On Tuesday 28 April I gave a training webinar for BALEAP TELSIG entitled ‘Interactive Virtual Learning for the synchronous and asynchronous EAP classroom’. It was aimed at Academic English teachers but many of the principles and techniques discussed were relevant to general English teachers as well. More than 170 educators from around the world came along and we explored how interaction can be promoted in the synchronous and asynchronous classroom. Here is the abstract and the recording of the session that BALEAP TELSIG has kindly made available.
Abstract: Moving online has presented most educators with both opportunities and daunting challenges, not least of which is creating engaging and interactive experiences for students. Informed by digital learning pedagogies, this hands-on session will explore effective and practical ways this can be achieved in synchronous and asynchronous EAP classrooms.
NOTE: In the first 25 minutes we explored the significance of interaction in online learning environments and in the second part I showcased practical applications using a user-friendly, multimedia tool, VoiceThread. If you want to take part in the activity, the link I shared with the audience can be found here. The particular technology is just an example of how we can add an element of interactivity to our materials. There are plenty of other technologies that can assist you with that and as I mentioned in the webinar, it is the principles rather than the tools we should be focusing on.
Here are some slides you may find useful:
Interactivity in the synchronous classroom
Interactivity in the asynchronous classroom
References
In action! Thanks to Phil Longwell for the photo
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