Storybird

Story bird is an online application that allows users to create a story. There are no limitation of pages for the story. You can write anything you like and how long do you want. Different sample of pictures are also given in order to incorporate interesting effect. To begin with, go to storybird website: http://storybird.com/accounts/login/.

• Create your account

• Once you have create your account, you are free to create any kind of stories that you want. You also can read stories that have been published by other people at 'read' tab on top of the page. There are thousands of storybirds that have been published in this website. 
• You are given the choices to read recent, active, or popular storybirds. See picture below:

To create a storybird:

• To create a storybird, click the create tab and you will be directed to the page that contains a number of story arts and themes. 
• Choose an artist or a theme, gets inspired, and start your storybird.

This application allows you to collaborate with you friend in creating a story, as long as your friend has his/her own storybird's account. In order to do this, click menu, and then click invite someone. Fill in the details in the box and then you are ready to invite your friend.

•  Publish your story and share it with your friends.

As a teacher, we can use this tool in order to develop students' writing skills. This application also exposes students to creative writing. So, why don't you try this with your students and make English lesson more interesting!

Today's meet

Today's meet is a website that allows users to connect with each other through text chatting. This online conversation is possible when one user creates a room and invites preferred audience into that room to give feedback, comments , or to discuss some issues. Steps below will present how 'today's meet' works:

Step 1: Go to today's meet website http://todaysmeet.com/. As the page below appears, create a room by:

• name your room : (for example: warwick)
• delete the room in: (for example: 2 hours)

Step 2: You can invite other people to join your room by giving them today's meet website followed by "/" and your room's name. Let's say the room's name is 'warwick', so the link that you should give to those who you would like to invite is: http://todaysmeet.com/warwick. Once they click at that link, a page below will appear: 

Write a name, click 'join' and the audience will be directed to:

As soon as you join the room, you will be able to join the discussion. From there, you can also view other's comments.

Bubblr

Have you ever heard about bubblr?

Bubblr is a tool to create comic strips using photos from flickr. To start with, go to bubblr website http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/ and begin your work by searching any photo from flickr. There would be thousands of photos from flickr,just type your search in 'tag' box on the upper left of the bubblr page and select any photo that you like.

It's up to you to choose any topic for your strip. It could be about food, places, history, cartoons and etc. Add bubbles to the pictures that you choose and you can write any interesting caption that you want. Click 'publish' button on the page when you finish it. So easy right? Besides, you can share your strip/presentation to other people via sending to their emails or post it to your blog.
Here is one example of bubblr strip:



Why not try this with your students and see how creative are they. Enjoy!

Dvolver

Dvolver: Moviemaker

Teenagers nowadays are being exposed to various graphics and animations, mostly via television and internet. As a teacher, why don't we take this opportunity to make our teaching interesting and most importantly, to let students enjoy the process of learning. One way that could link graphics and animations with teaching English in school is through a tool called as 'Dvolver'. It is an online software that allows users to make customized animated videos. Dvolver's website has simple layout and is very easy to use. This application does not require user to sign up to any particular account, therefore it is free of charge. To begin with, go to Dvolver's website: http://www.dvolver.com/live/movies-776638  or simply type 'Dvolver' in google, and choose the first option that comes out in the list. Right away, you'll see a link to 'make a movie', which is the first step toward your animated movie. Then, you will be given several lists of 'background' and 'sky'.

There are about 11 choices of background, and each background has its own description (location, language, population, activities, mission and etc) . After selecting the background, you need to choose 'sky' for your background. Having 12 choices of skies, you are allowed to choose any sky that you like.

Next, you need to select a plot for your scene. There are 4 plots available. See below: 

Move on to the next step, you will be given several choices of characters. Each character has its own details/descriptions such as name, occupation, skills, language and etc. 

Once you have selected your characters, the next button will bring you to dialogue boxes or character's lines.  Add up to three lines for each character. The limit for one line is 100 text. 

Finally, select the music for your scene. By clicking on the options, you can preview the sound and its recommendations for use. After making you selection, you will have the options to add a new scene , or to finish the movie. You can make up to there scenes for you Dvolver animation. By choosing the same styles and characters, your video will appear as a continuous scene. 

 



 

This tool can be used in classroom with your students.

The advantages of this tool are :

 

1. Student can develop their creativities.

2. A wonderful way to practice writing skill and at the same time having fun.

3.Have ownership value.

4.Easy to use.

5.Free of charge.

6. This tool involves a lot of visuals and graphics, so it may engage students with this activity.

 

 

 

However, there are some limitations as well. For example:

1. Some may find the characters and animations are boring (because of having no expressions).

2. Some characters may not suitable for kids or young learners (inappropriate characters).

3. This tool requires good internet access. (It is impossible to be done in school which has no or limited internet access).

 

 

 



Helloooo Everyone! Let's watch this

Lyric Training

Hellooo everyone!!!

Always thinking what is the best way to learn or develop you English? Here I have one interesting way that could enhance the learning. It is called as 'Lyric Training'. Some basic ideas about this tool are:
1) Learners can practice their listening and spelling skills.
2) Listen and type the lyrics.
3) Lyric training welcomes different levels of learners (beginner, intermediate, expert).
4) Contains many songs and more than five languages.

Here is one example:

Interested????? Go to Lyric training website now and have fun!http://www.lyricstraining.com/

A brilliant blogger

Today Russel showed us his big rival, Nik Peachey. Here is the link of his brilliant blog. You'll find many interesting articles about teaching and learning English with the help of technology.
-Hope you'll find it interesting too!-
http://nikpeachey.blogspot.co.uk/