Toss the Markers! By Carolyn Flores Okay…well it’s just an idea!

How it all began…. One day, about two years ago, I was enjoying my class and writing some interesting words on the board. All of a sudden, I felt queasy AGAIN and began to notice the familiar lightheadedness I would always seem to get just before lunch. One day, about two years ago, I was enjoying my class and writing some interesting words on the board. All of a sudden, I felt queasy AGAIN and began to notice the familiar lightheadedness I would always seem to get just before lunch. I tried to shake it off and as I turned around, I dropped my marker which happened to roll down my new white summer pants. I tried to shake it off and as I turned around, I dropped my marker which happened to roll down my new white summer pants. I suddenly realized it was that very marker making me feel sick! I suddenly realized it was that very marker making me feel sick! And…..from that day on……..I never looked back.……. And…..from that day on……..I never looked back.…….

I tossed the markers out! Okay…..well, it wasn’t THAT dramatic. But I was determined to find another way to teach! Okay…..well, it wasn’t THAT dramatic. But I was determined to find another way to teach!

And then…….I had an idea! Why not use the computer?!

And lo and behold… it was the best idea I have ever had in all my years of teaching. And to share with you, here are a few things that I’ve discovered about teaching with the computer, the keyboard, and the mouse…… And lo and behold… it was the best idea I have ever had in all my years of teaching. And to share with you, here are a few things that I’ve discovered about teaching with the computer, the keyboard, and the mouse……

The Advantages The Advantages Effective and efficient use of time Effective and efficient use of time Caters to all levels (great for multi-level!) Caters to all levels (great for multi-level!) Students just need to listen and get a copy later Students just need to listen and get a copy later Has spell check and synonym words on the spot Has spell check and synonym words on the spot Is VISUALLY attractive! Is VISUALLY attractive! You can COPY, SAVE, and REUSE your lessons You can COPY, SAVE, and REUSE your lessons Allows for file management – it’s SO easy! Allows for file management – it’s SO easy! Allows for picture vocabulary (clipart and on-line) Allows for picture vocabulary (clipart and on-line)

More Advantages….. Students can do more grammar and writing activities. They can focus on what they need. Students can do more grammar and writing activities. They can focus on what they need. Allows for editing sentences and paragraphs as a class. Allows for editing sentences and paragraphs as a class. Allows for lower level students to be part of any lesson designed for intermediate and advanced. Allows for lower level students to be part of any lesson designed for intermediate and advanced. Environmentally friendly – fewer photocopies! Environmentally friendly – fewer photocopies! Resourceful – little digging for material in books. Resourceful – little digging for material in books. Allows for reinforcement – just pull up, copy, and review, review, and review! Allows for reinforcement – just pull up, copy, and review, review, and review! Interactive – On-line quizzes, games, and exercises. You can buy your own programs and use them, too! Interactive – On-line quizzes, games, and exercises. You can buy your own programs and use them, too!

Disadvantages Ummmm…..maybe these ones…… Ummmm…..maybe these ones…… The projector does get warm if it is being used for 5 hours a day. The bulbs are expensive – however 1 bulb = 2000 hours. The projector does get warm if it is being used for 5 hours a day. The bulbs are expensive – however 1 bulb = 2000 hours. Electricity = $ Electricity = $ If you are not comfortable using a computer ….this style may not be for you If you are not comfortable using a computer ….this style may not be for you Available classroom technology may not support this method Available classroom technology may not support this method

Great for….. Tuning into listening websites, news releases on Yahoo, CNN…etc Tuning into listening websites, news releases on Yahoo, CNN…etc Reading CURRENT online stories together and analyzing sentence structure Reading CURRENT online stories together and analyzing sentence structure Working on grammar quizzes together Working on grammar quizzes together Typing out and editing sentences to highlight key points Typing out and editing sentences to highlight key points Practicing pronunciation lists and separating words into syllables Practicing pronunciation lists and separating words into syllables Finding and printing off instant lessons from the internet & using your file management systems Finding and printing off instant lessons from the internet & using your file management systems

Any questions so far?

Let’s try some websites!