Teachers around the world continue to adopt the flipped classroom strategy, which includes taking direct instruction and focusing on individual students rather than on group instruction. It is an innovative trend that emerged several years ago and made quite an impact on the education field. 

According to LearnDash, around 78 percent of teachers in the U.S. flipped at least one lesson and 96 percent of those who tried it would recommend it to others. Another important stat that illustrates the effectiveness of the method: 9 out of 10 teachers who tried flipped teaching methods noticed a positive change in learners’ engagement.

Sounds interesting? Let’s review eight popular web-based tools that are used by teachers for flipped lessons today. All of them are designed for k-12 education.


1. PlayPosit

The first tool on our list makes a specific focus on using interactive video to deliver the knowledge. PlatPosit has thousands of educational videos and pre-made interactive questions to those videos to engage the learners. It is a completely web-based tool that allows educators to add interactive elements to the lessons and use popular video websites such as YouTube. As the result, the educators are provided with an excellent opportunity to increase engagement and enhance lessons with videos.

Features

• Online or 300,000 pre-made interactive videos on educational subjects
• Interactive elements
• Rich media
• Compatibility with mobile devices
• Sharing option
• Performance monitoring

2.  Educreations

Another way to include multimedia in the lessons in order to improve student performance and engagement is Educreations. It provides fun lesson creation and sharing experiences as well as easy organization of information using an interactive whiteboard. According to a senior educator Jabari Johnson, the whiteboard was excellent for collaborative learning of high school essay elements at an  essay writing service as well. The best part about using this tool is that it is really easy for educators to use and it provides a wide range of options for using video and audio content to create engaging and fascinating lessons.

Features

• Interactive whiteboard
• Voice recording 
• Instant sharing
• Replay
• Cloud storage
• Easy to use
• Large number of options for lessons
• Video and audio

3.  Edmodo

Are you looking for all-in-one flipped classroom platform? This might be a great option for you because it has it all: integration with popular apps, collaboration options, students’ profiles, connection with parents and much more. Also, it has options for group creation, easy assignment of homework, analysis of the performance, and progress management. As the result, Edmodo provides the educators with a complete control over the classroom and communication with students and parents.

Features

• Unlimited storage
• Homework assignment
• Integration with Google Apps for Education and Microsoft Office
• Parent mobile apps
• Performance analysis
• Student profile
• Password management
• Video and audio

4.  GoClass

Using this tool, educators are able to create, edit, and manage lesson plans and share them with the students through Android and iOS platforms. As the result, the lessons are delivered directly to students’ devices and this allows them to learn whenever they can. Lessons follow specific structures and contain media, notes, examples, polls, and other interactive elements that create interest and engagement. Educators and students with tablets and other mobile devices therefore can benefit from GoClass because of the wide range of features and usefulness.

Features

• Custom lessons
• Lesson plans
• Wide range of courses
• Assignment scheduling
• Skill based reporting
• Small group introduction
• Integration with mobile devices
• Classroom management

5.  Redbird

This is an advanced online learning platform created by Stanford University specialists that offers digital curriculum, blended learning, and professional development. First, educators can use it for math and language arts courses because the platform contains a wide variety of courses with multimedia instruction and automated assessment of student work. Second, Redbird provides opportunities for personalized blended learning for students. Third, it has a professional learning platform for educators to developer their skills of technology and innovative teaching methods.

Features

• Flipped and blended classrooms
• Digital curriculum platform
• Homework assignment
• Multiple representations of solutions
• Immediate feedback
• Pop-up tips
• Teacher development platform
• Student profile

6.  Ten Marks

Ten Marks provides responsive math practice for k-12 students. Clean design and adaptive nature of the platform allow easy navigation and student engagement. Among other advantages of Ten Marks are highly individualized and customizable options and features, so the educators can easily adapt it to their style. Videos used by the platform help struggling students to improve as fast as possible.

