The Daily Game

Trying to engage students online is proving to be the hardest thing, don't you agree?

So I've taken to having a daily game with my students.  My students are at Entry 2 and 3 but ideas can be adapted for lower or higher levels.  I'm lucky enough to be able to use Whatsapp groups with them via a work mobile (consent from students was first sought before setting up the groups and ground rules established, such as no texting after 4pm etc).  The fastest reply is the winner. If you don't have Whatsapp I'm sure this could be adapted to email or on a VLE.  Some key things to consider when playing.

1) Never underestimate an emoji! I use them as prizes and the winners get to decide the emoji prize for the next day.  Winners can also decide a question for the next day, this was a bit bumpy with my students as they struggled to think of questions, but it something I'm hoping to revisit in time.

2) Wording is key - create some excitement!  I used ready, steady, go... and afterwards who will win tomorrow?? (to which there are a million replies of “me”and some healthy competitive banter usually ensues!).

3) Have a leader board - after each game a send a picture of the leader board to add a sense of achievement and shows visual progress.

4) Where possible add in additional questions to gain depth of knowledge, such as why, tell me... etc, this helps to make it competitive.

Here are some things we have played so far:

Odd one out - I give 3 or 4 words (perhaps one verb and 3 nouns) and students have to decide which one is the odd one out, not forgetting to give the reason why too - to add that depth of learning!

Run and find - give a simple description of something and students have to find an item which fits the description, take a photo and post it.

Introducing new vocab - I used this to pre-teach the word hedgehog as I followed the game up with an activity based around hedgehogs (it was national hedgehog week- keeping those themes current!).  Send an emoji or picture of the word (if possible) and ask what is it, where does it live or what does it eat etc.  Students can quickly Google and respond.

Spelling - I audio recorded myself using the voice mail function within the text asking students to write down and take a photo of the word.  Now this one I'm not so sure about as I think a lot of predictive texting was happening here!

Missing word (a kind of gap fill) - I gave a sentence with a missing word which students had to respond with.  Multiple choice could also be used to differentiate for abilities.

Spell the emoji - great for Entry 1 students.  Send an emoji and ask for the spelling (written on paper and take a photo!)

Mystery object - send a picture of photo of a piece of something, perhaps an object and students have to guess what it is.  Really good for practising vocab.

These can all be adapted to suit the needs of different students.  I'm still experimenting with the game and will keep posting updates but so far it's really engaged learners and I have feedback like "I can't wait for the game" and "I really enjoy playing".  As it's within a group chat I've noticed more and more students and joining in too.  There's a real sense of community with students bantering about winning or equally supporting those that feel frustrated at not winning etc.

I hope that helps with your planning this week!