by Rebecca Bates,
Lead Teacher of Modern Languages
Lead Teacher of Modern Languages
Time and again, I am reminded of the value of mini
whiteboards in my teaching.
It sounds so simple and yet, I underestimate this resource
at my peril.
In this age of progress first, and feedback a close second,
my classes could fill up their exercise books by Christmas. Apart from adding
time on to my marking, this means that the exercise books cannot become an easy
to use revision resource as they are choked with practice activities. To this
end, I use mini whiteboards wherever possible so that students can deepen their
knowledge and improve their skills without using up reams of paper! Such
activities include…
·
vocabulary tests. Using mini whiteboards for
planned tests reduces printing costs (and wasted paper). I also use whiteboards
for impromptu tests based on classes’ understanding.
·
quick reading and listening comprehension
activities. I display the questions on the board (again, no printing costs) and
students answer on whiteboards. A self-assessment in purple pen is enough
demonstration of progress.
·
the new specification focuses the students on
improvising language, and not rote learning. The skills-based study means that
we use a lot of pair and group work. Students use whiteboards to make (greatly
reduced) and to aid discussion.
·
Mini whiteboards have always been fantastic for
AfL – quizzes, comprehension tests, whole class feedback… I love using
whiteboards to practise translation: students race to hold up the correct
answer and I get to see the understanding of the class in a glance.
Mini whiteboards: an MFL essential and available from all
good retailers!
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