28 September 2008

Web 2.0 for Dummies (& English teachers!)

Dear All,

Many thanks for attending yesterday's workshop: 'Web 2.0 for Dummies (and English teachers)'
As I explained, the term 'Web 2.0' refers to all the popular web sites which have developed in recent years which create real communities of users and where you can share information easily with others.

The old 'version' of the web was more of an on-line dictionary or encyclopedia where you would go to find information, but not to contribute to it. Those uninteractive days are now far behind us and many of us enjoy 'uploading' information to the web for others to share, as we do 'downloading', or simply looking at information on our computers.

As promised, here is a list of most of the web sites I mentioned yesterday.

1) Web Quests
These sites tell you about the concept of setting up activities for students where they go looking for info on specific sites and then do something useful with it (not just copy and paste) afterwards. There are many sites with ready made models if you type 'web quests' into Google

2) Power Point

Although this Microsoft programme doesn't necessarily involve the web, it is an excellent teaching tool for professionals, because it can combine English with a vital professional skill. Here are a couple of interesting You Tube videos about PowerPoint. There are many more if you look for them.


Embed video into Powerpoint: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=5G2pkWK6mEc

3) Site Pal

Here you can create funny animated characters and make them speak with your voice (or your students) and send the link to them by e-mail. It's fun to play around changing the character's looks, clothes and background. And you can upload your own message too (1 minute maximum).

Here's one I created for free with the voice of one our our attendees at the workshop who has a profound message!


For a free try out go here and click on - Try our demo.


Well, that's all I have time for today folks. I'll put another set of addresses up later in the week.

Thanks for visiting and please leave your comments and questions here by clicking on the word 'comments' below.