Week 7: Action Project and Course Wrap-up

 

In this module, I teamed up with my two friends, Ngoc Mai and Hue Dung, to carry out an action project aimed at addressing the need for better tracking of student progress in Ngoc Mai’s private English class. 

Regarding the background of the class, it consists of two first graders, both of whom are at a beginner level of English. Previously, Zalo had been used for exchanging class-related information (such as schedule changes, and homework assignments) and receiving students’ speaking videos. Nevertheless, the limitations of Zalo in organizing and tracking progress prompted us to explore new technological solutions. After considering various options, we opted for Padlet, an online collaborative platform which functions like a digital bulletin board. 

After conducting this project, I realized that Padlet was a really effective tool for tracking student progress. One reason is that it allowed for the organization of videos coupled with additional information such as lesson names and feedback. By creating separate Padlet boards for each student, we could easily track their progress and provide specific feedback about their strengths and areas for improvement. Also, the platform’s multimedia support enabled us to upload videos, images, and notes. This made the tracking process more interactive and engaging.

Notwithstanding, we encountered several technical constraints during the project. Initially, we struggled with post arrangement, the comment section, and the reaction feature. However, we finally managed to overcome these obstacles by organizing posts chronologically and using Google Drive for larger video files before attaching the links to Padlet. Another significant challenge we faced was the lack of enthusiasm and engagement from the parents. Even after Ngoc Mai demonstrated how to use the Padlet and its usefulness, the parents did not actively participate in the program. To address this, we would consider asking them to submit their children’s speaking videos via Padlet instead of Zalo as usual. Specifically, Padlet offers the Video Recorder feature, allowing free users to record videos of up to 5 minutes in length and upload directly onto the platform.

Thanks to the project, I have learnt valuable lessons about integrating technology into education. One of them is that I should familiarize myself with the chosen tool before implementation to avoid technical issues. In addition, it is important to increase parental involvement in the learning process and be aware of how technology can bridge the gap between home and classroom.