Seeing Through New Eyes

Technology seems to be ubiquitous to teachers in the Ed Tech World, but technology is not always available in classrooms throughout the world. Oftentimes, electricity might not even be available in those classrooms and many ESL/EFL teachers have to teach 'technically unplugged' daily. Finding ways to use technology in these “tech-less” situations presents a problem to the teachers, so they opt out of using technology saying “well, it’s just not there yet.” Truth is, it might not be there in your lifetime, so instead of writing it off and robbing these students of the learning experience try to find ways to use it with your own laptop or iPad, and an inexpensive pocket projector you can bring in your backpack or briefcase. There are many ideas that work in a 1 computer classroom. For example, use 100 Useful YouTube Channels for Teachers so you can download and save videos to use in class or create your own 'Jeopardy-like' quiz games to use with your students. Your students will benefit from your investment.


When faced with ESL/EFL situations that aren’t allowed the luxury access to a computer lab or a 1-1 computer classroom think what you, as the teacher, can bring to the students rather than thinking what you don’t have access to. It’s just a switch in perspective…try seeing things through new eyes.