Making Use of Technology Tools I
Course Summary and Target Audience
Note: This course can be combined with ‘Making Use of Technology Tools II’ to form a two-week course.
This practical, hands-on course is for educators and other professionals who would like to experience and learn to use a variety of software and (free) online tools in order to integrate technology into their classroom, school or other learning environments (while also brushing up their own use of English). Specialised knowledge is not required, except for a basic knowledge of using Microsoft Word and using the Internet. Participants are strongly advised to bring a laptop as they will be actively using it during the week. Participants need to be at a minimum B1 level of English.
Fast Facts
| Course dates: | 25 Feb – 01 March 2019 15 – 19 April 2019 24 – 28 June 2019 15 – 19 July 2019 05 – 09 August 2019 07 – 11 October 2019 21 – 25 October 2019 |
| Max. group size: | 12 |
| Entry level: | B1 |
| Min. age: | 23 |
| Course materials: | Included |
| Hours/week: | 21 |
| Price: | £395 |
| Booking fee | £50 |
| Terms and conditions |
Preparation
After registration, participants on this course programme will receive:
- A pre-course questionnaire to enable trainers to learn about the participants’ teaching backgrounds
- Information about the Europass Mobility Certificate
- Information about York to prepare teachers for their cultural experience
Objectives
The aim of this course is to:
- help teachers reflect on their own teaching methods in relation to technology in the classroom today
- enable better skills in technology and ICT
- introduce an awareness of technology and ICT in the classroom today and ways of integrating ICT with teaching methodologies, using hands-on and experiential methods
- help participants experience hands-on a range of interesting tools, software and programmes which are available as freeware and to set up activities linking contemporary methodology with technology
- further develop participants’ own language skills
- experience the cultural heritage of York with its rich environment
Methodology
This course is taught interactively, with input sessions, collaborative and group project work. Participants are actively involved in all sessions. Input sessions are in the form of hands-on workshops and could involve brain-storming, analysis and problem-solving. Sessions help participants to set up tools such as blogs and websites and apply online tools in a supported setting.
Participants are asked to reflect on the tools and activities, inviting discussion with regard to their own knowledge and skills, their approach to teaching today’s students and on adaptation of the use of tools to their teaching and learning situations and contexts.
- Exchange of participants’ ICT and pedagogical knowledge is encouraged through discussion.
- Participants’ own language skills are developed and feedback given where appropriate.
- Participants are also introduced to appropriate websites related to the further development of their teaching skills and personal professional development.
Follow Up
The course ends with an evaluation session, where teachers are asked to reflect upon the value of the knowledge gained on the course and its usefulness to them, create a Personal Development Action Plan, and select activities which they would like to try out in their own classes.
They are invited to join the York Associates Community, which allows networking and contact with the trainers and fellow colleagues, and with participants from other courses.
Sample Course Programme
| Week 1 | Session One | Session Two | Session Three |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONDAY | Welcome:
Introductions. Needs/Hopes Education Technology: Introduction | 1.2 Software suite: GOOGLE APPS Introduction to collaborative tasks and blogging | 1.3 Blogging: creating and posting a blog |
| TUESDAY | 2.1 Using Mobile devices: Strategic and discrete use, apps, classroom and organisational issues | 2.2 Using images:
libraries, creating galleries, free sources, copyright issues, etc | 2.3 Authoring software: quizzes, word searches, crosswords and language testing |
| WEDNESDAY | 3.1 Using video: YouTube and its applications: downloading editing, subtitling, curation | 3.2 Video editing: text, transitions, animation, titles audio | 3.3 Digital citizenship: digital literacy in the post-truth world |
| THURSDAY | 4.1 Podcasting (1) Uses, programmes, issues to bear in mind | 4.2 Podcasting (2) creating and publishing a podcast | 4.3 Field trip (project task) |
| FRIDAY | 5.1 Creating and using websites | 5.2 Project activity: Planning and creating a project (field trip follow-up) | 5.3 Project Presentations |
21 hour teacher development courses may use a 8.00- 12.30 or 13.30 -17.30 time slot. Afternoon programmes will finish earlier on certain days for social programme options.
