https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga Here is a selection with some examples. I will continue to use these and more en-us 2021-03-26 12:26:58 UTC 2025-11-07 13:57:59 UTC hello@padlet.com 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359080576 2021-03-26 22:42:26 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359080576 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359234434 Below are three examples of some work I did with my class of STEM students in China, now adapted for Padlet. ]]> 2021-03-27 01:07:59 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359234434 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359239182 Customized or ready to go]]> 2021-03-27 01:12:49 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359239182 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359248525 This activity is intended as a gentle introduction to key academic issues - such as identifying a writer or speaker's stance and exploring how to support arguments with evidence from cited sources.  

The students are familiar with reading and listening circles.  In this case both are combined.]]> 2021-03-27 01:22:36 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359248525 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359257122 All of my students have now taken to creating short video or audio clips of their daily life and localities, accompanied by selfies, slide shows or just photos of local features and highlights. 

I feel this may be particularly popular due to the sufferings of confinement in lockdown - and because it helps to alleviate our geographical enstrangement.

As with most of us, initial attempts tend to be rather halting and nervous - but progress is rapid once enthusiasm and confidence kick in.

We have previously discussed the merits of the teacher also making similar contributions of their own. 

FIRST AUDIO CLIP FROM BRAZIL


]]> 2021-03-27 01:32:03 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359257122 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359296907 2021-03-27 02:13:11 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359296907 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359341720 I have used this video on Starry Starry Night with Chinese UG STEM students f2f in the past and they were literally enthralled. 

As well as the scientific aspect and element of mystery, they were unexpectedly captivated by the crossover with Western Art. 

Fortunately, we managed to create some opportunities to explore Van Gogh and other Impressionists alongside our discipline specific in-sessional EAP course. 

The Maths and Physics angle was deeply meaningful to them too, which is more than I can say for myself! There arose some interesting disputes about some of the theories propounded in the video but I was not in a position to comment. 

TED Ed provides an instant format  to transform videos into a part of a flipped online classroom.  I am going to try to incorporate this into my work with pre-sessional STEMM students in the summer.

The pre-prepared lesson would be a great boon as an introduction when time is short.  However, I will probably tweak it to make it more subject relevant and culturally meaningful when the time comes.
I have left it as it stands until I know who my students are. I may even make my own, now that I know how.

The same goes for countless other Ted Talks.  Such as this one:


]]> 2021-03-27 03:03:38 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359341720 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359353458 Describing trends]]> 2021-03-27 03:16:31 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359353458 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359354015 Perspectives on frankincense distillation]]> 2021-03-27 03:16:50 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359354015 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359356405 Supplementary content plus pedagogical and technical support]]> 2021-03-27 03:19:10 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359356405 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359356672 Stance, evidence and sources]]> 2021-03-27 03:19:30 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359356672 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359812445 Speaking practice and presentation skills]]> 2021-03-27 13:21:23 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359812445 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359831926 Although this student is normally confident and fluent, the previous audio file betrays the natural tendency for nervousness to impede voice projection when in a stressful situation.  

Since that first attempt at an audio recording, we have followed up with work on voice projection, body language and eye contact - and how these work differently online. 

FLORIANOPOLIS, BRAZIL]]> 2021-03-27 13:38:18 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1359831926 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366130206 Prior to the main activity the students had been working in their three discipline groups to describe each of three objects from the different perspectives of Maths, Physics or Chemistry. 

Although they worked on a large chart f2f, the actvity transfers quite well to a padlet for online collaboration.

PLEASE CLICK OPEN THE PADLET:

]]> 2021-03-30 00:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366130206 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366225793 Students had then been introduced to the process of distilling frankincense oil from frankincense resin. ]]> 2021-03-30 00:51:58 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366225793 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366234889 In this task they once more apply differing perspectives according to their disciplines - this time to the distillation process.

Maths students largely concentrate on quantities, questions of yield and geometry.

Physics students focus on features of the process itself.

Chemistry students examine the chemical compounds and reactions involved. 

PLEASE CLICK OPEN THE PADLET:]]> 2021-03-30 00:55:39 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366234889 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366243653 Each discipline group works collaboratively in their appropriate column to contribute their ideas.  

As they have done previously with the abacus, noodle strainer and water bottle, each other discipline group then has a chance to contribute further ideas. 

The objective is to gain a deeper appreciation of what different disciplines and perspectives can bring to bear on the subject in hand.]]> 2021-03-30 00:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366243653 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366253357 Using the shelf format on Padlet seems to provide the optimum way to transfer such activities online. 

