Project based learning is without a doubt the latest trend in English teaching methodology. Projects can give a considerable motive to students to produce something of their own, using all the language they know. If planned carefully and properly projects promote student-centered learning and give students the freedom to create and experience a feeling of achievement. They foster curiosity and imagination. They allow for creative thinking and problem solving and in the center of them lies collaboration and team work. And in order to have a better result they require effective communiaction among the team members. All these skills are said to be crucial qualifications for future citizens and theircareer prospects. What can make projects even better, even more motivating for students is the use of new technologies, i.e Web 2.o tools. There is an incredible number of digital tools offered nowadays, designed either for language learners or for native speakers. Some of them are free, others require a certain fee. Some of them are for younger students and others more appropriate for older ones. However, one can find, for sure, something to cater for his/her students’ needs. Just to get an idea I will refer to some of the most interesting digital tools I have recently discovered and their use:
- http://padlet.com where you can create a wall for your post-it notes on whatever subject you wish
- www.tagxedo.com where students can create word clouds
- http://rubistar.4teachers.org a very useful tool for rubrics -for formative assessment of projects
- http://getkahoot.com such an entertaining tool for playing games -teachers can create their own games or try the existing ones
- http://howtogeek.com where you can find the best websites for watching free documentaries
- http://edu.glogster.com where students can create their own posters
- www.bitstipsforschools.com and http://stripgenerator.com for creating comics
And last but not least a tool that can function as a place to store every new digital tool you discover https://delicious.com! Have fun exploring the sites, make learning fun for both your students and you, and I’m sure you’ll discover treasures of your own if you keep an eye to the web!
Watch an interesting video about the 7 skills students will need for their future and see how it connects to our discussion
