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Toss the Markers!. Okay…well it’s just an idea!. How it all began….
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Toss the Markers! Okay…well it’s just an idea!
How it all began…. • One day, about two years ago, I was enjoying my class and writing some interesting words on the board. All of a sudden, I started feeling queasy AGAIN andbegan to notice the familiar lightheadedness I would always seem to get just before lunch. • I tried to shake it off and as I turned around, I dropped my marker which happened to roll down my new white summer pants. • I suddenly realized it was that very marker making me sick! • And…..from that day on……..I never looked back.…….
I tossed the markers out! Okay…..well it wasn’t THAT dramatic. But I was determined to find another method to teach.!
And lo and behold…it was the best idea I have ever had in all my years of teaching. To and share with you, here are a few things that I have discovered about teaching with the computer, the keyboard, and the mouse……
The Advantages • Effective and efficient use of time • Caters to all levels (great for multi-level!) • Students just need to listen and get a copy later. • Has spell check and synonym words on the spot • Is VISUALLY attractive! • You can COPY, SAVE, and REUSE your lessons. • Allows for file management systems – it’s SO easy! • Allows for picture vocabulary (on-line)
More Advantages….. • Students can do more grammar and writing activities. They can focus on what they need. • Allows for editing sentences and paragraphs together. • Allows for lower level students to be part of any lesson designed for intermediate and advanced. • Environmentally friendly – less photocopies! • Resourceful – little digging for material in books. • Allows for reinforcement – just pull up copy and review review and review! • Interactive together– On-line quizzes, games, and exercises. You can buy your own CDs and use too!
Disadvantages Ummmm…..maybe these ones…… • The projector does get warm if it is being used for 5 hours a day. The bulb are expensive – however 1 bulb = 2000 hours. Electricity = $ • If you are not comfortable using a computer ….this style may not be useful to you. • Classroom funding may not support this method.
Great for….. • Tuning into listening websites, news releases on yahoo, CNN…etc • Reading CURRENT online stories together and analyzing sentence structure. • Working on grammar quizzes together. • Typing out and editing sentences by highlighting key points. • Practicing pronunciation lists and separating words into syllables. • Finding and printing off instant lessons from the internet using your file management systems.