Many educators may be tired of the debates over “to ban, or not to ban” the use of electronic devices in the classroom.
A recent article in the Globe and Mail by two University of Toronto Professors makes some very interesting and valid arguments for not allowing students to be wired in class. Read the article here.
Of course, the ESL classroom is a difficult educational environment than a political science lecture hall. We have been won over by Jeremy Harmer’s take on device using in class: have times during class when you encourage students to research things online because this brings the wider world and student interests into the classroom. He goes on to say that the ESL classroom is improved when you have times when you let students use their devices (the rest of the time, they are turned off). Jetstream is the newest coursebook that Jeremy has co-authored and it accomodates devices too. This is a coursebook for today! Listen to Jeremy talk about Jetstream and using devices in this recorded webinar.