New Tools
The internet offers a lot of new tools! Some of them might be appropriate tools for foreign language teachers, either as they might facilitate preparation of classes or can directly be integrated in the language classroom. I got to know four interesting tools I’m going to present: delicious, netvibes, wordle, and eduPad.
delicious
I already used the function of saving interesting websites on my browser, but after having accessed a lot of webpages the final list is unstructured. Therefore, working with this list needs time. The website delicious provides a solution for this problem. Additionally, the user benefits from several further advantages. Delicious is a so-called “social bookmarking”- webpage. First, you have to register. Then, the new user can start to bookmark, i.e. you can save interesting websites you might need later. Luckily, you can categorize the websites you are interested in as you can use a tag. This tag describes the website with important key words. Due to these labels, the user structures the saved webpages and can find specific pages by searching with a key word. Thus, the user does no longer have to deal with unhandy lists of webpages. Furthermore, the user enjoys a particular advantage since he or she can also use the tags of other users. In this regard, bookmarking with delicious is “social”, as mentioned before.
If you are interested in the use of delicious, have a look at a visualized introduction:
If you are interested in the use of delicious, have a look at a visualized introduction:
Is delicious an appropriate tool for teachers?
As regards the search for appropriate teaching materials on the web, I’m convinced that this tool facilitates the working process: A teacher can use the tool to bring material in an order and to access the material later. Moreover, teachers can use the tags of other teachers which might prompt teamwork and cooperation. For this reason, I think that Delicious is an expedient tool I’m going to use.
As regards the search for appropriate teaching materials on the web, I’m convinced that this tool facilitates the working process: A teacher can use the tool to bring material in an order and to access the material later. Moreover, teachers can use the tags of other teachers which might prompt teamwork and cooperation. For this reason, I think that Delicious is an expedient tool I’m going to use.
netvibes
Netvibes is a web application allowing you to create your personal virtual desk. With netvibes you can build up a dashboard on your computer which provides direct access to all tools you use constantly. For instance, you can include on your personal netvibes webpage your email account, your favorite newspaper, the weather forecast for your region, social network sites and a lot more.
The video introduces you to further details:
The video introduces you to further details:
Is netvibes an appropriate tool for teachers?
In my opinion, a huge advantage of this application is that the user can avoid the search for websites he or she needs repeatedly since you have direct access to all important sites. Personally, I think that this might not always be a good idea to have every website immediately available as it may result in a kind of distraction. For instance, you might use social networking sites every now and then instead of concentrating on your work. Nevertheless, you can use the application also as a working instrument. It might be an advantage for teachers if they can directly access online dictionaries or encyclopedias. For instance, it can also be fruitful to have a look in an English or American newspaper every day in order to regularly search for interesting teaching materials.
In my opinion, a huge advantage of this application is that the user can avoid the search for websites he or she needs repeatedly since you have direct access to all important sites. Personally, I think that this might not always be a good idea to have every website immediately available as it may result in a kind of distraction. For instance, you might use social networking sites every now and then instead of concentrating on your work. Nevertheless, you can use the application also as a working instrument. It might be an advantage for teachers if they can directly access online dictionaries or encyclopedias. For instance, it can also be fruitful to have a look in an English or American newspaper every day in order to regularly search for interesting teaching materials.
Wordle
Have you
noticed the picture on the first page of my website? Such word clouds can be
created with the help of wordle. On this webpage you need to enter a text.
Then, wordle works for you and creates a work cloud, i.e. a visualization of
the text you entered. The image is composed of words in different sizes. The
size of a word depends on its frequency in the text. You can modify your word cloud changing colors
and typefaces, reducing or increasing the number of words, etc.
Have a look at a tutorial:
Have a look at a tutorial:
Can wordle be used by teachers?
Personally, I’m absolutely fascinated by work clouds. Perhaps, pupils might also be interested in this form of visualization. I think teachers can use word clouds in various ways. First, it might be a good method to introduce pupils to a new topic. Using a word cloud, teachers can show their pupils some key words which might prompt doing a brainstorming. Furthermore, a teacher can use a word cloud to introduce new vocabulary. It can also be a good idea to present two word clouds. For instance, pupils first talk about a word cloud dealing with short stories which shows fifty words; then, they see a second word cloud with only ten words. Reducing the number of words will present a particular topic, like short stories, in a nutshell emphasizing the most important facts and terms. Besides, teachers can also invite their pupils to create their own word clouds, for example to use them on a poster for presentations. As you can see, there are many possibilities to use word clouds. Be creative!
Personally, I’m absolutely fascinated by work clouds. Perhaps, pupils might also be interested in this form of visualization. I think teachers can use word clouds in various ways. First, it might be a good method to introduce pupils to a new topic. Using a word cloud, teachers can show their pupils some key words which might prompt doing a brainstorming. Furthermore, a teacher can use a word cloud to introduce new vocabulary. It can also be a good idea to present two word clouds. For instance, pupils first talk about a word cloud dealing with short stories which shows fifty words; then, they see a second word cloud with only ten words. Reducing the number of words will present a particular topic, like short stories, in a nutshell emphasizing the most important facts and terms. Besides, teachers can also invite their pupils to create their own word clouds, for example to use them on a poster for presentations. As you can see, there are many possibilities to use word clouds. Be creative!
eduPad
eduPad is a text editor which allows several workers to work on the same document. Apart from editing text, the users can also chat exchanging ideas and discussing the document they are currently working on.
If you are interested, have a look on the webpage.
Can eduPad be useful in the classroom?
As the name immediately indicates, eduPad can be used in classrooms. In my opinion, there are several ways to integrate eduPad in teaching and learning processes. The tool allows co-workers to work on one document without requiring everybody to be present in the same room. For this reason, teachers can advise their pupils to use the tool in order to prepare a group work. The advantage is that pupils do not have to meet, but can work with their computers at home. But eduPad can also be used in school. For instance, when pupils are supposed to do research on the internet as a group work, they can use eduPad to communicate about their results. Finally, they can create a text document summing up important facts they have found. Generally, using eduPad might be a motivating factor as pupils can use new media interactively. Furthermore, pupils practice writing and communicating their ideas. Another advantage might be that the use of the tool ensures that all group members participate as they feel the urge to contribute to the written discussion.
If you are interested, have a look on the webpage.
Can eduPad be useful in the classroom?
As the name immediately indicates, eduPad can be used in classrooms. In my opinion, there are several ways to integrate eduPad in teaching and learning processes. The tool allows co-workers to work on one document without requiring everybody to be present in the same room. For this reason, teachers can advise their pupils to use the tool in order to prepare a group work. The advantage is that pupils do not have to meet, but can work with their computers at home. But eduPad can also be used in school. For instance, when pupils are supposed to do research on the internet as a group work, they can use eduPad to communicate about their results. Finally, they can create a text document summing up important facts they have found. Generally, using eduPad might be a motivating factor as pupils can use new media interactively. Furthermore, pupils practice writing and communicating their ideas. Another advantage might be that the use of the tool ensures that all group members participate as they feel the urge to contribute to the written discussion.