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Abstract: In recent years, a sharp increase in the number of academic studies around the use of video games and new media for educational purposes has greatly expanded our understanding of their potential for enhancing learning.

Constantinos, this a great resource of information. Thank you for sharing! I haven't sit down to read it all, but skimming through it I found plenty of interesting information. I was always interested in using video games or educational games for language learning, but never took initiative in reading anything on the topic. In the beginning of "From "Authentic Materials" to "Live Materials" section, the author mentions that the culture should not be described to students, but rather facilitate a platform for them to actually participate in that culture. I see how we can do that through games, but is there any of you using other means to do it? Is it possible to do it through social networks or second language learning networks? If yes, how exactly? Any thoughts on this?

I don't think that the facebook craze has effected us THAT much, goodness!!! I am 22 and am part of this generation, and I can say that most of my friends and I have grown out of the facebook phase, we aren't obsessed like we were at the end of high school and start of college.

An amusing article ... and perhaps with some degree of truth to it ... but I am unsure why the opinion professor of pharmacology who has done no research on the topic warrants an article.

site filled with activities for various levels of EFL

It's getting close to that time of year when teachers and students will be returning to school for the fall semester. The great thing about the start of a new school year is that it brings new resolutions for both teachers and students.

funny that I posted this later without seeing yours first.

:)

Today there are lots of creative blogging tools for students to use at school, but the five below are specifically catered towards a K-12 audience and come with lots of useful features for teachers and students. So, if you are itching to get your students online, consider the following options.

This page has been set up to help you make connections with classes who are interesting in having Skype conversations with other classes. It's be sorted by time zone, Grade level and subjects.

gives you some interesting resources or ideas in using skype in the classroom

The importance of focusing on "Why technology should be used?" instead of only "How to use technology?" is emphasized - indeed an important aspect teachers should not overlook.

I agree that we need to really access why we want to use technology. Is it really the best option all of the time? I love the checklist of questions one should ask him/herself before deciding to use the technology. I, especially, thought the question "Will students control the technology?. Sometimes, I need to remember that spending hours creating a great powerpoint presentation isn't as great as finding a way for students to engage in an interaction rather than passively listen to a lecture.

Are you a 'learner'? Are your colleagues 'learners'? Do you promote a 'learning culture'? Six suggestions to cultivating a learning environment to reflect upon.

I found this by chance just exploring around. If you check the SUPPORT section on the VoiceThread site, you will find a list of publications. They posted a collection of abstracts with links of scholarly articles written about using VoiceThread for language learning, K-12, higher education and professional development. I just skimmed through the lists, and some of the articles are accessible, while some are behind a password.

Just how much information goes on the web in one minute? Overwhelming and cool!

Bringing experts into your classroom via video conferencing can be an excellent enhancement to your students' learning experiences. Video conferencing can also be used to connect classrooms in a 21st century version of penpal exchanges. Skype is the most common tool for making these connections and for good reason Skype is the most popular video conferencing application.

I went straight to the "New Challenges" section- good stuff here to help US with this course and to help watch out for these issues when we start doing these things with our students!

I haven't tried them, but it seems worth investigating if they ever decide to block twitter at school!

Very cool interactive site about social networking and global access.