clicknlearn.net

Hi readers, 

New day, new tool. Today I would like to introduce a new teaching site that might help you in simplifying your ways in teaching vocabulary to students. It is called clicknlearn.net.

WHAT is clicknlearn.net?

clicknlearn.net is an interactive website which help users to teach and learn languages in fun and full of excitement ways. This tool is suitable for language teachers (English, Spanish and French), and additionally, it is also suitable for all levels of students. This is because it provides guidance, and exercises which include different levels of language competency for beginner, intermediate and advance students. 

HOW to use it with students?

Firstly, go to clicknlearn.net and select the language.

Next, go to the Menu, and select the activities according to the level of the student, name of the unit, lexical content, grammatical content or functions, text types, and the cultural preferences. In most of the units, students will be exposed to activities which activates their schemata before doing the actual exercises. 

There are also tutorial videos in youtube.com which explain how clicknlearn.net works. One of them is this video :

Apart from that, you could also watch  russellstannard-teachertrainingvideos.com as guide to use this website.

ADVANTAGES

• It is FREE.
• Contains more than one languages i.e. English, Spanish and French
• User-friendly
• Varies teaching methodology.
• Language teachers could be creative and explore more on vocabulary teaching.
• Different ways in integrating teaching with technology.
• Provides feedback for students.
• Students could explore more vocabulary from different level of proficiency.
• Encourage autonomous learning.

DISADVANTAGES

• Internet connection is essential 24/7
• Sound effects might distract users
• Some exercises are too easy for beginners and some activities require learners to have good background knowledge on the topic. 
• Texts are overload
• The activities and exercises are irreversible. Users are unable to go back to previous activities/ exercises in the unit. 
• Some students might deviate while doing the exercises that they are supposed to do. They might want to try new things, and end up doing something beyond their level. 

Vocaroo

Hi readers,

New day, new tool. Today I would like to introduce a quick and easy site to record your voice online which is Vocaroo.com. 

This is an example of recorded voice from Vocaroo.

Audio recording software >>

WHAT is Vocaroo?

Vocaroo is a very straightforward tool where you only need a microphone in order to do the recording and within a few clicks, your recording is ready! Simple isn't it?

HOW to use it with students?

• Go to www.vocaroo.com and click to record.
• Once the recording is done, students could listen back to their recording.
• If they are satisfied with the recording, the could save the recording or embedded in their blogs, or emailed it to their teacher. 
• teacher could use this tool to give oral feedback for students' homework.

ADVANTAGES

• User friendly, within a few clicks, the recording is done.
• The recording/podcast from Vocaroo could be embedded in blogs, downloaded as MP3, emailed to friends or teachers and even shared in social networks such as Fcebook.
• It is FREE.
• Language teachers could use this tool to develop students' speaking skills or to assess their pronunciation in class.
• Teachers could also record their teaching for the students if they are unable to attend class.

DISADVANTAGES

• Internet connection are essential 24/7
• Too simple

Creating stories with Storybird

Hi readers, 

New day, new tool. Today I would like to introduce a new exciting teaching site called Storybird.com.

WHAT is Storybird?

Storybird is a tool which allow users to create stories using their imagination. It provides interesting themes  with colourful and fascinating pictures for users to use for their stories. Teachers could use this tool with beginner to intermediate learners in language class as it might attract them in creating short stories in their own ways. Additionally, this tool also allow students to work in pairs in creating stories. Hence, this would them further in language learning as working in pairs might create information/opinion gap which then lead to language acquisition.

HOW to use Storybird with students?

Firstly, students should sign up and create their account using their email addresses. This would be easier for them to collaborate with their partners later on.

To start a story, students could read few examples of stories that have been created by others to get inspired. Here, they might be exposed to different layouts and themes, thus generate ideas for their stories later on. 

Students could choose their favourite themes such as love, teacher, village or princess for their stories. In addition, teacher could also specify the theme so that the students are more focused in creating their stories. 

When the learners have decided or has been instructed to write on a specific theme, they could begin their stories. This could be done by dragging suitable pictures and crafting suitable story line for the intended story.

In addition, learners could invite their friends or a partner to collaborate with them during the process of creating the story. This allows them to share opinions and generate more ideas in creating exciting and interesting stories. Besides, they are also free to write as many pages as they want. When it is done, they could publish the story (where the story is public and could be read by anyone) or save it and share the story via email. 

ADVANTAGES

• This website is FREE and could be use anytime with any purpose
• Enhance students' creativity and cognitive skills
• One of the ways to encourage students to write
• Develops sense of ownership and motivate students to be more confident in language learning
• New teaching methods for teachers in teaching WRITING
• Incorporate Multiple Intelligence in learning  which cater students need. Different students learn differently.Thus, students with visual intelligent might gain benefit from this method of learning. 
• Promotes collaborative learning. This tool allows students to work with one or more students, hence, it develops 2 in 1 learning in which students write and communicate in meaningful context.
• Since students are free in creating the stories, this tools promotes autonomous learning in language classrooms.

DISADVANTAGES

• Internet connection is essential 24/7
• Some students might feel reluctant to start