Hot Potatoes

What is Hot Potatoes?

Hot Potatoes is a freeware which people can use in any purpose and project they like. It contains six applications, enabling users to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching or ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web.

Values

• It provides users with the opportunity of creating their own projects, exercises and tasks. The more interesting and amazing point is that users have chance to design their own feedbacks for each step or the whole task when they are using this tool to produce their own projects.
• Hot Potatoes offers options and samples on task's type for users, whcih is easy and convenient for any exercise or task's producing.
• For starters, tutorials and resources on Hot Potatoes are provided on the homepage. What is more, many users contribute themselves in creating the tutorials and useful materials in their mother tongue, such as Chinese, Spabish, English, Danish and French and so on. In my opinion, producing different language version of turotials can help Hot Potatoes quickly and widely spread around the world.

How to employ it in class?

1. A whole lesson can be designed to teach students how to use Hot Potatoes, as long as they have interests.
2. Teacher can demonstrate a sample first, then, students can create their own exercises or tasks. Pair work or group work could be better.
3. Once each group finishs thier tasks, teacher can arrange them to do other groups' tasks and give feedbacks if time permits.
4. Actually, my course tutor arranged one lesson about Hot Potatoes a few weeks ago. Most procedures I mentioned previously are from her lesson. While creating the task was kind of pressing but exciting, in my opinion, that lesson indeed provided good chance for me to gain a general idea on Hot Potatoes, and I also got the chance to practise how to use it.



Some Limitations

• While the application is free, it is not open-source. Users have to download the software online and install it into their computer before they use it.
• Certainly, internet access is required.
• Besides, some unexpected problems might happen, such as failure in uploading pictures necessary for tasks, or something else.

QuestGarden - Where Great WebQuests Grow

Overview

• The introduction of QuestGarden below is 'borrowed' from the website: http://questgarden.com/author/overview.php [Accessed on 26/02/2011] I hope it can help you to gain a better comprehension.

• QuestGarden is an online authoring tool, community and hosting service that is designed to make it easier and quicker to create a high quality WebQuest. No knowledge of web editing or uploading is required. Prompts, guides and examples are provided for each step of the process. Images, worksheets and other documents can easily be attached or embedded in the WebQuest, and users have complete control over the appearance of the final lesson.

• QuestGarden is modeled after a community garden with all the resources needed to bring great WebQuests to life. Users are encouraged to comment on each others' work, to share links and images, and to build new WebQuests on existing ones. Rather than starting from scratch, users can bring a WebQuest written by another member of the community into their workspace, modify the content or appearance to suit their needs, and use it with their own students.  

• Attribution to the first author is maintained, and authors are notified when another member of the community makes an improved or modified version of their work.

Why is it Good?

1. As mentioned before, as an online tool, QuestGarden can help people to produce great WebQuests with high quality.
2. By using this tool, teachers can adapt any WebQuest to meet his or her own teaching context.
3. QuestGarden provides learners and teachers with various patterns to  help them create their own  WebQuests.
4. This tool is not difficult to learn and use, so it is very convenient for learners to use.
5. Task-based teaching methods can be greatly illustrated by  WebQuests on QuestGarden. 

How to apply it in class?

• Based on one sample of the pattern 'Travel Plan', I created a WebQuest called 'Travelling in UK' myself, with the purpose of improving students' ability of doing research and teamwork in the process of preparing their group presentations. Below is the quick shoot of the WebQuest.

• As the task I designed needs a great deal of online research, I panned to take at least 3 lessons for students to do it.
• In the first lesson, teacher can introduce the task to Ss and help them to solve any questions referring to the task. If time permitted, teachers can also help Ss decide group members.
• In the second lesson, teacher need help Ss check the progress of their research and preparation, and give further instructions on preparation for the next class.
• In the final lesson, the entire class time should give Ss for their presentations.
• It was the first time for me to make a WebQuest, so it may not that ideal and perfect. In my opinion, this attempt help learners to improve their ability of doing research and giving presentations at least.

Shortcomings

1. Either WebQuest or QuestGarden, Internet access is required.
2. As most tasks are not that easy, Ss with high level of proficiency is needed.
3. Not only creating a WebQuest, but accomplishing one is time consuming.

Learning Chocolate - Learning Vocabulary As Eating Chocolate

 

What is it?

Learning Chocolate is a web site aiming at helping learners to memorize vocabulary in an easy and efficient way, by using pictures, sounds and games. Just like enjoying eating chocolate, learning vocabularies can be enjoyable as well. 

