The universe of learning

The universe of learning
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segunda-feira, 15 de novembro de 2010

Using showbeyond

This is another fantastic tool for presentation and for narration of stories. What is good about it is that you can upload up to 24 pictures , you can insert a text and audio to your presentation without the need to syncronize it.The tool I'm talking about is  showbeyond.   I prepared this activity for my Basic course. The topic is present perfect. I'll show the slides once and then I'll divide them in pairs. With the friend they will have to try to write as many questions as they remember. After this they will see the exercise in their books.





quinta-feira, 11 de novembro de 2010

Presentations with audio

The tool I explored this week is very good to present things. Actually I used two tools . I used slideshare to upload my powerpoint slides and then I used aviary to record my voice. I prepared this activity for my Upper level . The topic is comparison but I used the tools I mentioned to present the new vocabulary related to animals that is in the lesson.Firstly I'll  show the slidecast twice so that students will listen and try to memorize new vocabulary. Then I'll separate them in pairs  and I'll show the other sequence of slides without my voice. They will be supposed to write down the phrases describing each animal. Finally I'll repeat the slidecast for them to compare. The pair that gets more correct phrases will win sweets.  Animals that... Uia 5a
View more webinars from Andrea Menezes.








terça-feira, 2 de novembro de 2010

Working with recordings

The series of posts you'll see below is about recording yourself. There are many available options in the net for us to use.I decided to try one by one with all my levels.As this coming week I'll be dealing with revision for written tests , most of them I prepared to give students a chance to correct some exercises and one of them I'll give as a listening activity.They are not dificult to prepare and they offer a very good quality of sound.The one that I found easiest to use was vocaroo. I'll be using it twice. I'll present you the tools I used which were:
In this post I'll describe a project I'm planning to do using Vocaroo. I'm thinking to use it with my Pre- Intermediate group level 3. In their book there's a text they are supposed to read and later on mark some sentences true or false.My plan is I recorded  myself reading the first paragraph and I'll post it in another blog I created . I'll ask some volunteers to record the other paragraphs of the text  at home and send me via e-mail. Later I'll post all in this blog. Whenever I receive all the text recorded I'll  play the recordings to all class who will listen and then mark some sentences true or false.


segunda-feira, 1 de novembro de 2010

Recording - Using recordr.tv

The second tool I used  is recordr.tv. It's also a good tool and  what is good about this one is that it offers the possibility to record yourself using only the microphone or the webcam. I prepared this one to my Upper level. Now the topic is relative clauses. They will have to fill in a text using relative pronouns. I recorded the text with the answers so I'll be playing the text to give them a chance to correct it. 








sábado, 30 de outubro de 2010

Recordings - Using Aviary

The third  tool I used  is Aviary. What I liked most in this tool is the possibility of uploading intros in my recordings wherever I want. What I prepared this time was a recording to check a grammar topic which is the superlative. This I will give to my Basic level 3. They will have to  fill in the questions from a quiz using the superlative. After doing the activity I'll play the recording so that they will have a chance to check. After that they will have to ask the questions to a partner who will have to choose one from three given alternatives.




Recordings - Using audioboo

This fourth  tool I tested is  called  audioboo.  I thought of using this tool to record one text  that is actually a pre- writing task. I'll be giving this one to my Pre-intermediate group level 3. There's an article in their books which they are supposed to fill in with some given words.After doing the exercise I'll play the recording for them to check,since it was not recorded in the book.I'll use it to correct the exercise in a different way.



Listen!

Recordings - Using audiopal

Now I'll be talking about  the fifth  recording tool called audiopal. It's another easy tool to use. What is good about this one is that it offers  the possibility to record  your messsage using the telephone, microphone , you can upload audio files and you can also write a text.  What I didn't like about this  is  that as you don't need to sign in you don't have your recording saved in one page. This time I prepared a recording for my Upper level. In their books they are supposed  to read one paragraph introducing the topic Urban legends. Then I had the idea to record it and transform it into a listening activity. There will be one question per pair and to answer the questions they'll have to listen to my recording.



sexta-feira, 29 de outubro de 2010

Recordings - Using Vocaroo

Again I recorded myself using this tool called vocaroo. I liked this one because it's very easy for students to use at home. I prepared this for my UIB group  Unit 10A. The topic is causatives ( have/get something done). As they are supposed to fill in a text with causative expressions I had the idea to record the text. After doing the exercise  I'll play the recording to give students a chance to correct it in a different way.



terça-feira, 26 de outubro de 2010

working with tutorials.

