Tools for writing in an online lesson

While longer writing tasks will probably be completed at home, you may ask learners to write words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs in your online lesson. This gives learners the opportunity to demonstrate language knowledge, spelling, word order or the ability to link ideas in a sentence, for example. There are a few different ways that you can get learners to write something in an online lesson so that you and other learners can see it.

Task

The following are tools that learners can use for writing during an online lesson:

1. Interactive whiteboard
2. Chat box
3. Shared screen tool showing a word processing document
4. A shared document which can be edited by everyone e.g. Google Doc, PrimaryPad.

Decide which tool(s) are the most appropriate for these lesson activities:

• learners write a word or phrase
• learners write a longer text
• learners peer edit or add comments to a partner’s written work
• learners write a sentence.

Check your answers

Reflect and share

How might an online teacher deliver feedback on a learner’s writing in an online context? Share your ideas in the comments.