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Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
8 Great iPad Apps for ESL Students
8 Great iPad Apps for ESL Students
When you’re talking about learning a language in the U.S., you’re generally talking about ESL which refers to “English as a second language” or the study or use of English by speakers with different native languages.Learning a new language seems quite tough but lucky for the students of today as technology has made it a lot simpler and easier. Many schools are now making plans to increase the availability and use of technology in classrooms in order to engage students in learning English language digitally.
Students should realize that smart phones, iPads and tablets aren’t just for playing games. They are also a great tool for learning and practicing English. Today, there are millions of smarthpone and iPad applications available for almost anything, ranging from apps for productivity to apps that help you manage your finances, and of course, apps for developing good English language skills.
Apple’s app store offers thousands of iPad apps for learners of any level, especially for ESL students. So, if you are also an ESL student who wants to learn English or improve his or her English language skills, these apps will be helpful for you:
Word BINGO
Word Bingo is basically a word game that allows learners to play with a word list. This game is an interesting way to learn new words. In this game, you have the option to play in three different modes, moving from lower to higher levels of difficulty as you go through the list of words.My English Coach
Berlitz is a famous name in English language learning. Berlitz has created the “My English Coach for iPad” app for all levels of students featuring various questions, answers, phrases, and history and geography lessons in order to strengthen English language skills.Sentence Builder
This is one of the most popular iPad apps available for English language learners. It is the best app for students of elementary school who want to tackle grammar and vocabulary challenges efficiently. This amazing app features connector words that allow students to build grammatically correct sentences based on pictures and videos.Wordbook XL
Wordbook XL is an English dictionary and thesaurus for iPad. It is a fairly resourceful app that contains audio, synonyms, etymologies, bookmarking, anagrams and reference-saving for the ease of students.ESL Express
Usually, students are confused with words that have similar sounds but different meanings. This app is made for the ease of students who are frequently confused with such words. Through this app, students can learn many pairs of words that sound similar but have different meanings in English language.Intro to Letters
This app is really helpful for young (elementary level) students. It uses the simplest and the most effective ways of learning the English language. It uses flashcards and puzzles by which students can browse through all the alphabets of the English language. This application helps understand the meaning and use of each alphabet.Kidioms
Kidioms is an app designed for students who face trouble with finding the meaning of common phrases and idioms. The app features a digital notebook in which you will be introduced to an idiom. You will then be given an example with a graphic. In order to reinforce the concepts, this app even includes games for practice. It’s a perfect app which meets the needs of every ESL student, and helps them acquire vital knowledge.Preposition Builder
In this app, students are shown an image for which they have to complete a sentence by dragging some prepositions. Whatever preposition the student selects for completing the sentence, the image represents the sentence they have created. The purpose of this app is to teach students how different prepositions can alter the overall meaning of a particular sentence.Source: AlishaEllis, Edudemic.com
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Effective Literacy Website: Storyline Online
Storyline
Online (http://www.storylineonline.net/) is appealing for several
reasons. First, the layout of the
website is very eye-catching. This invites you to explore the website a little more.
The visuals and audio are wonderful.
Secondly, each book is read aloud.
You will love how simple the website is.
Information does not overwhelm the website.
The home
page of Storyline Online is full of vibrant, inviting colors. Each book is large enough to see the details
of the covers and there are sound effects if you scroll over each book. When you click on the book, it leads you to a
video of the Read-Aloud. The video is a
good size for the website. It is not too
large or too small.
Each
video is read aloud by a celebrity. The
length of the Read-Aloud is given as well as a short synopsis of the book. Each book is beautifully read. Images from the book are shown in the video.
The simplicity of the website is wonderful.
It is very easy to navigate and there are not many words to overwhelm
the website. There are no advertisements
on the corners to distract from it and all the links work well.
Although the amount of books
offered is limited, they have popular titles
such as The Rainbow Fish, Stellaluna,
Harry the Dirty Dog, and Knots on a
Counting Rope. There are only twenty-four total books available on the
website. Hopefully, a larger
variety of books will be provided later on the website.
