Group items tagged

"ANVILL (A National Virtual Language Lab) is a speech-based toolbox for language teachers. Like the language lab console of old, it's focused on the practice of oral/aural language, but at its core are very modern web-based audio and video tools from duber dot com and the University of Oregon: Voiceboards, LiveChat, and Quizzes and Surveys. Our newest tool, TCast, allows teachers to record and place audio or video files anywhere in a lesson--in 3 easy steps. Each of these tools really opens up the scope and sequence of lessons centered around spoken language tasks." Jeff Magoto has done a great presentation on how to use ANVILL, which is a wonderful, free, A/V tool available now internationally.

"Most teachers are overwhelmed by the endless amount of websites they can find online to teach English. I would like to share the best websites according to my students to learn English. One key ingredient in these websites is that students have fun while learning English."

"The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Despite being the work of one man, Salman Khan, this 1600+ video library is the most-used educational video resource as measured by YouTube video views per day and unique users per month. We are complementing this ever-growing library with user-paced exercises--developed as an open source project--allowing the Khan Academy to become the free classroom for the World."

"iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is the world's largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world."

This site is a geat resource for content-based learning for teens and adults. You can browse by categories (right-hand column) for topics in history, nature, people/biography, science, etc. There are no lesson plans or other educational apparatus.

A very extensive wiki with links to a huge number of Web2.0 tools, such as presentation programs, mindmapping, comics, image sharing and editing, search, etc.

"SnagLearning is dedicated to presenting high-quality documentary films as educational tools to ignite meaningful discussion within the learning community." A great place to gather information and stimulate discussion. Also links to other respected content sites, such as PBS for Teachers and Discovery Education.

A place to create stories associated with geographical places. Should be a nice way for students to explore the world, write, create, and share stories.

Audio and some video titl at these sites are free. I think you might be able to use a desktop recorder like Audacity to record a book to a set of files to take with you, or put on an iPhone. (Avoid the ads at the top of this page--the article is below.)

I have no idea why the name, but the site seems to include dozens of short cartoons and videos about Internet safety, targeted at a range of learners, from grade school through high school. Topics include cyber-bullying, recognizing opinion and fact, and computer security. There are cartoons, self-tests, and interviews with real teens and pre-teens.

Targets readers 13 and up. A community that seeks to build an audience for audiobooks. Listeners can choose to join a conversation about titles. Also has downloadable posters, bookmarks, etc.

This is an amazing resource for teaching high school/adult ed. It is video-based and free--individual students can sign in, or a teacher can register a whole class and keep records of their activities. There is an excellent explanatory video for teachers also. Lots of listening/speaking/reading practice.

"Create a newspaper, ninja text, a clapper board, wizard text, talking squirrels, talking flowers, a cigarette packet, talking tomatoes, talking cats, talking owls" - Fun projects for younger learners or teens, with fairly simple interface. The final project can be downloaded and images placed on your own website or blog.

This is a great digital images project using photos of graffiti on Flickr, and a spreadsheet of questions on Google Forms. Students sign in to select images that will support the ideas they write about. Thanks to Webhead Sasa Sirk, Carla Areana, Bee Dieu, and Rita Zeinstejer!! Also included are links to posts that Sasa's students made and responses from Rita Z's student sin Argentina. Nice example of collaborative Web 2.0. (Caution, some graffiti have adult language and themes!) See also http://wallstalking.org/.

Link to other blogs that discuss ways to use Facebook--from Kindergarten to college.

"Improve Reading Speed and Comprehension Spreeder.com is free online speed reading software designed to improve your reading speed and comprehension. Spreeder is a free service provided by 7-Speed-ReadingTM. If you like this site, please have a look at our powerful 7 Speed Reading Software." This looks like an amazing tool-- You can paste in your own text and it will pop up in a timer box. When you click the Speeder button it will tell you how long it took to read the passage. But no comprehension questions!

This page contains the cognate highlighter, where you can paste in any English text to highlight. Good for English-speaking foreign-language learners also.

This may be very useful as a way to show your students both the limitations of software/computer use, and how a summary might proceed.

SimplyBox is a great way to add some Web 2.0 to your research. This would be esp. useful with group objects where students can then look at what each other group member has found. Use SimplyBox for Education, and get the free app (also has fee-based district or school-wide application that can be hosted and access controlled safely, and boxing from any application). The teacher could start the ball rolling, and have students join in, boxing their own sites and info. Esp. good for visual learners. This page has three good help videos: Overview, Sharing, and Twittering with SimplyBox. Fairly easy to use, once you get used to it.

This could be a useful place to find and compare free wiki services.