Module 3: Teach Grammar

Welcome to Module 3: Teach Grammar. Grammar isn't always the most exciting thing to teach, but in this module we'll look at some free tools that can make grammar lessons more interesting, interactive, and hopefully more effective.

Our main tool is Loom. Loom lets you record your screen while you explain a grammar point. You can combine it with something like Microsoft Word and annotate the text while you talk. This can turn a fairly dry grammar explanation into something more dynamic because students can hear your explanation and see you highlighting, circling, and marking important parts of the text.

Here are some of the main tools we'll look at:

1. Loom. Record your screen and voice to create simple grammar explanations and video lessons.
2. Mentimeter. Turn a presentation into an interactive activity where students can respond and participate as you introduce a grammar concept.
3. Miro. Create an online whiteboard where you can present grammar and let students add their own examples and ideas.
4. Nearpod. Turn slides into interactive lessons with quizzes, video, audio, drawing activities, and other student interactions.
5. OneDrive. Store and share your grammar materials and explore some of the features available as an alternative to Google Drive.
6. Padlet. Create a grammar board where you can organize videos and explanations and have students contribute their own examples.
7. PowerPoint. Use PowerPoint as a digital workbook where students can play audio, move objects around the screen, and complete activities such as word jumbles.

We're also going to spend some time thinking about pedagogy. We'll look at the difference between deductive and inductive instruction, different ways to sequence activities, and different types of learner interaction. We'll also think about why you might choose one presentation tool instead of another depending on what you want your students to do.

One idea I especially like is using familiar tools in unfamiliar ways. PowerPoint doesn't have to be just a presentation tool. It can become an interactive digital workbook. Miro doesn't have to be just a whiteboard. It can become a space that grows throughout the course. Padlet can become a grammar board where students watch explanations and then contribute their own examples.

That's Module 3: Teach Grammar. There are lots of useful tools in this module, but the bigger goal is to think about how we present grammar and how we can get students interacting with it. You can get started with all of the free tutorials right below.