As teachers we must often compete with these kinds of distractions for our students' attentions, so it can be very effective to openly accept and adapt some of them for use in the classroom. I'll be using the term "technology" here to describe the tools that go beyond what would commonly be found and used in a traditional classroom, such as textbooks, flashcards, and worksheets.
Cameras, computers, CD players, tablets, and smartphones can all get students to sit up and be involved in the class, provided they are paired with the right lesson plan and attitude. However, before plugging in that shiny new iPad, there are a few vital points to think about.
1) Plan out the lesson first, with the target English and what you want your students to have learned when you are finished. After you have made the plan, then add multimedia and technology to enhance it. The technology itself should not be the basis for the lesson.
2) Not all lessons need or can benefit from using technology. Sometimes a good old-fashioned storybook is the best tool for the job.
3) Always have a back-up analog version of your lesson prepared. Technical difficulties and compatibility issues will come up at the most inconvenient times.
4) Try to let your students have an active role in the lesson (interacting with or influencing the activity) rather than a passive one (sitting quietly and watching a video clip).
5) There are countless apps and programs for teaching English, but when you are planning out how to use one in your lesson, think carefully about how it will match the needs and interests of your particular class. Many of the apps that I will recommend are very adaptable to different levels of English ability and can be personalized to make the experience even more memorable for students.
In the next post I will share some of the websites, apps, and ideas that my students and I have enjoyed using in the classroom.
