Wallwisher - A Wall With Lots Of Possibilities

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.

Jing - An Unbelievable Screencast Tool

What is Jing? What does Jing do?

Jing is an unbelievable screencasting tool which can be used to record everything happening on your screen. By registering for free, you are able to get 2GB storage. After finishing the video, you can store, download, or share it online.

How to use Jing?

    1. Link to www.techsmith.com/jing.html, download Jing, and 

        sign up.

    2. Then Jing will appear on the top of screen. Click 

        "Capture" to decide which area on the screen will be      

        recorded.

    3. Click "Capture a video" and starting to record.

    4. After finishing, you are able to save the video or share online. 

        Click "Share via Screencast.com" to upload the video, and 

        then Jing will send back a link of your video. 

The following link is a self-made Jing video about giving feedback to Ss. (The author of the article is my previous student, who is now an eight grader. She sent me her article, and it only took me less than ten minutes to give her feedback. Amazing, isn't it?)

http://screencast.com/t/gEcsiF2sD

Why is Jing Revelant to language teaching?

    1. It provides a good way for Ts to give detailed and personal 

        feedback on writing. Reflecting my previous experience, I 

        used to correct Ss' works or give feedback only by writing, and 

        sometimes I only provided something very general. By using 

        Jing, Ts can give both visual and audio feedback, and Ss can 

        understand T's suggestions more clearly. Besides, using Jing to 

        give Ss feedback is helpful for protecting Ss' 'face'. They can 

        watch feedback privately instead of being corrected in public. 

        Moreover, Jing video will be stored for a long time, which 

        means Ss can watch their feedback again and again.

    2. Ss can use Jing to do presentation. It will make the preparation 

        work more interesting, and it is also helpful to promote Ss' 

        motivation.

    3. It's extremely easy to use. There are more possibilities in Jing 

        than in paperwork.

How can Jing be used in / outside class?

    1. T can give feedback on Ss' writing by using Jing. During the 

        process, it is not necessary for T to correct all the errors for 

        Ss. Instead, T can just mark the error and ask Ss to think about 

        it then revise a new version.

    2. Ask Ss to do presentations (individual or group) or storytelling. 

        The presentations or storytelling will become more attractive 

        with both visual and audio effects.

    3. After doing some activities in class, T can provide an overall 

        feedback to all the Ss by sending each S the link.

    4. Ts can implement Jing in different teaching activities. For 

        example, explaining grammatical concepts, introducing 

        new vocabulary, providing supplementary or distant teaching.

What limitations are there?

    1. The maximum of video is only five minutes. Sometimes the 

        time limitation is not enough for Ts to give all the feedback at 

        a time.

    2. It requires users' speaking ability. Also, there is no way return 

        after pressing "record". So if the user makes mistakes all the 

        time, it will take a long time to finish a video.  

    3. It is time-consuming for Ts to give each S feedback by using 

        Jing. Take myself for example, I can finish checking a short 

        article in five minutes; however, the whole process of using 

        Jing may take me more than ten minutes. This factor may 

        result in Ts' unwillingness to use it.

My Brainshark - A Fantastic Way For Presentation

What is My Brainshark? What does My Brainshark do?

My Brainshark is a simple, fast, and free web-based tool which enables users to combine videos, photos, documents, or PowerPoint slides with voice for presentations that can be viewed online any time.

How to use My Brainshark?

    1. Go to www.brainshark.com and register for your free My 

        Brainshark account.

    2. After logging in, click "upload content" to upload for example, 
        PowerPoint files. You are also able to add some information 
        such as title, description, categories, and tags.

    3. Click the microphone to record your voice. Then you can 
        make the recording for each slide.

    4. Click "End Recording Session" and then everything is done. 
        You can preview immediately, get the link, embed in your 
        blog, or even share it on Youtube.

The following is a self-made presentation about my hometown. Enjoy it!

Why is My Brainshark relevant to language teaching?

    1. It's a great tool for Ss to practice speaking, from pronunciation 

        to presentation. Moreover, in order to protect their 'face', most 

        Ss will practice a lot in advance for better recordings.

    2. It increases Ss' learning opportunities. For example, in my 

        context, I have to be responsible for large class. Thus, I hardly 

        have time to help Ss with their speaking. Also, some Ss are too 

        shy to speak in public. By using My Brainshark, each S can 

        practice as many times as possible after school until they are 

        satisfied. 