The picture below is an example from the Learning Chocolate website.

Good Aspects

From the example, it is not difficult to notice that this tool combines vocabularies with both pictures and sounds. Just click the speaker symbol, the pronunciation will be heard. In my opinion, attractive pictures can not only illustrate the words, but also draws students' attention on learning vocabularies.

In addition, this tool can help students with their ability of independent or autonomous  study, because it is very easy to control.

Furthermore, the context of the vocabularies is provided by vivid images, which can help learners link words with its meaning and usage.

At last, vocabularies are categorized on the Learning Chocolate website, so students can learn vocabularies in a more systematic way.

How it can be used in the class?

• I think, considering this tool's convenience and flexibility in use, such website can be applied in class and introduced as homework for students.
• In class, on the one hand, it can be used as a warm-up or review exercise to help teacher check whether students have grasped what has been taught. On the other hand, it can be also regarded as a warp up or review exercise to help students enhance what they have learnt.
• After class, this tool can be distributed as homework for students to preview or review, as apart from pronunciation, some relevant exercises are included on the website as well.

Limitations

1. Internet access is required.
2. Various levels of vocabularies are contained in one picture, which is not convenient for learners to learn new vocabularies according to their own proficiency.
3. Some abstract words like 'Time' may not be illustrated by specific pictures.

TodaysMeet - Talk. Listen.

TodaysMeet - Talk. Listen.

It is a tool that can be used by teachers and students in and after class. By creating a certain room on 'TodaysMeet', both teacher and students can share and exchange their opinions on a certain topic immediately. In my opinion, it is a very convenient tool to use for language learning.

Why is it good?

• It is a free tool on Internet, which means everyone can use it at anytime and any place.
• Very easy to utilize and control. Just follow the brief and clear instruction showing on the screen, anyone can create a room, where people can talk with each other by typing their ideas with words.
• Ideas, opinions, and even questions can be presented and collected on the screen immediately. Meanwhile, communication may realize among participants.
• Users can decide the deadline of the virtual chatting room they create. That means, any data in the room will not exist permanently. Users need not worry about the leaking of any confidential messages contained in the room, as long as they set the proper lasting time (2 hours at least, one year at most) for the room.
• It can be a good way for brainstorming, by collecting participants' ideas.

How to use it?

1. Teacher can use it to collect students' ideas on the topic taught in class. 
2. It can be used as a tool in the group or pair work - collecting and discussing group members' ideas.
3. By looking at others' opinions and ideas, students can learn something from their peers, which collaborative or cooperative learning can be realized.
4. Since it dose not take too much time, in my opinion, teacher can use this tool at any time in the class. At the beginning of a lesson, it can be applied as a stimulator. During the lesson, this tool can be used as a test to check whether Ss understand what have been taught. At the end of a lesson, teacher can employ create a room for Ss to share their reflection on the lesson.

Limitation

• Internet access is required.

In-class Discussion on FutureTech

Future Tech

Learning will be more autonomous.Mustafa & Jo at 13:15 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Learning might not take any in any one place.Russell at 13:15 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

It can be free life-long learning.Joyce and Angela at 13:16 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Achieve distance language teaching or on-line learning.jessie&jenny at 13:16 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

offer more or less equal opportunities for educationAsami&Tanya at 13:17 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Modernizing language learning (up-to date)Joyce and Angela at 13:17 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Much greater potential for a 'connected classroom' ie the learning doesn't stop at the classroom door.Mustafa & Jo at 13:17 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Enrich the learning styleCarina at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

May increase divide between haves and have notsMustafa & Jo at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

No text books are needed.Farah & Leah at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

There might not be traditional classrooms anymore as anyone would have access in the resources any time.George at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Learning for multiple intelligences applies to learners' different stylesMaria - Costas at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Negative: distract the students.Carina at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

It can motivate the students by offering the update information.Jessie&.Echo at 13:18 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Easier access to other learner or teaching communities.Joyce and Angela at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

We think it will be the basis and drive for changing pedagogical approaches and sprucing them up!SAM & JING JING at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Students may rely on the technologies too much.jessie&jenny at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Broadens the field of opportunities for language learning and its applications.Maria - Costas at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

It really depends on each context. Take China and Taiwan for example. First, there might not be enough divices in education environment.Jill & Sarah at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Learning and teaching are not any more restricted only in classroom. Students can access knowledge which is available on portable devices.Vanessa and Ray at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Make the learning process more motivating.Eddie & Cherry at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Less face-to-face communication.Joyce and Angela at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Handouts and coursebooks may no longer be used.jessie&jenny at 13:19 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