I have experimented with some of the other formats but as yet have not found a use for them.  I am sure I will once I have a full class of pre-sessional students - starting with an introductory padlet similar to the one at the beginning of this course!]]> 2021-03-30 01:03:04 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366253357 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366258205 Padlet is so colourful and versatile and is an ideal way to bring students together in synchronous sessions.

Most of all it enables a wide variety of media to be incorporated with the absolute minimum of hassle.  This in itself makes it most invaluable as a tool.

All that said, I am going to mention a couple of negatives I have been grappling with:  

- Formatting can be restrictive and unwieldy.  I'm not sure it is every graphic designer's dream!

(Manipulating the sequencing within the columns appears to be tedious until you develop the knack. As with many aspects of technology, it is actually pretty simple - but only once you know how.)

- There is also the issue of how to save all the work effectively given that there is the limitation of three iPads on the free version and, even if you upgrade, presumably you would lose all your work if you decided to unsubscribe?  

Lone experimentation has its limits - so any reflections on the above would be much appreciated, as always.]]> 2021-03-30 01:05:09 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366258205 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366640306 This work provided my students with unexpectedly useful insights into elevating their vocabulary and towards understanding the importance of collocation. They are all high level at present, which meant these comparisons were  relevant and timely.  Nonetheless
I was surprised by what great interest they took, some of them extending to their own research.

Five examples follow:  

1)  3rd YEAR UG in-sessional EAP student]]> 2021-03-30 03:59:10 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366640306 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366641437 2)  1st year UG HOME Classics student]]> 2021-03-30 03:59:57 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366641437 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366693852 Analysis and enhancement ]]> 2021-03-30 04:29:51 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366693852 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366712355 It's so quick and easy to prepare a vocabulary quiz with Quizlet.  The app does all the work for you - even suggesting  definitions and visual clues.  The students love the wide range of activities and games it creates instantaneously.  Most importantly, it's fantastic for vocabulary expansion and extension.  On top of that it has a great pronunciation feature.

One of my students has now taken control and is making her own Quizlets, although she does ask me to check them for her first. So, great for student autonomy too - at the right level.]]> 2021-03-30 04:40:53 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1366712355 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1368636478 The same student has to make many presentations as part of her fourth year course as a dentistry student.  Many of these are in English, so we are using the phone recording function for her to video her own presentations and to help to fine tune her delivery. 

The work on voice and other presentation skills will transfer and be helpful for her across both English and Portuguese - and into other aspects of life too.

I have now introduced all of my students to Padlet, which will help to simplify postings and create some more dynamism. 

STUDENT PRESENTATION TALKED THROUGH IN PERSON ONLINE]]> 2021-03-30 16:10:06 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1368636478 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1369010336 This is a summary of a Ted Talk on the future of dentistry. 

TED TALK SUMMARY including preceding audio and original Ted Talk]]> 2021-03-30 17:36:43 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1369010336 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370034812 As discussed in the forums, the smartphone is a wonderful tool to be utilized in myriad ways. Just one of these is for students to make their own contributions to the flipped classroom.  

Whether they produce material in advance or as a follow up, this is a remarkable method of increasing student involvement without eating into too much precious synchronous time.  ]]> 2021-03-31 00:13:14 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370034812 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370477738 Many students are particularly taken with Learn English with Lucy.  Above is one of many examples:]]> 2021-03-31 03:21:45 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370477738 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370496223 Lucy does all kinds of specifically British English lessons and is funny and informative.  She is held to speak English "beautifully" with "crystal clear pronunciation" and and holds a lot of appeal to students around her own age group.  She is good on cultural and idiomatic stuff, providing a spot of lighter but helpful relief alongside heavyweight EAP work. She should not therefore be viewed as competition to the EAP teacher, although there are plenty of competitors to her type of lessons on youTube!

Above is another example I have to hand.  (Warning: the ads can be annoying.)]]> 2021-03-31 03:40:07 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370496223 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370505024 Of course, there is also a literally endless array of other videos to supplement ongoing work at any given moment - far too many to make any attempt at a selection for current purposes.

]]> 2021-03-31 03:48:00 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370505024 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370520150 I have been using youTube as a supplement and resource for a long time now and am constantly trying out ways of exploiting this wealth of material.  There are some further examples of this in the Smartphone section of this padlet as this is an area of overlap.

