Stuff for your blog

Today I came across two interesting widgets/sites that could prove very useful in teaching EFL/ESL. Thanks to Theodora, I found out about Snapvine's nifty little application which allows you add voice/video to your blog. A great idea for those students whose typing skills are weak or who hate writing in general. You can even start a video/voice blog.

The other application is Voicethread which also allows you to add the spoken word to your blog. I haven't tried it out yet but it looks very interesting and beautifully designed. Thanks to Joe Dale for that. As he says;

"Jo Rhys-Jones creator of the Ning network Talkabout Primary MFL has written a great post on ideas for using VoiceThread for teaching primary languages which beautifully exemplifies some of the potential of this powerful tool.

e.g.

• using the doodler feature to label, annotate, trace a route on a town plan and play games such as noughts and crosses
• differentiating according to ability
• encouraging independent work in the target language
• reinforcing adjectival agreement
• creating evidence of pupils' work
• engaging pupils with technology
• encouraging pupils to leave comments in a moderated environment
• singing a rhyme using a picture prompt
• using authentic digital photos from the country whose language you are learning
• as a prompt for discussion
• describing the weather using an authentic image from the net
• creating a dialogue or open ended text from a picture prompt
• inviting your partner school to comment on a protected VoiceThread
• letting pupils choose the images that appear in the VoiceThread
• scanning in or photographing images pupils create themselves."

The power of lists

Top 10 list, originally uploaded by jennifer*clare.

This is something I've been doing recently with my private students as a way of getting them to use their blogs. Basically, I ask them to write a down a list of their favourite cars/songs/film/musicals etc with a picture/video to illustrate them. The idea is that they write a paragraph for each of their choices and add an appropriate link. However, to make things more interesting I then ask them to use this material as the basis of a short video in which they discuss their lists.

With either Windows Movie Maker or Photostory 3 they use photos and/or video to narrate a short clip explaining their choices complete with music and titles.

Blogs as course book supplements

This year I've decided to try something new with the class blogs. I thought that it could be used as a kind of wiki page in order to compliment the course books we're using for the Proficiency course. The basic idea is that either I, or preferably the students, post links to anything we see on the internet that is connected with the subject matter in the unit we're doing.

For example, we happen to be on unit two of the Masterclass Proficiency book (as dull as ditch water, to tell you the truth) and we've covered topics such as Stephen Hawkings, Frankenstein and women in science. In each case we found some links that help students do some extra practice at home, if they wish. So, they are links to a free audio book version of Frankenstein, videos of women scientists presenting their work at TED and the like. The emphasis is on enriching audio/video content of the course as listening skills are woefully neglected in most course books at this level.

In addition I want to include more videos from YouTube and Google Video in the future.

You in four

Thanks to Cool Cat Teacher and the Flat Class Project I had the chance to come across a wonderful video on how to make your presentations stand out by Dean Shareski. The beauty of this is that it practices what it preaches by incorporating the advice given on originality, simplicity etc. . I have already used it once with one of my private students in order to get her started on her project (I'll link to it later when it's completed).

However, Dean mentioned an idea that the University of Chicago School of Business has introduced recently into its admission procedure. Basically, students have to submit,

"four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are."

I thought that this would be an excellent project for students wishing to start off their blogs. The university suggests Powerpoint or something similar. I would also recommend Comeeko.com which is a site that allows you to make comic strips using your own photos/images.

Blogging safely

It seems that there is a rapid development in the way the internet is being viewed here in Greece. Until quite recently, there didn't seem to be a day go by without some story in the media depicting the web as the devil's own sandpit, a byword for vice and iniquity. As a result parents were (are) loathed to let there children use it or even allow access at home. This stance wasn't helped either by the ridiculously high access fees that were charged until recently.

However, all this is changing and the TV is full of ads selling cheap, fast access. Indeed the internet is now being being heralded as the font of all wisdom and culture, absolutely vital for a modern life.

Of course, neither viewpoint expresses the reality on life online. Whilst having access is undeniably a plus for people learning, the old anxieties concerning the safety of younger users still remain. All the more reason then for young people and parents to be fully aware of possible dangers they face and ways to protect themselves against them. As I keep on reminding wary parents the internet is like traffic in the street; necessary but potentially dangerous, nevertheless. Similarly, just because cars and the like are a threat we don't simply lock up our kids till they reach say, 14. No, we teach them how to behave in such situations from a young age.