    3. Ts can use My Brainshark in / outside class, even for distant 

        teaching. If Ts only have limited time, then he / she can do  

        supplementary teaching by using My Brainshark and embed it 

        in blog for Ss to watch. It really breaks the limitation of time 

        and space, and makes teaching more flexible.

How can My Brainshark be used in / outside class?

    1. T can use My Brainshark to design warm-up activities. For 

        instance, introducing the main topic today, asking pre-reading 

        questions, and so on. 

    2. T can select one or more topics for Ss to make a presentation. 

        However, it is necessary to make regulations of time limit 

        based on Ss' abilities. Storytelling is another amazing activity 

        which matches well with My Brainshark. They do not need to 

        spend a lot of time making PowerPoint slides. Instead, they 

        can present their stories with only a few pictures. 

    3. My Brainshark can be used not only for individual 

        presentations but also team / group presentations. When 

        preparing team / group presentations, Ss can improve their 

        English as well as the abilities to cooperate / collaborate with 

        peers.

    4. T can provide supplementary teaching to overcome the lack of 

        time. Also, T can provide distant teaching when necessary. 

        (e.g. The school is closed due to weather condition.)

What limitations are there?

    1. The maximum of recording is 15 minutes. It may not be 
        enough for advanced learners to give a presentation.
    2. The video is not downloadable and can only be played online.
        This will be a problem if there is no sufficient computer / 
        Internet equipment at Ss' homes.
    3. It is a bit time-consuming for Ss to go through the whole 
        processes (selecting the topic→making PowerPoint 
        slides→thinking about oral presentation→doing technical 
        work). Some Ss may give up or choose to be perfunctory.
    4. T may spend much more time checking Ss' works. It will be 
        even more time-consuming for T to give individual feedback. 
        This disadvantage may result in T's unwillingness to use this 
        tool.

TodaysMeet - A Free Online Chatroom

What is TodaysMeet? / What does TodaysMeet do?

TodaysMeet is a free instant online chatroom which can be used for interaction. Users can create and enjoy chatrooms immediately without registering in advance. It is a very convenient tool for Ts to use for interaction with Ss. 

How to use TodaysMeet?

For Ts

1. Link to www.todaysmeet.com
2. Name your room (e.g. Class305), check its availability, and then copy the web address (e.g. todaysmeet.com/Class305)
3. Decide how long you want the chatroom to last (from 2 hours to a month)
4. Press "Create your Room" and tell Ss the web address.

For Ss

1. Link to the right web address (e.g. todaysmeet.com/Class305)
2. Enter your name then press "Join" to enjoy chatting

Here's a demonstration video about how to use TodaysMeet.

Why is TodaysMeet revelant to language learning?

1. It creates more chances for T and Ss to have more instant interaction, especially for large classes. Moreover, the interaction is not only between T and a single S but also among the other Ss.
2. It provides a relatively-friendly and attractive learning environment. For most Ss, learning online is interesting, and it may promote Ss' language learning motivation. For 'shy' Ss who are not willing to speak in class, they can also express opinions by using TodaysMeet. For Ts, it is easier for them to collect Ss' feedback.
3. It dismisses the limitation of time and space. Learning can last after class and it can happen in various places. For example, Ts can implement TodaysMeet to 'distance instruction'.
4. It is extremely simple to use and totally free. For most Ts, simplicity and cost-effectiveness are two significant factors when deciding whether to use technology in class. After discussing, T can easily print the whole transcription for further use.

How can TodaysMeet be used in / outside class?

1. For warm up activities, T can do 'brainstorming' by using TodaysMeet. T can see Ss' thoughts clearly and immediately, and everyone can also bring up comments on one another's ideas.
2. Through typing, it is also useful for Ss to review spelling. Also, Ss can practice making sentences, or even they can take turns to make stories (cooperative writing).
3. Ss can do reflective writing or give T feedback at the end of class. Using TodaysMeet is helpful for Ts to collect these data in an easy way.
4. Ss can organize group discussions after school. If necessary, T can also participate in their discussion to give suggestions.

What limitations are there?

1. Passive Ss may keep silent and have little involvement; it is also possible that they choose to ignore some of the information.
2. It is inevitable that in large class, Ss' response would disappear soon on the screen because the flow is too fast.
3. Naughty Ss may easily type something improper in chatroom if T does not manage the class well.
4. Though it is free, it still requires computer equipment and Internet access for every participant.