Teaching English Using ICT: A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers

Want to get boys excited about poetry? Try establishing a wiki-war on the use of form and structure. Or perhaps a podcast to develop close analysis of language. How about getting them blogging about their favourite characters? Based on established principles of the best ways to use ICT in English, this practical resource looks at when and how ICT can be used to engage and inspire students of English, but only when it enhances teaching and learning, never for its own sake. Beginning with an overview of what ICT can offer and how it is changing the way we teach and learn, the authors then give practical examples of activities and ideas to attain key English skills and learning goals in secondary schools. Throughout the book, there are tried-and-tested ideas for tackling the hard-to-teach topics, and there is also a dedicated website with links to useful websites, the authors' favourite tips and downloadable resources.

Table of Contents:
Introduction \ 1. Using ICT to Explore and Investigate \ 2. Using ICT to Analyse Language \ 3. Using ICT to Respond, Interpret, Reflect and Evaluate \ 4. Using ICT to Compose and Create \ 5. Using ICT to Transform \ 6. Using ICT to Present and Perform \ 7. Using ICT to Communicate and Collaborate \ 8. Using ICT to Inspire and Engage \ 9. Using ICT to Entertain \ Glossary \ Further Reading and Browsing \ Index

About the Author :
Trevor Millum is a nationally renowned trainer specializing in ICT within English. He worked as NATE's Director of Development and Communications for five years and remains a member of NATE's ICT committee. Chris Warren works for Teachit and NATE. A very experienced English teacher, he was previously an Advisory Teacher for English and ICT, and pioneered computer driven simulation activities such as 'Hijack' and 'Lost'. He is known nationally as a trainer and enthusiast for the use of ICT.

Review :
'Down to earth common sense, reaffirming ICT's role as a useful tool to support enjoyable learning - exactly where good English teachers need it to be' Jon Rosser, Senior Learning Adviser, Flintshire Local Authority, UK 'This should become a standard text in the field of ICT in English education. But the best thing about it is that it has been written by English teachers, for English teachers.' Ian McNeilly, Director of the National Association for Teaching English, UK '...an excellent book for all English teachers, packed full with creative ideas... Whether a highly experienced, or a new teacher, this book is the ideal resource to inspire the best possible use of ICT to support excellent English teaching. You do not need technical knowledge as the book is full of examples with clear guidance about how to make the best use of freely available software.' Andy Goodwyn, Head of Education, University of Reading, UK 'In this excellent and inspiring book the authors promote a range of innovative and engaging classroom practices that never lose sight of the central values in teaching. They easily sell the use of the internet to assist English teachers in gaining instant access to a worldwide audience for their pupils' work. They also detail a range of exciting classroom approaches that are firmly rooted in active learning.' Linda Harris, Lecturer, University of Strathclyde, UK Teaching English Using ICT is a text which is vital to any teacher's collection of resources. The days of spending tireless hours typing, printing and laminating for those “engaging lessons” are well and truly over. Rank, Warren and Millum have created an extremely useful resource not just for teachers of English but for teachers of any subject. One can now use their basic ICT skills and generate enjoyable learning experiences for all students.