EDPUZZLe

Edpuzzle is a powerful tool for making video-based learning more interactive and engaging. It's an interesting and useful tools to practice the language in class using authentic material. I often use it in my classes as these videos are more engaging than traditional lectures and having interactive questions make students be more focused on the topic we are dealing with. Also, it reinforces comprehension while watching. 

I have recently used this tool with my students of 2º ESO. They are learning about modal verbs, specifically CAN and COULD, and as they have a good level I've introduced them BE ABLE TO. So, first of all, I have sequenced the activities we will do to work in this contents:

- For the pre-task, we have done a brainstorming session about modal verbs and their functions. They have already studied them so, it is a way to check how much they remember. Also, at home, they have watch a short video about them so they can familiarize with the concepts studied. This video is designed for native speakers and provide real-life examples of language in context.

- In the while-task, students have practiced some exercises in class and we have also watched a video with questions related to modal verbs. In this case, I have chosen a video in which we are presented differente scenenes from Harry Potter films and they have to decide which modal verb they have heard. They then worked in pairs to discuss how modal verbs changed the meaning of sentences in different film scenes.

- In another session, we work on the post-task. Students have to write a short dialogue for a scene of a film they want to. They have to use the modal verbs learnt in previous classes.

The choice of film-based content made the lesson more engaging, as students were already familiar with movies. This helped increase motivation and opportunities for oral communication. The interactive Edpuzzle elements and role-play activities allowed students to actively use the target language rather than just passively consuming information.

By encouraging student autonomy through Flipped Learning with an introductory video to be watched at home, students arrived in class with some knowledge of modal verbs. This flipped approach enabled more time for in-class discussions, deeper analysis, and speaking activities. It also allowed students to take more control of their learning, as they could pause and rewatch the video as needed and then ask doubts in class. 

The students particularly enjoyed recognizing modal verbs in famous movie quotes, which made the learning process fun and relevant. The Edpuzzle tool helped maintain engagement and ensure comprehension during video watching. As for the role-play activity, we had some difficulties as students tend to use vocabulary they don't know yet and they get frustrated. Nevertheless, once they made their dialogues, it was a success. They did a good job and most of them were enthusiastic about creating and acting out their own dialogues.

Some students struggled with understanding the differences of modal verb meanings. In the future, I could provide a clearer guided worksheet to help them categorize the different uses and regarding the the role-play activity, it could be extended to include a more structured peer feedback process, ensuring students reflect on their language use more critically.

Overall, the lesson was an engaging and interactive way to teach modal verbs, balancing input with meaningful output, and fostering both autonomy and communication skills.