 The two posts  you'll see are about tutorials. The tools to record tutorials are not only good to help people to use specific sites in the net , as you'll see in the post below,  but also for us teachers to show our correction on students's pieces of writing as I'll be showing you in this post.
This was an attempt I did using screenr. It was a suggestion of a workmate then I decided to try on. As I received a piece of writing from a student via e-mail I decided to use a tutorial to show her my corrections on her writing piece. There are some options of tools such as  (  screentoaster   and jing   ) . They are very good ones as well but due to  the fact that I couldn't manage to publish my recordings using the ones I've just mentioned I decided to use screenr. If you want to use a webcam while showing the movements of the screen the only option is screentoaster.



domingo, 24 de outubro de 2010

Working tutorials

The first time I saw this tool  I couldn't believe my eyes. I was having problems to use a specific site and then I received the explanation via tutorial. My reaction was: wow, How can it be done? As a student I felt very comfortable because I could see the movements of the mouse and I could pause to do the same at the same time as if I had a person next to me teaching me to use it. I'm talking about  screenr . Last semester I started using Edmodo with my students. I was a little resistant before but after some time I decided to try it. Then I had the idea to prepare a tutorial to help my students to use it.I tried to use simple language so that they could follow the steps. You should give it a try. You'll be surprised with the result of it.



sábado, 23 de outubro de 2010

Video Creations

As I was experimenting video creation  tools, I decided to use  two of them with the same pictures for different purposes. The post you see below I used one of them called animoto. The second one I used  the tool called Jaycut to prepare the video with pictures. Both tools I 'll use to revise items of vocabulary.
Let me talk about this post. As my students from Pre- intermediate  need some help to memorize phrasal verbs I decided to use this tool with the same pictures to give them a chance to memorize them.In the first post ( below ) I'll use  the tool as a game. In this post I'll use the tool as a quiz but in pairs. Students will see the pictures and choose 10 of them. After writing the list of  10 phrasal verbs  they will be asked to build up phrases with them.They will be given extra points for that activity.


http://jaycut.com/content/23-october-2010-628










sexta-feira, 22 de outubro de 2010

Video creations

This is a very good tool to present vocabulary or revise it. I thought  to use this tool called animoto, to revise vocabulary. I prepared it for my pre-inter group. As the topic is phrasal verbs I decided to use this tool which is very useful and easy to use. I will devide class in 2 groups. I'll show the pictures and students will be supposed to write down the phrasal verbs that are associated with the picturesTthe group that has more correct ones will be the winner group.


quinta-feira, 21 de outubro de 2010

Sing a song project

It's so good when you have groups that like trying things on. This morning my students  decided to record themselves singing a song from their books. This was suggested by a junior group  I have.Last class it was decided that each one would bring a piece of clothing  to use during  the recording.We had a lot of fun while rehearsing it. I hope you like it. There's also the link in case you can't see it via the poster.

http://andreaborges.glogster.com/Glog-4813/


domingo, 17 de outubro de 2010

Presentation tool

This is another presentation tool I found  in Nik's list of posts.It's called 280slides and it's very easy to work with. I recommend it whenever you need to present something. Well, to test it I prepared this sequence of slides  to be used in my children group.  I want to present the most commom animals since the topic we are learning is this. In the same sequence I prepared some without labels so that students will be asked to remember the names by saying them and in a following class they will be asked to write down the names of animals that they remember. There's the link below in case there's a problem with the presentation.