Many teaching videos and animations are geared to take some of the load off us - for example, to revise aspects of grammar and vocabulary and to help with pronunciation.  In a way they have replaced the traditional library in this, or private lessons even. 

In the meantime, we can concentrate on appropriate selection and on using ourselves to best advantage.

I am looking forward to learning more of how to exploit some of these videos, where necessary, with tools like Video Ant and Edpuzzle.    


]]> 2021-03-31 03:59:58 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1370520150 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373596846 3) MASTERS Medical Management PG EAP student]]> 2021-03-31 22:40:56 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373596846 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373598371 4) PhD THESIS excerpt HOME STUDENT
Sample text



]]> 2021-03-31 22:42:03 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373598371 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373629097 PhD THESIS excerpt HOME STUDENT 
Results


]]> 2021-03-31 23:03:40 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373629097 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373632305 5) Comprehension Hypothesis

Krashen excerpt - sample]]> 2021-03-31 23:06:02 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373632305 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373660060 Krashen excerpt - results]]> 2021-03-31 23:25:42 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373660060 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373662219 I will leave you to draw your own conclusions...

Fascinating stuff...]]> 2021-03-31 23:27:14 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1373662219 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1375903374 Here, my student created this little slideshow of her own volition and narrated it live online.  It's a remarkable improvement and, as importantly, she is enjoying taking responsibility for her own learning.

BRAZILIAN EASTER BUNNY]]> 2021-04-01 16:11:40 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1375903374 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1377177751 These forays into the students' worlds can also provide a brief but pleasant warmer interlude before entering into the more arduous EAP tasks of the day.  

A bonus is that many of the topics encountered - their home, their city, their favourite place, local food, local customs - are perfectly geared towards IELTS and other speaking tests.

Error awareness development, focussed pronunciation practice and practice in asking and answering questions are just some ways in which student recordings can be exploited and utilised.

Although I had previously imagined that much of these techniques would be better achieved through peer interaction,  I have ultimately found them to be at least as successful with individual students - and, somewhat surprisingly, just as much fun.]]> 2021-04-02 01:30:34 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1377177751 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1377326537 A final credit to the plentiful youTubes which are out there to help our students with unfamiliar technology.  Not to mention ourselves.  Here is one of the hundreds available for Padlet alone:

]]> 2021-04-02 02:47:00 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1377326537 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1378924897 After the subject matter has been introduced, each member of the Circle is given a different document or video to examine closely on their own.

Each member examines their material with a view to reporting back to the group.  They are limited to three main questions:

1)  What is the writer or speaker's main stance?

2) How do they support that stance?

3) What original sources are provided in support of their argument?

When the group re-convenes, each member of the circles briefly reports back, opening the way for further comparison of the full set of materials and ensuing discussion.

This activity works well as a lead-in to a further comparison with the rigor of academic argument and citation, where conventions are strictly adhered to and claims must stand up to intense scrutiny.

(Clearly none of the current sources come anywhere close to academic standards of reliable citation.)

Any contemporary topic can be chosen with a selection of current videos and reports from the popular media. In this case,  the following was a very topical hot issue which worked well and provided plenty of room for further development as the media story continued on.  

]]> 2021-04-02 23:44:50 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1378924897 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1379430069 Just another example of the panoply of help available to help us master seemingly every aspect of technology]]> 2021-04-03 12:40:11 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1379430069 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383718918 SOURCE 2

]]> 2021-04-05 16:09:50 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383718918 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383809015 A light hearted introduction to the importance of critical thinking and use of reliable sources.

SOURCE 1

]]> 2021-04-05 16:31:23 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383809015 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383948405 SOURCE 3

]]> 2021-04-05 17:03:43 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383948405 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383987713 SOURCE 4


]]> 2021-04-05 17:12:50 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1383987713 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384139678 SOURCE 5]]> 2021-04-05 17:49:52 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384139678 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384224516 SOURCE 6]]> 2021-04-05 18:11:31 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384224516 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384229868 SOURCE 7

]]> 2021-04-05 18:12:48 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384229868 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384309806 SOURCE 8
You may want to listen selectively]]> 2021-04-05 18:33:43 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384309806 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384322217 The ensuing discussion works well f2f, physically sitting in a circle of eight.  

An effective alternative is for students to work collaboratively on three separate Google documents - one each for stance, supporting evidence and reliable citations. 

Students can then read though the contributions in detail and make relevant observations and comments.  

This could then be followed up with discussion in interchangeable breakout rooms before returning to the main learning objective.  