Click here to download a PDF with five tips by Childnet International on how young people can blog safely.

Thanks to MrsW for putting me onto this.

This year's blogs

Finally managed to get all my student blogs set up. As far as the class blogs are concerned I'm simply going to use them as a kind of notice board which students can add to as well. Attempts at more sophisticated activities didn't work out well last year and lack of internet access at school makes it difficult to teach them anything more advanced. It's a start at least.

So welcome to

Proficiency 1C

Proficiency Michigan

Proficiency 2D

D Pupils class

The internet and young EFL/ESL learners

One of the areas I'm most interested in is the use of web 2.o tool with young learners. I believe that with the introduction of fast internet and the availability of free applications such as Youtube, blogs, Flickr and the like we can finally break away from text bound internet experience. In doing so we can allow younger language learners to create their own content using video, audio and pictures which can be posted via blogs on the web.

The technology necessary for such work is limited to a PC, cheap digital/web camera and a scanner. Nor are the skills required to use them beyond the ability of your average seven - year old.

The only worry might be security issues but once again with the right guidance and tuition the risks can be kept to a minimum.

As a kind of test of this idea I've been working with my own seven - year old daughter on her own blog. In doing so I've learnt a lot about how quickly kids pick and understand the technology used. In addition it is great fun for them to hear and see themselves. Here is Lydia's latest vlog entry.

Check out her blog as well.

Dekita.org

Over the last week or so I've been asking my students to check out the Dekita.org site, which plays host to EFL/ESL student blogs from all over the world. Already many students from Brazil have started commenting on our class blogs and I'm hoping that my students reciprocate.

What I want to do next is set up a site or YouTube groups where students can post videos that show some aspect of their lives. In our last lesson I introduced the Proficiency 2c class to the idea of using photos to make a video. The idea is that they use a program such as Microsoft's Photo Story 3 or Windows Movie Maker to make a video about Thessaloniki, to give people from outside Greece a sense of what the city is like in two minutes or less. Think of it as a cross between a pop video and a TV ad. Also what I want to do is then invite students from other places to add theirs.

Student blogs

This week I realised that the blogs I and my students set up this year had closed comments, i.e. only people registered with Blogger could comment on them. As I'm usually logged into my Blogger account when I look at our blogs this hadn't been apparent. So, sorry to anyone who has wanted to get in contact (they are now all open to comment from anyone).

Class blogs

Dp1 class are all junior high school students, preparing for the PET exams in English in May 2007 (i.e intermediate level.

LC1 is a class of 13 to 16 years olds who are going to take the FCE in May, 2007 i.e. upper intermediate level English learners.

Proficiency 1E is a class of adult, mainly university students who are preparing for the ECPE or CPE in 2007/8. i.e. advanced level learners of English.

Proficiency 2C is a class of adult, mainly university students who are going to do the CPE/ECPE exams next summer. i.e. advanced level learners.

Individual student blogs

Retziki Girl Strikes Back - Pheobe, who is in junior high school, is preparing for the CPE in 2008, she passed FCE last summer.

Skywalker Greece is a junior high school student who is going to take the FCE exams next summer.

Eos Forever is a high school student who is going to do the PET exams next summer.

Morpheas in Greece is a fifth grader who has just started lesson with me this year.

"And suddenly there was another voice."

At long last I've come across another Greek student of English blogging. It's just a beginning, but as they say, "from small acorns....."


Click here to check out Theodora's blog.

Getting the word out

Edublogging in Thessaloniki is spreading. Theodora P has set up a blog for her German language class. She says that the boys have really been taken to the idea and are now producing much more language as a result. So why not check it out.

Student blogging - The rules

I came across these guidelines for student posting on their class blog at The Believe It or Not blog, which has been set up by RE department at Nodehill Middle School, Newport, Isle of Wight.

"Before we start, let’s agree we all stick to these ten rules below. They are designed to keep you safe and help you learn from each other.

1. I will only use my first name
2. I will never give out my email address
3. I will never give out my home address
4. I will never give out my telephone number
5. I will respect others
6. I will not use rude or threatening words
7. I will not use text talk or chat language
8. I will not copy other people’s work
9. I will be responsible for everything I write
10. I will check my spelling before posting

All comments will be seen first by us before going live. So we can make sure all the rules are followed. Remember, BELIEVE IT OR NOT is like a virtual classroom. Don’t do anything here that you wouldn’t do at school. That way, we can all enjoy the blog and improve our RE at the same time."

