ICT applied to English Teaching – 2012

Assignment # 4

Blog: http://daniiscz.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/welcome_29.html

Welcome to my blog! 

What is a blog?

According to Gavin Dudeney and Nicky Hockly (2007), a blog is essentially a web page with regular diary or journal entries. The term is short for Web Log. A blog can be set up and used by teachers and/or learners. It can be used to connect learners to other communities of learners, for example to a class in another country. The ideas and content of the blog can be generated and created by learners, either individually or collaboratively.  

The most common type is individual. It may consist of written text only, or include pictures or other multimedia files. Most blogs allow people to comment on them, and they sometimes include a blogroll, a list of links to recommended blogs.Edublogs are blogs used in education. They cover a wide range of topics related to education such as educational policies and development to learner composition. A blog set up and maintained by a teacher is known as tutor blogs. The teacher can decide to allow their learners to write comment to the things she uploads, like exercises, reviews class work and extra material. Also, a teacher can encourage their students to set up a blog. This is called student blogs with the purpose of uploading comments of current affairs or description of daily activities so as students from other countries can comment on their blog entries. A class blog is the one used by an entire class in which students post their work in the same blog. 

There are some advantages to using blogs in the classroom. First of all, they provide a “real-world” tool for learners with which to practice their written English, as well as a way of contacting learners from other parts of the world if the blog is used as part of an international exchange.

One of the issues to bear in mind when setting up blogs is that of CORRECTION. The teacher needs to be prepared to give learners plenty of time for writing, reviewing, redrafting and checking posting before they are added to the blog.Another thing to consider is ASSESSMENT. Criteria will probably include those used to evaluate more traditional, paper-based forms of writing, such as accuracy, fluency, coherence and relevance, but they may also include criteria related to the visual nature.

The main purpose of this blog is to provide with some activities for the students to complete using different Web 2.0 tools. These activities will be evaluated taking into account the evaluation criteria especially designed for each activity. 

How to create your avatar using HEROMACHINE

Heromachine 3 is the most advanced, powerful character creation tool on the web. It allows you to generate professional looking illustrations of your science fiction, fantasy, or super-hero characters. Whether you’re a comic book writer trying to get that costume just so or you simply want to give your inner artist a voice, HeroMachine 3 is the best way to get there. I found this website useful because students can use it to make comic book-style characters as they want to.

How to use Heromachine?Go to www.heromachine.com. Once you are there click on HeroMachine 3 Alpha. It looks like this: 

There, you will find clear instructions on how to create your own character. You will find different options, whether you prefer a male or a female, and then you have the options to make all the necessary changes you would like your character to have. 

Once you have created, save it in the computer by clicking on EXPORT, choose the JPG option and then click on EXPORT again.

Activity # 1: Example

Before doing the activity # 1, look at this example:

Now complete an activity using HeroMachine.

LEVEL: ELEMENTARYAGE: 9-10

1. Create a character. You will choose each of his/her characteristics. 2. Once you finish, give it a name. Ex.: Gipsy3. Once you have your avatar and its name. Save it in the computer by clicking on

EXPORT, choose the JPG option and then click on Export again. 4. Make sure the image was saved into the computer, and once you find it you will

have to send it to one of your partners by e-mail.5. As soon as you send your character, you will receive your partner’s character.

You will have to create a Word Document and there you will have to write a description (at least 10 lines) of the avatar you have received. Try to use as much vocabulary on clothes as possible, use colours, size, shapes, etc. Try to write complete sentences.

6. When you finish everything send the teacher the activity (to the email the teacher gives you).

This would be taken into account for the evaluation.

·       Clear and concise message.

·       Assignment handed in in time

·       Use of Language

·       Use of Internet and Technology

·       Good use of the website

·       Creativity, good use of time and motivation.

Create your own video using ANIMOTO

Animoto is a very good website used to create stunning videos. You can turn your photos, video clips, and music into videos masterpieces to share with everyone. It is fast, free, and easy. I found this website useful because it allows students to create high quality videos quickly that they can be proud of.  It also allows students to practice writing and vocabulary by writing digital stories that display as videos.

How to use Animoto?Go to www.animoto.com. Once you are there, log in using your facebook account or click on sign up. Then, enter the e-mail address and the password the teacher gives you which belong to the classroom account. 

In order to start creating your own video, you go to CREATE VIDEO. Then, choose a style for your video. There are several options you can use for free. 

Then, you can start creating your own video by choosing between different styles, adding your own piece of music from your computer or just choosing the ones that there are in the website, and also you can add text and pictures. 

While you are working on the video, you can click on the option PREVIEW VIDEO to see your production and make the necessary changes if there are. Once you finish, you can click on the option SAVE and your video will be saved. 

