It is believed that a modern classroom is one where technological tools such as computers, projectors and mobile phones are used. However, many teachers blindly use these tools because they are available, and perhaps some teachers want to show off their exclusive talents as good users of technology in the 21st century.
It is crucially important for teachers to know the rationale behind each activity used in the classroom and its educational value. In this post, I will shed the light on Triptico, more specifically the Find Ten activity, and I will explore the educational value that it adds to the language lesson.
Why use Find Ten in a language lesson?
Find Ten is a simple game where students are asked to find ten answers to a question related to the topic of the lesson. For instance, in a vocabulary lesson, this game can be used as a final activity which reminds the students of the vocabulary items which they have learned. Learners can be asked to find ten vocabulary items related to the class topic being studied such as body organs, weather vocabulary, furniture vocabulary, etc. What is particularly beneficial about the game is that the teacher can add a picture and/or a text which elaborates the answer and visualises language learning (look at the example above taken from one of the designed activities).
I have created a game called "Ten words which can replace "and"" (Click here to view the activity). This activity is designed for a lesson where students learn about connectors which can replace "and" in order to develop their writing skills. This kind of activity can be used at the end of a writing lesson to review the lesson and to remind the students of the new vocabulary they have learned. On top of that, It can be used at the beginning of another lesson to activate students' knowledge and to establish context for the new topic of the writing class.
In addition to its effectiveness in reviewing a lesson and establishing context, Find Ten promotes interaction between students, for it uses visual effects as well as sound effects which exclusively attract the learners' attention and increase their involvement with the lesson. Moreover, when students are asked to accomplish a task, the whole class (or group if divided into groups) work together to select the correct answer, and during this process many discussions and negotiations eventually take place in the target language to allow learners to transmit knowledge to one another.
Suitability for the Palestinian Context
Most schools in Palestine these days are equipped with the necessary ICT tools and services such as internet connection, computers, and projectors. Hence, teachers of different subjects enjoy the chance of using these tools in their classrooms. Most games on Triptico, especially Find Ten, do not demand pricy and highly developed technological tools; the basic tools can be sufficient. Therefore, I believe that Triptico activities go well with the current technological levels in Palestinian schools.
Any points to consider?
Nevertheless, teachers need to be careful when using games which involve the entire class, for all the students are likely to shout out the answer at the same time, which means that the teacher might not be able to hear a student who may disagree with the majority of the students. Therefore, a teacher should make sure that the whole class agrees on one answer in the first place, and if more than one answer is given, it will be a great opportunity to negotiate the meaning and to hear more than one opinion before revealing the answer and justifying it.
All in all, the use of technological tools in language classrooms can facilitate language learning when used appropriately due to the high degree of engagement they offer. However, teachers need to have clear goals which they aim to achieve through the activity.
All in all, the use of technological tools in language classrooms can facilitate language learning when used appropriately due to the high degree of engagement they offer. However, teachers need to have clear goals which they aim to achieve through the activity.
I agree that the teacher should be careful to use the games in the class because sometimes it will make the class uncontrollable. The better way is to divide them into groups and choose a leader to pick up the answer.
ReplyDeleteI see Guge! Dividing the class into groups and selecting leaders does encourage most students to participate in the game! :)
DeleteYousef, I always enjoy your writing... Mine is much like a graffiti in dream. Q^Q
ReplyDeletePS: Why you use your real name on blog? I never do that..
Thank you Jackie! I am excited about reading your blog! I will read it ASAP! I am sure you have many smart ideas to you are willing to share in your blog!
DeleteI am using my personal Google account, so my name is there anyways! haha
It is a good way to break the ice between the teacher and the students as all of them have to participate and engage the game. This will motivate the children to do something in the classroom and to think. And in this way, the information will stick into their minds for a longer period as all of them love games even in education. But the question is, is it good to mix between the traditional style (teaching vocabulary) and entertaining one (the game)?
ReplyDeleteWe are university students and so far we love playing, laughing and dabbing smiling. Responding to the signs of either nervousness, the subject is easy, but it is not easy, but Dr. Fakid said that school students will create when they play, laugh and play with the lesson while keeping the boundaries between the student and the teacher.
