The use of the Web2 can provide opportunities for collaboration, authentic communication in a discourse community and provide what Warschauer and Kern (2000) termedas networked-based language teaching. Some ofthe general benefits of using technology in ESP are the use of authentic tasks, tools, and context (Bremner, 2010; Evans, 2012).It provides interaction and communication among learners, uses collaborative learning, focuses on socio-
do not provide motivation, enthusiasm or personalization
earning management systems (LMSs)
ave generally been used as static sources of content with no social appeal like social networks, such as Facebook or YouTube
while also impeding general pedagogical support with their default settings and familiar features
social networking platforms have been acclaimed to provide learners social communication, autonomy,fluid online discussions, and identity management
ease interaction, e-discussions by focusing on the use of technology to support education
informal and relaxing atmosphere and make learning effective (Dalton, 2009). Social networking allows students and teachers to build a rapport and overcome inhibitions
Integrating social software with LMS aims at active participation, interaction and collaborationbetween the members of an academic community
Web 2.0 tools consist of blogs, microblogs, wikis, podcasts, virtual worlds and social networks
he benefits of using Web 2.0 in education are the new interaction styles between students and teachers, immediacy of information, access to authentic learning environments, content sharing, collaboration and enhancement of learning experience
a service offering language learning quizzes via Twitter hasbeen established (TwitterLearn, 2008)
I couldn't locate this service in a search; I suppose it went defunct?
Twitter, Edmodo, and Ning
On the whole, the reasons language instructors may opt to choose Edmodo in class are that teachers and students connect, assignments, back channeling, a paperless learning environment, its backpack feature,the library feature, Apps, homework, badges, learning continues outside the classroom, assessments, interface, sharing, and its private and safe learning environment
the use of Twitter facilitated collaboration, communication and data exchange among students in real time.The role of the instructor is underscored as she/he acts as a mediator, supporting the content, organizing the activities, and clarifying the use of the educational tool
Facebook
Twitter has been studied in context with other social media and has proven to have a significant influence on academic activity
microblogging and inferred that it enhanced students’ achievement, motivation and participation in class.
Check this out--appears to be a comprehensive site about the use of technology for educators and students.
Different platforms suit different sorts of interactions and appeal tostudents and educators in a diverse manner
From the Edmodo platform, two main features are utilized. First, the Edmodo forum is used for both teacher-to-student communication and student-to -student communication. The communication topics include subjects such as assignments, questions, announcements, etc. Second, the Edmodo Assignment Center is used for testing the students on each learning topic and easily collecting their answers
Although we have an in-house LMS at Northwest, I created an Edmodo platform for my Intermediate Russian I course for the fall to see how it will work. I'll use it in conjunction with the in-house LMS, which may prove to be cumbersome. We'll see.
As far as the assessment of students’ performance goes, the conventional assessment through graded assignments is backed up by students’ social learning activities. Network buildingand self-regulated learning canbe indicative of students’ progress throughout the course.Ongoing assessment or formative assessmentstrategies(integration of performance and feedback and reflection) can facilitate learning and review students’ performance
The empirical evaluation of the research highlights the dominanceof intrinsic motivation(students’ intentionsto use Twitter/perceived enjoyment)over extrinsic motivation in explaining the adoption of social media in the class
n order to provide assessment, instructors could evaluate students’ learning progress by reviewing their reflections. Communication (teacher-student/student-student)throughout the learning processcan also providefeedback information that may aid assessment
nstructors could evaluate students’ learning progress by reviewing theirreflections on what they have gained through networked learning
This to me is very important. There are always a couple students who will never want to participate in class, at least not orally. This will be such a relief to this type of student and I will be happy to count this as a way of participating in the course.
I agree 100% there are many more introverted students that are wary of participating in class discussions, VT allows them to participate more without feeling uncomfortable.
"If you don't have a microphone on your computer, you can use a telephone to comment. If you're in the classroom and don't have either, you can use text if you need to, or webcam commenting.
I like that students have the option of texting their response. Since I tech at a boarding school, those students that are in supervised study hall, may text their response so they won't interrupt others' studying. As long as I inform the proctors and the students don't stay on their devices for too long ;)
This feature is great for those students who are creative and/or love to doodle.
I am collecting examples of how educators are using Voicethread in their classroom or for professional development on a wiki at: http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/
Ed.VoiceThread.com, a secure site just for educators and their students
Nice list of tools that can be used with (or without) Skype.
Skype is one more free and infinitely useful tool that educators can add to their toolbox
1. Use it to collaborate with other classrooms.
3. Enable participation (and catch-up) for students outside of the classroom.
2. Use it to conduct expert interviews.
Q&A or more of a lecture
doing some research and coming up with questions in advance, so they have an opportunity to interact with the expert and learn more.
Students will get a glimpse into different career options and learn a little more about their peers, and parents get a chance to be more involved with the class
This is a function that I always thought was lacking in PBworks (compared to Wikispaces, for example) - now they are recommending this app as an add-in. Only a PBworks admin can add this however - you need to click the "Allow javascript" button.
This page has screenshot instructions, if you're not sure how to add it.
HOWEVER - I haven't been able to get it to work, yet... I don't know if it's a login problem or what. It shows up in the wiki page, but I can't add anything to the discussion.
A description of one teacher's exploration of online communities and social networking in class - she visits another teacher's class to see how she uses techonlogy.
The top listed sites in a number of categories for these awards! They're not language-specific, but you can find a lot of good educational uses of blogs, tweets, wikis, podcasts, webinars, and other categories.
If you're looking for a school or classroom for your students to partner with, there's no place like the World Wide Web. "People need to get out there and form an online presence," says high school French teacher Toni Theisen. There are online communities everywhere just waiting to be blasted with your callout for a sister classroom.
Record an audio welcome message and put it on your blog (or wiki or web page.)
Elementary students can practice their oral reading skills. You could even post them on your blog for parents and grandparents to hear.
Each day have one student record “what we did in school today” and post it on your blog.
Students in a foreign language class could record words or phrases and then email them to their teacher.
Left your students with a substitute? Record a message to encourage your students to be on their best behavior!
I used Vocaroo this week-- a simple app and easy to use that can fulfill a variety of needs for the classroom. I thought I could share some here with you...I am drawn to the second point about practicing and recording reading out loud. This past year with my elementary students, I found a great need to improve their understanding of sounds in Spanish, as well as building their confidence as "speakers" of the language. This gives me an opportunity to work on this issue further this upcoming year.