ELT Materials Design and Use (Part 1)

Summary

In this tutorial, Jason Renshaw shares his expertise on English Language Teaching (ELT) materials design. He emphasizes the importance of creating professional-looking, thoughtful, and well-structured materials to enhance student engagement. Renshaw suggests starting with a basic text and then adding a header with an exciting title, leaving space for student details, and including a footer with copyright information and a resource website. He also recommends using a slogan to give the material a theme and adhering to the 25/75 rule, where only 25% of the page is dedicated to the input text, allowing 75% for interactive activities. Renshaw demonstrates how to use text boxes in Microsoft Word for flexibility in layout and concludes with a teaser for a follow-up video where he will showcase activities that can be done with the designed material.

Takeaways

• 📝 Start with a blank page: Every material design begins with a clean slate, allowing for creativity and structure.
• 🔍 Choose relevant content: The content should be appropriate for the class and facilitate learning objectives.
• 🎨 Add a header: A professional-looking header with a catchy title can engage learners and set the tone for the lesson.
• 📏 Use space effectively: Leaving a reasonable gap between the header and the text helps prevent clutter and allows for student interaction.
• 📜 Include a footer: A footer with copyright information and a website provides credibility and allows for easy reference.
• 📐 Apply the 25/75 rule: Limit the input text to 25% of the page to leave room for interactive and communicative activities.
• 📐 Divide the page: Use lines or boxes to create clear sections for different activities and interactions with the text.
• 📚 Encourage interaction: Design materials to facilitate discussion and speaking, rather than just passive reading.
• 🖋️ Use text boxes: Utilize text boxes in design software for flexibility in layout and to avoid being constrained by margins.
• 📈 Keep it simple: Avoid overcomplicating the design with too many elements; simplicity makes the material accessible and user-friendly.
• 📄 Efficient use of resources: A well-designed one-page handout is cost-effective, easy to photocopy, and environmentally friendly.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Jason Renshaw's tutorial?

Jason Renshaw's tutorial focuses on tips for designing and using alternative materials in English language classrooms, with an emphasis on creating more professional and structured educational resources.

Why does Jason suggest starting with a blank page when designing educational materials?

Starting with a blank page symbolizes the beginning of the creative process, allowing educators to systematically build their materials from scratch, ensuring clarity and purpose in the design.

What is the significance of adding a header with a bold title like 'Killer Waves' instead of just 'Tsunami'?

A bold and engaging title like 'Killer Waves' is intended to capture students' interest more effectively than a generic title like 'Tsunami'. This approach can make the material seem more appealing and engaging to learners.

How does Jason Renshaw suggest using the space at the top of the page?

He suggests leaving space at the top of the page for practical purposes such as allowing students to write their names or other identification details, making it easier to manage and reference.

Why is it important to have a footer in educational materials, according to Jason?

The footer serves multiple purposes: it can provide a place for copyright information, reference sources, and identify the creator of the material. This not only ensures professional courtesy but also enhances the credibility and accountability of the educational resource.

What is the 'quarter three quarter' or '2575 rule' that Jason mentions, and why is it significant?

The '2575 rule' suggests that any textual input should only occupy about 25% of the page, leaving 75% for interactive and communicative activities. This balance ensures that the material facilitates active engagement and interaction among students rather than just passive reading.

How does Jason recommend utilizing the space beside and below the text?

Jason recommends using the space beside the text for supportive annotations like vocabulary help or pronunciation guides, and the space below for extended activities that encourage discussion and application of the text's content.

What is the purpose of including a slogan or thematic title like 'Talktime' in the materials?

Including a slogan or thematic title like 'Talktime' provides a clear theme or focus for the activities, which can help guide the learners' engagement and make the purpose of the material more explicit and oriented towards discussion.

Why does Jason emphasize the importance of using text boxes in Microsoft Word for materials design?

