EFL Blogging School

Live Session 12
December, 28 2014

Bridging the Skills Gap in

Multi-Level and Mixed Ability
Classes. Integrating Web 2.0
Tools

Think about

What is the most

challenging task that
we face as teachers?

Whats the difference between the

pictures?

Brainstorming

How are students

different from each
other?

Our students have different:

Background
Interests

Age
Gender
Personality
Motivation
Cognitive abilities

Learning styles

What challenges can we

meet teaching in such
classes?

Challenges/Problems:
Choosing the suitable material
What pace to use
What level of difficulty
How to reach individuals with different
learning styles
How to reach students needs
What language to use while explaining
Discipline
Grouping the students

Task: Choose one of the above

mentioned problems, the one
you consider to be the most
important, and together with
your partner think of some
solutions that can help you cope
with this problem.

Suggestions

Keep students motivated

Variation / differentiate
teaching
Interest

 Reaching the individual

Collaboration
Individualization (variation in speed and level)

Personalization
Example:
Task: You are 7 years old and choose a pet. Use an element from each of the 3
columns below to say what kind of pet you would choose.
A big

black

cat

A small

brown

dog

A medium - sized

white

pony

Open Ending
Oral Activities
Compulsory + Optional

Useful techniques
Magazines/Newspapers
Pictures
Projects
Peer tutoring
Drama
Movies
Card games
Buddy reading
Peer editing
Jigsaw reading
Pair share

Core Repetition
- It was terrible!

- How was your

journey?
- Why? What
happened?

- I broke my leg
while climbing the
mountain!

- Oh! Come on! Im sure

it wasnt that bad!

Topic: Weather (students will describe

current weather conditions)
Task 1: Identify 5-8 common weather conditions in
order to respond to the question: Whats the
weather like?

Task 2: Interpret a weather map in order to ask and

answer questions about weather conditions in
different locations.
Task 3: Make a short presentation about the weather,
summarize and comment on a weather forecast.

Think of some activities that could be used in a

mixed-ability class for each of the 4 skills:
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening

Integrating Online Tools

Why?

Technology is motivating (many of them are using Web

2.0 tools already : social networking, YouTube, blogging for
daily activities)

Technology gives them freedom to create

Web 2.0 tools provide students with a variety of ways to
interact with print and images and to become the creators of
knowledge.

Online Tools To Be Used

Use VoiceThread to create a slideshow about a book the class is reading.
respond to prompts throughout the slideshow about characters, plot, narrative devices,
etc.
visual storytelling can be an excellent way of telling a story without the demands of writing
Use Twitter to have students tell a collaborative story. Each student writes one line of the
story until complete. See an example https://twitter.com/manyvoices
Ask students to write stories and create animated movies using Kerpoof. Pre-designed sets
and strips can be used as story-starters, or students can design their own stories.
Ask students to use pictures to tell a story, make up a story based on a picture, or upload their
own photos. Storytelling projects include telling a story in 5 frames, telling the story of
a photo in 6 words, and using a photo as the basis for a creative writing activity.
Create a classroom blog and ask students to respond online to writing prompts. Ask other
students in the class to use the comments sections for feedback. This also gives you an online
writing portfolio for each of your students so you can look back at their writing over the
year. An example http://jhh.blogs.com/webwriters/
Create a classroom wiki on a topic of study.

Learning Styles
Verbal-Linguistic
These learners enjoy learning through speaking, writing, reading, and listening. In the classroom
setting these students shine when given tasks such as taking notes, researching, listening, reading
for information, and writing.
Websites to encourage learning for Verbal-Linguistic students:

wordle.net - Allow students to express themselves creatively with words

ed.voicethread.com - Capture student voices with audio, text, pictures, and video
zoho.com - A free online word processor, and presentation tool
gcast.com- Students can podcast (voice recording) online.

kerpoof.com Students can create stories or mini-movies

www2.shidonni.com- Students create animated stories
tickatok.com - Students can create stories and turn them into a book
pbskids.org/wordworld - A world where words come alive
readwritethink.org - 52 interactive activities related to reading, writing, and speaking
speakaboos.com - Students can read stories online, record their own story and play literacy
games

 Logical-Mathematical
These learners love numbers, reasoning, and problem solving. These students enjoy measuring,
calculating, and organizing data. In the classroom students will shine when given tasks such as
collecting data, conducting experiments, solving problems, predicting, classifying, and sequencing.
Websites to encourage learning for Logical-Mathematical students:
zoho.com- Spreadsheet and data collection tools

ed.voicethread.com - Capture a sequence of events in an experiment or during problem solving

emeraldisland.com - A virtual world where students can experiment and problem solve
sciencecomics.uwe.ac.uk/index.php - Comics about science experiments, and problem solving
games
toytheater.com/index.php - Math, reading, music and art puzzles

sciencemuseum.org.uk/launchpad/launchball - Logic puzzle games

mathplayground.com - Students practice math skills and engage in logic games
mathtv.org - Students watch a series of video word problems for math, watch a step-by-step
video solution and work on follow up problems
iknowthat.com- Games that make students think: science, language arts, math, and thinking
games
enlightenme.com/enlightenme/superthinkers - A site the encourages critical thinking and
problem solving
knowitall.org/hobbyshop - A hobby shop full of logical-mathematical activities
mrsp.com- A storybook site that celebrates reading and books

