What is Wallwisher? What can Wallwisher do?
Wallwisher is a free online web tool where everyone can build a wall and leave messages. The messages are presented as multi-function post-it notes on the wall, including texts, images, videos, maps, slideshows, documents, links, etc. If the wall is set to 'public', then every visitor has access to adding or editing messages on it. Wallwisher can be used as a tool to collect information; moreover, it can also be used for educational purposes.
How to use Wallwisher?
1. Register a new account or log in with existing 'google'
account. Then you can start create your own 'wall'.
2. Click 'Build a wall', then you can modify your wall in many
aspects such as portraits, titles, description, wallpapers,
privacy, web address, etc.
3. After finishing setting up everything, you can start post what
you want on the wall. The following wall is an example I made
in class with my classmates (East, Karen, and Aileen),
introducing some great restaurants and museums in Madrid,
Spain.
Why is Wallwisher relevant to language teaching?
1. It is colorful and dynamic for T to attract Ss' attention.
Moreover, it gives Ss much more chances to participate in
discussion, which makes language teaching and learning more
interesting and interactive.
2. It is simple to use and full of flexibility. It is absolutely
convenient for T to ask Ss to do some tasks with Wallwisher,
and then Ss can share their ideas easily. If necessary, T can
edit or even delete inappropriate messages.
3. It provides opportunities for Ss to do cooperative learning.
They can use their wall to work with others (e.g. group
members) to attain a shared goal.
How can Wallwisher be used in / outside class?
1. After Russell introduced this amazing tool, the first thing I
thought of was that T could definitely use it for brainstorming.
Similar to TodaysMeet, however, Wallwisher presents the
results in the form of 'pictures' instead of 'flows', which means
T and Ss can get the whole ideas more easily without reversing
from bottom to top repeatedly.
2. Besides brainstorming, T can also use Wallwisher for other
warm-up activities. For example, if the topic of the lesson is
'sports', then T can paste some pictures or even videos about
sports to give Ss a general idea. It is more interesting than
traditional warm-up activities.
3. After going through an article, T can ask Ss to discuss some
related questions, and then post their ideas on the wall. Or T
can ask Ss to write down some feedback or reflection on it.
According to my previous teaching experience, it was
extremely difficult (almost impossible) for T to engage all the
Ss in discussion, do reflection and give feedback in class due
to time limitation. With Wallwisher, classroom discussion,
reflection and feedback can be done more effectively and
efficiently.
4. After class, T can also make good use of this wall to
supplement his / her teaching. For example, T can put some
useful web links or resources related to today's lesson on the
wall and send the link to all the Ss for references. Above all,
the wall will last forever, which means Ss can review or make
most use of the materials on the wall again and again
afterwards.
What limitations are there?
1. It is necessary and ideal for each S to have a computer and the
Internet to use this tool. However, in my context, sometimes it
is hard for T to book a computer classroom due to time
conflict. (Nearly 50 classes share 3 computer classrooms.)
2. It is more difficult to use Wallwisher in large class. Too much
information appearing on the screen at the same time may
become an interference. So it is better for Ss to use this tool in
pairs / groups.
3. Because every participant has the right to edit or delete
information on the wall, it is possible that some Ss may delete
others' messages accidentally. What's worse, naughty Ss may
leave improper words or sentences on the wall or even abuse
classmates online, resulting in 'cyber bullying'. Thus, T must be
careful and had better monitor Ss' walls regularly.
