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ACTFL 2012 presentation How can iPads enrich language acquisition? In this session, results from a 1:1 iPad pilot program in a foreign  language classroom will be analyzed  Lesson plans, activities and assessments will be shared and strategies for applying best practices, even in classrooms without iPads, will be discussed.

Useful talk on apps for the world language classroom. 

Super interesting thread on ways in which other Spanish teachers have incorporated iPads into their classrooms! Maybe some ideas for people?

Just what I was looking for...I have many students whose lives revolve around their smartphones and iPads.

Ready to try them. Thank you for sharing this article!

I really like this tool. I will definitely use it this fall.

Hi, O.K. this is Padlet. ;-)

Wow, just imagine how much calmer the world could be if classrooms were set up to allow for multiple temperaments as well as learning styles?! Also, the think-pair-share concept is fantastic; I've been using the "alone-paired-large group" sequence for language learners in groups since I got my CELTA certification and it's been hugely successful. Nobody wants to be wrong in public, and when learners have a chance to discuss it with a partner first, they are more likely to share their ideas.

I think this Blog is rich with possibility for utilizing social media for the teaching of a second language. Students so much into social media and they also get motivated by change in ideas and activities. The variety of possibilities that this blog offers provides a teacher with a good resource that would work for various language levels.

How to use blogs in the classroom? Free-writing or with corrections?

How one teacher used twitter in the classroom for the firsttime. 

"Abstract Currently, language educators experience difficulties in facilitating oral practice effectively in the foreign language classroom. Regularly, they face introverted and passive learners who fail to embrace speaking opportunities (Poza, 2011), or simply do not find the time to promote speaking practice in the classroom (Meddings & Thornbury, 2009). In this light, many asynchronous computer mediated communication (ACMC) technologies have emerged to confront this situation. However, central research studies do not seem to acknowledge ACMC as viable in accommodating oral development but, rather, frequently attribute this merit to synchronous CMC (Levy & Stockwell, 2006; Kervin & Derewianka, 2011). By employing a mixed-methods approach, this small-scale case study examines, firstly, the extent to which ACMC speaking practices are suitable for language learners' speaking development. Secondly, and by extension, it investigates the salient characteristics of the ACMC tool myBrainshark, that makes it appropriate for fostering linguistic growth. The data is obtained from post-beginner Spanish language learners by means of an online questionnaire and an online structured stimulated recall. The findings show, on the one hand, that ACMC oral practices can be beneficial in developing speaking aspects in lower-proficiency language learners and, on the other hand, that myBrainshark has characteristics that can potentially promote linguistic development. Finally, this paper calls for experimental research on the improvement of oral competency in post-beginner and higher-proficiency learners."

Skyping in the classroom a Micorsoft attempt to break into the business of education.

This list is amazing. It has even a list of apps and pages that work very well with Facebook.

This is a great list! I never used facebook for teaching but I learned many facebook apps for instructional purpose! Thank you for posting!

Thanks for sharing. This is related to work we did this week.

From the book: "Since the first version of this book came out in 2005, the field of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has grown and changed. This update is the result of some of those changes. Our intent is to place pedagogical goals before technologies, as the literature advises but is not always followed in classrooms. In revising this book, as in the original, we assume that good teachers teach well because they bear in mind certain principles about how they can best help learners to learn language. Placing these principles at the center of attention makes it much easier for teachers to concentrate on the question of what constitutes effective computer-enhanced pedagogy and why. This book takes as its organizing principles both the system of conditions that are known to support effective language learning and the goals that a variety of standards in the field have set out for us and our students. Examples throughout the book underscore the need to consider theory in every aspect of the teaching and learning process. Some of the points in this book we have made in other places; other we discovered during the revision process. All told, this text provides a brief picture of what CALL classrooms can be like today. Of course, that could change tomorrow."

A good, positive way to create community in the classroom! How do you think this would/could work online? How would you make it work?

An article by Julie Meloni, published on the Chronicle of Higher Education's (now defunct) "ProfHacker" blog. Meloni offers a quick overview of the distinction between synchronous and asynchronous communication, and suggests ways to make use of both in the classroom.

Unfortunately, this article has been removed. But I like Jennifer's comment: "Just because a tool is new and shiny doesn't mean it will help your students. Careful planning and a sound pedagogical rationale will, though."

Great ideas for using comprehensible input in the world language classroom.

I'm a little embarrassed to confess I actually didn't know what Flipped Classroom was... If someone had the same problem here's a video that explains it nicely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCIxikOq73Q

We have used VoiceThread, I hope we will use a few more in the coming weeks. I noticed each said Free and some had paid with an i in a gray circle(?)

I liked this list of applications (free and pay). Out of the thirty, I was only familiar with three: "VoiceThread", "Kahoot!", and "Screen-O- Matic".

This looks like a good resource for new classroom activities for any language.

I really like the idea of doing an email activity with my students! Thank you for posting this article! Great ideas!

Now I have another question: what role does a textbook play in our instruction? Do we need to get rid of materials written for language learners?

An article written by the founder and CEO of ThingLink in which she discusses the main arguments for interactive visual media in online learning, examples and best practices for creating visual learning materials for students, and ways students can use interactive visual media (ThingLink) to document and share their learning. She shares numerous ways teachers and students could use ThingLink with examples.

An article written by the founder and CEO of ThingLink in which she discusses the main arguments for interactive visual media in online learning, examples and best practices for creating visual learning materials for students, and ways students can use interactive visual media (ThingLink) to document and share their learning. She shares numerous ways teachers and students could use ThingLink with examples.

A very complete article about the advantages of using images and learning. I really want to learn how to use thinglink now.

Great ideas for using recorded videos in the classroom, for students and teachers

Great resource for using Spanish language music videos and silent videos for interpretive activities, check out my sticky notes for more resources!

Great resource for using Spanish language music videos and silent videos in the classroom for interpretive activities with Twitter and eduCanon.

I like the idea of using Simon Cat videos. Another option: Charlie Chaplin films