I think I may be doing something right! The TCI/TPRS storyasking approach seems to be complementing my Project-Based Learning approach nicely, as students become more familiar with the vocabulary and structures we’re working with, and they are engaging more easily in interpersonal discussion as a class. Here’s how it’s gone Read more…
I believe that simple resource curation and evaluation are among the most useful skills for 21st century learners to practice. Curation and evaluation are also valuable ways to exercise interpretive reading and listening for a real-world purpose in the world language classroom. Using key words to search provides context, maybe Read more…
I missed the memo that Google had added rules to 20 Time, but I’m totally okay with it. In fact, a little additional structure and scaffolding suits me fine. @SECottrell of Musicuentos directed me to the Forbes post linked above with her post on Genius Hour, and I’d like to take Read more…
I missed the memo that Google had added rules to 20 Time, but I’m totally okay with it. In fact, a little additional structure and scaffolding suits me fine. @SECottrell of Musicuentos directed me to the Forbes post linked above with her post on Genius Hour, and I’d like to take Read more…
Most projects worth doing cannot be done alone. Most projects worth doing require coordination of time, materials, money, and information. Coordinating all of these elements is one reason collaboration is an essential 21st century skill. The old adage tells us what we must do with anything we want done right, Read more…
I am determined to prove that Genius Hour is possible at the novice level in world language classes, without completely sacrificing target language time. I believe that the proper scaffolding allows students to pursue their passions in the target language at whatever level. Now, students won’t necessarily be making Earth-shattering Read more…
I feel like I progressed a lot as an educator in 2013, especially in the fields of Project-Based Learning and sticking to the target language. I’m also still basking in the support from colleagues around the world, both online and at my first ACTFL convention. If I were really smart, Read more…
I think one of the biggest problems my students had with Genius Hour this past semester was choosing a topic that would drive them. Sure, they picked things they were mildly curious about, but as I’ve said before, if you don’t feel like you’re getting away with something during Genius Read more…
You arranged for your class to Skype with a native speaker–maybe a whole class of native speakers–and to carry on a real live conversation in the target language. Your kids introduced themselves, nodded and said “gracias” like they should when their compañeros across the internet answered their questions. But you Read more…
After an awkward class Skype session or five, I’ve resorted to having students prepare a sort of script for what to do when. Setting the schema of the conversation beforehand is essential., but since the conversation is spontaneous, it’s not a you-read-this-I-read-that script, but sort of a playbook for what Read more…