Jason highlights the use of text boxes because they offer flexibility in placing text anywhere on the page without being restricted by margins, facilitating a more dynamic and customized layout of educational materials.

What future content does Jason hint at towards the end of the transcript?

Jason hints at a follow-up video where he will demonstrate practical applications and activities that teachers and students can engage in using the designed material, providing real examples of how the concepts discussed can be implemented in the classroom.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Material Design Fundamentals

Jason Renshaw introduces basic tips for alternative materials design and use in the English language classroom. He emphasizes the importance of presentation and utilization of materials, starting with a blank page and a random text about tsunamis as an example. Renshaw suggests enhancing the material's professionalism with a header, an engaging title like 'Killer Waves', and leaving space at the top for student names or group project details. He also highlights the significance of a footer with copyright information and a source citation for professional courtesy and to facilitate easy reference.

05:01

📚 Adding Value to Learning Materials

Renshaw discusses the importance of attributing materials to the teacher to demonstrate investment and effort. He recommends including a slogan like 'Talktime' to encourage discussion and speaking activities. The '2575 rule' is introduced, advocating for only 25% of the page to be dedicated to input text, allowing 75% for interactive and communicative activities. He also suggests using lines or shaded boxes to segment the material into clear sections for vocabulary work, pronunciation practice, and interactive tasks. The layout is designed to be accessible and not overly complicated, promoting student engagement.

10:04

🖌️ Enhancing Material Aesthetics and Functionality

The video script outlines ways to further develop the basic material layout, such as incorporating discussion questions, dialogues, and knowledge extension activities. Renshaw shares his preference for a clean layout that includes a header, footer, and slogan, making the material visually appealing and thematically consistent. He also emphasizes the importance of keeping the material on a single page to allow for additional tasks or project-based activities. As a final tip, Renshaw recommends using text boxes in Microsoft Word for flexibility in material design, allowing for easy rearrangement and unconstrained by margins.

Keywords

💡ALT Materials Design

ALT stands for 'Additional Language Teaching'. The keyword 'ALT Materials Design' refers to the process of creating educational materials for language learning that go beyond the standard curriculum. In the video, Jason Renshaw discusses his approach to designing materials that are not only engaging but also facilitate a structured and interactive language learning experience. He emphasizes the importance of layout, presentation, and the balance between input (the material provided) and output (student interaction and activities).

💡Professional-looking Material

This term refers to educational materials that are visually appealing and well-organized, giving the impression of being carefully crafted and polished. In the context of the video, Renshaw suggests that professional-looking materials can enhance the learning experience by showing learners that the teacher has invested time and effort into the material, which in turn can motivate students to engage more with the content.

💡Interactive Purposes

Interactive purposes in the context of language learning materials mean designing activities that encourage student participation and interaction. Renshaw highlights the importance of creating materials that are not just for passive reading but also stimulate conversation and discussion among students. This approach aligns with communicative language teaching methods, which prioritize the use of the language in real-life situations.

💡Header and Footer

In the context of document design, a 'header' is the area at the top of each page that typically contains titles or chapter numbers, while a 'footer' is the area at the bottom that may include page numbers, author names, or copyright information. Renshaw uses headers and footers in his material design to add a professional touch and to provide clear identification and reference points for the materials, which can be particularly useful for students when organizing their handouts.

💡Copyright

Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution. In the video, Renshaw mentions including a copyright notice on his materials to assert his ownership and protect his work. He also discusses the importance of sourcing and acknowledging material from other writers or websites, which is a professional courtesy and a legal requirement to avoid copyright infringement.

💡Slogan

A slogan is a memorable phrase used in marketing and communication to identify a product or idea. In the context of the video, Renshaw uses a slogan 'Talktime' to give his materials a thematic focus, encouraging discussion and speaking activities. The slogan helps to brand his materials and make them more recognizable and appealing to students.

