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.

Dvolver - An incredible moviemaker

What is Dvolver? What does Dvolver do?

Dvolver is a free and convenient Internet tool that enables you to produce your movies. What you need to do is to select characters , backgrounds, scenarios, and add your own dialogues in the bubble. It is very easy to use and also a great choice for language teaching, especially for younger learners.

How to use Dvolver?

    1. Link to www.dvolver.com and click "make a movie."

    2. Select one of the backgrounds and sky images for your movie.

    3. Click “next” and then select a plot scenario.

    4. Click “next” and then select the characters you want.

    5. Click “next” and type the dialogue text for each character.

    6. Click "next" and select a background music.

    7. Click "next" and add another scene to repeat this process, or 
        you can continue to finish the movie after entering the title and    
        the author.

    8. Preview your movie and send it to others. You can also embed 
        the movie in a blog or website and share it with the world.

The following is a self-made movie. I adapted the dialogue from the textbook in my context (Taiwan), which is for nine graders.

Why is Devolver relevant to language teaching?

    1. It makes teaching more interesting. Compared with the 

        texbook picture above, the movie is more vivid and attractive   

        to Ss. The learning environment will also become much  

        friendlier. 

    2. It is free, simple and quick to use, but gives very professional 

        looking results which can be shared. Movies / animations are  

        great at showing Ss the chronological order of the dialogue as 

        they actually do exist in time. The convenience is also an 
        advantage for Ts to use it in language class.

    3. Ts can use this tool to design various language teaching 

        activities which will be described in the following part.

How can Devolver be used in / outside class?

    1. T can use Dvolver as warm-up activity or as a tool to teach 

        dialogue / conversation. For example, T can make a movie 

        about today's topic and have Ss to guess what it is. Like 

        riddle-guessing, Ss will pay more attention and involvement 

        to what they are learning.

    2. It is a good way for T to ask Ss to give group presentations 

        via Dvolver. Ss will learn how to choose and organize the 

        most important concepts together to make a movie.

    3. It promotes Ss' creative thinking. For example, T can ask Ss to 

        'create conversation' based on specific ideas such as a word, a 

        place, a festival, and so on. Besides, Ss can practice telling 

        English jokes by using Dvolver. If Ss have their own blogs, 

        they can also embed the movie in their blog.

    4. It is also possible to do storytelling with Dvolver. Ss who are 

        interested in cartoons, animations, and movies will have more 

        motivation in language learning.

What limitations are there?

    1. Limited technical support:

        (1) The maximum of each sentence is 100 letters, the 

              maximum of scenes is 'three', and the maximum of 'movie 

              title' is 20 letters. Sometimes they are not sufficient when

              using. 

        (2) When playing the movie, the flow is a bit too fast and there 

              is no 'pause button'. This will be a disadvantage for mixed-

              ability class, especially for low achievers.

        (3) No audio. Listening is a significant factor when learning a 

              language. However, Dvolver can only provide 

              background music during the process.

        (4) You can not edit the movie afterwards. What you can do is 

              to repeat the whole process again. Sometimes the inability 

              to edit is inconvenient and time-consuming.

    2. Ethical considerations:

        (1) Some of the characters dress improperly, which may result 

              in negative influence for younger learners.

        (2) It is possible for naughty Ss to put inappropriate words or 
              sentences into the conversation if T does not remind them
              in advance.

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.