http://280slides.com/Viewer/?user=54732&name=animal%20slide&fullscreen 



sábado, 16 de outubro de 2010

Working with animations

This is an excellent tool for dialogue animations. I read about this tool in Ana Maria's e-book. It's very worth reading  because it brings a lot of interesting  and useful tools for teachers and for classroom situation. The tool I'm talking about now is  goanimate. It's very cute but  its creation demands some time. You have many options of characters ,background, music and even effects. Why don't you try and create yours?
This is the second time I use it. This time I prepared this cartoon for my Pre- Intermediate group. In their books there's a listening exercise without the tapescript.Then I had the idea to use this tool so students will have a chance to see the tapescript in a different way. First they will listen to the dialogue. at the second time I'll show the cartoon .They 'll listen , read and try to do the exercise which is answer some questions about it.

http://goanimate.com/go/movie/0kb6pvbNm8ZU?utm_source=emailshare&uid=01_TNU6tdCZw




GoAnimate.com: Are you a morning person? by andreaborges


Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

sexta-feira, 15 de outubro de 2010

Wall communication

I was checking our communication site  and I came across this other option to work with walls. I've already used wallwisher  but I believe this one ( stixy ) offers more options and more space for students to come and participate. It can be used in various ways depending on the group and the teacher's creativity. Just to try on and see if it works I prepared this wall to use with my Upper level. The grammar topic is 2nd conditional. I will ask  them to come to the wall and tell me what they would do in the 3 situations suggested on the wall. I'll ask them to do at home but if they don't I'll give it in class.


http://www.stixy.com/guest/86755 

Working with video quiz

This is another  wonderful tool to work with videos. It was taken from Ana's e-book. The tool I'm talking about is Eslvideo. Last class I showed a scene of a film to my Pre-intermediate group as I found the video in youtube I had the idea to prepare this quiz as a follow up activity.They will have the chance to watch it again and then do the quiz.



Working with videos

As I love working with videos I selected this tool  after exploring Nik Peachey's blog. The tool I'm talking about is called safeshare.tv . This is a very good tool to work with part of youtube videos. I found this animation video very cute so I'll use it with my B3 group to practise future predictions. They will watch the video and make predictions about the boy's next idea.



Then students will watch the second part and check their predictions.

sexta-feira, 8 de outubro de 2010

Role-playing

I'll show you now a project I did with a Junior group. Actually they are very motivated  and they like trying new things. After many rehearsals We finally could record this video. Firstly they were told the story, we worked with conprehension of it. Then students repeated the phrases many times and at the end we decided to record themselves. The tool I used is one of the best for this kind of project. It's very colorful and safe. I'm talking about  gloster  and  you can find how to use this tool in this book.
http://andreaborges.glogster.com/Glog-1775/ 

quinta-feira, 7 de outubro de 2010

A good tool for brainstorming

Eliciting  knowledge from students is something very good and useful. But this time I'll experiment this tool for revising. The tool I'm talking about is called  mind42. I selected it after reading David Kapuler's e-book. I found it easy to prepare and it offers the possibility to work with pictures and words. I prepared this word web  for my Basic 3 group. The topic is verb collocation. I'm planning to show it in the beginning  of the class after  having worked with all the collocations . I'll click on the minus sign of each verb to hide the complemets, a little before students arrive. Then students will be asked to complete the web with the appropriate complement. The one who manages to fill it with more correct complements will get a sweet.


Verb collocations

terça-feira, 5 de outubro de 2010

Working with writing

I'm going to talk about a very good tool I learnt last semester In Edtech course by Ana Maria Menezes. It's called Bookr. This time I'll share something I did with students. Firstly I showed students in class how it works. It was a Junior group (1st semester). I wanted them to describe an animal  (topic : description).After demonstrating I went to the lab with them and each one was supposed to write their description using this tool. It's a very colorful tool and simple to use, even children could do it. What they liked mostly was searching for photos, they had a lot of fun. I selected one of them to show and the others you can see by clicking the links below. They were really cute.
It's not only useful for teachers and students , you can use it to send to people as gifts or birthday occasions.





