Set up a teacher's blog and post homework assignments, important class information, updates and pictures online.
Give blogging assignments. Have students set up their own blog pages for submitting writing entries. Students enjoy time on the computer and have fun customizing their blog pages, but you'll also find they take pride in their work. Poetry, short stories, or book reports may be made into a blog entry. If you like to make corrections on your students' submitted work, print out the pages to keep in their files so you can keep track of their progress.
Use an online site such as English Daily for words of the day, quotes, idioms, or tongue teasers. Begin class by writing one on the board to give your students something to focus on while they get seated. Quiz your students on the vocabulary or offer extra credit when they use the posted daily word or phrase in their blog entries.
Use online activities and language exercises for extra credit. They can be fun for students, but they're also a great time management tool. Some students always finish early with tests or projects, and self-paced Internet lessons can keep these students occupied while their classmates are quietly taking tests or working. Vocabulary building games and exercises as well as grammar games and writing exercises are available on sites such as Vocabulary.Co.Il and English-Zone.com.
Assign a virtual trip or have your students play the role of a news reporter, journalist, or feature writer. Virtual 3D maps allow students to travel to other continents via the Internet. The World Wide Web has a wealth of daily as well as up-to-the-minute newspapers and magazine articles. Get creative when utilizing the information available. For example, begin an online treasure hunt by asking students to locate certain websites or pages based on questions and clues. Distinguish between credible and non-credible Internet sources.
Research. Have students research using the Internet for assignments and papers; it can be highly interactive, unlike books. Webmasters or content writers often provide an e-mail address, and students can e-mail questions or thoughts. Require that students contact a webmaster or writer at least once during the research process so they can practice writing business e-mails.