The source materials provide endless extension opportunities for comparison with academic style and conventions. 

My overall conclusion is that this activity works more successfully f2f,  I'm afraid.  I also think that Padlet would be my preferred tool in the event. Any other suggestions would be appreciated as next time I will be trying it out with weightier academic sources...]]> 2021-04-05 18:37:04 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1384322217 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1389094615 In this last padlet, the columns have been used in a different but equally challenging way - to try to adequately describe a beautiful image of a human cell. Please feel free to add contributions...

PLEASE CLICK OPEN THE PADLET:]]> 2021-04-06 21:02:29 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1389094615 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1393720016 This is summary of the Ted Talk itself, self-recorded by my student:]]> 2021-04-08 00:08:33 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1393720016 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1393723681 And here is a written follow-up on the applications of ultrasound within Dentistry, which is her current major in Brazil:]]> 2021-04-08 00:10:27 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1393723681 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1393742196 A current online student has since completed both of the above Ted Ed lessons and  was inspired enough to create her own follow-up materials.  ]]> 2021-04-08 00:18:48 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1393742196 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1403348131 Brainstorming]]> 2021-04-11 01:14:21 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1403348131 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1403369783 I was introduced to Jamboard by a colleague on this course and have since found it very popular with students for the rapid sharing of ideas.  It is super simple to use and has an appealing sense of informality for certain activities. 

It also provides an oddly sentimental connection to a  world of tactility which seems long lost right now.

So far I have used it for synchronous brainstorming and also in preparation for flipped learning activities, where students can simply add their ideas at will before the class begins.

In this case we were brainstorming ideas of topical interest for debate and essay practice. 


]]> 2021-04-11 01:45:50 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1403369783 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1451392366 In the course of these reflections, it now occurs that I was, in actuality, using the phone to flip my student's learning long before I had even encountered such terminology.  

In that case,  back when living in Oman, I had tasked myself with helping a Bangladeshi frankincense distillery manager to get his English up to speed for the job.  

His name is Hassan and he can be glimpsed in the earlier frankincense videos! 

Being able to articulate the process of distillation and to respond immediately to instructions given in English was fundamental to Hassan's work.  Although he was immensely skilled (irreplaceable even), communication was a bugbear.  Latterly his lack of English had been affecting the safety of the operation - as frankincense oil is highly volatile - and this was putting him in peril of losing his job. A good command of English had become imperative to fulfill his role.  

There were more than a few obstacles, however.  Not only was Hassan unable to speak more than a few basic words of English, but he could not read and write in any language at all at that point.  It was therefore quite a new kind of challenge for me to work against time to help him keep his job.

As he could only spare an hour a day for f2f classes, I quickly sourced and selected from a wealth of language videos on youTube.  These I sent to him through Whatsapp at appropriate junctures. 

I introduced these tentatively and with as much tact as I could muster as many of them were cartoon style for children.  I need not have worried as he took to them without demur. In fact, he visibly enjoyed this way of using his phone - practising alone either in preparation or to reinforce our short sessions together.  The fact that there was minimal, simple, text worked very much in his favour and, ultimately, also contributed to his overall achievement. 

Additionally, there were also many surprisingly helpful bilingual videos to explain areas of perplexity to him in his own language, Bengali. The direct translation method can certainly have its uses, especially when literacy can no longer be taken for granted. 

On top of that, I used to customize short drills (scaffolding from one word to key phrases to whole sentences) and other exercises on Whatsapp and send them through to Hassan.  This technique very effectively got around the issue of him being unable to read.  Soon he could be heard murmuring his drills to himself, rehearsing and practising the key terms of his trade. Unhampered as he was by the problems of un-phonetic English spelling, he soon developed a very fine British accent! 

Within a mere couple of months Hassan was functioning quite brilliantly in English both within his work environment and beyond.  I would surmise that his rapid acquisition was helped by the fact that he was already multi-lingual - in Urdu, Hindi and Arabic as well as his own tongue and a variety of dialects.  Plus he would have had a fair bit of passive exposure to English both in Bangladesh and in Oman, where English is one of the official languages in conjunction with Arabic. However, in the absence of access to a laptop, it was the phone which provided the key.

Nowadays,  Hassan even presents tours of the distillery and explains the process in English to groups of visitors!  For him, the phone remains a tool for lifelong learning and he still frequently self accesses it to upgrade his English skills. 

