Blogging with Students: how to Integrate Internet Tools and Project Work Rita Zeinstejer

Classblog Sharing Learning at Ning Opened: March 2008 CAE students: 18 Age: Number of members today: 74

objectives familiarize learners with technology allow them to practise English in authentic, meaningful situations contact English speaking people from other countries raise awareness of the importance of going global help students hone the four skills expand learners' cultural understanding and horizons

main aim: successful communication most important feature: tagging

Two environments blog: Sharing Learning wiki: Sharing Culture

blog Classblog: Project work Discussion forums Links for extra practice Tools and apps Individual blogs

wiki Project work with Webheads collaborative writing maps images photos audio

Why a wiki…?

both allow uploading of files and photos by different users Blogs structured highly personal focus: process administered by one individual editable by creator chronologically organized Wikis flexible intensively collaborative focus: content open to anybody editable by anyone organized in innumerable ways

Project work with Webheads Collaborative project “What you know about the interviewee’s country and what you’d like to know”

Stages of the Project Introduction: class discussion “purpose of studying a second language”. Countries and teachers involved: brainstorming knowledge on different cultures, info uploaded Agenda: setting the rules preparation: in class wiki: in MM room live interview recordings uploaded follow-up: in the classroom reporting: written task

What the project with ten members of WIA from nine different countries implied for my students: honing listening and speaking skills expanding vocabulary using the language in authentic situations using English with native/non-native teachers of the language communicating safely learning about other cultures boosting their self-confidence raising awareness on the importance of learning English

Project work with students fom Korea Prof. Sook Whan Cho, from International Writing Exchange Projects (IWE) essay postings classblog exchanges individual blogs exchanges

What the project with students from Korea implied for my students: using English in authentic contexts communicating safely gaining cultural input gaining self confidence gaining new contacts exposure to new experiences using state-of-the-art technology Essays published in our classblog on: international marriages : example of weddings in Japan and Korea, with photos/images differences between oriental/occidental cultures: costumes, food, festivities, table manners, etiquette, art.

Tools and apps Glogster : poster maker Google maps Animoto : One sens : message generator Voicethread: group conversations around images, docs and videos

What the use of other Internet tools added to my students' knowledge and experience: Tools: Glogster: poster-maker: uploading images, writing Videos: watching and listening comprehension Google maps: useful tools for locating partners in the world Games: One-Sens: decoding messages, some fun Articles: reading comprehension from authentic sources and material for discussion and analysis Extra Grammar practice: links to other sites Voicethread: group conversation around images, documents and videos.

Students’ feedback %3ABlogPost%3A4621http://ritamz.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id= %3ABlogPost%3A4621 WIKI url

Most people are mirrors, reflecting the moods and emotions of the times; few are windows, bringing light to bear on the dark corners where troubles fester. The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. Sydney J. Harris Thank you!!!!