Aim: This task raises your awareness of the importance of positive framing in interactions with learners.

Time: 20 – 30 minutes, approximately

Instructions

Remember the 4C’s, the key 21st Century Skills from Module 1? The 4C’s are: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. In Module 4 we examine collaborative learning, where communication is also particularly important. Why be positive when communicating with learners? In this task we explore how and why positive teacher communication can affect learners’ attitudes and enthusiasm.

Part One: What is Positive Framing?

Watch and listen to the slideshow below, to find out more about positive framing. Click on the audio icon on each slide to listen. The audio transcript for this task is in the downloadable PDF at the bottom of this webpage.

Part Two: Identify Opportunities for Positive Framing Online

Look at the table in the slides below. The table describes various opportunities for positive framing at different stages of a live online lesson. The column on the right provides you with specific strategies that you can use to implement positive framing in your own online classes, whatever subject you teach, and regardless of whether your learners are primary or secondary school learners.

Part Three: Positive Framing in a WhatsApp Live Lesson

Look back at the WhatsApp live lesson plan for Module 3 in Task 3.5. Even though these lesson plans only show the teacher’s side of the lesson, you can use it to spot three examples of positive framing that have been included in the session.

You have 5 minutes to do this. Then, look at the commentary below to compare your ideas.

Commentary

The three examples of positive framing in the Module 3 WhatsApp lesson plan are:

1. I am glad that you could make it to this lesson.

2. I heard some really well-spoken English. Well done!

3. Well done everybody! Great work so far 🎉 🎉!