As a language teacher, translation apps and devices matter a lot to me. I have come to terms with the fact that my students will be using these technologies to complete their assignments. I work to develop activities and exercises that stress skills that are augmented by this technology. These tools can be helpful.Continue reading “Differentiation with Translation Apps”
Author Archives: Pat W
Differentiation in Board Games
I am working on integrating board games into my ESL curricula for next year. Board gaming is a personal hobby of mine, and games can bring lots of educational and developmental value to a classroom. One benefit is that certain board games lend themselves well to differentiation. “Family games” is the moniker used forContinue reading “Differentiation in Board Games”
Board of Executive Function
My son’s school recently hosted a TEDx Youth event – Reflect Restart Reconnect. They invited parents to present, so I jumped at the opportunity to sing the praises of board games. I focused on brain development and age-appropriate skills our children and students can practice through board gaming. Based on the audience reaction, especially allContinue reading “Board of Executive Function”
Scaffolded Splendor
I swear by two educational strategies and try to regularly implement them in my classes: scaffolding and spaced repetition. Of course, hundreds of other strategies exist, but these are my favorites. Scaffolded instruction is a simple idea. Content in skills should be taught in a “scaffolded” manner from simple to more complex. For example, aContinue reading “Scaffolded Splendor”
Audibooks are not Books
I admit that audiobooks are not my preferred form of media, but I still feel compelled to defend the art form. I dislike when people try to claim that listening to audiobooks counts as reading the book. That is patently false. If you can do it while driving, it is not reading. My problemContinue reading “Audibooks are not Books”
When Less is Less – Ghost in the Shell and Æon Flux
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Æon Flux should compared together because they share so much in common. They are both excellent pieces of animated cyberpunk. The worlds are fleshed-out and exciting. Both shows question what makes us human. These are only some of the aspects that deserved to be highlighted. Unfortunately,Continue reading “When Less is Less – Ghost in the Shell and Æon Flux”
Taboo Talk Around
Speaking tasks are important for language learners. Speaking puts students on the spot and forces them to be quick and use their language in real time. This is difficult and might not be the best measure of a student’s ability, but speaking is fundamental to communication, so all language courses incorporate these activities. One ofContinue reading “Taboo Talk Around”
“Black people are not dark-skinned white people” – Tom Burrell
Growing up in a world of hyper-specific targeted advertising, it seemed wild to me that Tom Burrell would make his career pointing out the obvious, “black people are not dark-skinned white people.” But back in the 1960s ad agencies were stodgy and boring I guess. Although I haven’t watched Mad Men. Maybe if I hadContinue reading ““Black people are not dark-skinned white people” – Tom Burrell”
Don’t Cross the Streams – Mando S03E01
The Mandalorian season 3 started with a WTF. Last time I saw Din Djarin in the season 2 finale, his ship had been destroyed and his quest to deliver Grogu to the Jedi was complete. A few minutes into the first episode of season 3, Din and Grogu arrive together on a new ship toContinue reading “Don’t Cross the Streams – Mando S03E01”
Codenames
Codenames, designed by Vlaada Chvátil and published by Czech Games Edition, is one of the highest-ranked party games on BoardGameGeek. I think it is easier to adapt good games to a classroom than try to convince students edutainment games are good. When I use a game for class, I want the students to have funContinue reading “Codenames”
The Keasy Depot 