1- The learning objectives of
the activity are:
To work in groups cooperatively.
To make timelines using different text types: biography, diary, story, summaries.
To value visual support.
To help students keep events in chronological order as they write those
different text types.
To make connections and recognize patterns in a series.
2. The advantages of using
TimeToast for this activity.
They have been responsible for
their own learning. They had to agree on choosing a specific text type and take
the initiative and work autonomously to comply with each other´s task and I
think I have raised awareness on how they can relate
events to their corresponding times, organize information chronologically, understand cause
and effect, and relevant information.
3. The steps you followed to
set up the activity.
Two sessions in the lab were
needed, 90 minutes for timeline creation and 30 minutes for product displays.
First, students were grouped
(mixed-ability groups of 4) (My 3ºESO group of 3ºB does not include any PMAR students,
that is why it is not numerous).
Next, I showed them this
Timeline:
After that, the groups chose a
text (a group decided to search the internet to find a reading text, two more
opted for creating a Timetoast timeline with texts already worked on in class
and another group (Harry Potter fans) made their timeline assisted by JK
Rowling´s biography on
They themselves made a list of
“to-dos” and I basically advised and supervised: singing up, googling for
illustrative pictures, drafting and editing and classroom explanation of the
timeline.
Once the task was carried out,
a member of each team explained the whole group their Timeline.
4. Any problems and how you
and the students solved them
I had to “bribe” a couple of
colleagues from whom I borrowed the computers´ room as I did not want to waste
a minute.
Prior to the task I had
briefly worked on TimeToast but I think I would have preferred to have some
more time to master the app a little bit more.
Some internet connection
problems arose so it took them longer, I also had to mediate in one group
because one student was not willing to comply with the task assigned, which was
speaking in public.
5. The students’ reaction –
how did they feel about using TimeToast to complete the task?
They really enjoyed it due to
the instant progress of their work. They provided positive feedback on the app.
6. Some things that you would
change / improve next time.
As most groups copied and
pasted. Next time, they will create their own texts, so the writing skill will
be emphasized too.
More planning on my part is
necessary: i.e. reading comprehension activities.
7. At least 3
ways that the use of TimeToast helped you achieve your learning objectives.
It helped students
organize their texts.
Finding appropriate
pictures helped them understand each tag.
Group work values
such as democracy or autonomy were fostered.
I would like to add
that I think it can be a very useful tool when reading “graded readers” since
students can read and make their own timelines at the same time. TimeToast can
enhance extensive reading.
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