So this is a bit of a lovely crazy website, with loads of stuff on it. Thank you to my colleague Julia for recommending it. This random name picker looks fun (Triptico probably has something similar). Class Tools
Wednesday 10 June 2015
Class Tools
So this is a bit of a lovely crazy website, with loads of stuff on it. Thank you to my colleague Julia for recommending it. This random name picker looks fun (Triptico probably has something similar). Class Tools
Monday 8 June 2015
Snazzy presentations
Russell Stannard's Teaching Training Videos
This guy is PASSIONATE about sharing ideas and getting language teachers into using technology to make their teaching more engaging, and taking away the fear we have about using technology. Most of his website is videos of him talking you through how to use stuff. It's a massive resource! Take a look and go exploring...teachertrainingvideos.com
Dropbox
I haven't used Dropbox yet, but there have been occasions when I wish I had. Ever made a nice presentation at home, then forgotten to save it on your USB stick, and arrive at work only to find you don't have your presentation? By saving it in Dropbox, you can access your work anywhere.
This article mentions a few ways you can use it with your students.
This article mentions a few ways you can use it with your students.
Blogs and diaries
A blog is pretty easy to set up. You can have one that your students can contribute to - the teacher is the administrator and invites the students to join as authors. Homework tasks could include writing something on the blog. You can then comment on what has been written. Or you could use it for the students to get support from each other and discuss language issues, assignment problems etc. This article has some good ideas about how blogs can be beneficial for learners.
I've used blogger for my blogs (like this one!) - it's pretty easy to get your head around, and quick to get started. As with many of these tools, you need to have a Google account.
Here are some examples of blogs that have been used in ELT
An alternative is for students to have individual diaries - Penzu is one example of this. It's completely private so a student would need to allow you to read an entry by sending you an email invitation. There is a classroom version that does a lot more, but it's $49 a year, You can check it out here. I like the idea of students having a way to practise their writing in a 21st century way, although you'd need to have strict rules about submitting work otherwise you won't know they're using it at all!
And for some blogs about teaching English that are worth reading, check out this page.
I've used blogger for my blogs (like this one!) - it's pretty easy to get your head around, and quick to get started. As with many of these tools, you need to have a Google account.
Here are some examples of blogs that have been used in ELT
An alternative is for students to have individual diaries - Penzu is one example of this. It's completely private so a student would need to allow you to read an entry by sending you an email invitation. There is a classroom version that does a lot more, but it's $49 a year, You can check it out here. I like the idea of students having a way to practise their writing in a 21st century way, although you'd need to have strict rules about submitting work otherwise you won't know they're using it at all!
And for some blogs about teaching English that are worth reading, check out this page.
Breaking news
This website provides multi-level materials based on current affairs articles.
Breaking news
It includes 2 page mini lessons, longer lessons, and on-line resources. As well as developing students' reading skills, it also develops their vocabulary, speaking and even listening skills.
The website is frequently updated, and has a over two thousand lessons to choose from, if this week's doesn't take your fancy.
One stop English also provides news lessons, once a month - however, these are only accessible if you have joined and paid a subscription, currently £42 a year.
One stop English news lessons
Have a look at Breaking News, anyway - could it be used with your classes at all?
Breaking news
It includes 2 page mini lessons, longer lessons, and on-line resources. As well as developing students' reading skills, it also develops their vocabulary, speaking and even listening skills.
The website is frequently updated, and has a over two thousand lessons to choose from, if this week's doesn't take your fancy.
One stop English also provides news lessons, once a month - however, these are only accessible if you have joined and paid a subscription, currently £42 a year.
One stop English news lessons
Have a look at Breaking News, anyway - could it be used with your classes at all?
Jing!
I just love the name -so bright and shiny and happy!
It's actually a tool where you can talk and show something on the screen. Videos are limited to a maximum of five minutes, because who wants their teacher to drone on for any longer than that!
You need to download it on your laptop or device from here Jing.
So, I just downloaded it, and did a quick Jing where I showed a letter a student had written, and I explained what needed to be improved. I didn't practice, and the video is under 2 mins. I realise I needed to actually mark on the screen, and Paint wasn't terribly handy for this, so I'd have a think about that, but for a quick way to correct, it works quite well. See my video here.
How else could Jing be used?
(There's also something called Screenr, you need Java to use this, and it looks similarly easy to use)
It's actually a tool where you can talk and show something on the screen. Videos are limited to a maximum of five minutes, because who wants their teacher to drone on for any longer than that!
You need to download it on your laptop or device from here Jing.
So, I just downloaded it, and did a quick Jing where I showed a letter a student had written, and I explained what needed to be improved. I didn't practice, and the video is under 2 mins. I realise I needed to actually mark on the screen, and Paint wasn't terribly handy for this, so I'd have a think about that, but for a quick way to correct, it works quite well. See my video here.
How else could Jing be used?
(There's also something called Screenr, you need Java to use this, and it looks similarly easy to use)
Using Twitter
OK, I'll admit it now. I've never used Twitter. So I can hardly even call myself a Twitter beginner. This article, however, is an excellent look into how we can use it for language teaching and learning.
Lino
Well, in the 1970s, we used to have lino on our kitchen floor. it never looked as fancy as this stuff here....
But this isn't about cheap and durable flooring. It's a virtual noticeboard, where you can put 'stickies' or post-its. You could have a different sticky for each group, or individual, and could use this to differentiate your tasks.
Here's one I made earlier...http://linoit.com/users/elliemlewis/canvases/E-learning
But this isn't about cheap and durable flooring. It's a virtual noticeboard, where you can put 'stickies' or post-its. You could have a different sticky for each group, or individual, and could use this to differentiate your tasks.
Here's one I made earlier...http://linoit.com/users/elliemlewis/canvases/E-learning
Web 2.0 - writing skills
Here is a useful website that lists a lot of Web 2.0 tools that can be used to develop writing skills.
The website also has loads of other information about developing a whole range of skills. Definitely worth a look through.
Web 2.0 for Language Teachers
The website also has loads of other information about developing a whole range of skills. Definitely worth a look through.
Web 2.0 for Language Teachers
Web 2.0 tools
An interesting article by two Turkish educators, Ahmet Başal and Talat Aytan, talking about the use of Web 2.0 tools in English language teaching:
"Technology can only become effective
and useful in language teaching and learning environments in hands of competent teachers. When it
comes considering the use of Web 2.0 in language education, teachers should first decide whether these
tools serves to achieve objectives of the language lesson and whether they meet the pedagogical needs
of teaching situation. If these two criteria are taken seriously into consideration, Web 2.0 tools can aid to
create a more communicative and collaborative language teaching and learning environment."
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