Using Genially to enhance learning

By Abril Troyon Hübscher

Do yoy want to enhance your classes with technology? Here I'll show you a lesson plan based on the WWW approach by Dudley and Hoclkley which includes the use of Genially. Hope you find it useful!

Lesson plan.

Aim of the unit: giving advice (should/ shouldn’t)

The students have already been working with giving advice and this would be the final task of the unit.

Level: adult intermediate.

WARMER

When you have a problem you need to talk about, who do you talk to? Why?

Do we always ask for advice to the same person or does it depend on the problem?

On which situations do you think people ask these people for advice?

WEB

Activity 1: What should and shouldn’t you do on a date?

Watch the following Friends clip on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYe7JECvr30
After watching the video complete the following sentences with should or shouldn’t:a. Hillary thinks men_______ talk a lot about them on dates.b. Ross _________ talk a little bit about himself.c. Ross ________cover his teeth with a slice of bread.
What do you think you should do when you meet somebody for the first time? Disscuss in groups and complete a collaborative Padlet with your ideas:

What should/ shouldn't you do on a date?Add your ideas!

Activity 2

Read the following article which gives 11 science-backed tips for a first date. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/first-date-tips/

Choose the 2 tips you find more useful and add the ideas to the Padlet.

Activity 3

Now you are an expert on love and dating! Do you think you could give some advice to people in need? Many people write to advice columns in newspapers. For example, Analisa Barberi is a famous advice column from The Guardian newspaper.

First, explore the column accessing this link https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/ask-annalisa-barbieri

Now create a Genially infographic of your own advice column. First think about the name you want to give to it, do you have a nickname or is it your real name? What sort of advice do you provide? Choose at least 3 situations from the Guardian’s advice columns of people asking for advice and reply on your own column. Add meaningful pictures, illustrations and tips, make it appealing! Genially has many additional features such as graphics or animations. This is YOUR column so include the elements you like and those that represent you. If you've never used Genially before, you'll find a tutorial at the end of this post.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Students will upload their advice columns to the classroom blog. Their classmates have to comment on at least 3 of them and leave a comment based on one of the pieces of advices given. The teacher will make a class discussion on how everyone gives advice nowadays and that on every real advice column there are comments below. Students can focus on the following questions to comment on the posts: Is the advice appropriate/ suitable? Do you agree with it? Why? Why not? How would you change it? Have you ever been through a similar experience?

THEORY TO SUPPORT THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Using technology in the classroom is definetly a good idea. It is also important to be aware of the theories behind the integration of technology in the classroom in order to make sure we are doing it the right way and to aim to reach the highest levels of integration.

SAMR model

This model looks at technology integration from a perspective of the tools used by teachers and students. It analyses the way in which technological tools can be simple replacements of traditional procedures or whether they can enhance or transform the educational tasks.

The use of the Padlet matches the modification stage of the SAMR model, since technology allows for the task to be redesigned. Students can add their ideas collaboratively and simultaneously, they can connect ideas, add pictures, sounds and links. The task is transformed and it wouldn’t have been possible without the use of technology. Furthermore, the use of the Genially tool also allows for the task to be significantly redesigned, reaching the modification stage. On the what’s next stage, the task is redefined, since students are sharing their creations with an authentic audience, which makes the task more meaningful and authentic. In addition, students are also reviewing each other’s work through the blog and the use of the comments, which wouldn’t be inconceivable without technology.

Bloom's digital taxonomy

bloom’s taxonomy was developed as a framework to classify statements of what educators expect their students to learn through the process of instruction. in addition, it includes properties that deal with both educational and psychological issues. Bloom’s digital taxonomy (2008) was developed by Andrew churches as an extension of the original bloom’s taxonomy and creates a hierarchy of learning activities in a digital environment. Bloom's digital taxonomy helps educators develop critical thinking skills and higher order cognitive abilities in their students.

The use of Padlet for sharing and adding ideas allows the students to use their analysis skills. They will also need to apply and evaluate when discussing with their groups which tips to include in the Padlet. In addition, when creating their own advice column and sharing it in the blog, they are creating, which is the highest thinking skill. They are producing new and original work. Besides, when commenting on each other’s work, they are evaluating and analyzing their peer’s work.

Triple E

The Triple E is a practical framework that measures the degree to which the technology in a lesson is helping students meet the learning goals. Unlike other technology frameworks, the Triple E Framework focus is on the learning goals, and not specific technology tools. The framework is based on three components: Engagement in learning goals, Enhancement of learning goals, and Extension of learning goals.

Learning is enhanced first because the students are able to demonstrate a more sophisticated understanding of the concepts because of technology. Because of the Padlet, they are able to share and organize ideas that makes the activity more engaging and lets them organize their ideas in a new way. Furthermore, technology allows students to be creators of content instead of consumers. Students can demonstrate their understanding of the learning goals in a way that couldn’t be possible without technology.

Genially tutorial

Genially is a super easy tool that allows users to create attractive visual content. The final product will not only be an infographic but it can also have animated content, making it really engaging!

Create an account

Let’s start by creating an account. You can log in with Google, Facebook, LinkedIn or twitter.

Adapt Genially to your needs

Then, you will have to choose what area are you using Genially for. On the following step, you’ll have to choose different profiles: teacher, student, designer…select the suitable one and go on!

Explore the menu

Next you’ll see the Genially menu, where you can choose what you want to design. The panel looks like this: in the inspiration section you can access creations made by others. To create your first design, choose “create Genially”

Choose a template

If it’s your first time, it’s a good idea to choose an already made one instead of one in blank. Once you’ve selected the template click “use this template”.

Explore the elements

Once in your template explore the tools on the left:

- Add and edit text: you can select from a lot of different fonts, colours, sized, the text orientation, transparency, etc.

- Images: add images from your computer or search the web.

- Resources: here you have a lot of elements to add! Icons, shapes, graphics, arrows, illustrations… Feel free to explore!

- Smartblocks allows you to include already made templates that organize content such as: graphics, diagrams, picture galleries…

- You can also attach video, audio and even posts from other social media!

- Las but not least, you can also change the background.

This was a short tutorial to get started on Genially. Luckily it’s a very intuitive tool so dare to explore and change the elements!

TEACHERS' OPINION

Most of the teachers who have reviewed Genially are amazed by it. In particular, they highlight that it is innovative and super engaging for students. It has very simple yet effective and informative templates. Teachers also say that it is very user friendly and they can use it to create their own presentations or for students to use.

The thing most teachers dislike is the fact that the limited plan is quite limited but apart from that, they all say they’d recommend it to everyone.

Bibliography:

Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy Verbs For 21st Century Students (2016) https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/blooms-digital-taxonomy-verbs-21st-century-students/

Hockly, N., & Dudeney, G. (2007). Chapter 3: Using websites. In How to Teach English with Technology. Essex: Pearson.

H.L. (2017). SAMR Model: A Practical Guide for EdTech Integration. Retrieved from:

https://www.schoology.com/blog/samr-model-practical-guide-edtech-integration

(n.a) (n.d) Genially Reviews & Product Details https://www.g2.com/products/genially/reviews#:~:text=Genially%20is%20a%20great%20platform,and%20hosted%20on%20G2.com.

Rogowski, M. (n.d) Genially: Create professional-looking media with an abundant library of templates. Retrieved from: https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/genially