In class teaching and learning, technology has become an integral part of every day educational process. Apps and resources have made a teacher’s life way more complicated but more interesting as well. In the case that students can use a device then things go to a different, more advanced level as more demanding tasks and projects can be carried out; students can organise their time and customize their work according to their own learning profile. Inclusive education and 21st learning skills are the new pillars of today’s learning design and educational practice and in this article I present some of the tools I use as an English teacher in order to set solid the afore mentioned pillars.
- Onenote: this is a Microsoft (free) app which one can easily activate if they have a Microsoft (free) account). It is a valuable tool for organisational purposes as it gives me the power to store everything I want to use inside and ouside class and use it from every internet access I have as it is cloudbased.
- Sway: Again a free Micrososft app ideal for powerful presentations. Its plus element is the fact that is does all the hard work itself when it comes to the format of the presentantion. You only need to worry about the content.
- Quizlet: is the most valuable platform for vocabulary learning, practice and testing. Study sets can be organised in classes which give you the advantage to give access to your students so that they can get as much practice as they can.
- Kahoot!: I have experienced the most touching and powerful moments with my students when kahooting! I use it not only as a revision competitve quiz but also as a means of relaxing and having fun with my students. Students love to learn through Kahoot! They actively participate, they contemplate, they compare, they cooperate and yes sometimes they cheat but they have learned in the process!
- Flipgrid: Reversed classroom is a crucial tool for classroom and time extension limits. Flipgrid provides the platform which students safely can visit a course with a secret code and record videos or audio only responses so as to practise their speaking and presentation skills.
- Padlet: Another tool which is very helpful when it cοmes to assignments and revision exercises is Padlet as it offers the space to collect and upload all the material you want your students to use for example a test.
Any other tool or app YOU use to suggest?
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