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

http://www.webquest.org/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebQuests

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.

Funny: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=cagxPlVqrtM

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!

http://www.sitepal.com/sendtofriend?ss=1643868&sl=1917664&acc=15695

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

http://www.sitepal.com/howitworks

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.

Blog Big-up!

As I type these words late on the eve of my Web 2.0 for Dummies (and English teachers) workshop, your latest issue of Teaching Times should be winging its way towards you (if you're a TESOL France member, that is).

Or maybe you picked a copy up at last Saturday's successful Cambridge Day event, where it was snapped up by lots of people, along with plenty of copies of Teaching Times 50, my first attempt.

So thank you to all who showed an interest in the TESOL stand, and a big welcome to our new members from that event too. Why not leave a comment here to say 'Hi' and introduce yourselves?

I was able to get at least three or four new contributors to the next issue of the magazine, so I'm well satisfied with that outcome.

I'm now preparing myself mentally and informatically for my workshop tomorrow, which aims to offer some in-depth insights into some of the great websites out there which we can exploit immediately in our English classes and hopefully impress our students to boot.

The plan for the afternoon is flexible, but roughly as follows:

1.45 pm - Registration, mingle and joint prayer that the internet connection works

2.00 pm - Introduction and presentation of useful and innovative websites

2.45 pm - In-depth discussion on specific websites of particular interest to attendees

3.30 pm - Coffee break

3.45 pm - Creation of new activities and sharing of personal favourites in small groups

4.15 pm - Presentation of ideas and personal techniques to group and general questions

5.00 pm - Fond farewells

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow if you're coming, and any comments on the latest magazine and ideas for future articles (and potential contributors) would be welcome too.

Sab

New Workshop: Web 2.0 for Dummies (and English teachers!)

This is advanced notice of a workshop which I'll be running almost certainly on 27th September, 2008.

Here's the blurb:

Workshop: Web 2.0 for Dummies (and English teachers)
Sab Will, TESOL France Editor & Blogmaster
Date: 27 September 2008, 14h-17h
Venue: Paris Télécom

Following on from his successful presentation at the Best of BESIG Spring Day, and using a live internet connection, Sab leads you where few English teachers have gone before: right to the heart of the New Web. Discover how the average teacher can easily master and exploit some fascinating resources immediately with their students.

The idea is that we have plenty of time to show more examples and demos, ask more questions, and go into more detail on exactly how to use this amazing stuff in class.

Indeed, one of the main aims will be to combine my offerings with attendees' own experience to all get lots of new ideas and inspiration from the session.

So do book up and come along: the more the merrier!

If you have any questions then do leave a comment on this message and I'll answer it here so everyone can benefit.

See you there,
Sab

Teaching Tips: Site Pal

Hello Again,

I've had many requests for the web addresses of the interesting resources I mentioned during my talk at the TESOL France - Best of BESIG day back in June.

So, as promised, I'm starting a series where I introduce them to those of you who weren't able to make it to Bethany's 'BOB' day and who, nevertheless would be interested in knowing more...

My first offering is the really cool Site Pal web site, which is a really funny and funky site which offers something genuinely intriguing for free.

You can use it in any lesson with your student(s) if you have an internet connection, or amuse yourself by creating messages and exercises for your students to do between sessions.

Here you can see one of the ways in which I exploit Site Pal. I create short listening exercises with the script on my teaching blog. I've included two examples - click on the images to listen:







As you can see, it's fun and motivating - when I showed it to one of my private students - the boss of a car company - he decided to use it for an amusing motivational new year message for his entire sales force. You can create a quick message for free.

Post comments if you need more info.

Sab