What are they?

How can I use them?

Examples

Blogs

online journals (web + log) or reverse chronological collection of texts

·         Journaling

·         A place to post written work

·         Blogger http://blogger.com

·         Wordpress http://wordpress.com

·         Edublogs  http://edublogs.org/

·         Multiply (more than just a blog)  http://multiply.com

·         Motime  http://motime.com

·         ESL Blogs  http://eslblogs.englishclub.com/ 

Aggregators/Feed Readers

applications which collect syndicated web pages in one place for easy viewing

Allows you (and students) to subscribe to blogs, so you don't have to check them individually for new posts

·         Google Reader  http://www.google.com/reader

·         Bloglines  http://bloglines.com

Wikis

sets of easily edited/modified web pages

·         Class website

·         Collaborative writing

·         Collection of student pages

·         Writing portfolio

·         Speaking portfolio

·         PBWiki  http://pbwiki.com

·         Wikispaces http://www.wikispaces.com

·         Wetpaint http://www.wetpaint.com

Online discussion groups

online bulletin boards where group members can post and read messages

•         Easily send messages to your class 

•         Discuss a topic in writing (asynchronous)

•         Upload files and photos

•         Post links

•         Stay in touch with former students 

•         Yahoo Groups http://groups.yahoo.com

•         Google Groups http://groups.google.com

Text chat

synchronous text messaging

·         Real-time written discussion

·         Office hours

·         Tapped In http://tappedin.org

·         Gmail chat http://snipurl.com/3npq8

·         Gabbly Chat (comes with PBwiki)

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

internet telephony

·         Real time oral discussion

·         Office hours

·         Skype  http://skype.com

·         Yahoo Messenger with Voice  http://messenger.yahoo.com

·         MSN Messenger  http://webmessenger.msn.com

Authentic listening

Conversations and lectures by native or fluent non-native speakers. Some are created specifically for ELLs

·         Whole-class listening practice

·         Individual listening practice in the lab or at home 

·         YouTube  http://youtube.com

·         TeacherTube http://teachertube.com

·         Real English http://real-english.com 

·         English Listening Language Lab Online  http://www.elllo.org/english/home 

·         TED  http://ted.com 

• English Listening  http://englishlistening.com

Social networking

websites where people can network, discuss issues, socialize, and share information

·         Authentic reading and writing

·         Staying connected when the class is over

·         Facebook http://facebook.com

·         MySpace http://www.myspace.com/

Voice Boards/Fora

an asynchronous audio message board or audioforum where users can upload voice messages on various topics

·         Rehearsed speaking practice

·         Speaking to an authentic audience

·         Oral assessments

·         MyChingo http://www.mychingo.com

·         Chinswing http://chinswing.com

·         Springcast http://www.springdoo.com

·         Vaestro http://vaestro.com

·         VoiceThread  http://voicethread.com/#home

Voice and video mail

email with an audio or video component embedded directly in the message or linked to the message

·         Speaking assignments or assessments

·         Listening and speaking practice

·         Gabmail/gabjam  http://www.freegabmail.com/

·         Eyejot  http://www.eyejot.com/

·         HandyBits  http://www.handybits.com/voicemail.htm

Podcasting

a way to distribute audio and/or video content on the internet, convertible to an MP3 file for portability

·         Freely available listening passages (e.g., http://www.absolutely-intercultural.com/)

·         Teacher-made listening passages relevant to class material

·         A wider audience for student oral presentations

·         Podomatic http://podomatic.com

·         Audacity http://audacity.com 

·         PowerGramo http://www.powergramo.com/

·         Blogcheese http://www.blogcheese.com

Photostories

a way to combine images or video with text and sound to create a story or project

·         Create classroom materials for listening and/or reading

·         Have students create illustrated stories, recipes, presentations

·         Create a webinar for students or professional development

·         MS PhotoStory 3 http://snipurl.com/3npdd

·         Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net

·         Bubbleshare http://bubbleshare.com

·         VoiceThread  http://voicethread.com/#home

Virtual classrooms

websites that permit users to make presentations or teach classes to an online audience, using audio, video, text chat, and interactive whiteboard

·         Distance learning

·         Blended learning

·         Online student presentations

·         Professional development

·         WiZiQ  http://www.wiziq.com/

Online gradebooks and course management tools

internet-based educational programs for recording grades and attendance; posting syllabi, homework assignments and course materials; hosting for a or discussions; and more

·         Distance learning

·         Blended learning

·         Electronic gradebook

·         Engrade http://engrade.com (grading, attendance, and assignments only)

·         Moodle http://moodle.com/ (requires server space)

·         Manhattan Virtual Classroom http://manhattan.sourceforge.net

Online exercise creators

software which permits teachers to create course-related exercises for students to do online

·         Multiple-choice

·         Short-answer

·         Gap-fill

·         Crossword puzzles

·         Matching/ordering

·         Hot Potatoes http://hotpot.univ.ca/ (free for public school teachers who share their creations online)

·         Lesson Writer   http://www.lessonwriter.com