Storyline Online is a resourceful website for parents, students, or other teachers. Experiencing Read-Alouds is
very important when developing literacy skills in children. Some children may not be exposed to this when
they begin to read. This website affords
children this experience. It is very
colorful and may attract the attention of young children simply because of its
aesthetic appeal. Videos are attached to
each book so that the children may have a better Read-Aloud experience.
Effective Literacy Website: Bookemon
It is an apparatus used for creating and sharing books online. A membership is needed to access all the great features, but it is free to join. Bookemon gives educators the option of having an “edCenter” for classes and groups projects. The edCenter is a user-friendly and secure place for groups to have a private and controlled environment. It is a free opportunity and all edCenter members receive a discount of 5% off any books that they decide to purchase.
Bookemon is great for young aspiring authors. Readers of all ages can find something that suits them in the large variety of books available. It is an effective literacy website because it serves as a utility that positively promotes the idea that anyone can become an author. Students will be encouraged and motivated to read, write, and share through Bookemon.
*Contributed by Rachel Flores in partial fulfillment for ED638: Teaching with the Internet instructed by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera
Friday, December 27, 2013
21 Literacy Resources For The Digital Teacher
1. Lingro
Lingro is a cool tool for both the “wow” factor and for its usefulness. Simply type in a website address on the Lingro website and it instantly turns the website into a clickable dictionary that translates text in 12 languages. Lingro hides in the background until students need it. To use, students simply click on any word and several definitions of the word are instantly displayed. I could see this as very useful tool for just-in-time support forEnglish language learners.
2. Lexipedia
Looking for a visual thesaurus? Then Lexipedia is for you. Simple to use. Just type in any word and Lexipedia instantly displays the target word along with other words. It also color-codes the words by both parts of speech and relationships. As you hover over a word, a complete definition is displayed.
3. Shahi
Shahi, as described on the website, is a visual dictionary that combines Wiktionary content with Flickr images, and more! An absolute new favorite for me. Besides serving as a non-linguistic tool, I can also see this as a very useful tool for English language learners.
4. Snappy Words
Similar to Lexipedia, Snappy Words is another visual thesaurus. Teachers may want to introduce several of the thesaurus tools and allow students to select which works best for them. The visually sparse, cleaner display of Lexipedia works better for me.
5. Visual Dictionary Online
Check out Webster’s visual dictionary which is simple to use. Type in a single word or choose a theme that also includes many sub-categories from which to choose. Even though Webster’s is simple to use, there is a downside to this tool. After typing in a word search, 4 or 5 Google ads quickly appear above the definitions. Distracting. Yuk. It’s so clunky I almost didn’t include this tool.
6. Word Hippo
An all-in-one reference tool, Word Hippo does the following: defines a word, provides a meaning, provides a word that is opposite, pronounces a word, provides rhyming words, places the word in many different contexts, and translates the word. Whew! That’s a lot.
7. Wordnik.com
Wordnik has the look and feel of a traditional dictionary with a twist. Along with the definition, students can see images related to the word, hear related sounds, and even see tweets with the target word highlighted. The “related words” feature is particularly helpful. Wordnik also features a “Word of the Day,” “Random Words,” and pronunciations of words.
8. Your Dictionary
Your Dictionary bills itself as providing simple, straightforward definitions and the easiest-to-use online dictionary. That’s about right. Sometimes simple is good. In addition to providing a definition, Your Dictionary also includes a thesaurus and places the word in varied sentence examples.
9. MathWords
Math Words is a simple-to-use online dictionary specifically for math terms and formulas. This dictionary appears most appropriate for intermediate and secondary students.
10. A Math Dictionary for Kids
A kid-friendly math dictionary. I like the simple, bright appearance that includes visual examples of each term. This math dictionary seems to be appropriate for elementary students.
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Word Clouds
11. WordleType (or copy & paste) in a chunk of text or individual words and Wordle generates a word cloud of the key vocabulary based on word frequency. Wordle can also be used for many varied purposes – check out these 52 ideas for using Wordle to support learning.
12. WordSift
Similar to Wordle, students type (or copy & paste) in a piece of text and WordSift sorts the text based on word frequency. The visual thesaurus that displays beneath the words is a nice addition in WordSift. With the visual thesaurus, students immediately see how words are grouped semantically. A useful addition, I think.
