Module 3: Technology in the Classroom

Contents
Module 3: Technology in the Classroom....................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
How to build a Edmodo Site....................................................................................................................................... 2
Setting up a Blog ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Using Skype in the Classroom.................................................................................................................................... 5
Using Twitter and Facebook ...................................................................................................................................... 5

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Introduction
The use of technology in the classroom is one of the most critical developments over the last few years.

We are now seeing the benefits of technology in engaging students, through games and the Internet. In this
Module, we offer some ideas on how to incorporate technology into the classroom and improve teaching and
learning.

There is no doubt that technology and the wealth of information on the Internet is changing the way people
communicate.

It is also changing the way that people learn and, more importantly for this course, it's changing the way a
teacher instructs and a student learns.

You are taking an Online TEFL and Mindfulness Course because it's an excellent way to learn and it will
provide you with all the resources and the skills you need to start your teaching career. Those who have
access to the Internet are taking advantage of the incredible amount of resources available to help teachers
and students learn.

In Module 3, we will show you ways that you can embrace technology and ways you can use it to add
context and develop your students' English. There may be cases when technology is not possible and in
these circumstances you will have to be creative and inspire using other resources.

Let's start by showing you how to create somewhere to store and present all this important information and
give students a place where they can feel confident enough to find the answer to their questions. It's also a
super way to collaborate with students. For example, you can give students homework tasks by taking a
photo and adding it to your Edmodo or blog.

It's vital that you recommend to them websites that are worth looking at.

Websites and Blogs:

There are many software packages out there to set up your own website. Enjoy TEFL likes Edmodo and
Word Press Blogs.

We will now show you how to create your own Edmodo website and Word Press Blog and get you to set
your own up and add some resources to it, so that you're ready to go as soon as you walk into the classroom.

How to build a Edmodo Site

A Edmodo site is an excellent place to have some theory as well as having a place where students can put
their own ideas or games they have used.

It is also a great place to have activities for lessons if a student has access to a PC and the Internet. For
example, you can create all sorts of grammatical lessons using images or text passages.

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Let's consider some of the steps to setting up a Edmodo account and get you to create your own. We would
then like you to add some resources to it.

If you have the technology in your first classroom, you can use it straight away and incorporate it into a
lesson.

We want you to create some personal information about you and where you come from. This might include
the town you are from, sport played, hobbies, family, jokes, games or just about anything you think you
could use!

1. Go to https://www.edmodo.com and set up an account.

2. Select the orange box titled "I'm a Teacher"

3. Please add your school as Enjoy TEFL or Skip this stage.

4. Well done, you're all set to add resources using the Library Function.

5. Finally if you need any help please use the Edmodo Help Centre.

https://support.edmodo.com/hc/en-us

Setting up a Blog
A blog is another superb way for you to interact with students. It can be used for intermediate and advanced
students as you can post an interesting article that can be read before the start of the lesson. The student
could go through and check the vocabulary before the lesson.

Although you may be teaching in some remote areas with no access to technology, many of you will find
that you are teaching students who have access either to their personal technology or can use the school's
technology.

Either way, it will help build rapport with your students and help them collaborate and interact in groups.

Enjoy TEFL recommends that you set up a Word Press site or similar.

If you go to https://wordpress.com you will be able to make your first blog site. Once you have a blog site
set up, you can give the address to students and immediately start working together.

The activity for this section is to set up a Word Press blog.

* Please note that Wordpress is a third party supplier. Any set up or support issues or password reset
issues should be be addressed to https://en.support.wordpress.com

Lets go through what you need to do.

1. Go to https://wordpress.com

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2. Choose the blue button in the middle of the screen, which states "Create Website":

3. You will then see the following screen, which is Step 1 of the setup:

4. Please choose education, which you will find on the second row.

Once you have chosen Education then you will be at Step 2 of 6. This step is called "What would you like
your homepage to look like.

Please choose the top left box called "A list of my latest posts"

5. This will open Step 3 of 6, which is called Choose a theme.

Please select Twenty Sixteen

6. We should now be on Step 4 of 6. Let's choose a domain name. We have chosen enjoytefl2.
Please choose your own domain name and then type it into the box provided. Your domain will be
checked against any duplicates. if your domain is accepted please press the free option and press
the blue select button.

7. Please select the free option. If you don't choose the free option you will be asked to make a
payment.

We're going to select enjoytefl2.wordpress.com for FREE.

8. You should now be on Step 5 of 6. Please choose "Select Free" box on the far left of your
screen.

9. You should now be on Step 6 of 6. Please enter your email address and create a password.

10. Now press create My Account and you will activate your account.

*Please note that you will be sent an email to confirm your account. If you do not receive an email
confirmation you must contact Wordpress using https://en.support.wordpress.com

Within the email you are sent you must confirm your email address by pressing the confirm now
button. As soon as you have confirm can sign in.

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Once you sign in you will see the following screen:

11. Please use the left hand side menu bar and select Blog Posts and select the button Add.

12. Please press add and you will see the following screen:

13. Now you're ready to write your first blog post:

Please write a title and add content.

14. Press the button Publish and you have now published your first Blog. Well done.

You can view your blog in a separate screen by pressing the view button next to the edit button.

15. You can now share your URL with your learners.

* Please note that Wordpress is a third party supplier. Any set up or support issues or
password reset issues should be be addressed to https://en.support.wordpress.com

Now that you have created a Wikispaces site and blog, you are ready to guide your students and also your
colleagues on the best available resources to use to get better at English. You can also add text and pages so
that you have your resources ready in one place for your lessons.

You will find that it's an effective way to manage and build up your resource base.

Using Skype in the Classroom

Skype is an excellent tool for your students to practise listening and speaking. If you can arrange to talk to
another school in an English speaking country to discuss any project or theme, it's a great way for your
students to practise and it's fun.

Using Twitter and Facebook

Both Twitter and Facebook are excellent resources to help you connect with your students. Later in the
course we suggest activities that you can use to incorporate Facebook and Twitter into your lessons.

Please have a look at our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/enjoytefl/

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We'd feel delighted if you could LIKE us as well. Thank you.

It's a great place to view the latest blogs and articles about teaching and we've also got some excellent offers
on there as well! We also post the latest jobs on Facebook.

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