More Web 2.0 Tools for Foreign Language Education
Here is a list of Web 2.0 tools that might be useful in the EFL classroom that I contemplate using in my future lessons in addition to the ones we have encountered in this class. On top of that, you can find a list of tools suggested by other participants of this course by clicking here.
Podomatic is a website dedicated to podcasts (neogolism derived from 'iPod' and 'broadcast'). You can download or simply listen to sound recordings from the world's largest directory of free, independent podcasts (e.g. educational programs, talk shows, minicasts, podcards, etc.) and easily create your own audio or video podcasts. On top of that, Podomatic provides customizable embeddable players and promotional tools to share your works through a blog, Twitter, and Facebook to reach a larger audience. A basic account offers a lot of options and is free of charge. If you have students record podcasts as assignments, you may require multiple accounts as the free one has limited file space depending on the length of the recordings (the website indicates how much space each podcasts takes and how much you have left!).
Podcasts, in my opinion, are ideally suited for FLE and a great opportunity to enhance your students' listening, speaking, and auding skills when exposed to authentic language material. Furthermore, podcasts can be realized as group projects where every member can contribute to the final result: one student may be the speaker, another one is responsible for the composure and structure of the text that will be recorded, and someone needs to take care of the actual recording. The audio files can be cut and edited with a program such as Audacity (freeware). Click here to listen to an example I created for the Presenting Content seminar! |
Blabberize is a fun tool that helps you spice up any lesson with animated, talking pictures. To be more precise, Blabberize may be used to create creative animations with talking images. This tool is predestined for students considered rather audiovisual learners. Furthermore, this tool may be used to enhance listening and speaking skills.
All it takes is a picture or image and a microphone or an already existing audio file. There is a wide range of opportunities and several fields of application such as giving instructions or presenting content on any subject. You will need to register, the account is free, though. All animations can be shared and embedded on your blog or website. Blabberize is suitable for both fun and serious educational purposes. It is somewhat comparable to podcasts. You can have students record speeches or presentations to demonstrate their knowledge. Pretending to be a famous person, Blabberize might be suitable for projects such as web quests where students are asked to find out facts and information, choose a picture, and prepare a speech about the life of this figure. |
Skype is a voice-over-internet protocol service and application allowing users to communicate with others by voice, videochat, and instant messaging. Other than traditional telephones, Skype is free of charge and is much more versatile. Furthermore, it features file transfer, videoconferencing and calls to landline telephones and mobile phones (fee-based, credit card required). Skype has more than 660 million registered users and is operated by Microsoft.
I consider Skype very useful for foreign language teaching because you may have your students get in contact and communicate with native speakers from partner schools all over the world and do video conferences, chats, and so forth. Practicing their foreign language with native speakers, students can enhance their intercultural competences as well as their communication skills in terms of listening and speaking. There are various platforms such as the ACTFL Online Community where teachers find partner schools looking for other like-minded participants. Such networking hubs allow foreign language teachers to connect with each other and exchange their experiences. |
Bubbl.us is a free application based on Flash to brainstorm online. This service allows you to easily and quickly create colorful mindmaps, save them online and share them with others or use them for your website. In order to do so, you have to register and create an account (free of charge). It can be used for all kinds of situations and purposes (e.g. collection and organization of ideas, revision of a topic, presentation of results, etc.) and students can either collaborate in groups or create their own mindmaps. What I find really handy is the zooming and fullscreen function when dealing with bigger mindmaps. Bubbl.us is a kind of minimalistic tool, yet it is intuitive and extremely easy to use for all subjects.
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