using etherpad and twitter to teach and learn foreign/second languages

Technology Workshop

Using Etherpad and Twitter to Teach and Learn Foreign Languages

Wednesday, April 15th, 11 – 11:30 A.M.

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Shigetake UshigusaM.S. Student in Educational Technology

Purdue University

Facilitated by

sushigu1@purdue.edu

Twitter and Etherpad

Synchronous(=Same time)

Asynchronous(=different time)

Text Twitter

Text Etherpad

Preview

• Introduction (5 minutes)– Brief assessment

• Demonstration of Etherpad (8)• Demonstration of Twitter (7)• Summary (5)• Questions and answers (5)

Etherpad• Etherpad:– is a synchronous collaborative editing tool.–works entirely on the Internet.–does not require log-in.

• Etherpad in foreign language instruction:–Realtime textual communication• Helps students learn at a distance• Facilitates students’ collaboration

• Who is this example useful for? – For all teachers who know how to use

email and browse the Internet.

LgX= {Spanish, German, French, etc.}

Etherpad for LgX202: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2Homework 1

-Schedule-Syllabus statement of Etherpad

In this course, Etherpad will be used to collaborate with other students and with the instructor.

Etherpad is a synchronous collaborative editing technology on the Internet.

Etherpad for LgX202: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2Homework 1

-Schedule-Syllabus statement of Etherpad

Use of Etherpad is not required, but you are recommended to use it. It is a very strong collaborative tool.

Etherpad for LgX202: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2In-class activity and follow-up homework

-Schedule-Class 2: In-class Activity

Form groups of 3 students. Introduce yourself to each other in each group. Present the following in front of the class (in English):

-Short introduction of team members-Strengths of the team-Name of the team

Etherpad for LgX202: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2In-class activity and follow-up homework

-Schedule-Class 2: Follow-up Homework

Write the following in the target foreign language:

-Short introduction of team members-Strengths of the team-Name of the team

You can use Etherpad, email, or face-to-face meeting to collaborate.

Etherpad for LgX202: Example

Etherpad: Hands-on

• Shigetake is an intermediate learner of LgX. • He will phone you during your office hour. • He will ask you to help him with LgX

composition. • You will open the email from “Etherpad”. • You will edit and correct his sentences.

Etherpad + Instant Messenger (& text-chat) (video, voice, drawing)

Create a shopping list collaboratively

(1 minute video)

Advantages of Etherpad

• Double textual channels (pad & chat)• + Instant Messenger

Twitter• Twitter:– Social-networking (one-to-many and one-to-

one)–Micro-blogging (140 characters)

• Twitter in foreign language instruction:–Communication tool• Manage a course• Increase linguistic/cultural input and output

• Twitter account

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

• Who is this example useful for? – First time teacher-users (and

more)• How are class Twitter

accounts set up?– Provide your and your

students emails to Director of LRC.

Syllabus statement of Twitter :(Sample syllabus statement is available at http://ushigusa.wikispaces.com/ )

In this course, you will be expected to use Twitter, a micro-blogging device on the Internet.

-Schedule-Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

Syllabus statement of Twitter :You will have your class Twitter account to communicate with the instructor and other students throughout the semester. (Send an email to Director of LRC to get an account)

-Schedule-Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

Syllabus statement of Twitter :If you are new to Twitter, you are advised to use your account only for the course. For personal purposes, create another account.

-Schedule-

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Syllabus statement of Twitter :

How?

-Use a computer or mobile phone

-Log in to Twitter at least once a day

-Schedule-

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Syllabus statement of Twitter :

Why?

-Instructor’s posts: Homework assignments, Changes of scheduleWord for today

-Other students’ posts: Questions and comments Target language output

-Schedule-

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Syllabus statement of Twitter :

Here are some etiquette and tips regarding how to use Twitter:

-Use of proper language- Read Twitter terms of service - If you decide to use your mobile, check

costs of texting with your mobile- Cyber stalker (Do not reply to any

outsider’s message.)

-Schedule-

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example

Class 1-Introduction: Syllabus

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Twitter: Hands-on

• The next 6 slides are also in the handout.• You will log in to www.twitter.com .– The username and password (in the slip)

have been created only for the practice purpose.

• In this activity, please take the role of a student. Shigetake will be your teacher.

Open Internet Explorer

If you find this symbol Click on it and go to the next page.

If you cannot find it Please raise your hand. Shegetake

will assist.

Twitter site

(1) Type username and password.

(2) Click “Sign in.”

Here is your username (just for this demonstration).

This part means “Type your message in the white box below.”

Please ignore what you already have in this part of Twitter. You will receive the instructor’s message, which is more important.

Instructor (sushigu1) will type a message here and click “update”. The message will be sent to all of you.

Please disregard this part for now.

You will receive a message from sushigu1 (instructor) soon here.

The most recent message will be added to the top.

(1) You can type your question to the instructor, then click “update”.

Instructor’s message.

(2) The question will be displayed here.

Specifying Receivers of your message

Hello, everyone!

@sushigu1 I have an important question. When is the deadline?

Dsushigu1 This might be a dumb question, but when is the deadline?

Will be sent to all.

Will be sent to sushigu1 and copied to all.

Will be only sent to sushigu1.

Advantages of Twitter: for Beginning teacher-users

• Helps classroom management (reminders, schedule changes, etc.)– Students’ mobiles can be activated.