No more boring lessons!!Maria - Costas at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Secondly, the edu is mostly test-oriented so spending time on the Internet and computers can regarded as a waste of time.Jill & Sarah at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

It enables students to communicate in English within the whole world.Tiantian&Doreen at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Really learner-centered language teaching.Jessie&.Echo at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Will enhance interdisciplinary studies.Asami&Tanya at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

There might be the danger of how to utilise all this knowledge.George at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

However, it does help Chinese speaking students to be more exposed to authentic materials.Jill & Sarah at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Danger of adapting lesson to technologies than the other way round.Maria - Costas at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Technology can build up students' autonomy in learning.Vanessa and Ray at 13:20 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

They can learn anywhere,not restricted to classroom.Eddie & Cherry at 13:21 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Harmful to physical heath eg. eyes, muscle.Carina at 13:21 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Technology can triger students' motivation.technolgy can triger students' motivation at 13:21 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

It makes second language learning process really interesting and learners are highly motivated.Tiantian&Doreen at 13:21 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Before engaging students into this tpe of learning, students have to be motivated enough to do this kind of learning outside of class.Jill & Sarah at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Too much overloaded input will add pressure on students' mind which distract students' selection of the valuable information.jessie&jenny at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Multi-tasking might not be appropriate for variable learning styles. The beginning of another digital gap?George at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Students are exposed to 'real-life' materials.Eddie & Cherry at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

If technology reaches the level of AI, maybe we won't have to learn any foreign languages anymore. For example, we can talk in any language.SAM & JING JING at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Overload psycho- cognitive processes- might be too much.Asami&Tanya at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Development of technology awareness and skills becomes available through language learning.Maria - Costas at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Less teamwork.Carina at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Ss are more exposed to authentic language environment.Vanessa and Ray at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Technology helps language learners develop more efficient learning strategies.Tiantian&Doreen at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Technology!Maria - Costas at 13:22 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

Learners can have access to any materials. Also, learners can listen to an English story while watching 3 dimentional play just in front of...Farah & Leah at 13:23 PM, 11 Feb 2011 via web

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SlideShare - The Best Way to Share Presentations, Documents and Professional Videos

An Example:Technology Integr Teacher Develop ELT Conference

View more presentations from Andres Atehortua.

About SlideShare

• As shown in the title, SlideShare is the best way to share presentations, documents and professional videos.
• In addition, it indicates the significance of the meaning of sharing. Through sharing, ideas are exchanged, meanwhile, communication is realized.
• The sample presentation slide is selected from the 'SlideShare.net', and it is about technology in ELT.

Advantages of SlideShare

1. In my opinion, the biggest advantage of SlideShare is sharing. That means, people can have free access to presentations, documents and videos on all kinds of topics, which is particularly good for teachers.
2. Students can also use this website as stimuli or  brainstorming tool for their assignments, projects, tasks and so on.
3. As it is free, users do not have to register for a account. But if you have a Facebook account, then it can be used to login the 'SlideShare', which is convenient and gives you a chance to upload your own slides or videos.

Ways to use in class

• As a good 'Slides base', teachers can use SlideShare to search relevant materials, esp. presentations for their lessons. 
• For example, the sample slide selected can be adapted by teachers in their classes.
• The best time to use SlideShare is in the preparing period of a new lesson.
• Ss can use it after class or at home.

Limitations

• Internet access is required.
• Over depending on sharing resources may restrict creativity.

AudioBoo

What is AudioBoo?

The video presented below is an introduction video which tells you what is Audioboo and how to use it on computers and phones. It's adopted from the Audioboo homepage (http://audioboo.fm), and this video offers a very detailed introduction. Wish you could enjoy it and fall in love with Audioboo when you watch this video!

Intro to Audioboo from Mark Rock on Vimeo.

Is it Good? Yes!

• Just as introduced in the previous Video, Audioboo is not only used on PC, but in Mobile Phone. It is very convenient to use and can be uploaded at any time, as long as you install the Audioboo software in your PC or Mobile Phone.
• As it is free, everyone can apply for a Audioboo account. What is more, it can help to record high quality recordings, so that everyone can hear when people uploaded their recordings in their Audioboo account.
• By using such tool, people can not only hear their own voice, but also listen to others' recoding, which make the sharing realize.

How can it be used?

• Considering its convenience and flexibility, I suggest that this tool is used after classes by teachers and students. 

Limitations

• This tool is required Internet access. 
• The process of recording may be time consuming.

