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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. 

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?

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.

So, you've got the scoop on Google Voice, and you see how it can enhance communication in your life. What about your classroom? Why not use it with your learners? Let's start brainstorming how you can use the features of Google Voice as an educational tool.

this is so true! I hope to use google voice in the classroom this fall as well :)

"Over the past academic year, my students and I have been experimenting with the use of a number of web based applications (often known as Web 2.0 tools). My aim has been to enhance our schemes of work by providing our students with new and exciting learning opportunities. In my opinion, using technology effectively has clear benefits for both teaching and learning and can help to improve motivation by engaging pupils in activities which, perhaps, step out of their ordinary school experience and which show them that it is possible to teach and learn about a subject using tools similar to those they use daily outside school. In other words, we have tried to use the types of tools with which they are often already familiar. I have written about each of these individual tools in separate posts, but I thought it would be useful to list the ten most used internet applications on one post. As ever, I aim to provide, not only a list of the web applications we have used, but also examples of practice which you may wish to follow or, indeed, improve upon. Therefore, each of the entries below has links leading to lesson plans which have incorporated the tools as well as working examples of students' work where appropriate. Without further ado, and in alphabetical order, my ten tried and tested internet tools for teachers are:"

from a FL teacher in England - who tries and tests a number of tech tools. Here are his 10 favorite web 2.0 apps.

Facebook isn't just a great way for you to find old friends or learn about what's happening this weekend, it is also an incredible learning tool. Teachers can utilize Facebook for class projects, for enhancing communication, and for engaging students in a manner that might not be entirely possible in traditional classroom settings.

Unfortunately, unless you are a subscriber to the journal, you can't access this article, but if anybody is interested just let me know!

Karen, I use a shortener when I have a very long URL - even to include in an email, or to advertise something I want people to go to (a survey I did) and some shorteners will let you pick your own ending so it can be something recognizable rather than random letters. I think Twitter does this automatically for you now.

The article describes why and how to use Padlet. It emphasized its intuitive design and described it as digital wall that participants in the classroom can use to express their ideas, comments, suggestions etc.

Interesting article. I will have to try it out. See it used, never used it myself.

Overview of Flipgrid and all the ways it can be used in the classroom for interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes.

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.

This article presents a research about the effects on integrating multimedia sources on second language vocabulary acquisition. The researchers exposed the language learners to different stimulus: video with audio and captions, video with audio, and video with captions and compare the results to analyze their effect on language acquisition.

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."

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.