Tools to Reduce Teacher Talk & Increase Engagement

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Have you ever had those moments in class where you wonder to yourself if you are talking too much. I am slowly raising my hand. I think as teachers we might have experienced those awkward moments. In episode 48, I share some strategies on how to reduce teacher talk. This episode I am sharing engagement tools you can use with your Language Learners. These tools will have your engagement up and talk time greatly reduced. I can easily say trust me, but I want to share my struggle. This school year I found my talktime way up! After checking myself, I knew I had to make a turnaround and implement these tools in my classroom. 

I was going through class feeling as if I was talking to myself, and even in some instances answering my own questions. That is when I realized I needed to reduce my lecturing and implement some tools to help me do so. I immediately went to my favorite: Nearpod. Nearpod is an online tool that makes your lessons interactive. I added virtual field trips, collaboration boards, cloze sentences, and visual tools for the students. I also introduced more independent learning into the classroom. I wanted to facilitate the learning for the students. 

That is why I introduced Hyperdocs into my lessons. Hyerdocs are innovating lessons that allow students to explore and encourage their thinking with links to interactive activities. I also included more games such as Kahoot and Quizzizz. Students LOVE these games and it is a great way to check for understanding with the students. 

 Take a look at your current instruction and reflect on how you can introduce more engagement. Are you having issues with speaking in the classroom? Then you might want to consider including engagement through Flipgrid. Also explore tools such as Nearpod that encourage collaboration with the students. This can reduce your talk time in the classroom and allow the students to collaborate more. 

Here are your next steps:

• Explore online engagement tools you can use with your language learners.
• Then decide on which ones you will use with your students. 
• Implement and model with your students how to use the tools in the classroom. 

How are you reducing talk time in your classroom? Share your comments below.