💡25/75 Rule

The 25/75 rule, as mentioned by Renshaw, is a design principle where only 25% of the page is dedicated to the input text, allowing the remaining 75% for student activities and interactions. This rule emphasizes the importance of balancing the material provided with space for student engagement, ensuring that the materials are learner-centered and promote active participation.

💡Text Boxes

Text boxes are a feature in word processing software that allow text to be placed in a movable container, separate from the main document layout. Renshaw recommends using text boxes for material design because they offer flexibility in arranging content on the page without being constrained by the document's margins. They also facilitate the creation of a clean and uncluttered layout that is visually appealing and user-friendly for students.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the set of words known to a person or within a language. In the context of language teaching materials, focusing on vocabulary is crucial for students' language acquisition. Renshaw discusses using the space beside the text to help learners with vocabulary, possibly by indicating syllable stress, parts of speech, or language chunks, which are phrases that students can learn as units to enhance their speaking and understanding.

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation is the way in which a word or a language is articulated when spoken. Renshaw suggests that language materials should include activities that help students with pronunciation, which is a fundamental aspect of language learning. By providing guidance on how words should be pronounced, teachers can help students improve their speaking skills and communicate more effectively.

💡Dialogic Materials

Dialogic materials are those that are designed to promote dialogue and conversation among learners. Renshaw mentions the possibility of including dialogues in the materials to encourage students to practice speaking and interact with each other. This approach is beneficial for developing communicative competence and can make language learning more dynamic and engaging.

Highlights

The importance of considering how material is presented and used in the English language classroom.

Starting with a basic text and enhancing it for a more professional and engaging classroom material.

Using a more exciting title like 'Killer Waves' instead of 'Tsunamis' to capture learner interest.

The significance of leaving a reasonable gap between the header and the text for student names and clarity.

Adding a footer with a copyright notice and the author's name to show ownership and professionalism.

Including a slogan like 'Talktime' to encourage discussion and speaking activities.

The '25/75 rule' where only 25% of the page is dedicated to the input text, leaving room for learner interaction.

Using text boxes in Microsoft Word for flexibility in material design and to avoid being limited by margins.

Creating a structured lesson that can move in phases and result in different kinds of activities.

The use of a shaded box or line to separate sections of the material for clarity and organization.

Incorporating spaces for vocabulary work, pronunciation practice, and parts of speech within the material layout.

Designing materials that are accessible, not overly cluttered, and allow room for student contributions.

The concept of a template that can be reused and adapted for different texts and classroom activities.

Encouraging learner investment in the material by showing that the teacher has put effort into its creation.

The idea of having stages within the material that lead from the text to extended tasks and projects.

Using one page for a complete activity to minimize the use of paper and simplify the distribution process.

The effectiveness of using text boxes for floating text around the page for a clean and professional look.

Providing endless ideas for activities that can be done with the basic page layout in the next video of the series.

