This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Catherine Thimmesh discusses why creativity is an essential tool for today’s students, and how teachers can easily encourage and foster the development of creative thinking skills. Along the way, she dispels some commonly held myths about what creativity is or… Continue reading Catherine Thimmesh on ‘Creativity in the classroom’
Category: ELTWeekly Volume 9
Joe Ruhl on ‘Teaching Methods for Inspiring the Students of the Future’
Collaboration. Communication. Critical thinking. Creativity. – Should be present in all classrooms. Joe Ruhl received his bachelors and masters degrees at Purdue University and he has been sharing the joys of biology with kids for 37 years. He presently teaches Biology, Genetics, and Science Research courses at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana. Joe and… Continue reading Joe Ruhl on ‘Teaching Methods for Inspiring the Students of the Future’
Five reasons why feedback may be the most important skill
Giving effective feedback is a vital part of communication, whether inside or outside the boardroom or classroom. Bob Dignen explains why. Different aspects of communication lay claim to being the most important: listening effectively or building trust, for example. Though these are important, the critical skill for me is feedback, both giving and getting. Effective… Continue reading Five reasons why feedback may be the most important skill
Authentic materials in the classroom: the advantages
In the first part of a new series on authenticity, our regular contributor and Unlock author Lewis Lansford asks teachers to consider the advantages of using authentic materials in the ELT classroom. I asked a dozen teaching colleagues (identified below by their initials) for reflections on the advantages and disadvantages of using authentic materials in the classroom.… Continue reading Authentic materials in the classroom: the advantages
Assessment for the Language Classroom
Professor Anthony Green is Director of the Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Past President of the International Language Testing Association (ILTA). He has published on language assessment and in his most recent book Exploring Language Assessment and Testing (Routledge, 2014) provides teachers with… Continue reading Assessment for the Language Classroom
Going Mobile: Choices and Challenges
Using Mobile Devices with Students Effectively in the Classroom Do you already use mobile devices with your students in the classroom? If not, would you like to? Perhaps your students use their devices regularly during your classes, or perhaps you’re just starting out – either way, there are several key things to keep in mind… Continue reading Going Mobile: Choices and Challenges
New Teachers: Classroom Management Essentials
Before I share my thoughts, I must make a disclaimer. If you’re looking for a magic solution to classroom challenges, the following will be helpful, but don’t expect major changes overnight. And please remember that a strong instructional philosophy (i.e., how one believes students best learn) and a well-thought-out lesson plan form the foundation for… Continue reading New Teachers: Classroom Management Essentials
Are We Innovating, or Just Digitizing Traditional Teaching?
A few months ago, I noticed an increased amount of discussion around the notion of blended learning. Many of these conversations started on a similar note: “We’re blended—all of our teachers use Google Classroom” (or Edmodo, Schoology, Canvas, Moodle, etc.). However, in probing further, I often discovered that these tools had merely digitized existing content… Continue reading Are We Innovating, or Just Digitizing Traditional Teaching?
Executive Skills and the Struggling Reader
Students who struggle with reading often lack the thinking skills, such as memory, planning, and the ability to shift focus when necessary, that seem natural to skilled readers. For many teachers, the process of reading is so familiar that they often have difficulty explaining it to students. Much like riding a bicycle, we know we… Continue reading Executive Skills and the Struggling Reader
ELTWeekly Volume 9, Issue 5
Real-Time Assessment: Providing a Window Into Student Learning (Video) Oracy in the Classroom: Strategies for Effective Talk (Video) Teaching Your Students to Read Like Pros Authentic materials in the classroom: the advantages Six reasons to use video in the ELT classroom Making the Impossible Possible – Q&A session EMI (and CLIL) – a growing global… Continue reading ELTWeekly Volume 9, Issue 5