<a target='bookr' href='http://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/?id=15348'>My Rabbit by Gabriel</a>

<a target='bookr' href='http://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/?id=15351'>O cat by Renata Ladico</a>

<a target='bookr' href='http://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/?id=15349'>It's a dog by Yasmim de Assis Farah</a>

sábado, 2 de outubro de 2010

Used to using voicethread

This is one of my favourite tools . It's very rich and it offers us 4 possibilities to participate.The only problem is that we can do only three of them for free. I'm talking about voicethread  another wonderful tool I learned in Edtech course.
I prepared this one for my pre-intermediate group to practise used to. I uploaded some photos of my daughter from different ages . Then I told  students what she used to do at the time. My intention is to ask them to tell me what they used to do using the device they want. (microphone, webcam or typewriter )I hope I have a lot of participations.
Why don't you take part in it?



Working with games

Since I love working with games to revise structure and vocabulary I decided to talk about 2 game tools I learnt  in Edtech course I did Last May/2010( by Ana Maria Menezes) such tools I used quite often last semester. The first I'll talk about is what2learn . It's very simple to prepare and it offers many possibilities of game templates. I prepared this to my basic 3 group to revise vocabulary of 3 units.This time I'll talk about something I did with students. I posted the game in  Edmodo and after giving all the units I used the beginning of the class for them to play. It was possible to play it in class because we use an interactive board so everybody could take part. I queued them and one by one played the game. I gave sweets for the ones that got correct answers.



Play this game on the what2learn site

Working with games

This is the second game tool I learnt in   Edtech course that I 'll talk about. The other one I chose is  classtools.This tool is also very cool to revise structure and vocabulary and it's kind of simple to use.You can choose the topic you want. I used these 2 tools I mentioned quite often last semester and students had fun with them.  I prepared this game for my Upper level group  to revise vocabulary.I chose Arcade game generator- wordshoot to play . (I used it for some of the units because their book brings definitions of vocabulary so I just tranferred to the game template.) Again I'll use Edmodo and interactive board. After giving the vocabulary and after practising for some time I'll use the game in the second class to revise it. I'll  divide class in two groups. They will be able to choose a leader or if everybody wants to take part I'll ask them to form 2 queues facing the board. The winner will get some sweets.



Working with a little of writing

I was exploring  cool tools and then I noticed that many of the tools suggested there are familiar to me . I was first exposed to them when I took the course Edtech last May/2010 ministered by Ana Maria Menezes. After observing this agreeable coincidence I decided to post some of the tools I learnt.
To work with a little of writing I selected wallwisher. I prepared this for my Upper intermediate group. The topic is regrets. I'll show the wall in class and teach them how it works . I'll use Edmodo.  Then  one by one  will be asked to come to the keyboard and type their phrase. It's simple and fast . Can be done in class (I'll use the interactive board ) or using their PCs at home.


sexta-feira, 1 de outubro de 2010

Talking about routines using Voki.

I loved this tool and I would recommend teachers to use it with children groups.We have the option to send messages using telephone, microphone or write our message. If you're not a teacher Why don't you try it to surprise a friend or boy/girfriend since you can send your message tothe person's e-mail?
I'm planning to use it with my junior group. I love testing tools with this group because they like using the net.I've prepared a voki talking about my routine. and I also prepared a tutorial  using a new tool to help them.( called Jing ) I'll post my voki in Edmodo. I'll ask them to see and tell me if they liked. I'll post the tutorial later and ask them to watch it and send me a voki talking about their routine.this will be their homework. My intention is to revise the topic we have just learned. I hope they can prepare their voki and have fun with it..
My tutorial

quarta-feira, 29 de setembro de 2010

Working with quizes

I love working with quizes that's why I loved this tool. We are given the option to choose ready quizzes or create our own. 
I believe we must revise structures that were given very often that's why I prepared this quiz to my Pre-intermediate group. I want them to remember the passive voice. I will post it in our communicative site ( Edmodo ) and I will ask them to do the quiz at home . I'll give them  a week to do it. After doing it they will be asked to leave me a message in edmodo saying if they liked or not. I took this idea after exploring wiki tools.  I chose the topic quiz and polls and the tool is my studiyo


terça-feira, 28 de setembro de 2010

A Junior project using photos




This is another very good tool to work with photos or videos. It's good for classrooms to revise things and it's good for anyone that likes to send photos to friends.The site offers 1 min free. Why don't you try?