Features

• Immediate Feedback
• Video
• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators
• Comprehensive math curriculum
• High personalization
• Clean design
• Adaptive nature

7.  Zaption

This platform allows creating engaging video lessons, thus using the full power of this type of multimedia for education. A high customization and share options are also available.

Features

• Interactive learning
• Video
• Personalization 
• Customization
• Ready-to-use lessons

8.  Brightstorm

Short reviews of the education topics are presented in the form of videos. Brightstorm provides math, science, English, and test prep lessons designed by expert teachers.

Features

• ACT & AP prep
• Mobile app
• College counseling
• Videos
• Lesson transcriptions
• Diverse team of teachers

Only one step left…

The only thing left to do is choose the tool that meets the needs of your students. All of the tools presented in this article are effective and innovative, so use them to improve learning outcomes and student engagement!


Tom Jager is professional blogger. He works at A-writer.  He has degree in Law and English literature. Tom has written numerous articles/online journals. You can reach him at G+  or Facebook.

A very ​Merry Christmas from all of us at ESL.com!

By David White 
​
With 2017 quickly approaching, now is a great time to begin thinking about the patterns and tasks that you would like to start or stop in the coming months. If you are a language learner, you may be setting goals for yourself around vocabulary, fluency, or some other area of proficiency. But now might also be the ideal time to begin thinking about the things you want to stop doing when it comes to learning another language.

Like almost all types of learning, language learning involves a great deal of trial and error before you master the subject. Unfortunately, you may pick up bad habits along the way that can slow the learning process or make it difficult for native speakers to understand you. (Note  that many of these habits are unconscious and not unique to language learners.) If you are not sure whether you have picked up any of these bad habits, here are a few examples:


1. Relying on translation software
There have likely been times where you struggled to translate a phrase into English and opened a translation program for assistance. These types of programs are perhaps the easiest and fastest way to translate a word or sentence into a second language, but that does not mean that they are always correct. 

Translation software has improved over the years, but it can still produce highly inaccurate results. However advanced these programs have become, there are a number of concepts and words that do not directly translate between two languages. Instead of turning to translation software, consider asking a native speaker for help.


2. Modeling speaking and writing patterns on social media
The internet has become a true asset to any student who is attempting to learn a new subject. Many lesson plans now feature online content, and some full classes are even taught remotely. But it is very possible that social media is making your bad habits worse. 

Social media can be a great way to expand your vocabulary and to strengthen your language skills, particularly as it is written, rather than spoken. Nevertheless, many social media participants use online shorthand or ignore certain grammar rules, which can make your own speaking and writing seem sloppy if you have modeled your English on what you have seen online. Take care when drawing inspiration from online examples, and choose reputable accounts. 


3. Employing slang or regionally specific language in all instances
Similar to what you might see online, spoken English—particularly conversational English—may include slang or regionally specific language. In a general sense, it is wise to learn these words and to understand what they mean, because they will appear in the conversations you have with others. Having said that, it is important to avoid using them in formal environments.

Such terms can be confusing when used in the wrong setting. More importantly, slang and regionally specific words fall in and out of fashion, and they can quickly become outdated. This means that you could use terms or phrases that are ultimately confusing to native speakers.


4. Using words without understanding their meaning
A portion of the bad habits that language learners accumulate come from the native speakers with whom they interact. In light of this information, you might be learning new words and inferring their meaning from the context of a spoken sentence. For example, people often use the word “ironic” when what they really mean is “coincidental.”

If you are the type of learner who benefits from immersion and active participation, be sure to note down any words that you hear, especially when you are unsure of their meaning. Look them up at a later time so that you can use them correctly in a sentence.


David White is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors. 

If you have an interest in teaching or a passion for languages, you may be wondering if teaching English as a second language (or ESL) is the right choice for you. ESL instructors work in a variety of different environments, including corporations, neighborhood centers, primary schools, and universities.

