This week we looked into different sites to help our students improve their speaking and writing via technology.
One of the tools I chose was Skype. In the beginning, I would have the students speak to each other, even though, as Avraham brought out, they'd all be in the same room! I would at least have them speak to those sitting farthest from them! In the beginning, I would provide material for them to discuss; questions on literature, for instance. It would be great if I could find high school students in the States, for example, who would be willing to Skype with my students!
One of the tools I chose was Skype. In the beginning, I would have the students speak to each other, even though, as Avraham brought out, they'd all be in the same room! I would at least have them speak to those sitting farthest from them! In the beginning, I would provide material for them to discuss; questions on literature, for instance. It would be great if I could find high school students in the States, for example, who would be willing to Skype with my students!
A tool I enjoyed playing with and found user friendly, was http://www.spellingcity.com.
This would be a fun way to have them practice spelling specific words that I would provide. It is simple to use and would accomplish what I want in an enjoyable way. They not only get instant feedback, they can hear the word said and hear it used in a sentence.
The third tool I liked for spelling was http://www.learner.org/interactives/spelling/index.html
In looking at the various levels, and the fact that this is targeting native English speakers, I felt that the one geared to grades 6-8 would be the right level for my high school students. Students have to read and listen to a story being read, with words missing- what we call a "cloze". They have to type in the missing word that they hear. It's nice because the words are in context.
The fourth site I looked into was http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmsv/smg/
Here, the site is set up like the game, "Memory", where you "turn over" cards and if the words on the two cards are similar, then they are a match. I could even have them play in pairs or more, like in the real Memory game. They might enjoy it more that way.
Last but not least is the site http://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp:
Here, the students can create an authentic looking newspaper article. I would use this as writing exercise, after we finish a certain topic. For example, after reading "All My Sons", I would have them write a newspaper article, connected to the play. For example, make believe they are a reporter, who was at the scene when they discovered Joe dead. They would write the article as if they were the reporter, who interviewed the various family members and friends.
I hope to be able to report that I used these above tools before the end of this course!
Till the next time.....
