domingo, 20 de marzo de 2016

Task 1: Summary of the legal framework of the use of ICT

Since it is essential to be aware of the importance of integrating the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) while teaching and teachers have to act according to the applicable law, here you have a summary of the legal framework of ICT in Spain:

Nowadays the concept of useful learning is closely related to skills, which are characterized by their cross and comprehensive character, since skills constitute the implementation of what is learnt in many academic, social and professional contexts. Therefore the skill-based learning process should be faced from every subject, what implies a huge change in the activities addressed to students and in the used methodology.

Therefore teaching methodologies should be innovative and include cooperative learning, interdisciplinary projects, the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and, in general, any other method which implies an inclusive education addressed to the skill-based learning. These methodologies contribute to increase the motivation of the students, the acquisition of knowledge and the achievement of the aims and, consequently, they imply an improvement of the results.

In addition to the contents, objectives, methodologies and skills, among other aspects, one of the cross points of every teaching program should be the encouragement of the use of ICT and audiovisual communication.

ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education)
Regarding the objectives to be achieved in Secondary Education in Spain, it is necessary to make students learn basic elements of culture, specially humanistic, artistic, scientific and technological aspects and this is reflected in the contents. Consequently, within the block of specific subjects, all students will study two subjects to choose among the following: Performing Arts and Dance; Scientific Culture; Classic Culture; Art, Visual and Audiovisual Education; Philosophy; Music; Second Foreign Language; Information and Communications Technology; or any core subject which is not already studied by the student.

For promotion decisions, special consideration will be given to the marks obtained in the core subjects, as well as the degree of acquisition of linguistic and mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology.

BACHILLERATO (A levels)
Regarding the objectives to be achieved in the A levels in Spain, teachers should develop active and innovative teaching methods that include the use of research techniques by students in order to learn by themselves, autonomous and team work, the application of their knowledge in real contexts and the systematic use of ICT.

Students will have to choose three specific subjects among a list in which ICT is included and, at the same time, public schools have to offer a group of optional subjects according to the students demand criteria and the availability of resources. However the following subjects must be offered whenever there is time availability of teachers with final destination in the centre and it does not involve an increase in staff: Second Foreign Language and Information and Communications Technology.

TEACHER TRAINING
The department responsible for teacher training will enhance the offer of continuous training of teachers concerning the innovative teaching methodologies, including cooperative learning, interdisciplinary projects, the use of ICT and methods that promote active and inclusive education. Likewise it will be promoted training for making teaching and assessment programs based on skills, creation of digital educational resources and foreign languages.

Source: Decreto 87/2015 de 5 de junio del Consell
You can check this document here.

sábado, 19 de marzo de 2016

Task 2: Image based writing activity

Firstly let's reflect on this picture. Can you answer the question on it?
PicLit from PicLits.com
See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

As you can see, it is necessary to use the conditional form of the verbs for talking about hypothetical facts.
PicLit from PicLits.com
See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

Now you can create your own images with messages expressing what you would do if you were rich and, at the same time, practicing the conditional tense.

viernes, 18 de marzo de 2016

Task 3: Image based speaking activity

Now it is time to speak!

You can find here some images with a voice message which helps you to start talking about the topic. Of course, you can add your audio comments on these pictures or create your own set of images with your recordings.

jueves, 17 de marzo de 2016

Task 4: Write a book with Tar Heel Reader

Although you can think that writing a book is a very difficult task, students can write their own easy-to-read books using pictures that they upload from the Internet.

It is important to have in mind the students' level and the objectives that should be achieved when thinking about the book requirements. Furthermore the topic to be dealt should be included in the curriculum of the level, so that they can use the expected language and the teacher clearly knows how to assess it.

You can see a model book here, so that students write their own books. In this case the book is addressed to students of 2nd of ESO (thirteen-year-old students) and the topic is "Daily life activities", which is in the curriculum of this level. Therefore learners should know how to express such kind of actions in English and the used language could be easily assessed.

You can create your own books here. Books should be completed and revised before publishing them to the site, but you can save them as drafts and publish them when they have been checked by the teacher.

miércoles, 16 de marzo de 2016

Task 5: My webpage

If you want to keep learning English, you should visit my webpage, which is full of resources so that you can improve your skills having fun.


martes, 15 de marzo de 2016

Task 6.1 Set of Hotpotatoes activities - Cloze

Photograph

Photograph

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

can hurt, loving can hurt
But it's the only thing that I know
When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing that makes us feel
We keep this love in a photograph
We made these for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
And time's forever still
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped
Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet
You won't ever be , wait for me to come home
Loving can heal, loving can mend your soul
And it's the only thing that I know, know
I swear it will get easier,
that with every piece of you
Hm, and it's the only thing we take with us when we die
Hm, we keep this love in this photograph
We made these memories for
Where our eyes are never closing
were never broken
And time's forever frozen still
So you can keep me
Inside the of your ripped jeans
Holding me closer 'til our meet
You won't ever be alone
And if you me
That's okay baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
You can fit me
Inside the necklace you got when you were sixteen
Next to your where I should be
Keep it deep within your soul
And if you hurt me
Well, that's okay baby, only words bleed
Inside these you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go
When I'm away, I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost back on Sixth street
Hearing you whisper through the ,
"Wait for me to come home."



lunes, 14 de marzo de 2016

Task 6.2 Set of Hotpotatoes activities - Quiz

Photograph quiz

Photograph quiz

Quiz