Tech Tool Blog

May 9, 2014

I was trying to think about what to write about for this blog because I don’t use any tech tools in my class.  The only thing I thought of was my video camera on my phone because I use it to record my students’ presentations.  Then I realized I put those presentations up on BAND.  And this is the tech tool that I would like to talk about. 

You may all have seen this on TV and at the theatres on the previews, but BAND is a phone app and it’s a private space for groups.  It’s similar to Kakao, but you can more things and it’s more suitable for sharing.  

At our hakwon we use BAND with our student’s mothers.  We put up any announcements or anything interesting for our parents and we have separate rooms for each of our levels/classes.  The good thing about this is that you can put up videos without worrying about the size.  So far I haven’t had any problems uploading videos (although I’m not sure if it would allow you to upload video sizes similar to a movie).   With Kakao and along with other similar apps, you’re limited to the size of what you can upload.

You can upload pictures, chat with individual members or as a group, you can mark things on a calendar, and you can create a poll.  The good thing is that everything is shared.  You can upload and do everything from your phone, or there’s also a desktop version that you can install as well.  It allows you to stay in touch with your student’s parents and they can voice their concerns or questions.  If there are teachers that don’t have a personal relationship with their students’ parents, then teachers could use this and stay in touch with each other. 

We first started BAND to allow the parents to see how their children were doing at our winter camp.  We were trying to find a place we could upload pictures and videos.  Then we eventually used whenever we had to make announcements.  Then I started using it to upload videos of the presentations of the students.  I started incorporating presentations into our units, so they would do one presentations almost every 2 or 3 weeks.  We originally put them up to show the parents their progress.  However, the parents have been using that to improve on their presentation skills.  Originally they would memorize their presentation speeches at home, but the parents were helping them more with memorizing, and also with their presentation skills.  The parents know that presentation skills is important, not only to English, so many of them try to help their children to help improve their confidence level.

Although the parents are not able to attend the class and see for their themselves on how their children are doing, this tool has allowed them to see what their children are doing in class, so they can help them accordingly.  I suppose other teachers can use this tool to upload lessons or other videos so that parents can teach their children at home (for additional work, or cover missed lessons).  Students can also watch their own recordings (ex. speaking) so they can distinguish for themselves what mistakes they have made.

I believe this tool is beneficial for all teachers, parents, and teachers.  If you are interested, check out the website at: http://www.band.us/home.