Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Adult Education and Technology: Video as a Writing Prompt

Many teachers wonder how they can use technology in the classroom. One way is to use a short video as a writing prompt. I saw this idea in a recent entry on a blog I follow,
Adult Education and Technology, by educational tech enthusiast Marian Thacher.

The video she selected as an example is a montage of cats being silly.

I suggest finding something shorter then 2 minutes and linear in progression--one short progression of an event, not a series of unrelated events. However, you can make that call depending on what you think will work best for your students.

There are many videos on Youtube, and you can select things by looking for subject content relevant to your current class material or themes.

If bringing in video is not an option, you can use photographs. I suggest images from magazines or picture/coffee table books.

Additionally, you do not need to have students write their responses. If you are teaching ESL students, you can have them talk about the videos. Voice of America has great podcasts on short demonstrations. This will build listening and speaking skills.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

IAE- Teaching Speaking, Listening, and Writing

Please check out the International Academy's publication on IAE- Teaching Speaking, Listening, and Writing for a discussion on the principles guiding instruction.

ESL Companion: Structure -Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

Australia's Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority offers the ESL Companion: Structure to help guide classroom practice. For me, one of the most appealing aspects of how they present the standards is the chart indicating the relationship of curriculum focus, learning outcomes, and indicators to the content areas of Listening and Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

Please examine and offer feedback on the usefulness of their discussion of the curriculum focus and lesson ideas.

Monday, October 27, 2008

SkillsTutor: Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE 7)

Here is an interesting site to help prepare your students for TABE 7.
SkillsTutor: Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE 7)

There are free sample lessons and lists of what is covered on the test. Of course, they are asking you to register to get to the real goodies...
Let us know what you think.