Pod Cast, it's useful technology for English learning!

There are a diversity of technologies that contribute to ESL teachers and students for effective teaching and learning!

A Podcast is a digital medium that consists of an episodic series of audio, video, digital radio, PDF, or ePub files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed on-line to a computer or mobile device. The word is a neologism and portmanteau derived from "broadcast" and "pod" from the success of the iPod, as audio podcasts are often listened to on portable media players.mp3

    

 I think that English language podcasts are one of excellent ways to learn English efficiently. First of all, students can listen to them anytime anywhere they want! This allows them to save time and money, which is beneficial. Also, with a little dedication, English language podcasts will help learners quickly improve especially their listening skills and proficiency. Podcasts often provide transcripts so learners are able to listen and read at the same time, or look at the transcript if they miss or fail catching some part of the listening.

For example, there is an episode about having a picnic. By listening to the conversation between a man and a woman from the podcast, students will be asked to find the vocabulary related to picnic objects such as picnic blanket, sandwiches, basket, dishes and so on. I will check their answers and provide supplementary explanation some vocabulary and expressions that they might encounter the first time. As a pair activity, they will draw a picture to imaging the circumstance. After the activity, they will be asked to display their pictures and see other groups’ pictures to choose the best one. For the homework to assess their understanding, I will ask them to write the journey related to a picnic they had or they want in the future with using the vocabulary they have learned. I believe that this lesson will help students develop 4 skills effectively and they definitely enjoy learning English with this pod cast!

※ This episode of pod cast links is : Having a picnic by ESL Pod

※ Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast

                  https://www.commoncraft.com/video/podcasting

Twitter as an educational tool

It was a great opportunity to learn various technologies which might play a significant role in teaching including Twitter! Also by reading two articles, I have learn more details to use Twitter in quality. One of two articles I chose introduces the uses of the popular micro-blogging tool in the instructional setting.  Since that brief posting, the writer has come across a lot of articles containing examples and suggestions for using Twitter in instructional applications. While there’s still going to be some overlap in the concepts presented in these articles, they clearly meet the goal of providing a thorough set of ideas and examples for leveraging Twitter in the educational process. Also the writer provided “6 Examples” from last June’s post to review to learn more and plan your approach to using Twitter in (and out of) the classroom.

Another article is about a steady stream of educational Twitter use. It makes sense: Twitter is free, easy to use, and most high school students are already on it. The writer mentioned some examples of Twitter functions which might be effective and authentic: Hold Tweet Chats and Conversations, Elicit Peer Feedback in Real Time, Have Students Tweet in Character, Involve the Community, Follow News and Issues, and Encourage Group Work

I agree with two articles and Twitter is one of the most powerful mediation tool in our society and education as well. This is because that twitter is an excellent mediator for students to access learning with various ways available such as enhancing the classroom network and communication, instant feedback between a teacher and students, positive washback and so on. Thus, I strongly believe that Twitter is greatly helpful for teachers to develop their professional. 

※ Article:

Over 100 ideas for using Twitter in the Classroom

Teaching with Twitter

Twitterchat, How COOOOOL!

 It was an interesting and great opportunity to participate in Twitterchat! I have attended Breakfast 530 and we shared about "What are you doing to keep spirits up during testing with an increase in tension & anxiety?"

The Breakfast Club is not about 1 person or group of people, but about the power of the community. Each time a new participant joins the chat we become a stronger, more connected community and can provide each other even greater value as part of a dynamic PLN. Founded in July, 2014 by Scott Capro,  BFC’s goal is to ensure that every educator who has an interest is supported in building their PLN, and that everyone who joins our chat knows the power of sharing their voice. We believe through elevating these voices and joining together as a community education can become truly transformative. With the help of the phenomenal #BFC530 community, Jessica manages the behind-the-scenes work of setting up topics and moderators each week. She loves to support all educators, regardless of position, tech skill or comfort level so they can be empowered to take their practice to the next level through global discussions, reflections, and connections rooted in interests and edu-passions.

This enables me and teachers to share the ideas and get some ideas. And I think this can inspire teachers with various topics and apply to their lessons and curriculum design. So I would take a look other communities and might have a chance to participate in the chatting!

Let’s get involved in Social Networking!

Let’s get involved in Social Networking!

Let me introduce Classroom 2.0! 

This social network is great for people who are interested in social media and participative technologies in the classroom. I can participate in the great discussions here, to receive event notifications, and to find and connect with colleagues around the world. They provide various functions such as search engine, resources, and sharing information! 

Now visit the website! Click this -> CLASSROOM 2.0

Are you in Social Media?

Video clip -> SocialMedia Revolution 2011

I expected that a large number of people involved in social media such as Face book, Google, etc. However, according to this video, it is quite REVOLUTION!!! 


More than 90% of marketers use social media, which means many people are exposed to social media! Social media is powerful tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, pictures and videos in virtual communities and networks. Furthermore, social media depend on mobile and web-based technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content. They introduce substantial and pervasive changes to communication between businesses,organizations, communities, and individuals. 

For instance, looking back on my daily life, I always carry and pay  attention to an iphone in my hand, texting about my concerns or interests of everyday and sharing it with others. There are a bunch of apps I can enjoy and sometimes, I post dinner food on the plate in the nice restaurant. It seems to be that I cannot live without my electronic device. My opinion from this clip is that our life styles have been changing, so our education may reflect this major society issue!