I'm going to be explaining and implementing these rules with my students' blogs over the next couple of weeks.

Updating class blogs

This year I decided that I would post all the homework I set on the class blog. One reason behind this (beyond the obvious ones) is that I hope through this to encourage students to view and participate in the blog more often. My problem up till now has been that because students don't really have access to the internet at school I have to rely on them figuring out problems at home. Also since blogging is my own personal initiative, and not really part of the curriculum I'm having a hard time persuading students to contribute.

Class photo competition

Next week I'm thinking of having a class photo competition. The basic idea is that the students post one of their photos on the blog with a humourous caption and I choose the best. I still haven't decided on a suitable prize yet, perhaps a week without homework?

The idea is that the competition acts as an incentive for students to figure out how to post photos on the blog. Although many students do not have a dedicated digital camera most have a mobile phone capable of taking digital pictures.

Good news

I had some great news from one of my students. Yesterday, he said that he had told the rest of his computer studies class at school that he has a blog and that now all his classmates want him to teach them how to get one of their own. He was as proud as punch that he was in a position to teach others, that he was now an expert and that he could pass on what he'd learnt in our lessons. Collateral learning, perhaps?

Memes and EFL/ESL

I tried out the meme exercise with some of my classes and as I had hoped I've been getting some really interesting replies, including a student who'd delivered a baby in an ambulance, another who'd gone by car from Greece to Finland (check out some here). Inspired by my student's example I thought I'd add a new one of my own.

Ten things I've done that you probably haven't.

1 I'm the first member of my family to be educated beyond fifteen years old.

2 Went by car from Thesssaloniki (Greece) to London and back.

3 Once shared a lift with a murderer and his future victim (unbeknown to me I must add)on the day of the crime.

4 Once travelled to a greek island having it chosen at random from a list of 100.

5 Got off another ferry where the only other passengers to disembark were a shepherd and 20 goats.

6 My father's side of my family have lived in the same neighbourhood for at least 180 years.

7 Spent my summers on a farm in southern Ireland when I was a kid.

8 Dyed my hair black, then red and afterwards blond over the space of eight months (black was definitely a mistake, thankfully no photos exist).

9 Signed the Official Secrets Act (UK).

10 Went to wedding where the happy couple and all their guests went to the beach and spent the whole day swimming. We then went off to get ready for the ceremony, which took place in the local village square, at five o'clock in the afternoon,

Hi also to Proficiency 2c

From left to right

Chris, Eleni, Maria, Eleni, Evi, Maria and Bill

Check out their blog here.

Hi to DP1

From left to right

Penelopi, Chyrsa, Maria, Leonidas,Chris, Nick, Kostis, Alasos, Hari and Kalliopi

Check out their blog here

A warm welcome to LC1

From left to right:

Alex, Theodore, Dimitris, Dimitris, Kostas, Bill, Claire, Dafne, John (sitting) and Anthi.

Check out their blog here

Blog presentation handout

BLOGGING: EFL WRITING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

BY CRAIG WHERLOCK Ma(TEFL) ASTON

http://teacherdudebbq.blogspot.com

Blogging offers a simple, cheap way to allow our students to share their work and interests with people from all over the world. With little or no technical expertise we can set up our own web page ina matter of minutes. It provides us with a great way to get students to write and communicate with others, both inside and outside Greece (see here for the rest).

BLOG PROVIDERS

www.blogger.com

www.myspace.com

www.edublogs.org

www.yahoo360.com

STUDENT BLOGS

http://antonisbinias.blogspot.com/

http://retzikigirlstrikesback.blogspot.com/

http://profintensive.blogspot.com/

http://proficiency1e.blogspot.com/

http://proficiency1c.blogspot.com/

TEACHER BLOGS

http://teacherdudebbq.blogpot.com/

http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com//

http://360.yahoo.com/profile-pbUe9lUla6dzKEbEX89HHPox2_HWDF8-?cq=1/

http://edu.blogs.com/edublogs//

http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com//

http://danielsblogfolio.edublogs.org//

http://fceblog.blogspot.com/

http://autonolearner.blogspot.com//

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED

www.youtube.com

www.odeo.com

www.flickr.com

http://earth.google.com/

http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/geovisitors/

www.sitemeter.com

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/podcasts/

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/mfle/creativeteaching/index.asp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kBE4vkmVxk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_%28file_format%29