Wallwisher

Wallwisher is an online ‘wall’ where users will be able to write and share their thoughts and comments. This website is similar to the analogy of notice board and stick-notes, where users will write their thoughts and comments on stick-notes and stick it on the virtual notice board (the ‘wall’). The comments will then be shared among the participants of the discussion.

Before users can start sticking their notes, the ‘wall’ has to be created by a host. Then, users who wish to participate in the discussion must enter the virtual ‘wall’, write their names on their stick-notes, and they are now ready to stick their thoughts on the notice board.

The ‘wall’ can then be embedded to users’ web pages and blogs. Users can also share the link of the ‘wall’ by copying and pasting its URL on their websites or blogs, so that their page visitors can open and join the ‘wall’ as well.

What I like about Wallwisher?

• It makes sharing better and broader by allowing users to insert images, music, videos, and webpage onto their stick-notes. Comments and discussions are no longer limited only by words.
• The fact that it is free and share-able makes Wallwisher as one of the best tool in brainstorming and discussion. 

What might be the problems?

• The host does not have the power to control users’ comment until it is shared on the wall. It might result in improper use such as students posting ridiculous answers or explicit comments. Therefore, teachers should make it compulsory for students to write their own names for supervision purpose.
• Depending on how active the discussion is, the ‘wall’ will be packed with stick-notes at some point which makes it look messy and un-organised.

For further information on how to use Wallwisher, a video guide can be found here.


If you like Wallwisher, I would recommend that you have look at TodaysMeet.

PIMPAMPUM - Bookr!

Bookr is a website developed by a website called PimPamPum.  It serves as a site for users to produce their own photo books from selections of photos available. These photos are taken from Flickr; a website that hosts thousands of pictures uploaded by people around the world. Users will also be able to write about each picture in the text box provided.

In addition, users are given the options of emailing the photo book that they have produced or embedding the photo book onto their site and blogs.

How Bookr will be useful in ELT?

• What is best about Bookr is the fact that it is a free source. No payment is needed in order for teachers and students to use it. Plus, every photos used is linked to Flickr and not taken physically. This saves users from violating the copyrights.  
• Applying the concept of using pictures as teaching aids, Bookr saves teachers' time and effort of preparing actual pictures to be used in lessons. 

However, bear in mind that:

• Bookr is merely a tool where students produce compilation of photos. It does not encourage students to use the target language. Thus, it is crucial for teachers to come out with ideas on how to integrate the use of target language with Bookr.
• The photo book produced is not printable. Therefore, computers are needed in order for students to produce their final product. 

For more info on how to use Bookr, visit here.

Websites with similar concept: Bubblr!

Lyrics Training

Lyrics Training is a website that transforms music videos into useful ELT tools. On this website, users (either teachers or students) will be able to listen and watch their favourite music videos from a range of music videos provided. Each music video is included with its lyric, and certain words in the lyric will be left blank. While the music video is being played, students will be given time to fill in the blanks.

What I like about Lyric Training?)

• Songs and music videos are part of teenagers’ life. Therefore, the use of songs and music videos in ELT will make lessons more interesting and help teachers to grab students’ attention. 
• This activity covers all four language skills which are reading (students read the lyrics), writing and spelling (students fill in the blank), listening (students listen carefully for missing words), and speaking (karaoke version are also available for students to sing along).
• Activities are divided into three different levels which are beginner (10% missing words), intermediate (25% missing words), and experts (100% missing words). Hints are also provided if students are unable to get the correct answer. 
• Students can upload their score each time they completed an activity. This will promote the sense of healthy competition where students will try their best to beat the top score, and therefore improve themselves.

In addition, I will put these points into consideration before using Lyrics Training in my lesson:

• In order to play the music videos, stable internet connection is needed. This might be an issue in certain countries. 
•  Some music videos are inappropriate for young learners as it contains explicit images and languages.
• It is usual for songs to use ungrammatical structure such as ‘wanna’ and ‘gonna’, as well as incomplete sentences. This might caused confusion students thus leads towards fossilisation of incorrect grammar.

For more info on Lyrics Training, click here.

DVOLVER

Dvolver is a website that provide easy and simple way of making flash videos. Users are given a selection of background pictures, music, scenarios, and characters to choose from that they think suitable for their video. Once the storyline has been set, they will have to create the dialogue for the characters, click on the ‘finish’ button and the flash video will be generated for them. The video then can be sent to an email account or embedded to any virtual spaces like blogs or websites.

Here is an example of a video made using Dvolver:

What I like about Dvolver?

• It makes video-making process easy and accessible. Basic computer raining might be needed, but there is no need for users to have advance ICT skills. 
• The use of videos and animations in classroom makes teaching and learning fun and interesting, not only for young learners but for adult as well. 
• Constructing own dialogue gives learners an opportunity to attempt the target language as well as a production stage of what have been learned in class.    

However, I would put these points into consideration before using Dvolver as my teaching aid:

• Technology can be boring if used incorrectly.
• Learners might be diverted into ‘enjoying the technology’ rather than completing the task. 
• Some characters might be explicit and inappropriate for certain age and culture.
• As learners have to construct own dialogs for the characters, more attention and guidance should be given to beginner and intermediate learners as constructing sentences can be difficult for them.  
• Do learners have access to ICT facilities (computers, internet) either in classroom or at home?

For more info on how to use Dvolver, click here