Gamification: How Can Teachers Use it?
In the previous post, What is Gamification?, we described the basic principles of gamification in the classroom and some of the main elements that teachers can use.
To create a specific action plan, we need to explore first the similarities between games and the learning experience, and how we can capitalize on them.
What is Gamification?
‘OK, whoever finds the correct answer will get 5 points and a sticker. I’m writing the names of the students with the most points on the board. Let’s see who will be on the top!’
If you regularly set up in class mini competitions like that, you are already using gamification techniques in your...
The Top 20 Education Blogs of 2015
Now that 2015 is over, let’s see who were the ones that really made a difference in the year that passed.
There are countless education blogs worldwide, focusing on teaching practices, methodology, or educational technology. We all have our favourites, but some managed to stand out from the rest in 2015, garnering a hefty...
A Dazzling Christmas GIF for your School Website [in 5 Steps]
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and if your school has an online presence with a school website, ‘tis also the season to be looking for some good quality content to share. A Christmas GIF is a great and easy idea.
Whether on social media, in a newsletter, on a blog or school...
Project Based Learning [A Definitive Checklist]
Teachers who want their students to develop confidence in the real world, integrate Project Based Learning ideas in their teaching routine. Because Project Based Learning takes the classroom out into the world involving students in an authentic learning experience. Why is it authentic?
First of all, because it is student-centered. Students are working...
Parent Involvement in Schools [14 Expert Ideas]
Recent surveys among teachers have revealed that about 25 percent of them consider their relationships with parents as a capital cause of stress in their jobs. This is certainly a lot.
Ideally, the teacher should be parents’ best ally in the education of children. This is why, strong communication is fundamental to this partnership...
PowerPoint for Teachers [10 Tips & Tricks]
If Microsoft Word was a favourite among teachers in the past, the new PowerPoint will be your next best friend.
PowerPoint in the classroom is a versatile and intuitive tool with powerful functions that are not limited to presentations only. From posters to flyers, to flashcards, and courses with YouTube videos, the list...
Coursebook Evaluation [An ELT Checklist]
In 5 Characteristics of a Good Textbook we discussed five quick and easy ways to evaluate a textbook, a small coursebook evaluation sample. If you can afford the time and energy to dig a bit deeper, I strongly suggest to look for those five things in your ELT Coursebook Evaluation Checklist as well:
5 Characteristics Of A Good Textbook
Novice teachers leaf through the textbook grammar contents: does it tick all the boxes? You don’t want to leave out that 3rd Conditional (heaven forbid).
More experienced teachers delve into the vocabulary pool trying to hit that perfect balance (not too little – not too much) that will keep their students occupied yet