ReplyDeleteWe are university students and so far we love playing, laughing and dabbing smiling. Responding to the signs of either nervousness, the subject is easy, but it is not easy, but Dr. Fakid said that school students will create when they play, laugh and play with the lesson while keeping the boundaries between the student and the teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe use of games in the teaching process is really a very successful method of education as it attracts students' attention to the lesson, and is taught in a fun way that students prefer away from the traditional teaching method boring, by teaching play helps students to understand the material faster and save, but must Adjust the classroom well because this method is sometimes annoying -mariam salim
ReplyDeleteLearning through games is fun and exciting and allows all students to participate.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on how the teacher introduces the game.
DeleteFind Ten is my favorite only when the students are divided into groups. It rises competitive atmosphere which motivates the students to at least do some brainstorming and participate more often.
ReplyDeletePlaying games in the classroom increases overall motivation. By playing games, students become more motivated to learn, pay attention and participate in set tasks. Games help students to become a part of a team as well as take responsibility for their own learning. They can also be a great classroom management tool, helping to motivate a class
ReplyDeleteIt is a great way to learn easily and I do not think there is anyone who does not like work in groups or group work. I think it is an effective and good way to remember information.
ReplyDeleteHi, Yousef~
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your words, too!
Your ideas are always clearly and well written which I need to get myself there!
And I wonder you mentioned that most schools in Palestine are equipped with those tools.
Does it mean like from primary to all levels of educational setting?
That's so great coz using technology is inevitable nowadays!
Also, though it is such a good way of using games in class, the classroom management is of great importance! So, using it as part of the teaching and choose the time wisely will be great!
-Kathy
I love this game because students develop their writing skills. This kind of activity can be used at the end of a writing lesson to review the lesson and to remind the students of the new vocabulary they have learned. On top of that, It can be used at the beginning of another lesson to activate students' knowledge and to establish context for the new topic of the writing class.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the game should be at the end of the class. It would be like a review to check what the student learned through the class especially the new vocabulary. The teacher must be careful about these games because he might lose the student's attention. Also,to keep the class in control.
ReplyDeleteThis method will be good for teaching. as i know, in Palestine there's tendency for using new styles of teaching so this way might work. Games will be fun to use during the class too!
ReplyDeleteUsing games in classroms is a good idea specially with children because they will find it easy to undrestand and joyful at the same time. Find Ten is a nice game whice increases competetion in classrooms . As a student I will caught information easier by games and stay concentrared on lessons.
ReplyDeleteUsing games in teaching is asccessful way.It breaks the ice between the students and the teacher. It helps them to understand the lesson easily.It is affective way to make the students focus on the lesson and catch the information fastly. Find ten is a good game which makes the students think and improve their vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of using games in classroom is great .All students will get useful from it because we all love this kind of teachings which away from traditional one , your ideas Yousef are great , keep on 😊
ReplyDeleteNardine Kawa
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that the game Find Ten is so effective yet so economic, it encourages the students to think of the things that are related to a topic which helps them understand it better. Also, this game teaches the students the importance of team work and discussion and allows them to be more involved in the classroom environment. But as you said, the teacher needs to be more careful with such a game to make sure all the students get the right answer. It`s not easy to find games that don`t need much effort or budget but still useful. Keep going!
Using games in teaching is a motivated way that encourges students to learn and remember information easily.it helps students to focus more on the lesson especially children. Find Ten is a nice game whice increases competetion in classrooms and I really like this kind of games! I think using games in class to be successful ,the teacher should manage the time correctly and keep control.(اية فلاحة)
ReplyDeleteas we know that the style of teaching in palestine is very traditional without using any game . by using the find ten game,students will have a positive way to enhance their understanding of the language!.Games encourage learners to interact, cooperate, to be creative and spontaneous in using the language in a meaningful way!
