Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Week 6: Game Plan
This week's assignments revolved around social networking and on-line collaboration. As a foreign language teacher I feel that making connections with people living in and speaking the language that I am teaching is a wonderful and powerful tool. I have to say I have many friends and relatives in Italy who I communicate with using Facebook, e-mails, and SKYPE and I would love to incorporate these things into my classroom. I guess the biggest challenge is finding teachers in Italy who would like to have their class communicate with mine and the time difference. One way to get around this is to set up a connection with teachers in our school district or other districts who would be willing to participate in collaborative lesson. It would not be as "authentic" as speaking with true natives but it could work just as well.
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Laura,
ReplyDeleteSKYPE is a very powerful tool when used correctly. I personally have not used it but have watched other teachers in my school do some amazing things with it. Since you are a foreign language teacher these would all be great resources for you and your students.
Matt
Laura,
ReplyDeleteSKYPE would be ideal for collaborations with other countries. My 12 year old son uses it all the time for online gaming and it would be perfect for your students to practice their foreign language skills in a practical setting.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cool tool to use! Especially since you have the connections. The time difference would pose some difficulties. Perhaps your could collaborate on a project using a blog or wiki, then eventually designate a time where the students could skype as a class (either your class coming in a little early for one day of they wanted?). It would be a great way to incorporate and authentic lesson and use of technology. Good luck!
Thank you all for the great responses. I really hope to start using SKYPE in my class this year. Just have to make the connections and work out the time difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!!
Laura~
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong, and you will know, but would it be possible for your students to use SKYPE in the morning and still have real-time connection to Italian school hours? This still poses a problem when not using a rotating schedule of classes, but maybe it would serve some purpose?
What if you set up a site to leave video or audio clips? Somewhat like a blog, but instead of reading the students can listen to native speakers. Or you could have the text and audio together so that your students could follow along. Maybe try contacting international studies programs to help you locate willing Italian teachers? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteHave you considered using ePals?
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThese days, if you want to learn a foreign language, you don't need to go any further than your computer. You can take an online class, play around with translation software and practice your skills by reading the websites of other languages. But if you want a more focused approach to learning a foreign language via your computer connection, then you might want to think about using Skype. With Skype, you can connect with people who know how to properly speak the language, so you can learn the right pronunciations and get the inside scoop on local slang. If you get lucky, you might even be able to Skype your way into a real foreign exchange.
Skype is a software program that allows teachers and students to communicate with other teachers and students anywhere in the world using the Internet.
Skype is used to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages, and share files with other classrooms or teachers. This program also provides one of the optimum methods for allowing students to work collaboratively with other students around the world.
Using Skype provides an opportunity for students in a foreign language class to connect with classes in other countries to practice their language skills. This free Internet service allows science students to collaborate with a science class or classes inside or outside their school to share data and experiment findings. Social studies students can conduct a virtual visit to another country hosted by another school or museum. You are opening you student's eyes to a whole new world.
~Retta
Hi Lynn, I have never used epals. Have you? Is it easy to use?
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great ideas.
Laura
Hi Retta,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home.
Laura