13. Tagxedo
Tagxedo is a word cloud app with style! Tagxedo provides a good deal of customization for users. For example, if teachers or students want to create a word cloud in a shape such as the apple shown above, then Tagxedo is the right tool for the job. For younger students, Wordle is much more straightforward to use; however, older students will love the customization Tagxedo provides which includes colors, shapes, fonts, and themes.
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Games and Review
14. Flashcard StashWhile I think that flash cards are sometimes poor practice, students can benefit from instant recognition. Fluency, if you will, with a specific set of words. Now, if understanding doesn’t go deeper than instant recognition, students are in trouble. Teachers can sign up for a free account and create flashcards to coordinate with units of study.
15. Vocabulary Games
While I’m not a fan of word searches for review or “seatwork,” this website also includes a wide assortment of other vocabulary games that can be used on a SmartBoard for review purposes. To make a tool like this more effective, be certain to review the meaning of words as students play games.
16. Vocabulary Spelling City
A beefed-up version of vocabulary games, Vocabulary Spelling City includes many more game-like activities useful for reviewing words. A number of teacher-made lists are included such as analogies, compound words, math words, and many more. The free version seems to include about 5 activities and teachers can save lists. “Teach Me” pronounces words and uses each word in context. Teachers can use pre-selected sentences or create their own. Vocabulary Spelling City is a useful tool for students, teachers, and parents. While there is both a free and paid version, Vocabulary Spelling City seems like a natural for PTA funding. The classroom paid version allows students to practice in school and at home as well.
17. VocabAhead
VocabAhead is a useful tool for secondary students and teachers. Short videos – 30 to 60 seconds – accompany each word and make this tool stand out among others for secondary students. The Study Lounge, for students, features leveled word lists (grades 6-12) and SAT word lists. Students can view videos, hear pronunciations, practice, take quizzes, play games, track performance, and more. In addition, teachers can create their own word lists for students. Custom word lists can be embedded in a blog or class website which makes integration and review a snap. Apple and Android apps are also available for free download.
18. Free Rice
At Free Rice, students can practice matching words to the correct definition, and donate rice at the same time. For each correct answer, the United Nations World Food Programme donates 10 grains of rice to a country in need. How’s that for combining word learning with social goodness? When a student plays, there is a visual display of rice (see image) which is added to a bowl each time the student makes a correct response. Free Rice includes subject area lists in Geography, Science, Math, and others. It is leveled so students can play at just the right level of challenge for them. Note of caution: Free Rice may be addicting to youand your students.
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Word Walls and Virtual Field Trips
19. WallwisherWallwisher is an online space to create a collaborative, digital word wall. Getting a leg up on the more traditional word wall, Wallwisher allows users to create sticky notes that can include text, images, links and videos. Teachers can embed this into a classroom website or blog which makes it a go-to collaborative space for students. For primary students, teachers will probably want to create the wall with words and links for students. Older students will get the hang of it fairly quickly. A great, collaborative tool and virtual classroom space to build online references and key vocabulary for content units.
20. ThingLink
ThingLink is a tool for making images interactive. To use, simply upload an image, identify hot spots on specific parts of the image, and add text or web links to the image. In the classroom, teachers could use ThingLink to launch a unit by introducing students to key vocabulary or students could design interactive images as they become more familiar with vocabulary. There are many possibilities; I’d love to know how you use ThingLink to extend and deepen student learning.
21. TrackStar
TrackStar, a free online program, allows teachers to collect a series of websites and annotate them so that students can follow an online journey. With a little work, teachers can create a visual vocabulary field trip for students. Teachers determine topics which support units of study. TrackStar is a great way for students to experience multiple exposures to words in varied contexts (a characteristic of effective vocabulary instruction).
Source: Kimberly Tyson, Ph.D., learningunlimitedllc.com
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)
Parakapw Mwahu (Pohnpei)
Ungil Becheserrak (Palau)
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian)
Sut dal kum mum (Korean)
Gung Hay Fat Choy (Chinese)
Chúc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)
May the year 2014 bring you abundant blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!
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