 I'll share an experience of mine using this tool. It happened this morning with my Junior group.They are in the second semester. Since it was a revision day I took my camera with me and decided to try this tool. Some time before the class started I wrote verbs related to routine on the board. I used the ones they have just learnt. After revising the structure I asked them to choose a verb and perform it then I would take photos to send to parents via e-mail. They got so excited that it was difficult for them to decide who would perform what.It was a different and exciting way to revise vocabulary and they had fun.
The idea was taken from David Kapuler's e- book and the tool I used is called Flixtime 

sábado, 25 de setembro de 2010

Working with Hunch.com a site of questions and answers.

I found it quite interesting while exploring Nik Peachey's blog. It's called  "Ask and Answer questions".  I think it's very suitable for upper levels. 
 What I'm planning is I'll post the link  of this site ( Hunch  ) in our communication site (Edmodo )  . Then I'll ask students to sign and answer the questions they find appropriate. They must go until the end to get the results. After this step they must tell me in edmodo if they agree with the suggestions of the site. They will be given suggestions on  which magazines and books to read  and finally  tv shows to watch.

sexta-feira, 24 de setembro de 2010

Working with eyejot a recording tool

If you are a teacher you should try this tool. It's very similar to tokbox. Since it's not available I was given this option. You can use it to record messages or give dictation to students. It offers students the possibility to respond by recording their voices.



I prepared this to my pre-intermediate group.The unit is about quantifiers (8B).I took this idea from their book ( New English file p. 91) Instead of reading the questionnaire and choosing the answers in their books I'll be offering this option. Students will practise listening and speaking or listening and writing. If they choose writing they will have to use (Edmodo.com) a site we've been using to communicate. I'll show them in class this activity posted in the site I've just mentioned then I'll ask them to answer to the questions at home. It'll be a homework activity and they'll be given some extra points for that.
Reference:
webtools applied to teaching e-book ( By Ana Maria Menezes)
www.tokbox.com
www.eyejot.com
www.edmodo.com

sexta-feira, 17 de setembro de 2010

My pdf document

I prepared this revision and as students didn't have the programme at home I decided to convert it to pdf so that they could study more at home.
Flipchart Reviews UIA

Posting a video

This is another version of this song that I appreciate. a student of mine showed it to me. I hope you like it.

My first powerpoint slides

Believe it or not but this was my first trial using powerpoint.I have to explore it much more.

Scroll messages. What about writing messages in movement? Using blog de César.

Isn't it a very good Tool? You have many possibilities in the blog. Try it out.

quinta-feira, 16 de setembro de 2010

colourful message



http://www.fontself.com/

segunda-feira, 13 de setembro de 2010

My playlist

I have selected some of my favourite songs. See if you have the same tastes for songs. Choose a song , listen to it and have fun.


MusicPlaylist
Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Working with recording tools for dictation or listening exercises ( recordr.tv.com)

I have tried out the three suggestions that you can see below. The one I liked most was recordr.tv.com because it offers us the possibility to use the webcam. The second I liked most was vocaroo.com because it has the embed code in it that´s why I found audiopal.com a little less practical because you have to get the embed code in your e-mail. Why don't you try one of them? They are really useful.


Working with recording tools ( audiopal.com)

Very good tool for recording texts and dictations. The bad thing about it is that you have to wait a little to get in your e-mail the embed code to post it where you want.

Using recording tools for dictations or listening exercises. ( vocaroo.com)

This is a very easy tool and also very fast. You can use it to record whatever you want and there's no time limit. The bad thing about it is that it doesn't offer you the option to use your webcam.

MY little pet using loogix.com

Gif animator. Brothel

http://www.loogix.com/

sexta-feira, 10 de setembro de 2010

A photo of me

ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

Just contemplate!!


Isn't this a breathtaking image? Spend some time observing it and have your relaxing moment.

Just a little about me

This is my first post for my new blog.
I'll start by talking a little about me. I'm an ESL teacher for almost 20 years. I started when I was still at university. I have taught using many methods but nothing compared to this new methodology which is filled with technology. I used to be very resistant concerning this aspect but after trying things out and doing a specific course on that I 'm feeling more comfortable with it. You should do the same. Let's learn together. I'll be posting things and I invite you to visit me  and share whatever you find useful and interesting for you.