Activity # 2: Example

Before doing the activity # 2, look at this example:

http://animoto.com/play/Wxvr02c3uQxinNe0KlBfrg

Now complete an activity using Animoto.

LEVEL: PRE -INTERMEDIATE AGE: 11- 12

1. Create a video including pictures of your last holidays. 2. Add few sentences in each of the pictures just to give a brief description of it.

(Use Simple past)3. Create a Word document.4. In the Word Document you will have to write a description of your last holidays

using the video and the pictures as a reference (at least 10 lines). Include as much information and details as possible. Describe the place, the weather, where you stayed, who you went with, the places you went and the different activities you did. This activity should be completed using the Simple past tense.

5. Once you finish, save the document and send it to the teacher by e-mail (to the mail the teacher gives you). Then, you will receive your feedback.

This would be taken into account for the evaluation.

·       Clear and concise description.

·       Assignment handed in in time

·       correct use of Language and grammar

·       Use of Internet and Technology

·       Good use of the website

·       Creativity and motivation.

Create an album using MIXBOOK

Mixbook is simple online scrapbooking software. Using mixbook you can create your own photo books, scrapbooks, photo cards, yearbooks and calendars. I found this website useful because it allows students to create easily photo books on any topic in a few minutes with our simple tools.

How to use Mixbook?Go to www.mixbook.com. Once you are there click on Sign up. You have to provide with the e-mail address and the password the teacher gives you which belongs to the classroom account. Once you sign up, you can start creating your photo book. The website looks like this: 

After logging just click on Create. There you can write the name of your book, a brief description about it, you can choose the category that it belongs to. Once that is completed, you go to Create Mixbook.

Then, you can start creating it. Choose a good background, then the type of layout you want, start adding as much pictures as you want and write any kind of text whenever you want. 

When you have the project finished you may have to save it by clicking on Save. 

Activity # 3:  Example

Before doing the activity # 3, look at this example:

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/travel/travel-the-world-8102623

Now complete an activity using Mixbook.

LEVEL: INTERMEDIATEAGE: 13-14

1. You will have to think which the different steps you may have to follow when you are planning a trip are. (Use at least 10 pages).

2. Then, think of a place where you would like to go.

3. Start creating your photo album. Represent each of the steps you may follow by using pictures and short descriptions. The last four pages should include an example of a place you can go. Add different pictures of this place and write short sentences (at least 2 sentences) explaining each picture. This activity should be completed using as much vocabulary on Travelling as possible and use the future “going to” tense.

4. When you finish your work, save it. Then, send the project to the teacher by e-mail (to the email the teacher gives you).

This would be taken into account for the evaluation.

·       Clear and concise project.

·       Work correctly done following each step.

·       Assignment handed in in time

·       Use of Language and grammar

·       Use of Internet and Technology

·       Use of the website

·       Creativity and motivation.

Create a video of your favourite singer or group using ONE TRUE MEDIA.

One true media is software used to create simple powerful videos by mixing your photos and video with effects, text and music. I found this site useful because students can do some slideshows and the video editor is easy to use. Besides, it provides with various styles in order to choose whatever you want. Apart from that, it is easy sharing.

How to use One True Media?

Go to www.onetruemedia.com. Once you are there click on Register. Like any other you may have to sign up before start using it. You have to enter the e-mail address and the password the teacher gives you which belong to the classroom account. Once you sign up, you can start creating your photo book. It looks like this: 

Once you sign up, click on Create and then on Create a new video. First you will add the photo you want by selecting the files you have in your computer.

After selecting all the photos you may add in the video, upload each of them. Then you may have different options like: add images, edit and sequence, apply a video style, choose music, create a text slide. Click each of the options and make any change you want. When everything is finished, click on update or on preview if you want to see how it goes before saving it. When you finish it, save it. 

Activity # 4:  Example

Before doing the activity # 4, look at this example:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=119656691e535f0639e090b&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Now complete an activity using One true media.

LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE AGE: 14-15

1. Think of your favourite singer or group. 2. Look for her/his biography in the case of you singer. Or look for information of

your favourite group. 3. Using the information, write either about the singer or the group. (Mind the use

of the tense). You will have this text for your own reference. (at least 15 lines)4. Once you have the text, look for pictures that illustrate the singer’s life or the

group’s story. (just important events)5. Create the video using the pictures (At least 10 pictures) and following the steps

to create it. You might want to add some short texts in the video to explain the picture (for example “Years”).

6. This project will be presented orally. You will have to talk about your favourite singer or group while showing the video and having it as a reference. The presentations should not last more than 5 minutes.

This would be taken into account for the evaluation.

·       Clear and concise presentation.

·       Assignment presented on time

·       Use of Language, grammar and pronunciation.

·       Use of Internet and Technology

·       Good use of the website

Creativity