Wednesday, February 21, 2007
TappedIn - Community for Teachers
TappedIn is an online meeting place for teachers who seek to continue their professional development. When I first logged into the site, I felt like I was going to a Halloween party wearing my retro suit. Yea, it's a bit old fashioned and outdated. But, I liked it for some reason. It's like when all these new, fancy computer games come out. Yea, they are great, exciting, and fun. But, sometimes you just want to play the old classics like Pacman and Donkey Kong. --On the bottom third of the screen, there is a message box with all the users who are logged in. Almost immediately after I signed on, the moderators of the message box welcomed me and asked me if I needed help. This was nice. It was also necessary because I don't think I would have been able to find what I was looking for without them. I enjoyed looking through the "Passageways", which is a list of various discussion groups for all kinds of education professionals. I told the moderator that I was interested in a discussion on CALL or instructional technology, and he showed me the group I should join. I think this group, called the Webheads in Action, holds a video meeting once a week. So, I am going to try to sit in on the next one.--Even though this site is a little outdated (you can tell it's designed/run by teachers), it's very informative. If you are a teacher, and you want to discuss just about anything that has to do with education, this is a great place to look. It's especially great for ESL/EFL teachers, because sometimes there is a lack of professional development opportunities at this point. Well, I'm going to put on that retro suit and play a little Pacman.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Website Evaluation - Breaking News
This week, I will be evaluating another one of my favorite sites, Breaking News English. This site provides "Ready to use EFL/ESL lesson plans and pod casts" targeted mainly for adult learners of English. The lesson plans deal with current events in the form of newspaper articles which are updated a couple times a week. The purpose is for students to improve their English by 1) reading and or listening to the articles and 2) completing several activities that focus on different learning objectives.
The newspaper articles are the main external documents on this site. What is great about these articles is the author, Sean Banville, makes then available in several formats. You can print them out either as a Word document or a PDF file. You can save them as mp3 audio files and listen to them on your computer or mp3 player. Or, you can download them as Pod casts and have them automatically updated on you computer or mp3 player. By providing these different options to access the information, it gives the learner the ability to practice both reading and listening. The activities that follow the article focus on listening comprehension and speaking. So, there are four language goals that are met right there. That's fantastic.
By clicking on the About link at the top of the page, you can get to know more about Mr. Banville. Here, you can also contact him and give him feedback about the site. All the lesson plans are free if used for educational purposes. But, you are also given the option to leave a donation if you feel so inclined.
Like the other sites I have evaluated (The Bat Cave and Boggle's World), this site provides top notch material. But, this site is organized much better and therefore easier to use. If you look at the initial page, the design is clean and simple. These qualities are important when making a web site. The content is stored in a well categorized table with nice appropriate headings that make it easy to find what you are looking for.
How can this site be improved? Well, this is usually my favorite part of the evaluation. But, because of the simple, clean layout, which I love, I don't have much to say this time. The one thing I think he should look at is the audio files. When you click on one of these, it opens up a new browser. I don't like this. The audio player should come up in the same browser so that you can listen while following along with the text.
But, other than that, I think the site is great. It's easy to navigate, provides many ways to download the articles, and covers many language goals. Also, the content is updated often, so you can use it at least a couple times a week. If you are teaching an adult class, I would suggest taking a look at Breaking News English. I think you will also find it easy to use and I think your students will like it too.
Please let me know what you think about this site. Thank you!
The newspaper articles are the main external documents on this site. What is great about these articles is the author, Sean Banville, makes then available in several formats. You can print them out either as a Word document or a PDF file. You can save them as mp3 audio files and listen to them on your computer or mp3 player. Or, you can download them as Pod casts and have them automatically updated on you computer or mp3 player. By providing these different options to access the information, it gives the learner the ability to practice both reading and listening. The activities that follow the article focus on listening comprehension and speaking. So, there are four language goals that are met right there. That's fantastic.
By clicking on the About link at the top of the page, you can get to know more about Mr. Banville. Here, you can also contact him and give him feedback about the site. All the lesson plans are free if used for educational purposes. But, you are also given the option to leave a donation if you feel so inclined.
Like the other sites I have evaluated (The Bat Cave and Boggle's World), this site provides top notch material. But, this site is organized much better and therefore easier to use. If you look at the initial page, the design is clean and simple. These qualities are important when making a web site. The content is stored in a well categorized table with nice appropriate headings that make it easy to find what you are looking for.
How can this site be improved? Well, this is usually my favorite part of the evaluation. But, because of the simple, clean layout, which I love, I don't have much to say this time. The one thing I think he should look at is the audio files. When you click on one of these, it opens up a new browser. I don't like this. The audio player should come up in the same browser so that you can listen while following along with the text.
