SPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS: Afraid of interactive whiteboards?

Interactive Whiteboards are phenomenal tools. Don't know what an interactive whiteboard is? Perhaps you've heard of some of their brand names - SMART Board, ActivBoard, eBeam, Mimio, and Webster are some of the most widely used at this time.

"Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students any thing which can be presented on a computer's desktop (educational software, web sites, and others). In addition, interactive whiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students—they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction." (Wikipedia 8/07)

Have a look at this video and don't be afraid of using them!!!!

These are also some useful sites where you can find interactive material for your whiteboard:

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/interactive.aspx
http://www.interactivewhiteboards.com/www/s_index.html
http://www.iwb.org.uk/
specially for esl

I will blog everything I find about whiterboards while learning. I hope you enjoy the materials and use them.

grammar through movies

Let's try something different in our grammar lessons.
I've recently found this useful blog where you can find movie segments to use together with your grammar explanations.
You will also find worksheets, lesson plans etc...

Click here to go to the page

ICT's in our classroom

How often do you use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) in your classroom?
3 years ago I didn't know anything about new technologies and the possibilties they offer for us and for our students. I used to think it was too difficult and lot of hard work. Now I've discovered it's much easier than it seemed. I encourage you to begin learning and use them in your classroom.
Have a look at this video and think about it.

DO SCHOOLS KILL CREATIVITY?

This is specially addressed to teachers. Do you think schools kill creativity?. Watch this video in which Sir. Ken Robinson talks about this issue. If you like this speech and you want to know more about him you can also visit his webpage: click here.
You can also read about his life, career or writing clicking here.

PRACTICE ONLINE

The most important thing when learning a new language is practice. Remember that our final goal when studying a language is not to pass exams but to communicate.

One of the biggest problems my students face when studying at home (those who study at home) is that there isn't anyone who can correct the exercises they do, or they don't know how to practice listening or speaking.
CLICK HERE and have a look at this page, it is easy and useful