For teachers of English as a second language, there are many opportunities to gain teaching experience, to travel, and to contribute positively to the lives of others. But with so many options for teaching ESL, you might be wondering where to start and what will be required of you in order to secure a position as an ESL instructor. 

From an institutional perspective, teaching ESL is not quite like other teaching positions, which means that expectations and qualifications may differ. In rare instances, you may be able to secure an ESL position without any formal credentials. However, as the professional market becomes more competitive, and as employers seek the most qualified applicants, you might consider ways to give yourself an edge over other individuals. While experience and education will strengthen any resume, teaching certificates like CELTA are a great way to improve your odds of landing an opportunity.


What is CELTA?
The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages—also known as CELTA—is an educational program that is designed to impart the necessary skills and best practices for teaching English as a second language. Holding a CELTA certification suggests to potential employers that you have learned how best to teach ESL and that you are committed to providing high-quality instruction.

CELTA is available in several flexible formats. For those who wish to finish as quickly as possible, CELTA can be completed on a full-time basis over four to five weeks. However, if you are trying to balance this course with other responsibilities, it can be taken part-time over the course of several months. There is also a hybrid online option for those who cannot make it to a classroom location. The primary objective is for students to gain 120 hours of hands-on teaching and training.


What are the benefits of CELTA?
Becoming CELTA certified is about more than increasing your job prospects and/or your wage. Students who wish to become fluent in English hail from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and education levels, which can have a significant influence on how they learn and what they require to be successful. Through CELTA training, you will gain insight into how to teach diverse groups of people, including both adults and older teenagers.

Another important aspect of CELTA certification is the program’s emphasis on hands-on training with skilled instructors. Even under the best of circumstances, teaching can be very challenging. By gaining real-world experience with individuals who have been in your position, you will be better prepared for potential difficulties, and you will know how to structure a class for success—particularly when it comes to lesson planning.


David White is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world's largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors. 

By Dixie Somers
​
In today’s educational system, the term liberal arts refers to subjects like social or physical science, mathematics, literature, humanities, and the arts. It does not include technical or vocational programs. While many people feel that a technical degree is better for graduates entering the job market, the reality is, there is some advantage in a degree from a liberal arts college as well.


Background for Graduate Degrees
A degree with a major in one of the liberal arts fields is an excellent background for those planning to go after a master’s or doctor’s degree. It provides a well-rounded knowledge base in a variety of subjects. Many graduate schools actually prefer this. Their intent is to teach all the specialized subjects themselves. The liberal arts degree becomes a foundation on which to build an area of expertise. For example, someone who is interested in entering the educational field may go after a history master’s degree ​in order to teach the subject more fully.


Communication
Aside from the specific subject knowledge in most majors, liberal arts students will no doubt be much better at oral and written communications than their counterparts. Being able to communicate effectively is a critical job skill that employers like to see, especially in prospects who are expected to advance through the ranks and into management. These same fundamentals that enable one to communicate effectively also can carry over into interpersonal skills. Employers prefer individuals who are good at team building and who can manage others with compromise and delicacy.


Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is vital for effective problem solving. By the time students finish a liberal arts program, they have been exposed to the type of studies that require the use of analytical thinking. This becomes an important skill that can be used in both the job market and in graduate school.


Diverse Background
Because of the requirements most liberal arts schools have for graduation, students will be exposed to a wide variety of subjects. This gives them a diverse background they can carry with them into the next phase of life. An example is the requirement of a foreign language. Even though one may never visit a country in which that language is spoken, learning it increases their overall knowledge base. In addition, there will likely be requirements in fields like history, social studies, religion, and others that will provide diversity in their education. 
Most people will go through numerous phases in their careers. They may not stay in the field in which their degree was earned. A liberal arts degree, because of the diversity, critical thinking, and communication skills that students develop, will help in all stages of life.


Dixie Somers is a freelance writer. Find Dixie on Facebook.