But, other than that, I think the site is great. It's easy to navigate, provides many ways to download the articles, and covers many language goals. Also, the content is updated often, so you can use it at least a couple times a week. If you are teaching an adult class, I would suggest taking a look at Breaking News English. I think you will also find it easy to use and I think your students will like it too.
Please let me know what you think about this site. Thank you!
Authentic Tasks in the Classroom
The topic for discussion in our CALL class this week was authentic tasks. Authentic tasks are defined as text that is 'created to fulfil some social purpose in the language community in which it was produced.' (Little, et al. 1988:27) I think that any language educator would agree that teaching real world communication to your students would be extremely helpful to them. Our reading this week, "Text and task authenticity in the EFL classroom" by Guariento and Morley, brings to our attention some of the current issues dealing with authenic tasks. These issues include 1) when and how we should be introducing authentic tasks and 2) the questioning of task authenticity.
While I was reading about these issues, I immediately thought about my low level classes. Should I be doing authentic tasks with them? Is it even possible? Well, early on in our class discussion forum this week, I commented that I had attempted authentic tasks with these classes, and I didn't have much success with them. I even went as far as to say that I thought it was 'impossible' to do with them and I wouldn't try it again in the future. But after thinking about it a little more, I remembered doing some real tasks with them earlier and being successful. In these instances, I was much more prepared for the class. The materials that were used were much more convincing. The students not only had a great time but also stuck to the target language and gained a lot from the activity. The authors of the article refer to Widdowson (1978) who believed that "...simplification can take place, within the conventions of a given language field, while maintaining authenticity in the sense of learner response. The text has to engage the learner's interest and impress him as being in some way relevant to his concerns." (ibid:90) Execution is the key. Regardless of student level, teachers must make the task appear authentic to the students. If this is achieved, the possibility of success greatly increases.
While I was reading about these issues, I immediately thought about my low level classes. Should I be doing authentic tasks with them? Is it even possible? Well, early on in our class discussion forum this week, I commented that I had attempted authentic tasks with these classes, and I didn't have much success with them. I even went as far as to say that I thought it was 'impossible' to do with them and I wouldn't try it again in the future. But after thinking about it a little more, I remembered doing some real tasks with them earlier and being successful. In these instances, I was much more prepared for the class. The materials that were used were much more convincing. The students not only had a great time but also stuck to the target language and gained a lot from the activity. The authors of the article refer to Widdowson (1978) who believed that "...simplification can take place, within the conventions of a given language field, while maintaining authenticity in the sense of learner response. The text has to engage the learner's interest and impress him as being in some way relevant to his concerns." (ibid:90) Execution is the key. Regardless of student level, teachers must make the task appear authentic to the students. If this is achieved, the possibility of success greatly increases.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Skypecasts
Skype has been around for a few years, and, honestly, I don't understand why everyone doesn't have it on their computer. It has a couple of main functions. First, of all, it can act as a messenger program. So, you can chat with people all over the world. Similar to MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and several others. But, the best thing about Skype is you can talk to people anywhere in the world for free. It's like making an international phone call, which normally would cost you anywhere from a few dollars to much more than that, for free. How? Well, both parties need the Skype program on their computers. Other than that, all you need is a headset with a microphone, which start at about $10 US, and you can call people in any country. Like their motto says, "The Whole World Can Talk For Free."
For the past two weeks, our CALL class has been using a new feature of Skype, called Skypecasts. This product is still in Beta mode, but it seems to be working fine. Skypecasts are similar to a conference call, but many more people can participate. It has been a great way for me to connect with my professor Dan, and my other classmates. Before we started using Skypecasts, I don't think there was much communication going on between us. But, I have talked to Dan and my classmates a lot more in the past two weeks. It has allowed us to ask questions and get to know each other better. This is a good thing. The first week that we used Skypecast, we had a problem. It wasn't a private session, so strangers were constantly logging in and listening. Dan, who was the moderator, was constantly kicking people out. It was very distracting. But, this past week, it was a private call and we didn't have any problems that I am aware of. It was also much easier for the moderator, right Dan?
So, if you are looking for a great new alternative to conference calling for a great price (free), look no further. The people at Skype are really doing a good job and I see them being on the cutting edge for a long time. And, like my motto says, "If Darth Vader likes it, then it's gotta be cool!"
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Website Evaluation - Boggle's World
This week, I will be evaluating one of my favorite and most often used ESL sites, Boggle's World. It's funny, you never realize how popular or how much you depend on these sites until something happens to them. About a year ago, Boggle's World (BW) was hijacked by an "adult" site, and it sent shock waves throughout the numerous message boards for teachers in the ESL community. Here is one of many examples of that.