ReplyDeleteso I think it is perfect to using games in teaching.
games are one of the most effective tools in teaching English for children.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, games help children to reduce stress during their studying. They make children funny, happy, interesting and comfortable when they are played games, which will help children concentrate on the lesson and learn better. Morever, children will remember English words according to games the most effectively
In addition, games help children to interact with other members in the class. In fact, games creat the opportunity for them to make friends with other members in the class. They become friendly and have a close-knit relationship. After playing games, they will learn experiences, share knowledge and exchange skills with their friends, which makes children learn well.
games also help childen to enhance listening skill. For example,when the teacher gives rules of games in English. In fact, If children don’t focus on teacher’s instructions they won’t understand the rules and can’t play the games. So, children have to concentrate on the teacher’s instructions to understand what the teacher says and do as teacher guides,which helps children improve English listening skill.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore,when the children are played games they will have the chance to increase the cooperation. They will cooperate with your friends to try their best to win the games. In additon, At the end of game, the children have the opportunity to evaluate other groups,which rises the cognitive ability of children .
The idea isn't only about the effectiveness of games, I actually believe that giving the chance to the student to show what they think about is what actually creates the engagement.on the other hand, a successful teacher teaches the class to give answers individually rather than messy answers. If the teacher puts this idea as a base in her class, this would make games very effective.
ReplyDeleteTriptico seems to be a vary helpful app for developing students ability in thinking, organizing their ideas, and how to connect between things. It's also can be used to help students get over their laziness in classroom since we are using technology and we are using a new way of teaching which is good to grab students attention.
ReplyDeletePlaying games as part of the class is an effective way to help students understand the topic. I think it's better than any other way to make students interact and share their ideas. It also helps develop students' thinking. A very good point about it is that it gives the major chance for the students to speak out and participate and negotiate with each other.
ReplyDeleteWe can call this a 'modern' rather traditional way of teaching. It also requires computers and internet access, this means using technological tools in education which is another good thing about it!
-Lena Ismail
Using games in teaching is a sccessful way. It will make the students understand the lesson and the information fastly. So it is very affective. Morover; it helps to develp students' thinking. The interesting thing about it; is that it gives the chance for students to speak out, participate and negotiate with each other.
ReplyDeletefirst,i agree with you"re idea because U used the modern style of teaching
ReplyDeleteand U ARE MAKE the lesson very exciting and available and every one in youre class dont want to end the class ,so you are used the sucsesfully method in teaching and you are very sucsesful in youre life because U are able to change the style of teaching in youre place or city ,so i wish every teacher use the modern style to make the teaching opparation develop and sucsesfull.(by:marah waleed ramadan)
Mostly, students prefer to play while learning. So thay pay more attention, be more competitive which will lead to a successful class ! With this app ,aside from it's weakness points, the lecture is more fun and exciting than ever! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are some great resources that teachers will find useful for their interactive whiteboard.Each one can be customized and saved-ready to use whenever you need it.For example, word magnets has lots of different uses.You can creat sentences, adding adjectives to creat "better" sentences.
ReplyDeleteThe use of games in the educational process is in fact a very successful method of education because it attracts the attention of the student
ReplyDeleteThe use of games in teaching is a successful and effective method.It will make students understand the lesson and information quickly.Therefore it is very emotional.Morover helps p to develop student thinking.The interesting thing about this topic is that it allows students the opportunity to easily and fun to talk, share and negotiate with each other.
ReplyDeleteBy ;أريج قواريق
The author starts off talking about different social networks can be helpful for language learning. Which may be thought of as the main theme of this passage. "Wakie" is the program that can be used to improve people's English skills and allows them to get to know others. People share phone calls, communication and learn from one another. In my opinion, the author used a proper, well formed structure to introduce the topic
ReplyDeletePlaying games is really a good idea to affect the students and make them more interactive and thinking and when they put them in a groups together , working with all their energies to get the best result and to compete with other groups and this improve their sharing among them and generate new ideas
ReplyDeleteUsing games in the class, for a specific goal,every now and then is good, but not always. It sometimes leads to a waste of time and causes some confusion. The best way to play, for example, Find Ten is:
ReplyDelete-to divide the class into a group of 4 or 5 and name each group
-to choose a representative
-to write the answers on a piece of paper
-to give them a very limited time because in pressure, people work harder and produce more(e.g.: 2 mins)
- after the limited time, each representative should stand in front and present the group's answers
I like this kind of lessons or questions through games (Ten words which can replace)it attract student attention , encourage team spirit and develop thier skills. reaks the daily routine of the tradetional way of learning
ReplyDelete