We planned a 45-minute lesson for 10th grade class, using Book creator as our main learning tool. We chose this tool because it allows the pupils to present the content not just in text, but also in ways that may motivate more pupils to be active in class. Book creator is used to make interactive / digital books that can include text, pictures, video, audio and more. The different presentation methods train the pupils in multiple basic skills including oral, writing, reading and digital skills.
Our language focus was correct spelling and expanding vocabulary, and we assessed this by reading and guiding the students during the lesson. We also encouraged them to use a dictionary to check spelling, and one of the requirements was to include at least three-word explanations of new, relevant words, in the book.
Our lesson plan worked relatively well. We chose to divide the class into seven groups of three. The pupils` teacher made the groups ahead of the lesson, and the groups worked well. Undervisningsverkstedet only had seven iPads, which limited other possible group divisions. We had 45 minutes at our disposal, and we were able to get through everything we planned. However, we could with advantage have had some more time because we were not able to show any examples of the pupils’ work in plural. The lesson was from 09:00 to 09:45 which usually means the students are not fully awake yet. The classroom had many small tables making it possible for the groups to sit around in the classroom without disturbing other groups. The pupils were calm through the whole lesson which meant they were focused when working in groups, but it also meant they had a lack of oral activity in plural.
These competence aims from Fagfornyelsen are related to the lesson:
- Use various digital resources and other aids in language learning, text creation and interaction.
- Follow rules for spelling, word inflection, sentence structure and text structure.
- Read, discuss, and disclose content from different types of texts, including self-chosen texts.
- Use sources in a critical and verifiable manner.
- Write formal and informal texts, including complex ones, with structure and coherence that describe, tell, and reflect adapted purpose, recipient, and situation
These learning aims from the student’s English book, are related to the lesson:
- Discuss present-day issues
- Write texts that describe, explain, and investigate
- Find, evaluate, and list sources
Book creator has already been used in ordinary classrooms, we know this from our own schooling and the students we taught told us they had used it a lot in school. There is a starting cost of 100 kr for 1000 books, and a lot of schools choose to invest in this because it’s such a versatile tool. Book creator can be used on almost any digital device and most schools either have iPads or computers for the students.