carlatech

A short presentation about Voxopop

Abstract: Since their emergence in 2005, Web 2.0 technologies have been advanced as potentially transformative in the area of education in general and foreign language learning in particular. Web 2.0 technologies are presenting new opportunities for developing diverse online learning environments and enhancing interactivity, participation and feedback between students, their peer groups and teachers. This article examines one of the most significant Web 2.0 tools, Social Networking Sites (SNS), and focuses on Livemocha, an example of an online community specifically aimed at encouraging collaboration between foreign language learners. Results from the ethnographic approach adopted in the paper indicate that: (a) SNSs can be used by language learners to explore new relationships rather than merely maintain existing ones and that (b) longitudinal studies are required to achieve a better understanding of the complex processes of mediation involved in online community formation and maintenance

Funny! I also found this article last week and even attached it to last week's blog post in the ning. I've noticed this morning, that reading and commenting on it is also one of this week's assignments. I guess I chose well :)

Hmmm, what do you think of this ban?

It seems like the legislators have not been advised of the many positive attributes of a social networking site in the classroom. At the same time, they are probably acting out of fear and intense need to decrease liability. Unfortunately, as the article also states, such legislation probably won't stop inappropriate communications from happening. If a teacher and student decide to cross that line, they will, undoubtedly, find other ways of communicating.

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.

Published in t.h.e. Journal. One state's decision on the Facebook teacher-student friend debate.

This is a very helpful article; I agree with the author about students' cell phone use and engagement, and using google voice in a cell phone activity like this would seem to engage students and keep them on a productive task. My students have much more access to phone than to computers with recording functions.

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 :)

A showcase of interactive utilities that assist with multiple intelligences, various learning styles and anytime learning.

This gets talked about all the time - here's another article that is supposed to help make things clearer...

Wetoku is a web service or Web 2.0 tool out of Korea that provides a simple platform for interviewing someone via the Internet. Collaborating globally is a must for our students and as result interviewing can be a challenge. Wetoku makes doing an interview as easy as filling out some basic information, creating an interview session and then sending the creative interview session's URL to the interviewee. Once the recording is done, the interviewer can embed the copy of the URL into a blog or website. You will need a web-cam for this tool.