Teaching Grammar with the Toolbox INTUIT Closing conference 30 January 2008 Anne-Marie van Hoof Tilburg University

Contents Results of previous pilot –Focus on use of Ellips New pilot –Course –Set up Results/Evaluation –Teacher experience –Student evaluation

First Pilot Use of Toolbox (1 st version) outside class Use of Ellips Results:

New Pilot Course Grammar course for weak students – weeks Previously: Grammar topic every week Use of book containing information & exercises Problems: Student motivation Everybody doing the same exercises at the same time Hardly any time spent on Ellips

New set-up 1 hr grammar instruction 1 hr ‘working with the Toolbox’ in computer rooms Advantages: Students can work at their own pace Students can choose exercises Computer gives instant feedback Teacher can help students one-on-one Toolbox offers a variety of practice materials

Experience Positive: Programmes actively used in class, esp. –Ellips –Englishpage.com Students asked a lot of questions Problems with exercises solved on the spot Drawbacks: Checking Talking to each other Time of the day

Toolbox in class Toolbox use in class Graph: Number of Toolbox hits in lessons (one group)

Homework?? Did they work with the Toolbox outside the lessons? Graph: Number of Toolbox hits between lessons (one group)

General Usage Number of total hits (one group)

Survey

Conclusions The Toolbox: Is user-friendly & well-structured Is a good tool for guided self-study –In independent group not used as often

Conclusions The Toolbox: Is user-friendly & well-structured Is a good tool for guided self-study –In independent group not used as often Cannot be used completely without a book Can be a challenging alternative in class