Mini-project with Genially to practice Speaking.

 This time the instructions are simple. We will use the tool Genially to support and encourage oral interaction in the classroom. Students will plan and develop a small project in groups of 3 with the end of presenting it to the rest of the class.

Although the task touches on all skills at some point, the main aims are:

 1) To practice SPEAKING.

 2) Improve presentation skill. 

 3) Encourage interactive (or active listening).

• Present a plan which shows clearly the staging of the activities that the students used to prepare the project (e.g. Stage 1. Choose topic and establish groups; 2) choose modality of Genially…).

My presentation of the project using Genially.

1. Choose the topic and establish groups. 

The topic for this mini-project is "Writing a magazine advice column". They will work in groups of three.

2. Choose modality of Genially.

For this project students have to use infographics. 

3. Read the problems and match them with the topic (school, friends, family, weather and travel).

4. Read the project checklist and tick for you.

5. Write the research questions. Research and write questions.

6. Read the tips and write your project (organise your work tip, spelling tip and grammar tip).

7. Check and revise your work. Check and revise with your friend. 

8. Present your project.

• Comment on how decisions were taken as to the grouping of students and timings of the project.

They work in groups of three. Each student has a role and a responsability in the group to create the  "Magazine advice column".

First, they have to choose three topics and do a brainstorming to create three problem related with the topics. Then, individually, they have to think  and write an advice for each problem. Next, they have to read and revise all the advices and choose the best solutions to write the column.

• A sample of any additional materials you used (handouts, project planners etc.)

A Project checklist:

1. Choose and find problems for your magazine.

2. Do my research.

3. Find photos to illustrate the problems.

4. Write and advice column.

A research checklist: 

Remember to include both questions and answer in your advice column.Use needs to and must to in your answer.

Write questions using Who, What , Why, When or Where. 

• Links to the projects realised by your students (you can choose the best ones to upload).

• Video, Audio and/or photos of the presentations.

We are still creating the infographics and we could not do the presentations. There are some groups that they are preparing the oral expositions.

They are 11 years old and we need more time. We have just one or two hour per week where we can use the laptops.  They need time to learn how to use the different ICT Tools because they are not used to work with them.

• Lastly, do not forget to reflect on how the use of the tool has optimised your students’ learning experience and has helped you achieve the objectives. Would you change anything?

The use of the tool has been an element to motivate our students- They were excited to work with the laptop to create their Writing advice column but some of them get distracted with the variety of resources that you can explore on this tools and lose the main objective of the activity. 

I think that  if they prepare a handmade draft before to use the ICT Tool, it would help them to focus their attention on the main objective of the activity avoiding distractions.