BRYAN HALE -

USING ONLINE GOOGLE APPS FOR PAINLESS, PRODUCTIVE STUDENT COLLABORATION : DIGITAL LITERACY AND LANGUAGE LEARNING

Many English language teachers would like to have students collaborate using digital tools, but worry about wasting class time on installing, setting up, signing in, technical problems … and all the classroom management headaches these create. They want to include technology-based tasks in their teaching, but not to sacrifice effective use of class time and a focus on language learning. This session will present ideas about using Google’s free online apps for productive digital collaboration, with minimal class time spent on technical issues but valuable payoffs in terms of authentic language use and student engagement. The presenter will share his insights about using Google apps with Korean and Japanese students at primary, secondary and university levels in various ways, including group projects, peer feedback, and bringing the outside world into the classroom. All the activities are possible with internet-connected computers/devices and do not require special access or any payment.

Bryan Hale teaches at Yeongam High School in Korea and is completing a Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL) through UNE in Australia. He has taught all age levels (but especially teenagers) and has been in Korea for several years, where he is active within KOTESOL. bryan.english.teacher@gmail.com