Teaching with laptops- Using Comics & Avatars in the classroom

The following lesson plan that I want to share with you was carried out in September 13’ following a 1-to-1 laptop programme. 

In 2010 the Argentinian Government developed ConectarIgualdad Programme aimed at bridging the technology divide and encouraging ubiquitous learning.  Netbooks were given to students and teachers at run state high schools and teacher training colleges all over the country. For that reason my students have netbooks and use them in class.

Who  are the students? Trainee teachers attending “Materials Design”

Duration: 8 hours

Behabioural Objectives

• After reading about “Comics, Manga and Avatars in the classroom”, students will post at least one coment/quote based on the reading they did on the class paddlet site.

• After exploring websites to create avatars, students will choose one site, create their avatar and post it on the class paddlet site in at least one post.

• After exploring comic online creators, students will choose one site, create a comic and review the webtool which they will present in a multimedia poster (glogsgter) or infographic (piktochart) on the class paddlet site.

Procedure:

1. I will give a short presentation o the topic 
2. Students will read some online articles and discuss in small groups why and how comics, avatars and graphic novels can be used in the EFL classroom. 
3. Students will post at least a comment/quote after the discussion 
4. Then students will explore some web tools to create avatars and comics. 
5. Students will reviewed at least one tool and present it in an online poster (glogster) or in an infographic (piktochart) 
6. Students will create an avatar and a comic strip. 
7. Students will upload their work and inserted in at least two posts on the class paddlet site

Rationale:

When planning these activities, I wanted my students to explore different web tools, give them the opportunity of choosing the sites and how they wanted to present the information. I also thought it was a good idea to do this on a class paddlet site so that all of them could see and read their productions. I plan activities which foster critical thinking, decision making and independent action. Students were eager to participate and wanted to share and tried different tools. They were involved in the tasks which were mostly done in class. My role was that of a facilitator, guiding them in the learning process and making suggestions.

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