 Visual-Spatial
These learners learn best visually and organize their thinking spatially. They are drawn to information
that is presented visually. These students love to illustrate projects, color-code, and create visuals for
projects.
Websites to encourage learning for Visual-Spatial students:
kerpoof.com -Students can draw and create picture stories
www2.shidonni.com- Students create a character and illustrate a world
xtranormal.com- Students create and direct their own movies
knowitall.org/artopia Students interact with online painting, media arts, sculpture, and theater
doink.com Students can create animations to illustrate a concept or story

eyeplorer.com- Shows information visually on a color wheel to help students discover relations in
any topic
flickr.com - A picture sharing website
picnik.com Edit photos add effects, fonts, shapes, and frames

arkive.org - Students can view photos of thousands of animals

animoto.com/business/education - Create videos with pictures
glogster.com/edu - Create online posters to visually display knowledge

 Bodily-Kinesthetic
These learners benefit from physical activity, hands-on tasks, and constructing things. These
students are able to express ideas through movement. They like to act, manipulate objects, operate
the mouse, take pictures, and be involved physically in a project.
Websites to encourage learning for Bodily-Kinesthetic students:
play.ekoloko.com- A virtual world that taps into mouse manipulation, typing, and manipulating
objects on the screen
emeraldisland.com- A virtual world that requires mouse manipulation, typing, and manipulating
objects on the screen
secretbuilders.com - An enchanting virtual world where students can interact with historical
figures
arsights.com - Augmented reality site that lets students manipulate Google Earth objects by using
a web cam and print out. As students move the paper, the virtual model on the screen adjusts
accordingly
ge.ecomagination.com/smartgrid - Another augmented reality site that shows students a digital
hologram of smart grid technology

 Musical/Rhythmic
These learners learn best through auditory experiences. They enjoy making songs, rhythms,
and patterns. These students will appreciate displaying knowledge with audio and video
recorders.
Websites to encourage learning for Musical/Rhythmic students:
gcast.com- Students can create podcasts
toytheater.com - Students interact with music, sounds, and patterns
viddler.com - Record video with a webcam
playmusic.org - Students explore and interact with music
kids.audible.com - Download and listen to audiobooks

capzles.com - Create timelines with audio and video

 Interpersonal
These learners enjoy interacting with other students. They enjoy discussions, cooperative work, and
social activities. These students will love web 2.0 tools that allow them to interact with others on
projects.
Websites to encourage learning for Interpersonal students:
play.ekoloko.com- A virtual world that allows students to interact and work on solving problems
together

emeraldisland.com- A virtual world that encourages students interaction for the common goal of
saving Emerald Island from PiRats who want to take over the green world.
secretbuilders.com - An enchanting virtual world where students can interact with historical
figures
tutpup.com - A site that lets students practice spelling, and math facts against other students
from around the world in real time
ed.voicethread.com - Students can use Voicethread to complete projects together. It also provides
the ability for students to interact and comment on other students Voicethread projects.
twitter.com - Create a personal learning community within your classroom, encourage students
to share learning experiences and new information.
glogster.com/edu - A web 2.0 tool that allows students to create together and comment on other
students Glogs.
www2.shidonni.com - Students create an imaginary world and interact with other classmates
virtually. They can create worlds and stories together.
think.com - Students can work on projects together, interact with other students and view other
students learning space

 Intrapersonal
These learners learn best through meta-cognitive practices. They enjoy thinking about their
thinking and reflecting on learning. Allow these students to think about what they are learning
with reflective tools such as blogs and wikis that can be shared with others later.
Websites to encourage learning for Intrapersonal students:
think.com - Students can blog about their learning
wetpaint.com - A wiki where students can reflect on their learning

pbwiki.com - A wiki where students can create and reflect on their learning
eyeplorer.com- Students can search a topic of interest and take notes about their learning
right
kerpoof.com - Students can record and think about learning through story creation

 Naturalist
These learners learn from interactions with the environment they enjoy field trips that involve
observation of the world around them. These students will enjoy activities that incorporate nature.
Websites to encourage learning for Naturalist students:
earth.google.com- Students can explore the earth with satellite imagery, maps, terrain, and 3D
buildings.

google.com/sky- Students can explore the universe including the solar system, constellations,
galaxies, and the moon.
kbears.com - Students explore nature, animals, and the earth through a fun interface.
arkive.org - Students learn about thousands of animals and their habitats

switcharoozoo.com - Students create animals, build habitats and learn about wildlife
play.ekoloko.com - A virtual world that puts students in charge of their own environment
emeraldisland.com - A virtual world that encourages students interaction with a virtual
environment where they keep the planet green.
nationalzoo.si.edu - Students can view live video of animals, view photo galleries, and visit
exhibits
wdl.org/en - Students can take a virtual field trip around the world and through time
vistazoo.com - Students can create virtual tours of the world by combining pictures, video,
audio, and objects in 3-D

Watch the following video and think of

some assignments based on it to use in
multi-level, mixed-ability classes.

A metaphor of a mixed ability class which works for me is

to think of the class as a lift (elevator). Everyone needs to get
into the lift to start with. Some students will run into the lift,
some will have to be dragged in. Some students will travel
right to the top of the building, some may stop at the third
floor and some may only reach the first floor, but everyone
will have travelled somewhere successfully. At the end of a
class, every student can leave the room feeling that they
have been challenged and that they have achieved
something.
Jim Rose

Thank you !