Using blogs-why?

What are the advantages of using blogs in the classroom?

They provide a real-world tool for learners with which to practise their written English, as well as a way of contacting learners from other parts of the world if the blog is used as part of an international exchange. Even if a student or class blog is not shared with learners in other parts of the world, a blog is publicly available on the Internet, although only invited members can be given permission to add comments. This is an appealing way of bringing the outside into the classroom. Using blogs leads to endless activities to do with students.

"It takes the form of a personalized web page where the owner can post messages at intervals. Many blogs are personal diaries, ranging in length from brief notes to extended essays; many are on topics of general interest or concern, such as a hobby or political issue. Some blogs are monologues; some have shared authorship; some are interactive" (Cristal, 2006: 15)

The purpose of this blog is to share different activities that can be done with students (at their different levels) using the web 2.0. It is true that a wiki can also perform the functions aforementioned, but with young learners blogs are easier to control and user-friendly.

GOANIMATE SAMPLE

GoAnimate

1

GoAnimate minimizes difficulty, hassle and expense for making videos. It enables anyone and everyone to create videos quickly and easily, and then share them with the world. You can literally sit down at your computer and produce a short video from scratch - within minutes - without having to draw or operate a camera.

How to use this tool:

You need to sign up (there is a free account and a premium version with some extra features). One you log in, you go to "make a video" and choose your characters, background, text and then the voice for your characters. Done!

1) 2)

3) 4)

5) 6)

7) 8)

Below you can watch a sample video:

LOOKING FOR A PRESENT by vrodriguezsaracho on GoAnimate

EDUGLOGSTER SAMPLE

THIS TOOL IS USEFUL FOR TOPIC-BASED PROJECTS

A Glog is created using a very easy to understand, drag and drop interface that is relevant, enjoyable, and scalable for students of all ages and learning styles. A Glog is an interactive visual platform in which users create a “poster or web page” containing multimedia elements including: text, audio, video, images, graphics, drawings, and data. If you decide to upgrade your account to a premium one, you will be able to create profiles for your students so that they don't need to use an email address in order to register.

2

How to use glogs:

After you sing up, you need to select the background for your poster, then you upload the files you want to include in the gallery, and finally after editing you click "save and publish". Your edu-glog will be available to share and view as an interactive poster.

1) 2)

3) 4)

5) 6)

7)

DVOLVER SAMPLE

WHAT'S DVOLVER?

It's a funny way to make animated movies to send to friends.

How to use it:

It's quite simple: you just click on "make a movie" and follow the steps to select the background, characters the type of interaction, the lines (which will appear as comic strip dialogues, in written form) and the music. Beware of clicking on the moose; otherwise it will lead you to the advisory board in Facebook.

3

2)

3) 4)

5) 6)

7) 8)

TOONDOO SAMPLE

WHAT'S TOONDOO?

It's an easy to use comic strip maker, with plenty of choices for characters and background.

How to use it:

It is quite simple because it functions as an image and text editor; once you sing up you choose the elements you need for your comic, then you can save it into your account and/or publish it. Done!

4

By viviRS | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

1) 2)

3) 4)

5) 6)

5

7) 8)

9)

ACTIVITY USING TOONDOO

HOLIDAYS

LEVEL: Intermediate

SKILLS: Writing

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Ss will be asked to describe an adventure/anecdote from past holidays. They will have to use all the vocabulary learnt about holidays. They will also recycle the simple past tense. The T will evaluate the accuracy of the written comic, the vocabulary and the use of a variety of structures/set expressions learnt during the year. The mastery of the tool will also be evaluated.

INSTRUCTIONS: Stds will be asked to think of past holidays/places they have visited and then write sentences describing them. They will also have to summarize their stories in at least 3 frames.

1) go to ToonDoo2) sign up with your email account3) log in and click on "toondoo maker"4) start selecting the items for each frame5) once you've finish: click on "save" (you may publish it or not)6) print it/ email it to me.

ACTIVITY USING DVOLVER

MY FAIRY TALE

LEVEL: Elementary

SKILLS: Writing

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Stds will be asked to write sentences describing their created characters using all the fairy tale vocabulary learnt in previous classes. They will also have to use the structure learnt: “I'm/you're + adj” to describe their characters. The T will evaluate the

6

correct use of structures and the vocabulary. The mastery of the tool will also be evaluated.

INSTRUCTIONS: Stds will be asked to create a mini fairy tale and then write sentences describing it. They will also have to give it a name and set at least 2 scenes

1) go to Dvolver2) log in and click on "movie maker"3) start selecting the items for each scene4) once you've finish: click on "go to movie"5) copy the url and email it to me.

ACTIVITY USING EDUGLOGSTER

MY FAVOURITE FAMOUS PERSON

LEVEL: Elementary

SKILLS: Writing/reading/speaking

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Stds will be asked to write sentences describing their famous character using all vocabulary on personal information learnt in previous classes. They will also have to use the structure learnt: “He/She can...” in their descriptions. The T will evaluate the correct use of structures and the vocabulary. The mastery of the tool will also be evaluated.

INSTRUCTIONS: Stds will be asked to select a favourite person/character and then write sentences describing him/her. They will also have to include images and audio (recorded descriptions), and video optionally.

1) go to EduGlogster2) sign up with your email account3) log in and click on "create new glog"4) start selecting the items for each feature of your description (upload images and audio, copy links to videos)5) once you've finish: click on "save" (you may publish it or not)6) email it to me.

ACTIVITY USING GOANIMATE

A BIRTHDAY PARTY

LEVEL: Intermediate

SKILLS: Writing/speaking

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Ss will be asked to make a video about the party they are going to organize. They will be able to either record their voices or key in the texts. They will have to use all the vocabulary learnt about birthdays. The T will evaluate the accuracy of the spoken dialogues, the vocabulary and the use of a variety of structures learnt during the year. The mastery of the tool will also be evaluated.

7

INSTRUCTIONS: Stds will be asked to select the characters and then write dialogues describing their plans for the party. They will, optionally, record themselves saying the dialogues to add to the video.

1) go to GoAnimate2) sing up with your email account3) log in and click on "create video"4) select the characters and key in/record the dialogues5) email it to me

8