Word Dynamo is the latest offering from Dictionary.com that allows you to test and expand your vocabulary through a range of fun games. Registering allows you to track your progress and it's also possible to create your own word lists for games and submit them to the public library.
Integration:
Create word lists for your own topics that learners can access in their own time for revision or learning before tackling a new topic.
Guide learners toward creating their own word lists for topics so they can have fully personalised games to improve their vocabulary.
Set up word lists and have a chart displayed in your room to track progress; a visual check may encourage learners to keep up with those ahead.
Qwiki is an award-winning knowledge portal which brings together media from all over the web to create a unique "information experience." The audiovisual nature of the search results makes it a particularly useful tool for those who have difficulties navigating large chunks of text. Summaries are read by a text-to-speech application or creator, so it enables users to employ their listening skills too - good for those developing their language skills. An iPad app is also available.
I just noticed a feature at the bottom of the Home page saying that it's now possible to create your own Qwiki, so this could be useful for giving learners a platform to publish findings from their own research or expertise.
Sidevibe is a useful tool which is now totally free making it eligible for a slot on this blog. It takes the idea of a shared notepad that floats on top of webpages and enhances it with the ability to add links, discussions, prompts and much more. Other tools might be alternatives to some of the features, but it negates the need to click between two media e.g. a webpage and a note-taking tool, thereby saving time and keeping the 'flow' of work going.
Having a test-run with it, I found out that it is not currently supported by Chrome or the latest version of Safari so you'll have to use another browser such as Firefox or Explorer when creating 'vibes.'
Here's an intro below which gives an overview, but really you need to go and experiment with it yourself, and perhaps explore the forums, before its potential applications become fully clear.
Integration: Sidevibe can be used for many activities; below are just a few:
turn any webpage into an online activity by providing questions or instructions to follow when visiting a specific URL;
collaboratively collate websites related to a topic;
prove discussion / thinking prompts for a webpage containing any type of media from print to video;
take notes on a research topic as learners move through various websites;
structure / plan / write an assignment with the criteria / rubric open on the page in front of them;
receive immediate feedback at the side of a presentation by using Sidevibe as a backchannel.
Since attending a Creativity workshop with Tim Rylands at ASB Unplugged 2012, I've been interested in using panoramas to inspire stepping outside of the classroom - at least in a a virtual sense.
The first of a few resources to help with this is Autostitch, the gallery of which is here. With Autostitch you simply input the pictures you've taken and it automatically detects the overlaps and stitches them together in one seamless panorama, which can be navigated with your mouse or keyboard to turn up to 360 degrees. Unfortunately, the demo software is only available for Windows at the moment, but you can still make use of those in the gallery.
CleVR also offers a free service for stitching pictures. The great thing about this site is that you can embed the results into websites, blogs and wikis when you're done. Again, no specialist equipment - other than a digital camera - is needed and the results can be impressive. What's more you can "add interactive hotspots to your panoramas. These let viewers
click areas in the panorama for more information. They can display
notes, photos or video. They can also be used to link panoramas together
into a full virtual tour."
Airpano offers 3D panoramas to move around and explore. I would have
embedded one but as soon as I tried, the audio played automatically. Check them one for yourself here.
Photosynth is yet another online platform for creating static and interactive panoramas that can be shared a number of ways including by embedding. There is a comprehensive public gallery available if you don't have the time or means to make your own.
Integration:
There's no substitute for the real thing, but if you can't take your class to a place of interest let it come to you via an interactive panorama; projected or displayed onto a whiteboard with the lights dimmed, learners can be transported to another place entirely - let their imaginations soar
As a prompt for creative writing, use one of the high res panoramas to zoom in on a smaller object of interest in the background; as you pan out ask learners to note the detail that is added before looking left, right, up and down to complete the picture and the subsequent writing
Learners can create their own panoramas to accompany projects on places or topics; add audio and text to create interactive webpages to engage audiences on almost any subject
If you're a bit of a techie - immerse learners in a fantasy world of their own creation; use the background panoramas for green-screen shooting
Sometimes it does take a bit of time for things to filter through, no matter how many times I read them on the numerous blogs I subscribe to. Backchanneling tools definitely come under this category. If it's news to you here's an overview from TodaysMeet:
What finally convinced me to sit up and take notice of this resource was witnessing its use in an inspiring lesson where learners were watching a film and using TodaysMeet to express their thoughts and ask and respond to queries. The teacher was following the stream and was able to feed in comments to alert them to important upcoming sections that they should pay particular attention to or things to listen/watch out for.
TodaysMeet was the tool of choice, and although there are alternatives (for example Twitter or Google Moderator could be used in a similar way) it's the very simple, no-signup, streamlined interface that lends its appeal. Furthermore, transcripts of the backchannel can be saved as a pdf for future reference.
Each new topic is assigned a unique url and the backchannel remains open for up to a year.
Simple Booklet offers a very straightforward way of publishing a range of formats from reports to newsletters, portfolios to presentations and more. What's worth blogging about is the incredibly clean-lined and intuitive interface. It may not have the whistles and bells of (for example) Prezi, but you can see how quick and easy it is to use without the distraction of lots of features.
Integration:
Learners can publish any written work (stories, explanations, presentations etc.) and then embed it anywhere they like from blogs to websites to wikis to social networks...
The published booklet is tablet-friendly so it can be accessed from laptops, PCs and 'pads' - even younger learners will be able to use the interface
"One of the hardest thing with using the iPad in the classroom is finding the time to go through all of the apps in the iTunes Store listed under the education banner. We have started to list some of the apps we've found under each of the Key Learning Areas."
Story Wheel is an app where storymaking becomes collaborative and fun. By spinning a virtual wheel a picture appears. When ready, press record to capture up to 30 seconds of the story's narration. Spinning the wheel again produces another picture which the next (or same) 'player' can use to carry on the narrative until the story is complete. Watch the video below for an overview. (You could use the idea for a paper-based activity following the same principle of picture prompts.)
My 5-year-old son loves this app and is delighted to send out his creations via the 'share' (via email) function on the iPad.
Integration:
Take the pressure off weak writers while still providing opportunities for them to create stories.
Use the recordings to guide learners in their writing; it will be easier for them to produce meaningful texts verbally before focusing on the technical aspects of writing.
Print off icons of the various story elements so learners have the opportunity to try before recording.
Use in foreign-language classrooms - no reason it has to be in English!
SlideShark is a free app that allows you to convert PowerPoint slideshows for viewing on the iPad. It maintains the animations and transitions so you get the full effect of the original slideshow. A great tool for teachers and learners who have used Windows in the past and are looking for an easy way to present their slideshows on the iPad.
