A selection of webtools for language teaching, great for using with primary and secondary school children

1. Web tools for enhancing
language teaching and learning
March 2012
graham.stanley@gmail.com
http://webtoolsforefl.wikispaces.com/

2. About me
About the webinar
There are many different tools on the Web that can be used to motivate students to
speak, read, listen, or write. But which of them should we use? And how to get the
most out of them? In this session, we'll look at a variety of websites that can be
easily used by any teacher to enhance the learning and practice of language either
in a computer room or using a class set of laptops. I'll be giving you ideas how to
exploit these tools- From interactive posters to voice discussion; animated cartoon
strips to digital monster pets; a range of activities will discussed and links to
examples available at: http://webtoolsforefl. wikispaces.com

3. Digital monster pets
Moshi Monsters http://www.moshimonsters.com/ lets you adopt a virtual pet.
It's aimed at Primary age kids and can be used by the teacher as a virtual
classroom pet. It's great to use in class if you have a connected classroom
and can motivate speaking and listening. You can also encourage students
to adopt their own and make friends of each other, writing on each other's
walls, etc.

4. Simple webpages
Pen.io http://pen.io/ is a simple way of publishing text on a web page. It also
allows you to embed Youtube videos - to be used mainly with Secondary
classes

5. Projects with timelines
Xtimeline http://www.xtimeline.com/ is a tool that lets you create a timeline with
text, video, etc. It is an original and fun way for Secondary learners to work
on projects, particullarly about famous people, etc.

6. Voice discussion
Voxopop http://www.voxopop.com is a voice discussion board that is a great
way of getting Secondary learners involved in discussions. Ask the learners
to listen to some of the discussions and/or create your own class discussion
and ask them to respond. Another idea is to ask them to create an opinion
survey - they ask the question and answer the other students' questions, then
summarise the opinions of everyone in writing.

7. Animated cartoon strips
Go Animate http://goanimate.com is an easy way of creating short, animated
cartoons. Use it with Secondary learners to illustrate example language (as a
warmer) or get the students to make cartoon stories of their work and share
them. After asking the students to produce a story, hold a film festival and
follow this with an Awards ceremony (like the Oscars).

8. Interactive posters
Glogster http://www.glogster.com/ can be used with both Primary and
Secondary learners to make student writing fun. Learners can also make
posters of their favourite songs / bands and share them on a class wiki or a
blog. A teacher can also make a glog as a fun way of introducing something.

9. Talking photos
Blabberise http://blabberize.com/ automatically animates a photo that you add a
recorded voice to, and is ideal for use with primary or secondary learners

10. Word cloud creators
Tagxedo http://www.tagxedo.com is another cool tool that is particullarly good
at presenting word clouds using original designs. It can also be used to
inspire writing. Suggested use: Use the tool to present mixed-up versions of
very short stories (e.g. urban myths) for the students to unravel

11. Simple digital voicemail
Vocaroo http://vocaroo.com is the easiest way to record audio. You and your
students can use it to send each other voice messages which can be private
or public.

12. Safe video sharing
Sometimes when showing a Youtube clip, you might not want your learners to
see the other content on the site (either because it is inappropriate or could
distract them), so use a site such as SafeShare (http://www.safeshare.tv/ ) to
only show the video you want them to see. You can also crop the videos
before you show them, so this site can be used as a teaching aid too, when
you want to only show part of a video for some reason.

13. Thank you! Any questions?
More ideas here:
http://webtoolsforefl.wikispaces.com/
Graham Stanley, graham.stanley@blogefl.com