As a postscript, it was gratifying that not long after - having picked up the rudiments from his phone and emboldened by new confidence - he went on to learn to read and write in English and to access something of the education that had been denied to him by his childhood circumstances.  But that's another story...]]> 2021-04-23 12:29:18 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1451392366 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1451456430 Jumping back to the present moment, three years later... 

Over the duration of this course, I have once again taken to Whatsapp for its convenience as a teaching tool.  This time to practice question structure with my current Brazilian student.  

Although her written grammar is pretty flawless, as is often the case, she was hitting problems when speaking spontaneously.

Our method involves me sending her a selection of photos - usually mysterious ones from my my own phone library.  She then instantly and spontaneously records a few questions about each picture.  If she is making a recurring formation error, I help her to identify this and she then tries to correct it - usually with success.  Other times we may listen back to the recordings together synchronously, employing various error awareness raising exercises. Sometimes she may reinforce the correct forms by following up with a written consolidation exercise.  

Something about the immediacy of this method has produced correspondingly instantaneous results.  This could just be down to the very act of increasing self awareness - as it is not grammatical knowledge that was an issue, just the preservation of accuracy in normal speech. However, there is an intrinsic danger that this kind of exercise can be counter-productive in producing panic and creating inhibition - thus exacerbating the very problem it seeks to address.  Using such an everyday, familiar medium and giving the student technological control seems to mitigate against any such pitfalls of loss of fluency. 

We are now moving on to use this technique for more fine tuning - the goal being to prevent the fossilization of minor but often systemic errors. (Many being simple but important examples of L1 interference - eg: articles, past participles, use of present perfect.) 

I think it is important to handle this kind of thing incrementally and with sensitivity.  When well received, there are few tools more effective in promoting learner autonomy than the ever more fabulous smartphone.


]]> 2021-04-23 12:46:43 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1451456430 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1452025182 Whilst here I have necessarily been referring to individual learners, there are a host of ways that these techniques could be adapted for group, class  and - especially - pair work. 

What I notice is how just the very use of the Smartphone in itself seems to galvanise students, especially - but definitely not only - those in younger age groups.  

For them, it somehow appears to confer some kind of validity upon their learning experience - possibly as it bridges so effectively to their own world, making it both relevant and familiar. 

Assuming I have a homogenous Chinese pre-sessional group when I start back in May, I now intend to explore ways of better harnessing Wechat as an effective supplement to the clunky old VLE.  ]]> 2021-04-23 14:43:08 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1452025182 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1452508787 My very last reflection is that current smartphones are only a stage in the onward march of technology.  At the rate things have been going, they are set to become increasingly sophisticated and ever more intrinsic to daily life.  As things stand, as a tool towards autonomous learning, they seem unrivalled... ]]> 2021-04-23 16:21:02 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1452508787 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1517104197 Here is another one which my student just created to practise specialist dentistry terminology - right off her own bat ]]> 2021-05-12 12:11:56 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1517104197 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1517114088 Finally, here is a customized lesson I created to exploit a short Ted Talk regarding the future of medicine.  

This relates to a much longer Ted Talk looking at the effects of the Covid19 pandemic on the future of medicine.]]> 2021-05-12 12:15:51 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1517114088 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1544830408 And here, as an encore, are three short sketches created, directed and acted by my Brazilian dental student with help from her (English) boyfriend and young nephew.  

These follow on from some experimentation with online role-play - both in the dental surgery and in a variety of more everyday settings.  

These videos were filmed on iPhone and zapped straight to my screen via Zoom.  I was very impressed!

I was also proud to see them as a culmination of three months work both linguistically and in pushing forward the possibilities for using technology in online teaching. 

I think these sketches reveal that online learning has the potential to be every bit as much fun as in-class interaction can be. ]]> 2021-05-20 17:18:01 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1544830408 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1544868906 2021-05-20 17:26:19 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1544868906 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1544874302 2021-05-20 17:27:29 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1544874302 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1550674000 My student later used these Tedtalks as a basis for an exploration of the future of dentistry.]]> 2021-05-23 01:02:01 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1550674000 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1550675092 Of particular interest was the application of Smartphones as a tool of the future within medicine and, by extension, dentistry.]]> 2021-05-23 01:03:58 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1550675092 687540 https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1550679257 See also the importance of Smartphone technology to the future of medicine, and dentistry - as described in the TedEd section, first column.]]> 2021-05-23 01:10:44 UTC https://padlet.com/687540/yuw37ypj380dtvga/wish/1550679257