Greetings, readers, we’re going to explore BookWidgets. If you’re new here, I’m Charlie, an English teacher with over 12 years of experience in teaching English as a foreign language. Currently, I’m also the Director of Studies at a language school in Spain. Today, we’re diving deep into BookWidgets, a platform that promises to offer your students an interactive learning experience.
Unique Features
In this article, we’re placing the spotlight on BookWidgets and its distinctive features. Let’s get started by understanding what makes this platform stand out.
Setting Up Your Account
Let’s begin by creating your BookWidgets account. Simply head over to the BookWidgets website and sign up using your Google account or email address. Once inside, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the BookWidgets dashboard.
The Dashboard
The dashboard is designed to provide quick access to key sections. We begin with ‘Home,’ followed by ‘Widgets,’ which essentially represents activities. Next comes ‘Live,’ where Google Classroom integration shines, allowing real-time tracking of student progress. Lastly, ‘Grades and Reporting’ offers a comprehensive overview of student performance.
A Spectrum of Activities
Let’s explore the process of creating activities that cater to diverse learning styles. BookWidgets offers a range of categories, including ‘Test and Review,’ ‘Games,’ and ‘Pictures and Videos.’ This diversity empowers you to tailor lessons to individual student needs.
Don’t forget they also have a nifty add-on available too, read all about it here.
Quizzes
For instance, quizzes are a versatile tool. By starting a widget or new activity, you can employ a variety of question types. These include single-line text questions, fill in the blanks, word ordering, picture annotations, audio responses, and more.
Activity Creation
Crafting a BookWidgets activity is remarkably straightforward. Let’s take a closer look at how it’s done. Begin by creating a widget, such as a quiz. The platform offers clear instructions for each activity type, ensuring a smooth setup. For instance, creating a fill-in-the-blanks question involves using arrows to indicate omitted words.
Sharing Activities for Engagement
Sharing your meticulously designed activities is hassle-free with BookWidgets. While the platform seamlessly integrates with Google Classroom, it’s important to note that Google Classroom isn’t mandatory. Alternate sharing options, like widget links, QR codes, and direct emails are also available.
Student Engagement
Students enter via the provided link, where they can interact with the content you’ve created. Once they’ve completed their answers, they can submit by providing their name and email address. Note that email isn’t compulsory; a name will suffice.
Integration with Google Classroom
For educators using Google Classroom, the integration is equally seamless. By connecting your Google Classroom account, you can effortlessly transfer activities.
Pricing
As with many valuable resources, BookWidgets isn’t free. However, it offers a 30-day trial to explore its premium features. Should you decide to sign up, plans start at a reasonable 9 Euros per month or 49 Euros per year.
Providing Feedback
Once students have completed their activities, providing feedback is easy. Access ‘Grades and Reporting’ on the platform’s website. Here, you can review student answers and add comments. This is an invaluable tool for refining future lessons based on their responses. This is particularly essential for effective class planning over the academic year.
Final Thoughts
In essence, BookWidgets emerges as a dynamic classroom tool. If you’re intrigued, I encourage you to take the 30-day trial and explore its potential. Until next time!