• Can be used to provide “Word/Expression for today!” in the target foreign language (Example: Yo solo é que no sé nada. It means ….)

• Anonymity increases output.(Activities such as “20 Questions” or “Discussions” can be conducted in the target foreign languages.)

• Twitter can increase authentic language and cultural input ( Twitpic)

• Teacher can conduct a poll ( Twit Poll)

Advantages of Twitter: for Advanced teacher-users

Summary : Advantages/Disadvantages for Foreign Language CourseEtherpad Twitter

Advantages 1. Distance tutoring2. Collaborative work3. Good for Spanish, German, French, etc.

1. Management tool2. Linguistic and cultural in/output3. “Cool” and appealing

to college students.

Disadvantages 1. Not ready for Chinese, etc. yet2. Some students may not have a webcam.

1. No voice / video2. Some mobile phones

don’t show texts in foreign languages.

(This table is also found in the handout.)

Compared to Adobe Connect and Blackboard:

Synchronous Communication

Course Management

New “Cool” Tools Etherpad Twitter

Big Educational Tools

Adobe Connect Blackboard

Easy to learn.

Too many functions for beginners to learn

Possible applications for teachingEtherpad-Instructional tool

Twitter-Course management tool-Instructional tool

Distance tutoring / conferencing Announcements

Student’s group collaborative project Word for today

Various collaborative service-learning projects for creating documents in the target language

Information gap

Communication with Kutztown students who are studying abroad

Inviting a guest who lives in the target culture

Practice Etherpad1. Six of you will receive an Etherpad email.2. Open the email.3. Follow instruction there.

Write a “shopping list” for a taco party for the faculty:

1.2.3.4.5.6.

http://etherpad.com/ep/pad/view/83VGTRv55D/uMqO26EDFJ

Practice Twitter: “20 Questions”1. Log in to Twitter using the same username and

password.2. Shigetake has someone famous in mind.3. Ask questions. (Example: “Is this person still

alive?” “Is this person a male?)

Questions?

Misc./Appendix

1.Etherpad: Getting started2.Etherpad: Edit, save, and retrieve3.Twitter: Getting to know4.Twitter: Mutual “following” among

classmates5.Twitter: 20 questions6.Twitter: 3 techniques

Etherpad: Getting started

www.etherpad.com

Type www.etherpad.com and push the enter key.

www.etherpad.com

Go to the next page.

Etherpad site

Click “Create new pad” and go to the next page.

Etherpad collaboration page

Etherpad: Edit, save, and retrieve

Etherpad: Open, invite, co-edit/chat, save, and retrieve

• Open: Type etherpad.com and push enter.• Invite: Type an email address (in right column)• Co-edit: You and the email recipient will edit a text together. • Chat: Under “Chat,” you can text-chat.• Save: Click “Saved Revisions” and click “Save Now”. • Bookmark the text in “Favorite”: Click “View”. Use the

browser to bookmark it in “Favorite”.• Retrieve: Find the document in “Favorite”. Click “

View and edit current pad”. (If your browser does not allow you to bookmark the URL, you can copy and paste the URL in a Microsoft Word document (or email).

Twitter: Getting to know

Twitter: Breakdown“Home” Username

Twitter: BreakdownStill “Home”:

This part works like INBOX

Twitter: BreakdownStill “Home”:

2 followers

When Gyutaro1 says something publicly, it will go to the followers’ Homes.

Twitter: BreakdownStill “Home”:

Gyutaro1 follows 5 people.

When any of them writes a message publicly, it will come to Gyutaro’s Home (here).

Twitter: BreakdownStill “Home”:

This works like bookmark. Bookmark good posts so that you will evaluate their Twitter performances efficiently later.

Everyone’s messages are viewable here.

Twitter: Mutual “following” among classmates (including the instructor)

Mutual “following” is required

All students are “following” the instructor now.

This means the instructor’s messages will go to the students’ inboxes.

Mutual “following” is required

The instructor will ask every student to follow everyone else in the classnext.

“20 Questions”

Twitter Homework 1:

The instructor has a famous person in mind. Ask him/her only yes/no questions. (Examples: “Is this person alive?” “Is this person a female?”) Read questions and answers exchanged. When you figure out the answer, ask “Is this person name ?”

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example 1

• The instructor will send a name of a famous person (for example, Madonna, Dalai Lama, etc.) to half of the class (=Group A).

• Any members of the other half (Group Q) will start asking only Yes/No questions (such as “Is this person an American?” “Is this person a leader?”)

• Any members of Group A will answer the question by only saying a complete sentence, such as “Yes, he is an American.” or “No, he isn’t an American.”

• You can also add “Maybe,” “Close,” “Absolutely,” etc. But do not give any specific hints such as “She is a singer” or “He lives in Asia.”

• The best question and answer is “Is she Madonna?” “Yes, she is.” and “Is he Dalai Lama?” “Yes, he is.”

Twitter for a LgX 102 course: Example 1

Twitter: 3 Techniques

• To send a message to all:– Just type your message in the box under “What are you

thinking?” and click “Update.”• Ignore the weird question of “What are you thinking?” at the top

of the Twitter home page.

• To send a message to a specific person, while copying the same message to all:– @sushigu1 Are you going to the library by yourself?

• To send a message only to a specific person:– D sushigu1 I would like YOU to go to the library with me

(and no one else other than sushigu1 will see it).