Group items tagged

Padlet is tool for asynchronous (or synchronous) posting of comments and images on a wall by multiple users.  This tool is much like a discussion board, but it's a bit more visually stimulating and motivating for students, as they get to choose where on the wall they will leave their note (kind of like a sticky note on a bulletin board). This also works great for department-wide discussions. Users do not need a login to post.

This webinar explores the purposes and uses for performance assessment in world language classrooms. Many language instructors and learners want to know the extent to which an assessment can capture how well a student will be able to complete real-life tasks when using the target language (Bachman & Palmer, 1996; Stoynoff & Chapelle, 2005). The webinar will begin with a description of performance assessment, how it aligns with learning and teaching purposes, and its uses for the classroom. Next, we will explore how to integrate performance assessment into language classrooms, including developing tasks and rubrics that will support such activities (Norris et al, 2008). During this part, we will examine one or more typical performance assessment tasks, and we will discuss how to adapt them to your needs. Finally, we will discuss the logistics of performance assessment and brainstorm ways to integrate meaningful performance assessment within the constraints of available resources

The purpose of this site is to share information about free resources that teachers can use in their classrooms. In 2008 Free Technology for Teachers was awarded the Edublogs Award for "Best Resource Sharing Blog." In 2009 Free Technology for Teachers was again awarded the Edublogs Award for "Best Resource Sharing Blog" and was awarded the Edublogs Award for "Best Individual Blog." In 2010 Free Technology for Teachers was awarded the Edublogs Awards for "Best Resource Sharing Blog," "Best Ed Tech Support," and "Best Individual Blog." In 2011 Free Technology for Teachers received the Edublogs Award for Best Ed Tech Blog. Free Technology for Teachers is read by an audience of more than 45,000 daily subscribers (current as of April 1, 2012).

This is one of my favorite sites to find out what's new in tech for our use.  The April 11th blog post discusses typing accents in other languages.  It also presents 2 virtual keyboards for WL students. Also presented are links to learning languages, activities, and image-based language lessons.  

This is a wonderful article from le monde about the consumption of chocolate in France. It can be used with students to discussion healthy eating habits, the holidays, or used to discuss the conversions.

Video that could be used with teachers to trigger discussion about technology

Cindy, can I share it with the class that I will be teaching? I would give credit to your class. Maria

Maria, Of course, all our resources are to share! Creating a network to share is the idea!

Technology tool chosen to support ACTFAL standards and 21st century skills.

Use colorful collaboration with an online canvas. Incorportates sticky notes, uploading of pictures and YouTube videos. You can create calender reminders also. By making your canvas public it can be used as an exit ticket or for class discussions. Students can use their computers, IPads or Smart phones. Great collaboration tool which students can use both in and outside the classroom

The FLTmag is a practice-oriented online publication dedicated to the field of foreign language technology. Its goal is to provide useful and practical information about technology integration in the classroom such as emerging technologies, interesting books, classroom projects, institutional initiatives, conferences and symposiums and language centers worldwide. Its hoping to become a public forum promoting engaged and productive discussions around burning issues in the field of language technology in the U.S. and beyond Currently there is very few things posted, but I see this as eventually becoming the 'go-to' site 

This is a link to Douglas' book on a new culture of learning. I only read the first chapter and thought that it was a good follow up to one of the video's discussion points, formal vs.informal learning. I do not know how it is that the entire book is available to read online, but it is.

Spanish Eduplace graphic organizers for classroom use

Helpful for preparation/advance organizers before reading/discussing TL topics

Lingro is an online dictionary tool that allows users to link any URL address or uploaded document and have all words be linked to the available dictionaries in 11 languages. Once the URL address or document is linked to the Lingro dictionaries every word becomes "clickable" and linked to the program's dictionary to view either a definition in English or a translation in the other languages. This site can be used by World Language teachers and students in a variety of ways to encourage reading comprehension in L2. For teachers use, Lingro can be used for created guided practice activities with L2 readings, such as in an online newspaper or uploaded document. The teacher guides students through the target vocabulary to be learned and promote the discussion of its context use and correct translation. For student use, vocabulary lists can be created with the click of a button which can later be reviewed as flashcards or word lists with examples of use in contextual sentences. This tool aids learners with a quick reference for the meaning of words without having to interrupt a lesson or reading exercise for lengthy amounts of time.

This site is an excellent resource for lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, class activities for communication in the target language. Teachers share several artifacts which can be used in the classroom to enhance student engagement both inside and outside the classroom. There is also a Forum where world language teachers blog about useful tips and issues in the world language classroom. Lots of current topics discussed such as using technology in the classroom.

Interesting article that touches on some of our discussions.

Account is free; find collaborative projects with students around the world. Has a limited number of free student epals account too.

ePals is a free web 2.0 resource that provides language classes the opportunity to connect with target language speakers around the globe. Communication can range from simple email messages to wiki and blog collaboration to multimedia presentations and even Skype video chat. Teachers can monitor all activity, for the sake of student security. A potential project would be for both groups - advanced level students in the local L2 group - to read the same story or poem and then use the ePals blog tool to share opinions (targeting writing skills) and later the Skype video chat to discuss (or perhaps debate) the text (targeting oral skills).

This website allows students to share projects and comment on others' projects.

VoiceThread allows you to upload different media to create a project and then share it with others. Those that you share it with can collaborate with you on it by communicating through a type of discussion board.

Transforming media into collaborative spaces with video, voice, and text commenting.

This is a great website. Web 2.0 tools divided into oral, listening, writing, vocab, language specific, IPad Apps, Android Apps, 21. C teaching and learning and more. What is great about this source that everything is neatly organized. Information includes cost of the tool, target audience, usefulness and ease of use rating.

I checked out the author's blog and found lots of interesting topics for discussion. Thanks Sabine!

Sabine, this is a great tool. I checked the apps for practicing listening skills and found a very interesting idea.I shared with my colleagues of Italian language.

This helpful summary of a recent #langchat Twitter discussion resonates with me personally, since I have taught primarily according to textbooks in the past. The concerns and responses described in the blog are very helpful for me, in changing up the paradigm I've grown used to.