Transcripts

hi there this is Jason Renshaw and in

this tutorial I guess you could call it

I'm going to pass on some of my own tips

regarding alt materials design and use

they're fairly basic ones but they might

give you some ideas if you're inclined

to think a little bit more about how you

present material and then how you use it

in your English language classroom so

you know looking at the screen right now

you're looking at a blank page and you

know this is always the starting point

when you're designing some material for

your class so the first thing that

everybody usually sort of starts with is

you know some actual material and in

this case I've just come up with a

random text that I had flooding about

it's about tsunamis you know that's not

all that important in terms of what the

content is at the moment that's a whole

other matter you know in terms of what

the actual content is and whether it's

appropriate for your class and what

you're going to do with it but just bear

with me this is a basic text that I've

come up with for a class and you know

I've put it on the page like that now

you know as it stands at the moment this

is not you know a bad piece of material

there's a lot we could do with that

there's a lot we could you know sort of

benefit the students could benefit a lot

from this in the class there's a lot of

room to do a lot of things around this

text but there is also a lot we could do

with it that would result in a more

professional-looking piece of material

that would show the learners that we've

put a little bit more thought and effort

into our material but also to facilitate

a nice structured lesson that you know

can move in phases and can result in

different kinds of activities

interacting or leading out of this text

so let's have a look at the first change

I would make to this basic text and I

would put in basically a header or a

bah there and I've got a you know a more

exciting I guess title rather than

tsunami

I've got killer waves that's probably

most of the learners that I've taught

would think well that's a much cooler

name um I'm more interested interested

already but you notice how I've got a

nice bold black line here to show the

top of the page and already this is

looking a little bit more professional

notice that I've left a reasonable gap

between the header or the you know the

top bar and the top of the actual page

and that's actually important because

when you use handouts with your learners

I find that the the biggest problem a

lot of people have is they end up with

very cluttered handouts that are either

you know that well they're usually too

full too full on they've got too much on

them and then it becomes hard to do

extra things with them one of the

reasons I like having this a bit of

space at the top is that for things like

for the students to write their name on

the handout if it's something that's

going to be handed in or if I have

extended this and done something more in

the way of a group project the other

students names could be included and

it's easy to spot it's easy to see

without having to sort of pour over

their pour over the the manuscript as it

were so I always like to leave a bit of

space at the top and with this bold sort

of tidal and bar this is also easier for

reference so that if the learners are

going to put this away somewhere it's a

lot easier to find this particular topic

in this particular set of activities

then then it would have been if we just

had the text there sort of naked so

that's the first thing is the top sort

of header next is our footer now what

I've got a very basic one that I've put

down here you can see I've just got a

sort of swirling line already it sort of

put borders on our page that you know

sort of keep it looking a little neater

and a little tidy

but you've noticed I've put copyright

2010 I've put

name now first I'll put my website my my

resource site now that's because I did

write this text myself obviously you

don't want to write copyright if it's

not your text what you might like to do

is actually in this space here is

actually write your source if it's an

internet-based source you know you could

shorten the URL and write just the name

of the site where you got it and the

shortened URL so that students can go

and reference that and that's also a bit

of professional courtesy

if you're going to source material from

other sites or other writers but always

make sure you've got your name on your

material that you use in class above and

beyond showing the learners that this is

something that you have made this is

something you have invested in if you

gather a lot of material and you decide

to distribute it on the Internet you

know that sort of thing it's important

that you you know you give yourself

credit for that that you take some

ownership of the materials that you

design and I found generally by putting

my name and my resource website on my

materials the learners tend to

appreciate what I'm giving to them a lot

more they can see that this is something

I've really put some effort into it's

not like I've ripped something off the

internet and just slapped it on a page

and taken it into class you know I'm

showing them that I'm professional about

what I'm doing and you know that can

help to get a better response from the

learners rather than it crumpled up a

bit of paper in the bottom of the

backpack so to speak so I've got a

header and a footer now what else can we

do with this well we can add some sort

of slogan or some sort of sort of title

for this kind of material this is a very

simple one I've written talktime because

what I'd like to do with this material

is encourage more in the way of

discussion and speaking you know it's

nothing all that flesh it's a shaded

sort of addition there to the side but

you know it gives it a little bit more

zing it gives this idea of the

supplement a bit more of a purpose

and a theme and it looks a little nicer

and that's something that you can you

can slap on to use up your own materials

as well now this is really important for

me personally it's something I call the

the quarter three quarter or the 2575