At that time, I was teaching English conversation, or "free talking" as they call it, to the teachers at my elementary school. They were really interested in learning traveller's English. Situations like "At the restaurant", "At immigration", and "At the hotel front desk" were what they wanted to practice for future trips overseas. BW has fantastic lesson plans catered for these situations. My job was so easy! My class met on Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm. At about 3:30 on those days, I would go to BW, click on the next situation, print it out and make copies. The teachers would come in. I would explain the situation, go over the meaning and pronunciation of a few difficult words and phrases, and then give them the BW dialogues to rehearse. I would then walk around the classroom and assist each group. After practicing several times, they would have to do the role play in front of the class. The team that got the best score would receive a small prize. They were happy. I was happy. They were learning and having fun.
But, one Thursday at 3:30, I clicked on BW and didn't see what I was expecting. I panicked. "이런! "What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?", I thought to myself. So, for the next month or so, I was forced to make my own material and find other sources, which, in the long run, was a good thing. But, it made me realize how great BW really is, and I am glad it's back up and running stronger than ever.
In addition to the situational dialogues, which are targeted for adults, BW also has tons of great activities and worksheets for children. The information is accessible through categorical links at the top of the page. Even though it's not specified on the site, it seems that the first row of links, from "BW ESL" to "ABCs" is for the younger guys. And the second row, from "ESL Science" to "ESL Jobs", is intended for older learners. Also, in the body of the page, there is a plethora of ESL lesson plans and worksheets which are effective for teaching grammar, writing, and speaking.
Although the material on this site is wonderful, I would change a lot about how it is displayed to the user. The body of the page seems to lack any kind of organization, which makes it a hit or miss when trying to find what you are looking for. Unless you are fortunate to stumble across what you want, you will never find it. The links and materials in the body are just thrown together, with no categories to guide you. Several times, colleagues have called me on the phone, asking where I got that great worksheet I showed them. I would tell them "Oh, just go to BW and it's right there." They would call me back and say "John, I can't find it." I would get on the internet and try to help them, but I couldn't find it again. The same document I just used two days ago! Oh, it's so frustrating. I believe if there were categories in place, it would be much more efficient for teachers.
Overall, I feel almost the same way I did about the Bat Cave. The content on the site gets an A+, but the overall design and organization has a lot of room for improvement. They are both sites that I use often, because I am used to how they are set up now. But, if I was a first time visitor, I don't think I would be a second time visitor.
At that time, I was teaching English conversation, or "free talking" as they call it, to the teachers at my elementary school. They were really interested in learning traveller's English. Situations like "At the restaurant", "At immigration", and "At the hotel front desk" were what they wanted to practice for future trips overseas. BW has fantastic lesson plans catered for these situations. My job was so easy! My class met on Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm. At about 3:30 on those days, I would go to BW, click on the next situation, print it out and make copies. The teachers would come in. I would explain the situation, go over the meaning and pronunciation of a few difficult words and phrases, and then give them the BW dialogues to rehearse. I would then walk around the classroom and assist each group. After practicing several times, they would have to do the role play in front of the class. The team that got the best score would receive a small prize. They were happy. I was happy. They were learning and having fun.
But, one Thursday at 3:30, I clicked on BW and didn't see what I was expecting. I panicked. "이런! "What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?", I thought to myself. So, for the next month or so, I was forced to make my own material and find other sources, which, in the long run, was a good thing. But, it made me realize how great BW really is, and I am glad it's back up and running stronger than ever.
In addition to the situational dialogues, which are targeted for adults, BW also has tons of great activities and worksheets for children. The information is accessible through categorical links at the top of the page. Even though it's not specified on the site, it seems that the first row of links, from "BW ESL" to "ABCs" is for the younger guys. And the second row, from "ESL Science" to "ESL Jobs", is intended for older learners. Also, in the body of the page, there is a plethora of ESL lesson plans and worksheets which are effective for teaching grammar, writing, and speaking.
Although the material on this site is wonderful, I would change a lot about how it is displayed to the user. The body of the page seems to lack any kind of organization, which makes it a hit or miss when trying to find what you are looking for. Unless you are fortunate to stumble across what you want, you will never find it. The links and materials in the body are just thrown together, with no categories to guide you. Several times, colleagues have called me on the phone, asking where I got that great worksheet I showed them. I would tell them "Oh, just go to BW and it's right there." They would call me back and say "John, I can't find it." I would get on the internet and try to help them, but I couldn't find it again. The same document I just used two days ago! Oh, it's so frustrating. I believe if there were categories in place, it would be much more efficient for teachers.
Overall, I feel almost the same way I did about the Bat Cave. The content on the site gets an A+, but the overall design and organization has a lot of room for improvement. They are both sites that I use often, because I am used to how they are set up now. But, if I was a first time visitor, I don't think I would be a second time visitor.
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