I’ve been a fan of thinglink for a while, and sometimes I just take it for granted that there are many educators out there who haven’t come across it or don’t really know what it does. It is a powerful free app that turns images into interactive spaces for learning. Besides being an mlearning powerhouse, […]
This week I observed a class that made me realize how simple changes can impact on how students interact, learn and do things. The teacher told me about all her challenges with the group, teens that come to English classes just after their regular school hours – sometimes even without eating lunch. She mentioned her […]
Please, don’t get me wrong. In a blog post I wrote about the trap of asking too many questions in the classroom, I make a point in avoiding the many questions we ask, mainly to our teens. However, I know that many educators are now questioning it because, in fact, inquiries in the classroom can […]
I had the pleasure to be in Goiânia for a talk sponsored by Richmond to talk to local teachers about the trends in Ed Tech. It was a very pleasant morning with a group of motivated and interested educators. Here’s the presentation: Ed Tech Hot Topics in ELT from Carla Arena As I pointed out […]
Conferences are made of connections, gatherings, new acquaintances. The BrazTESOL International Conference in João Pessoa was no different, except that it was totally different for me. The premises of the Bilingual School Cidade Viva were amazing, with great infrastructure for an international event. The people working there had a special vibe, very solicitous always, and […]
From Social to Learning from Carla Arena Besides the mLearning colloquium TESOL Interstection Session (EFL-IS/CALL-IS), “Experiences Integrating Mobile Learning in Language Classrooms Around the Globe”, I’ve had the great satisfaction to be part of a colloquium on Social Networking in ELT in which we had the chance to highlight uses and the history of social networking […]
TESOL 2014: From Mobile to Learning from Carla Arena My presentation in TESOL 2014 was part of a great multicultural colloquium about mlearning contexts around the world. Even in such different contexts, such as in the US, India and Japan, there’s still so much in common, mainly in terms of iPad rollout programs and infrastructure […]
I had a great time with the languages students at Universidade Católica de Brasilia. Once again I had the pleasure to explore a topic that every educator, every learner should learn about in order to take the best of their networks and give it back, as well, curation. Digital Curation for Educators from Carla Arena […]
I´ve just come across this box of mlearning treasures that an art teacher/teacher trainer has put together. Though the focus is on digital art, many ideas can be adapted for the language classroom. http://drydenart.weebly.com/creating-on-ipads.html Mrs. Fuglestad has also created a Smore page with ideas for ipad creation. What I think could be the […]
Yesterday I was talking to a very experienced teacher who I know suffers from the same syndrome I do and most of the teachers out there do. The how-can-I-reach-teens syndrome. We all develop strategies, sometimes war strategies, we think and re-think ways that we could better engage our teens. The roller coaster is always […]
For years I’ve been training teachers and coaching them to integrate technology into the classroom. The changes I’ve seen around throughout those years vary from none to new, reinvigorated professionals. How does the move happen? Change will take many different shapes, from reframing an activity the teacher has already tried out to taking the […]
For some, I might seem confident and a bit tech-savvy.However, with teens it seems that I’m bond to failure. That’s how I feel so often. Teaching them is like a roller coaster. Yes, don’t get me wrong! Sometimes I fear I won’t reach them. Every time I prepare my classes I have the feeling that […]
Much have been told about the competencies and skills educators should develop to “survive” and thrive in a classroom nowadays. High on my list are some that should have always been there: >> developing listening skills>> practicing our empathy at all times, even when we feel like giving up>> preparing lessons that are brain-friendly, helping […]
Think of three ways of using post-its in your classroom to enhance learning. Write them down in three different post-its. Then, try to come up with two more ideas based on the first three ones and add them just below the three first ideas. Do you feel how they can come alive for learning? So, […]
Who doesn´t like to roll the dice? Well, we keep the challenge of changing bits of our lesson plan to make our classrooms more engaging, fun, with powerful human touch added to them. In your next class, try this one! Give each group or pair of students a die. There are different ways to use […]
This video is a call. A call for reflection and action. I agree with much that it is said, but we need to find a balanced view to education. It is not just moving from a controlled, Prussian model of education to an utopian school. We can achieve student engagement, motivation and passion for learning […]
As I write these words, I’m listening to Yo Yo Ma, a well-known cellist, who never ceases to amaze me. First, I was totally taken by his music, empathy, charisma. I remember I used to teach using a book for advanced students who talked about Yo Yo Ma and his tribute to Sarajevo during the […]
Terror, panic, goose bumps, adrenaline rush. Only if you’ve ever done a Pecha Kucha in your life will you know what I am talking about… The model is simple, 20 slides in 20 seconds each. The presentation is no more than 6:40 min. Easy, no? Well,it is my second PK, and it IS terrifying, mainly […]
Much has been said about the dangers of generalization and stereotypying a certain group of people. Now, how do we approach it in the classroom? Here’s a lesson plan I’ve used it in the past with my groups. The first part is adapted from http://the_english_dept.tripod.com/stereo1.html Choose two adjectives that you think describe different nationalities. punctual tolerant […]
To champion the selfless acts of others. This is the motto of a great site to explore the wonders of different cultures around the globe. http://explore.org is a “multimedia organization that documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. Both educational and inspirational, explore creates a portal into the soul […]