rule and that is whenever I'm going to

bring in material that I'm going to use

for interactive purposes and

communicative purposes in the classroom

it's important that whatever input I

bring in to the supplement only takes up

25% of the actual piece of paper you

know one corner of this this one piece

of paper and that's because I can then

ensure that 75% of the paper is going to

be dedicated more to things that the

learners are doing that you know they're

going to interact with this text and

going to interact with each other so

it's important not to come in with

really long texts and fill up your whole

page with them in my personal opinion if

you do basically you you're just showing

them a book and there is a lot you could

do off that or out of that but I like to

have everything sort of interacting on

one piece of paper and you know it gives

me a guideline in terms of how much

material to write or to include in in in

a supplement so that's the 2575 rule and

you can see I've just basically moved my

text up and across so that it just takes

up that top left-hand corner of the page

then what you can do is include

something as basic as a line underneath

your text and you know now we've got two

sections to our supplement that are very

clear we've got our input text up here

at the top and we've got a blank space

down here at the bottom that we're going

to do something we're going to do

something in class with that space and

then we might also include a very sort

of thin line here and then we've got two

sections one below one beside this one

beside the text

is particularly useful if you're going

to do something like help the learners

with some of the vocabulary

perhaps if it's more of a speaking

oriented lesson we could work on

pronunciation and indicate things like

um syllable stress for certain words or

parts of speech or even chunks you know

small phrases and chunks within these

sentences that we could pull out and

look at a little more closely and work

on so this space here is something I

tend to use to sort of interact with the

text and the space below is something I

might use for activities that extend out

of the text and more into the learners

own realm of interests and discussion

now something you might like to consider

is actually replacing that line with

just basically a shaded box underneath

the text and then you don't even need

that line you can see now that the that

the supplement has a clear reading text

and it's got space beside it to the

right and it's got space below it

underneath it and now there's so much we

can do with this basic supplement we

might investigate 4k blurry or do some

sort of work on better understanding

certain aspects of this input and then

down here we might generate discussion

questions we might create a dialogue we

might extend our knowledge of this

particular topic and then have the

students interact with each other and

compare what they've written there's a

whole host of sort of activities that we

could add and I'll sort of demonstrate

those for you in the next video in this

series actually using this basic text

you know we could replace that text with

a dialogue actually this could we could

have written a dialogue for the students

but this is one of my favorite basic

layouts for materials design I've got a

clear header and a title that is easy to

reference easy to see I've got a nice

bit of clear space between the header

and the

the page for things like student details

or reference points I've got a footer

that identifies me as the maker of this

material and a space if I need to

reference you know where I got any of

the information from I've got a little

bit of a slogan here that gives this

gives my supplements a sort of theme and

these things can actually be built in as

a template that you can then go back and

change and use in different ways with

different texts but already you can see

it's a massive improvement on basically

a basic bit of text and you know this

works for me I take this in with my

learner's and it looks nice it's not

over the top though you can see that I

haven't filled up the whole page I

haven't tried to put in tons of boxes or

spaces or lines or anything like that it

looks accessible and it looks like

there's room to do something around this

theme and around this text and that's

really really important I think with

materials design and it's something that

the learners are going to contribute

something to it's something they're

going to bring their own ideas to

whether it's a sort of freestyle

activity or whether it's something quite

structured by the teacher for me as a

teacher also I've sort of got stages

I've got my actual text I got something

we can do with that text and then

something to extend from that text and

by keeping it on one page I can also

have the learners flip the page over and

do some sort of project or task based

activity that leads out of this and it's

one photocopy basically I can just

photocopy this one page and you know

it's it's not going to take me long to

photocopy it's not reams of paper that

I'm going to be handing out to the

learners it's pretty simple it's pretty

straightforward so I hope that gives you

a couple of ideas and pointers about

basic ELT materials design this is what

works for me one final tip I would give

you in terms of how I've made this is to

use text boxes particularly in Microsoft

Word I would never recommend actually

typing anything directly into the

document or using tables or anything

like that I always use text boxes

because it allows me to float the text

around the page wherever I want to put

it and it also allows me to not be

inhibited by margins and things like

that so text boxes is a is a key tip

I've actually had hundreds of teachers I

have worked with improve their materials

design just by learning how to use text

boxes in Microsoft Word so I hope that's

been helpful and given you some ideas

and I look forward to following this up

for you with another video where I

actually show what learners could be

doing with this basic page and I've got

you know endless ideas for that as well

so I hope you enjoyed it in the hope

it's been helpful