ELT Cast Newsletter #3
Using technology to streamline one's workflow
Today marks day one of a four-week make-up course offered to learners who did not pass the fall 2022 semester. Four subjects as four make-up courses being offered from December 13, 2022 to December 18, 2022 and from January 2, 2023 to January 20, 2023. I am using RemNote and Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Word, etc.) since our learning management system, Moodle, is unavailable. This is the second time the university has offered such a course and was in response to "post-" pandemic actions designed to assist learners in adjusting to in-person courses. I for one have noticed that some learners are not quite used to working in class, or in person, and would rather socialize, opting to complete the work outside of class. Not all learners, but overall, I have seen this tendency. I also acknowledge that I am to blame as perhaps the learning design I have been choosing is inappropriate. Either way, it has allowed me to reflect more on next semester and my forthcoming workflow.
Listened to The Pulse | William Ryan on Flipped Learning, a tech. podcast.
Using Zoom with instructors
Cost-effective for reaching more instructors, but cases where learners were assisting instructors in how to use Zoom.
Regardless of technology - as it changes over time - a proper mindset is needed to get instructors (and students) used to using technology for a particular (learning) purpose.
Redefining assessment and the role technology plays in how learners/instructors interact with each other.
"Let's guide a bit more...", how to flip the model so that technology promotes learning and engagement both in person and online, synchronously and asynchronously.
Integrating technologies (e.g., Zoom with other technologies) depends on context.
Teaching with Zoom as a learning tool
Toss a third of the presentation planned for learners. Present less information to learners as a way to shift from lectures to posing questions and discussions, reacting to learners' comments. Have a shared conversation with learners.
What technologies are you considering to continue or modify your current workflow to better serve your (English language) learners?
Here's a video for students taking the make-up subjects this month and next.