AmeriCorps NCCC E-Newsletter

As an AmeriCorps Alumnus (2004), I do my best to try to "get things done" for the Guam community. I encourage my fellow AmeriCorps alumni to continue to make a difference!

CLICK HERE to view the April AmeriCorps NCCC E-Newsletter. Enjoy!

TESOL Convention Highlight #3

Six Blogging Activities for Practicing L2 English Writing
Presented by Kristina Scholz, Northern Arizona University

Scholz introduced six blogging activities that encourage ELLs to write freely and fluently in a low-stress, highly personalized context. The activities shared relate to specific writing forms and incorporate various creative internet-based tools. The blogging activities introduced can be modified to fit a variety of teaching situations.

She mentioned that the following activities would enhance the learning experience of ELLs:

• Activity #1: Profile Writing

URLs: http://baseplate.com/toys/minifig/

www.buildyourself.com/, www.simpsonmovie.com/main.com/main.html?cid=us

• Activity #2: Report Writing

URL: www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp

• Activity #3: Evaluation/Critique Writing

URL: www.youtube.com

• Activity #4: Creative Writing

URL: www.ugo.com/games/superhero-generator-heromachine-2-5

• Activity #5: Explanatory Writing

URL: www.artic.edu

• Activity #6: Reflection Writing

URL: www.worldle.net

URL for Guam IRA April 2011 Newsletter

Click here to view the Guam Council IRA April 2011 Newsletter.

or visit URL: http://iraguam.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-2011-newsletter.html

Resourceful Websites for ESL Teachers

*www.everythingesl.net (articles)
*www.enchantedlearning.com (activities; membership fee required)
*www.dltk-cards.com/bingo/ (bingo games)
*www.abcteach.com (flash cards; membership fee required)
*www.colorincolorado.org (great information)
*www.readinga-z.com (leveled books and reading ideas; membership fee required)
*www.learnenglish.org.uk (songs, poems, resources)
*www.mes-english.com (printables)
*www.brainpopesl.com (animated videos, free trial membership)

TESOL Convention Highlight: Resourceful Technology Tools

During the 45th Annual TESOL Convention and Exhibit, I attended a presentation titled, "Technology Today: What Leaders Need to Know and Do" by Emily Reynolds, Boulder, Colorado

Reynolds focused on computer literacy and the various resources available to enhance instruction. She mentioned the following technology tools that I think would be useful for my fellow ESL colleagues. We have used some of these technology tools, but they're still valuable, so I have left them on the list.

*Audacity (audio recording software):
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

*Skype (real-time voice communication):
http://www.skype.com/

*Yahoo Messenger (with voice in PC version):
http://www.yahoo.com/

*HorizonLive/Wimba: http://www.horizonwimba.com/

*Resources for Blogs and Wikis:
http://www.edvista.com/claire/callcourse/blogs&wikis.html

*Webcasts: http://www.learningtimes.com/
*Podcasting: http://www.podcast.net/

*Resources for Podcasting:
http://www.edvista.com/claire/callcourse/podcasts.html

*Resources for PowerPoint:
http://www.edvista.com/claire/callcourse/ppt.html

*Making a Web Page:
http://www.edvista.com/claire/callcourse/webpage.html

*KompoZer (open-source HTML Editor for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux): http://kompozer.net/

*Elluminate – real-time virtual classroom environment:
http://www.elluminate.com/

TECHMATRIX and PEATC

The following URLs are resourceful websites that ICC members/parents/teachers would find useful in meeting the needs of children with disabilities.

TECHMATRIX - http://techmatrix.org/
.
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) - http://peatc.org/

Worldstart Computer Tips

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This week in the News...

December 29, 2010.

3-feet high eggs could be South Korea's wave of the future.

Well, not eggs, exactly. Twenty-nine egg-shaped bots (named Engkey) have started teaching English to South Korean children as part of a pilot program aimed at supporting the blossoming robot industry.

The 3.3ft high bots have a TV panel (which shows a female Caucasian face) that that can speak to the students while wheeling around the classroom. They are able to read books and dance by moving their arms and heads. The kids love the robots, especially the shy kids, who feel more comfortable talking to a robot than a real person.



However, the robots are not as they appear. In actuality, the robots are run by well-educated teachers in the Philippines, who can see and hear the children via a remote control system.

As one South Korean administrator put it: "They won't complain about health insurance, sick leave and severance package, or leave in three months for a better-paying job in Japan... all you need is a repair and upgrade every once in a while.' The South Korean Government shelled out 1.37 million dollars for the pilot program.

Repair, upgrades and no health insurance, indeed.