Edmodo

Hi readers, 

New day, new tool. Today I would like to share a new teaching site which is edmodo.com. This site is almost similar to a social networking site, Facebook. 

WHAT is edmodo.com?

Edmodo.com is a site which demonstrates virtual classroom for teachers and students which focuses on teaching and learning processes.It is accessible for the particular teacher and students in or outside the class. This site allows users to post something on the 'wall' such as discussion questions or asking for opinions; and the post could be commented or responded by other group members. 

HOW to use with students?

1. The teacher should sign up as 'teacher' and create a group for the respective students
2. Students should also sign up as 'student'
3. After creating the group, the teacher will receive a code that should be given to the students in order to become the members of the group
4. A virtual learning classroom is now ready for discussions, debate and etc.
5. Students would also receive a parent code which allows parents to monitor their children learning progress.
6. There is also tutorial videos on how to use Edmodo available below. Check it out!

 

Edmodo encourage virtual learning environment between teachers and students. It could be a useful teaching site as: 

• Teachers could use this site to make any announcement/ give homework for the students
• Students are free to ask questions if there is any doubt on any topics
• Any of the group members could refer back to the discussions for revision purposes
• Edmodo could be the platform for virtual interactions between teacher and students as it is accessible 24/7 with internet connection

ADVANTAGES

• It is FREE
• It is accessible anytime, anywhere by the group members
• Promotes authenticity and creates meaningful interactions during the discussion
• Any of the group members could refer back to their discussion
• Ideal for discussions/brainstorming activities
• Teacher could use Edmodo to assess students progress/ involvement in discussion
• Encourage parents could also access and monitor the children's learning progress

DISADVANTAGES

• Internet connection is essential 24/7
• Not all students involve in discussion. Some students might just depend on their friends' answer. 
• Students might get distracted with other websites when using Edmodo.

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