Vocaroo - Record and Send Voice Records



A quick check of Vocaroo - Small interview in class.
Interviewer: SAM. ( No sound. Sorry! =( )



What is Vocaroo?

As it shows in the image presented on the top, Vocaroo is a free online premier voice recording service, which people can use to record their own or others' voice to listen, share on blogs, or send them to friends through emails.

Why is it good?

• It is a free online voice service, which is convenient and easy to control. Just follow the instruction 'Click to Record', then the voice is recorded immediately.
• Having done the recording, you can listen to it. If not satisfied, chance for 'Record Again' is provided, which I think is considerable.
• In my opinion, the most attractive feature of this tool is you can share your recording either on blogs or through emails, as HTML Code is given and the link for sending emails to friends is offered as well.

How can it be used for teachers and students?

1. Theachers can use it to record lectures or class instructions for Ss before or after classes.
2. Students can use it to practise their speaking at home. That means, Ss could make a recording diary when they are reading, and after a certain period, they can recognize how much progress they have made, and in what aspects they need to improve.
3. In my opinion, this tool is suitable for teachers and Ss to use after class, as in-class time is limited and not that flexible.

Limitations

• I think the biggist problem of this tool is that without a microphone, it's usefuless! Just as the problem we met in the class, although we carried out an interesting interview, due to the microphone's problem, the sound was not recorded in the end. =(
• While the tool is convenient and flexible for people to use, it is also a little bit time consuming.

A WebQuest - Movie Presentation

What is WebQuest?

'A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February, 1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium.

Since those beginning days, tens of thousands of teachers have embraced WebQuests as a way to make good use of the internet while engaging their students in the kinds of thinking that the 21st century requires. The model has spread around the world, with special enthusiasm in Brazil, Spain, China, Australia and Holland.'

Adopted from: WebQuest.Org 2007 'Homepage' http://webquest.org/index.php [Accessed on 01/02/2011]

Movie Presentation

According to the previous introduction, in my opinion, WebQuest can be regarded as a useful tool for both teachers and leaners to fully make use of the Internet resourses to help them learn foreign languages (esp. English in this situation). 'Movie Presentation' is a WebQuest example which I think is desiged attractively and practically in classes; and I would like to share it with you.

Why is it good for language learning?

• Firstly, this WebQuest provides teachers and learners with a very clear and interesting topic and task, which can easily draw their attention.
• Secondly, the task is introduced in a clear way, which enable teachers and learners to follow easily. In addition, the size of the texts presented is suitable for people to read on the screen.
• Thirdly, the process is introduced step by step. Each stage is associated with a subtitle, which gives people a brief preview. Another good feature of this stage is that adequate recources links are provided for self-research.
• For the evaluation part, this WebQuest offers a very clear guideline, which can make peer-evaluation or teacher-evaluation realized.
• At last but not least, in the conclusion part, the task's aim and outcome are provided. And the credits and references are also mentioned. Furthermore, both students page and teacher page are included in this WebQuest with different guidelines which enable them to refer to seperately.
• Overall, as mentioned in the WebQuest's conclusion part, by using it, students will get maximum exposure to authentic English texts; learn how to focus on relevant information only; how to write their own text in collaboration with other people and how to present a text orally in front of a group of people. Moreover, it may raise their motivation thanks to the interesting topic. And the voting part will arouse the Ss' competitive motivation.

How can this WebQuest be used in the language class?

1. From my point of view, I would like to suggest the teacher spend at least three lessons to do this WebQuest with students.
2. In the first lesson, teacher can firsly divide Ss into groups, with 4 or 5 in each. And then, he/she leads Ss to go over the task instruction together. After that, Ss start discussing about the movie they will look at and distribute the individual responsiblity. Art the end of the class, the teacher can make a record of the information of each group, such as grpoup name, members, Movies and so on.
3. Before the behinning of the next lesson, Ss will well prepare for their Group presentations.
4. In the second lesson, Ss will present their favourite movies in groups. During the process of presentation, each group will try their best to pursuade other Ss to make their own movie as the most popular. After the presentations, Ss will vote for their favourite movie which will be watched next lesson.
5. In the last lesson, teacher and Ss will enjoy the movie they vote as the most popular.
6. Generally speaking, Ss will learning much from this WebQuest.

Limitations

• Frankly speaking, I only find two problems of this WebQuest. Firstly, such task can not be employed in the classes without Internet access, computers, printers, OHPs or TV with a video recorder.
• Secondly, the task of this WebQuest is time-comsuming which not suitable for time-stricted classes.