1. Using Twitter and Prezi for Technical Communication Irene Lee English Language Teaching Unit The Chinese University of Hong Kong

2. Rationale1/2 Why Twitter & Prezi?  Optimal condition for independent learning  Web 2.0 tools are available 24/7  Rich ELT resources  Free

3. Rationale 2/2 Why Technical Communication? Course in effective communication in a technical context Various components of assessment  Class Participation (10%)  Mini-Report & Techsite Talk (20%)  Technical Specifications (15%)  Project Description (10%)  Written Report & Project presentation (35%)  CEF (10%) Profile of the TC Students

4. Purpose for Using Twitter in TC Twitter  Broadcasting tool Diffusion of information, instructions and influence  Writing tool Encourages the 4 ‘C’s in technical writing  Conciseness (140 characters)  Clarity (of the message)  Correctness (language)  Completeness (in fulfilling the task)

5. Purpose for Using Prezi in TC Prezi  Powerful Presentation tool Zooming editor for stunning presentations Bridges the gap between “show” and “tell”  Group collaboration Allows members in the group project to work and edit online

6. Taken from Aberle 2010

7. Process 1/3 1. Preparation  Request for computer labs (time-tabling team)  Registration and demonstration Registration  Unique userid (name + class)  Rubrics to measure participation Clarity Conciseness Correctness Completeness Frequency and Freshness

9. Process2/3 2. Pedagogy Twitter  Grammar Tenses (example 1)example 1  Relative clause to show subordination (example 2)example 2  Reading and Vocabulary (example 3)example 3  Listening and Summary (example 4)example 4

20. Process3/3 2. Pedagogy Prezi  Use it for a common topic presentation in class  Students learn the difference between “show” and “tell”  Samples of Students’ work:  Group 1 – showing the innovative solution I Group 1  Group 2 – showing the innovative solution II Group 2  Group 3 – showing the innovative solution III Group 3  Group 4 – animation can be incorporated seamlessly into the same presentation canvas Group 4

22. Problems/Challenges Twitter Circumventing the grade system of using Twitter and Prezi Continue to use after TC? Cut and paste job of tweets? Prezi Practice is the key but how much time do students devote to actually practising their presentation? Old habits die hard

24. Question & Answer