WORKING WITH TIMETOAST IN CLASS (LEVEL: 3 ESO)

 

LINK TO THE TIMELINE: https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/2703708

We have used timetoast with a reading activity that consists of ordering the events appearing the text, which deals about an African boy who built a radio station for his town.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this activity was to check student’s comprehension on reading and to work studying skills with can help them to visualize better the sequence in a story. Besides, students are using ICT tools to develop this activity.

ADVANTAGES:

There are several advantages when using Timetoast for this activity. Students find it more interesting than simply doing the activity with their books. It also encourages their creativity and visual skills, which is very important when studying. Timetoast is also very simple to use and students find it easy to understand what they have to do.

 STEPS FOLLOWED TO SET UP THE ACTIVITY:

First, we read the text in class, one personally and the second time all together. After that, students are told to do an exercise about ordering and sequencing some events appearing in the text. We show them time toast and tell me to register. Once everybody has registered, we show them how to make a timeline. We do a first try, and ask or questions in class. Then, after students know how to carry out the timeline, they order the events appearing in the book using timetoast. That’s how they create a timeline.

PROBLEMS:

It was slow to get every student registered in the website. They also got confused with the meaning of time event and time gap.

STUDENTS’ REACTION:

They find timetoast quite interesting. I think it is a good tool to use once I a moon, but I wouldn’t use it in class very often as I believe my students would get bored. They especially like the final result of the activity, the moment when they see the timeline completed.

SOMETHING I WOULD IMPROVE:

I would give them more time to get a try with the tool. They spent a lot of time registering and we had to hurry to complete the final activity.

AT LEAST 3 WAYS THAT THE USE OF TIMETOAST HELPED YOU ACHIEVE YOUR LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.   1.    It is a very visual activity that can help student to see better how events are sequenced in a story.

2.   2.   They feel motivated about using this tool.

3.   3.    The interface is quite adequate for students.