing, it can be really beneficial, and with the ability to easily add shapes, highlight, and make notes, you’ll be able to deliver effective lessons.
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Realia
F2F: Realia is very easy to use in the classroom. The teacher can bring objects to the class that they want their students to learn and show them by simply holding them up.
Online: The teacher can do the same in online classes by holding objects up to the camera. When teaching online at home, the teacher will likely have more access to a greater number of realia, making it easier for them to gather a range to show the learners that would be more difficult to bring to a physical classroom. Realia is very useful when teaching online, as it adds a visual aspect to the class; something that is always lacking in online lessons and that should be maximized.
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Smartphones
F2F: Smartphones can be used by the learners to translate, research, view information, and communicate. While they are generally not used throughout each lesson, they can be utilized for certain tasks or activities in a limited manner. They provide a good way to conduct certain activities that are more engaging and motivating to learners than simply writing on a worksheet or in a book.
Online: Learners could use their smartphones to send images of their work to the group, or even to email or post answers on social media for everyone to view individually. This adds another dimension to the class that could be really beneficial to the learners.
The differences between using teaching tools online and face-to-face:
Materials & learning resources
F2F: Most face-to-face materials and learning resources will be physical copies that are handed to the students. They will amass books, papers, and other documents that they need to carry round with them which can get quite heavy and may be easily forgotten.
Online: Many online materials and learning resources are digital. They involve either the teacher sharing content with the class, or the class having access to content already and being directed to view a certain section. The teacher can make notes on the materials and invite the learners to do the same either individually or collaboratively.
The differences between using teaching tools for one-to-one and group classes:
Computers
Group: They can utilize the computer in conjunction with a projector or interactive whiteboard to share content with the learners. Due to the number of learners in the class, it’s unlikely the teacher would organize activities for the whole class using the computer, unless it involves using the interactive whiteboard.
1:1: Even with just one computer, the teacher can use it to organize learning, activities, and projects based on researching, completing tasks, and engaging in other learning activities. The learner could be set tasks such as giving a presentation in which they use the computer to present information on a given topic. The teacher can easily monitor their progress and step in to help advise them when needed.
The differences between using teaching tools for one-to-one and group classes:
Whiteboards
Group: With group classes, it is probably the single most important tool that allows the teacher to communicate information to their learners. They can read what the teacher writes and copy it down into their books. It gives them a visual image of what the language looks like, how it works, and how to use it. Learners can sometimes be asked to come and write on the board individually or in small groups.
1:1: it’s actually more common for there to be no large whiteboard at all in one-to-one lessons. There’s simply no need for it in most cases. The teacher can sit next to the learner and they can both work off the same piece of paper, coursebook, or material. In addition, one-to-one lessons are usually more intimate than group classes and learners appreciate the less “formal” approach. A good alternative in a one-to-one class is to use a mini whiteboard.
The differences between using teaching tools for one-to-one and group classes:
Coursebooks
Group: With all learners being at slightly different levels and with their own individual goals and reasons for learning, a coursebook is a good choice for meeting the range of needs in the classroom, as it’s simply not realistic to expect to meet each one. They provide a good foundation from which to teach, and can be supplemented with extra information and tasks when required.
1:1: The use of coursebooks in one-to-one classes is much more varied than in group classes. More commonly though, you’ll end up using a range of coursebooks which have specific activities you need to teach your learner in order to improve specific language they want to learn. It’s a good idea to get a hold of as many different coursebooks as possible to have a range of materials to hand when needed.
The differences between using teaching tools for one-to-one and group classes:
Smartphones
Group: smartphones won’t usually be used very often in group classes. They can be a distraction, especially with young learner groups.
1:1: it is easier to incorporate smartphones into a one-to-one lesson. You can send your learner materials to look at, encourage them to download apps such as for translation and dictionaries, vocabulary apps, or language building apps. You can also very easily go through authentic materials such as news websites together.
The differences between using teaching tools for one-to-one and group classes:
Materials & learning resources
Group: You can use a wide range of materials in group classes such as coursebooks, videos, supplementary materials, and audio. They usually need to be prepared beforehand so that no time is wasted trying to organize them in class, and it’s unlikely you’ll be able to easily change your plans last minute.
1:1: You can prepare materials beforehand, but as long as you have a computer, smartphone, or set of books to hand, you can easily switch gears and change the lesson focus if needed.
Explain Zoom Whiteboards as a virtual whiteboards in the classroom.
**Zoom whiteboard app: **
Zoom is the most widely-used video calling app around and many teachers use it for their lessons. The basic version is free, but you can only do calls of up to 40 minutes before you need to disconnect and start over.
Zoom Whiteboard allows you to brainstorm and collaborate on a digital canvas. It can be used for face-to-face and online classes from Zoom-enabled devices.
When using the app, you can share your screen and annotate over whatever you’re viewing. This is great as you can make notes and save them as images to send your learners. You can also give control of the mouse to the participants and have them carry out tasks.
To start a Zoom whiteboard, you select it from the menu and then share it with your learners by sending them a link. From there, you can all view and interact with the whiteboard highly effectively.
Explain Microsoft Whiteboard for Teams as a virtual whiteboards in the classroom.
Microsoft has a collaborative canvas for meetings and learning. It can be used to collaborate with students and do activities like brainstroming, planning, and ideas exchange. This is a reliable whiteboard that has a range of common features. It has a good connection, and is available to learners in most countries. The basic version is free, although there is a pro version if you use it a lot.
Explain Jamboard as a virtual whiteboards in the classroom.
Jamboard is G Suite’s digital whiteboard that offers a useful collaborative experience for teaching. You can create a Jam, edit it from your device, and share it with others. Here are some of its common features:
- Draw with various pens and colors
- Share Jams and work together with others in real-time.
- Add sticky notes to brainstorm ideas together.
- Insert photos and stickers.
- Import drive files from G Suite to annotate documents together.
