Using PowerPoint/Prezi effectively in the EFL classroom

If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.

-John Dewey-      

Using PowerPoint/Prezi effectively in the EFL classroom  

 

Generative Questions:  

How can PowerPoint and Prezi support language teaching?

What are the best activities teacher can create using PowerPoint and Prezi?

Hi everybody!

This is our penultimate blog and it gives me the goosebumps because the end of the quarter is coming. You know what I mean! There are many assignments to do and to be honest, time flies away. While it is true, I have been doing my tasks to the letter; it is also true that I had to distribute my time in all this in order to accomplish the established dates or at least this is my main purpose. 

But going back to our subject. What we are concerned here is trying to comprehend how can PowerPoint and Prezi support language teaching.

One of the most striking features related to Prezi is that this tool can create stunning visual impact among students. Moreover, learners could import pictures, maps, PDFs documents as well. Apart from this, pupils could use them as a canvas.  As far as the cinematic experience concerned, students are amazed by the zooming function. That is to say, pupils could be submerged into a “magic world”.  

For me, the gist of the matter is that educators can share their knowledge with the class; it is no secret that teachers play an important role in the education system. In fact, Martinez (2012) mentions that: “From the perfective of the teacher, nothing is more rewarding than freely sharing one`s knowledge. As we see in enterprises like Linux, Apache, Wikipedia, Wiki-leaks, Prezi, Google, ext., the freedom of sharing knowledge and the joy of giving away freely are irreplaceable human needs.” (p.288). Besides, Prezi offers more freedom of navigation.

On the one hand, Prezi is a technological tool can which be kept in the public domain and therefore accessed by students on the Internet. On the other hand, students can navigate the Prezi themselves, observe connections of ideas, visualize concepts as well.

It is reasonable to think that   teachers can use Prezi as a great tool for collaborative classroom sessions or group projects. By the way, we must not forget that learners can cooperate in real time with up to ten others; it seems to me that, this tool helps students with their knowledge acquisition. What is more, I think that students could work together in the classroom or at home as well as to brainstorm and create a presentation on one public virtual whiteboard.

Definitely, Prezi is amazing tool, but is time to write about Power Point; for instance, teacher could combine both Prezi and PowerPoint in order to simplify the tasks of the student. Let me to mention how do this! If you already have all your info in PowerPoint, it is not necessary to start from the scratch. 

Students could use the PowerPoint Import feature with the purpose of transferring your content directly into your Prezi presentation.

One should note here that like Prezi, Power Point is a type of presentation software that allows one to show colored text and images with simple animation and sound. Let us consider what the advantages and disadvantage of this tool. The first thing that needs to be said is PowerPoint presentation is a great aid in teaching. In fact, Mayo, Gallagher & Michel (2017) mention that: “Oral presentations are a common practice in foreign language classes, often used to assess student`s speaking skills. Usually, the presentations are delivered by students in front of the class, often with PowerPoint slides or Prezi as support.” (p.79). We live in a world in which technology plays a, important role so, as teacher, it is important to take into account which could be these tools useful to our students.

On top of that, PowerPoint is easy to create and can be emailed as attachment so, it can be posted on or downloaded from website, and can be converted to html web pages. As teacher, I could use this tool to teach new ideas and concepts to my students through practice, drills, games as well.

This brings up to the question of which of the two tool is the best option; well, in order to research about them there are some tutorials on the website like www.prezi.com/learn or www.tutorialspoint.com/powerpoint/. These are clear and easy to follow; nevertheless, the best way to learn about Prezi or Power Point, I think, is to have a go at producing a presentation by oneself!

References

Juan de Dios Martínez Agudo. (2014). English as a foreign language teacher education: Current perspectives and Challenges. Amsterdam, Holland: Editions Rodopi B.V.

Carmen Álvarez Mayo, Angela Gallagher Brett & Franck Michel. (2017). Innovative language teaching and learning at university: enhancing employability. France: Research-Publishing.Net.

Using music in the classroom

Children must be taught how they think, now what to think

-Margaret Mead-

Generative Questions:

How is music beneficial in the language class?

How often should teacher use music to teach English?

There are grounds for the believe that music plays an important role in the language classroom. Apart from this, many educators use music to modify the classroom`s atmosphere within seconds. It seems to me that music can help learners comprehend more about linguistic details. One of the most striking features is that music is used for teaching new words; in fact, Warnke (2006) mention that: “Music and songs provide quite a lot of material, which can be used for learners of English as a foreign language”.  (p.3).

Bearing this in mind, educators could use language learning set to music will benefit students recognize rhythm, stress, intonation as well. As a future teacher, I could also use music in order to explain pronunciation, or rhyme. It is no secret that songs are used by teacher as an attractive way to teach grammatical concepts; what is more, I think that learners will recall these rules better when they try to hum the lyrics several times.

From my point of view, music can play a very important role in a foreign language classroom. One instance could be that, it is a remarkable tool for helping learners to obtain language, motivating students’ intellects as well. Furthermore, music is a great teaching tool which has ability to join cultures and languages. For me, the gist of the matter is that teacher has into account several aspects to teach as:               

It is important to recognize what are students’ favorite types of music; this brings up to the question of whether music is useful or not! So, the main point is to figure out how professors applying songs. For instance, educator could use repetitive stanzas which are easy to comprehend.

It is possible to use music as a nice lead-in to the lesson in order to engage learners to discuss some issues related to the song. Teacher must be careful when choosing a song, that is to say, selecting one with an easily chorus is an appropriate decision. Many teachers could use lyrics to change students’ attitude, it is often said that if students had been in a same position throughout the lesson, it’s a good idea to play some energetic music.

It seems to me that before listening to the song, educator could show some images associated with the melody and make pupils will speculate about the title of the track.

Songs can also serve as a mean for discussing a grammar point. One way is to ask pupils to look through the lyrics and find some examples of a grammar structure; in other words, educators could teach adjectives, try to choose songs with lots of adjectives in the lyrics. 

According to Lenka (2009) “Auditory learners learn through listening. They learn best through verbal lectures, discussion and listening to others. They benefit from reading texts aloud and the use of a text recorder. In a classroom, auditory learners need to hear the new language. Also, listening to music might be very helpful.” (p.15)

It is acknowledged that lyrics can also help as a device in teaching new vocabulary. As I see it, one activity is to play music and ask the learners to write down the adjectives that they hear; then pupils share the words with the rest of the class. 

In comparison with other teaching technique, music could help pupils with their learning acquisition. While it is true students must use their previous knowledge to comprehend lyrics; it is also true that through this activities learner could break the ice in class.

I think that activities as filing the blanks are very useful for students. And who better than Bruno Mars to practice?

References

Ornerová Lenka. (2009). The Use of Pop Songs in the EFL Classroom. Germany: Diplomica Verlag GmbH.

Stefanie Warnke. (2006). The use of music and songs in the EFL-classroom. Germany: Grin.