The pronunciation app for iPad, iPod and iPhone

I just came across the MacMillan pronunciation application for iPad, iPod and iPhone and I think it rocks! It's free and can't wait for the improved version (at a charge)! It's great for both students and trainee teachers! I've used in an introductory session to pronunciation on our current CELTA course and it was a success. I used my iPad and iPod touch and they loved it. I used the iPad to present it and then gave both the iPad and iPod to trainees in 2 groups to explore the sounds in a task. Cool results!!!

Do check it out!

Robert

iPad in the classroom

Right... I've been using in the classroom as a portable flashcard display for lower levels and offsite (as per my previous entry) for both visual input (clips, PPPs) and audio with small groups. I still have loads to learn but I think it's got lots of potential. I asked my students and only a couple have them so I'm trying to think how I could exploit them more in the classroom. I also have access to an IWB in the classroom, so I want to make sure my use of it is fully integrated into the lesson. Pedagogy must lead technology and not all the way around!

Flashcard Machine... and I'm back

It's been a while since I last added a post, but I'm back. We're in the middle on our first CELTA course here so pretty tihgt in terms of time I can dedicate to my blog. All the same, I'm here to stay :-).

Today's post is about Flashcard Machine which is great! I've started using it and students are repsonding well to it. I'm using it both on the IWBs and off site on my iPad :-)

Hope you find it useful :-)

Robert

Sites for Teachers

While surfing the web in search of new resources and sites I came across a pretty nice site for teachers with lots of links to 'sites for teachers'. I've checked some of them and it's worth checking it out in more detail.

Here's the link: sites for teachers.

Back to basics???

I've been in Vietnam for about 2 weeks now working on a YL Extension to CELTA course, which I'm enjoying and learning lots from. Although I have had access to a projector and I've used my laptop, I do miss IWBs and the things we can do with them. I've been thinking a lot about IWBs v powerpoints and through the current experience, I have come to the following conclusions:

1. Both can be used effectively in the classroom and 'Death by PowerPoint' has nothing to do with the tool itself but with not having a sound pedagogical ground to base the training on.

2. IWBs definitely offer a wider range of interaction between the content and the participant - again when pegagogy leads technology and not vice versa.

3. A sound understanding of learning processes and how the activities we prepare for the students and the outcomes of those activities are co-dependent, is a good base to get started using ANY piece of technology in a student-centred and leanring enhancing way.

Well, this is my update from HCMC!

Robert

Teachnology site.... graphic organisers

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's been a long time since I last posted, but the festivities got on the way! :-) Well, I'm back and here to stay! I've been working on CLIL lately and so I have come across a site which offers lots of links to Graphic Organisers. I believe that these are very useful not only in CLIL but in teaching in general as there is nothing easier to help students say: 'Ah, I see what you mean' than to help them SEE what we mean.

Anyhow, here's a link to the site: http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/

By the way, this site does not only offer the above info. There are plenty of other resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, etc.

Enjoy!

ActivInspire - How different from Activstudio?

I know, it's been almost a month form my last entry, but my new job's keeping me at bay! Arghhh :-). Anyway, we bought a new Promethean IWB and ActivInspire software along with it. ActivInspire is for Primary and ActivStudio for secondary and adult learners. The software is very, very similar :-), but from my point of view having been trained to ActivStudio Levels 1 and 2, I think that the latter is more versatile. Another feature I don't like much or having ben able to work out yet :-O! is that you can open up ActivStudio flipcharts with ActivInspire but not vice versa!

Anyway, it's great stuff all the same :-) Here's the link.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/support/software/activinspire/