Toss the Markers!Toss the Markers!

Okay…well it’s just an idea!Okay…well it’s just an idea!

How it all began….How it all began…. One day, about two years ago, I was enjoying my One day, about two years ago, I was enjoying my

class and writing some interesting words on the class and writing some interesting words on the board. All of a sudden, I started feeling queasy board. All of a sudden, I started feeling queasy AGAIN AGAIN andand began to notice the familiar began to notice the familiar lightheadedness I would always seem to get just lightheadedness I would always seem to get just before lunch. before lunch.

I tried to shake it off and as I turned around, I I tried to shake it off and as I turned around, I dropped my marker which happened to roll down dropped my marker which happened to roll down my new white summer pants. my new white summer pants.

I suddenly realized it I suddenly realized it was was that very marker that very marker making me sick! making me sick!

And…..from that day on……..I never looked back.And…..from that day on……..I never looked back.…….…….

I tossed the markers out!I tossed the markers out!

Okay…..well it wasn’t THAT Okay…..well it wasn’t THAT dramatic. But I was determined dramatic. But I was determined

to find another method to teach.!to find another method to teach.!

And then…….I had an idea! And then…….I had an idea!

Why not use the computer!Why not use the computer!

And lo and behold…And lo and behold… it was the it was the

best idea I have ever had in all my best idea I have ever had in all my years of teaching. years of teaching.

To and share with you, here are a To and share with you, here are a few things that I have discovered few things that I have discovered about teaching with the about teaching with the computercomputer, , the keyboard, and the mousethe keyboard, and the mouse…………

The AdvantagesThe Advantages

Effective and efficient use of timeEffective and efficient use of time

Caters to all levels Caters to all levels (great for multi-level!)(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 spotHas spell check and synonym words on the spot

Is Is VISUALLYVISUALLY attractive! attractive!

You can You can COPYCOPY, , SAVESAVE, and , and REUSEREUSE your lessons. your lessons.

Allows for file management systems – Allows for file management systems – it’s SO easy!it’s SO easy!

Allows for picture vocabulary Allows for picture vocabulary (on-line)(on-line)

More Advantages…..More Advantages….. Students can do more grammar and writing activities. Students can do more grammar and writing activities.

They can focus on what they need.They can focus on what they need.

Allows for editing sentences and paragraphs together. Allows for editing sentences and paragraphs together.

Allows for lower level students to be part of any lesson Allows for lower level students to be part of any lesson designed for intermediate and advanced. designed for intermediate and advanced.

Environmentally friendly – Environmentally friendly – less photocopies!less photocopies!

Resourceful – Resourceful – little digging for material in books.little digging for material in books.

Allows for reinforcement – Allows for reinforcement – just pull up copy and review just pull up copy and review review and review!review and review!

Interactive together–Interactive together– On-line quizzes, games, and On-line quizzes, games, and exercises. You can buy your own CDs and use too!exercises. You can buy your own CDs and use too!

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Ummmm…..maybe these ones……Ummmm…..maybe these ones……

The projector does get warm if it is being The projector does get warm if it is being used for 5 hours a day. The bulb are used for 5 hours a day. The bulb are expensive expensive – however 1 bulb = 2000 hours.– however 1 bulb = 2000 hours.

Electricity = $Electricity = $

If you are not comfortable using a computer If you are not comfortable using a computer ….….this style may not be useful to you.this style may not be useful to you.

Classroom funding may not support this Classroom funding may not support this method.method.

Great for…..Great for….. Tuning into listening websites, news releases on yahoo, CNN…Tuning into listening websites, news releases on yahoo, CNN…

etcetc

Reading Reading CURRENTCURRENT online stories together and analyzing online stories together and analyzing sentence structure.sentence structure.

Working on grammar quizzes together.Working on grammar quizzes together.

Typing out and editing sentences by highlighting key points. Typing out and editing sentences by highlighting key points.

Practicing pronunciation lists and separating words into Practicing pronunciation lists and separating words into syllables.syllables.

Finding and printing off instant lessons from the internet using Finding and printing off instant lessons from the internet using your file management systems.your file management systems.

Any questions so far?Any questions so far?

Let’s Try Let’s Try It!!It!!