I'm alive!

It's been just over 2 months since my last post and maybe you thought I had given up. Well, I haven't! Unfortunately, it's been 2 long and hard months with our beloved dog going to doggie heaven after 12 years, all the admin for a YL Extension to CELTA, an intensive CELTA course which finished in July and my MA dissertation coming to an end - should be done in a week's time!

So, now that I seem to have a little bit more time, I realised it was about time I came back and said hello.  This blog has been from the beginning, more than a blog for others - I have very few followers - a repository of resources for myself and my teaching and training.  So far it's been great as it all started with a 'I have no idea how to set up a blog' and now's it's over 3 years since I go it so a very good experience all together!

Ok, that was just a little note to say I'm back.  I'm adding the picture of my beloved friend who left us about a month ago. My dear Sirio.

Dropbox is the next best thing!

I've been using Dropbox for a while and after experiencing all the advantages it has first-hand I decided it was time to add a blog post on it.

I've been using it with all of my trainees teachers, colleagues and clients, let alone my own personal stuff, and it's proved to be a success!

SO MANY USES!

You can use it with your students as a hand-in tool for homework and assignments. That way you won't receive lots of emails with attachments which will fill up your inbox. It can also be used to give HW and share any extra resources between you and your students. Oh, and it doesn't have to be just you giving! They can also share files of all types with you! 

Dropbox is also great for pre-course work and preparation. I'm using it to share pre-course work with my trainee teachers and with colleagues. I think that Dropbox is like a wiki-like folder which you can share with others and where all the info you have and share stays there for everybody. Something important to take into account is that you should only copy files INTO or OUT OF it and not drag or cut as the files leave the Dropbox folder if you do it as opposed to copying from one file to the other in your computer where it automatically duplicates the file for you. Although this has it advantages it can also play against you if you're not careful!

All the same, nothing to worry about if one of your students takes a file away! If you are the creator of the folder, you will be able to go to your online Dropbox account and UNDELETE the files needed. 

REFERRAL POLICY

One really smart thing about Dropbox is that you can increase your storage by  sharing it with other people. If they download it to their PCs then you will get extra free storage! 

Here's a link to it: https://www.dropbox.com/ Now, what are you waiting to go and check it out?

CEO Pronunciation Site!!!!

One of my ex-CELTA trainees came across this website and sent me a link a few hours ago - Thanks Steve! I've fiddled with it for a while and I think it's just plain F-U-N! I've spread the word amongst our teachers and will be using it along with the McMillan iPad/iPod/iPhone application (SOUNDS) in my coming teacher training courses! I think it's a great way to get students (of all ages) interested in and working on their segmentals.


Do check it out!  Here's a link: http://cambridgeenglishonline.com/Phonetics_Focus/

Triptico Word Magnets for your IWB

I had already posted an entry about Triptico on 20 March 2010, but time has gone by and now David has come up with an IWB Toolkit which is very useful. There are 23 resources to use although one of my favourites is Word Magnets. You can also use Find Ten (where you create ten categories amongst other distractors for them to find). Another good feature of this application is that there is always a demo so that you can SEE how it works before you start planning your lessons.

If you have access to an IWB this is a toolkit you really want to have. It will definitely help you add variety not only to your YL classes but also to adult ones.

Here's the link - http://www.triptico.co.uk/ You will need to download it onto your computer but it takes seconds and it is worth it!

As with all technology used in the classroom remember that PEDAGOGY should lead TECHNOLOGY!

Screenr - Your own screencasts for free!

I came across this app just recently and I think it's fantastic. I've been using PodOmatic to create short podcasts for my trainees with guidance for assignments and planning, etc. and although the podcasts are great and very useful, I think this app has a little bit more to offer - the visual element. Why not give it a try? I think it's really good not only for teacher training but for teaching in general. Students/trainees can be at both sides of the table: they can create their own screencasts or watch the ones you prepare to help them with their own leanring and studying!

What I like most is that you don't have to download anything and it is FREE! What else do you want?
Here's a link: www.screenr.com

WorksheetWorks.com - Oh yes!

Well, it's been a month already since my last post so I thought it was about time for a new one. I've been really busy with my MA work so that's why. Anyways, I came across WorksheetWorks.com and I think it's really good. Of course, I suggest that before printing any worksheets you do check for the accuracy of the information in it as the info is in there already and all you have to do is tick boxes choosing what you need. I checked a few and they were fine but don't take things for granted!

I really like the fact that it's free and that it's not only for English but for maths and other subjects too so really good stuff!

Bye for now and enjoy this site!

Here's a link:  worksheetworks.com

New year more studying!

Happy New Year Everybody! I've been away for a few weeks but now I'm back. This time I'm not blogging about web applications, but about Sheffield Hallam University. I'm finishing my MA in TESOL with them and so I just wanted to also take advantage of this blog to talk a little about my very positive experience with them.

I'm in the final module of the MA, the dissertation module and so I'm busy reading and researching for my thesis. This is a distance learning program so the online web-based content is present - and thinking of this, it's not a totally irrelevant entry in my blog anyway! I'm really enjoying this module as the support given asynchronously is very good. We're using Blackboard for the online interaction and discussion boards and although I have not been as present as i would like to in the last month, I'm using every single application available through it. I think that the Library gateway and the possibility to have access to so much information on the web e.g. only articles and even books is just fantastic.  Likewise, RefWorks is a truly wonderful tool for compiling your bibliography and not only! I've been using it for that but also to make and keep my notes on my reading and I can clearly see how this is going to make my life easier when it comes to the final writing.

Anyways, if any of you are interested in growing professionally and are thinking about doing a post grad course, it does not have to be an MA!  You can do lots of post grad work which is not as demanding as an MA.

Do take a minute to check SHU out! It's worth it!

Robert