How to Use WhatsApp as an Educational Tool

WhatsApp can be an invaluable teaching tool in the teaching learning process.  You can create WhatsApp groups for each of the classes that you teach. By doing so, students can have a reservoir of additional content in a variety of ways that appeal to them (audio, video, pictures and mimes).Monitoring of a WhatsApp group is far easier than you think,. You can ask a member of the class to create the group and add you as one of the admins. Informed students that any posting of inappropriate content in the group will result in immediate removal from the group. Just by setting a few group rules, you will realize that students will follow the guidelines.  Here are a few tips on how to use WhatsApp as an educational tool.

Sharing Additional Information

WhatsApp is perfect for sharing videos, url links, pictures, messages  and other information. In your class groups you can use the app to share the class content in the same way. You can take pictures of class notes, video class presentations, share blog links (CSEC English Made Easy), audio versions of the books and poems, movies based on books and online novels with your students.

Students can also be encouraged to share information that they have found on various lesson topics. This will also help to develop student's research skills. Remember you do not have to be the only person who is constantly in charge of disseminating the information. Based on your school's policy, you can appoint a member of the class or a group of students to be the tech consultants in the class. They can be the ones to take the pictures and videos as well as posting them to the class group.

Assisting Students Who are Absent

Often teachers have the policy that once a student is absent they must get the notes and complete the assigned tasks. Nine out of ten times this is not done. Plus, students often have a number of reasons and excuses why the work is not done.

Now, students who are absent can be aware of what happened in class through the information that is posted in the WhatsApp group. You can remind these students that after class the notes and class work will be posted and therefore assignment must be turned in at the next class.

Posting Reminders 

Whatsapp is also great for posting reminders to the class about tests, quizzes, workshops, change of class locations, etc. Additionally, it is great for reminding students what they need to take to class or the deadline for a piece of assignment. I find that posting reminders in the WhatsApp is more efficient than having to go to the class to remind them in person.

Hosting Study Sessions

You can also host study sessions once a month on an agreed date and time. Students can submit their questions and the teacher can assist them by answering frequently asked questions. This can be recorded and sent via voice notes. 

You can also post questions based on the various lesson topics that students can post their answers to. The student who gets the the answer correct can get his/her answer replied to with stars and any other preferred emoji.

The idea is that Whatsapp facilitates out of class discussion and instant communication between you and your students. Therefore, the sky is the limit in how you choose to use this app.

Please comment below and let me know if you use this app as an educational tool in your class or offer any other ways in which this app can be used as an educational tool.

How to Include Differentiated Instruction in Your Lesson Plans

What is Differentiated Instruction?

Differentiated instruction is when you, the teacher, include a number of different strategies and lesson activities to accommodate the various types of learner in your classroom. Differentiated Instructions ensures that learners at all levels with various learning styles can select an activity that is suitable for them so that learning will take place.

I know that differentiated instruction can seem overwhelming to you but here are some simple ways you can include it in your lesson plans.

Ways in which Differentiated Instructions can be included in your Lesson Plans

Lesson Objectives

Differentiated instruction is oftentimes present in our lesson plans; however, the lesson objectives themselves do not reflect the differentiated instruction activities. Therefore, it is important to write lesson objectives that reflect the differentiated instruction that is present in your lesson plan.

Here are a few samples of lesson objectives that reflect differentiated instruction:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Listen an audio of story and answer tiered questions
• Draw characters based on the description presented in the audio presentation
•  Create a character sketch based on the visualization of one of character from the audio.
• Distinguish between .........in peer groups
• Create a poster based on ---------

NB: The objectives should be structured in such a way that it shows that students are given various opportunities to work at their level as well as the various learning styles are catered to.


Methodology

In your list of lesson methodology you can include if you are using:

• Random Grouping
• Questioning
• Tiered Assignment
• Engineering and Design Process

Content

Under content include the various variations to the content that you will share with the students. This can be divided into various tiers.

Developmental Activity

In the developmental activity you will include an outline of the differentiated instruction that you will employ when teaching the lesson. Below is an example of this

"In class the teacher will present the content in a variety of ways to appeal to students from the various types of intelligence.

The teacher will meet with students who are struggling with the content or doing the class work. This will be done after the class work is given.

The teacher will include a tiered activity for home work. This will allow students with  mixed ability and interests to choose the activity they are interested in doing"


Culminating Activity

Students will be given tiered assignments so that they can choose the activity that they are able to complete.

Examples of Differentiated Learning Culminating Activities

• Random Grouping
• Tiered Activity Sheets (Menu Activities or Tic Tac Toe Worksheets)

HOW TO GET STARTED DIFFERENTIATING

1. Start Small - Try one subject, one class, or one strategy.

2. Start Where You Are – Do you already use student groupings? Do you already vary work assignments?

3. Tell Students – That they will be embarking on a new and exciting way of learning and discuss the expected behaviour, so they know what’s going on.

4. Rearrange classroom – adjust the classroom to make it conducive for pairing, grouping, and direct instruction.

5. Post Routines – So students understand when and how to move around the room.

6. Keep Parents Informed – Of the new instructional methodology, explain how they can participate, and how they will be informed of their child’s progress. 

LESSONS LEARNT

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Lessons Learnt is my online lesson plan shop. There you can find free plans as well as plans based on the English A&B syllabus.

Lesson Plan prices start at US$1.50.

Lesson Plans include:

*Detailed objectives,

*Lesson Content,

*Introduction Activity,

*Development Activities based on discovery learning and other learning theories

*Culminating Activities

*Homework Activities

*Differentiated learning activities

NB: All lesson plans are reviewed by a senior teacher.

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