That's the bonus for my students. The winning point for me is being able to carry around all of my printed resources (books, worksheets, manuals. etc) in the form of one small light weight electronic device. My chiropractor is so happy as that plethora of material is not longer in a bag throwing out my back every week. On the administrative side all of my planning and reporting can be done paper free and as Thatcher’s (2012) blog comments and links show there are numerous effective and simple to use apps to manage the profusion of paperwork educators administer on a daily basis. Meanwhile in the classroom I have the coolest tools to engage the intensely diverse crowd that is my student base.
Two applications for consideration:
iLingo Translator Pro - Speech Translator
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ilingo-translator-pro-speech/id492160704?mt=8
Description: You can translate words and sentences between 53 languages for iPhone/iPod. It has voice recognition and text-to-speech are supported for most languages. You can research the free version with "iLingo Translator - Speech Translator". The ease of use of this app and that is caters for so many languages makes it ideal for use in an ESL classroom that comprises of more than one native language. Each student can learn to use this app very quickly and it becomes the mobile teacher as they move about their daily enterprises.
Duolingo
http://duolingo.com/
Description: A free language learning site (and apps for devices) where you can learn a second language and help translate the web. It has a progression of lessons utilising voice recognition, text-to-speech, and basic grammar rules. This is a really fun app to work with as it’s lessons utilize game theory as well as good pedagogy. The student progresses through lessons at their own pace and can at any time go back and review previous lessons. Thus student has homework that is mobile, at their level, and fun. The app incorporates
Something to think about when choosing a mobile technology ...
Source: http://www.developria.com/2010/05/the-how-what-why-framework-for.html
Something to think about for the future ...
Preps try learning the hi-tech way with iPads
http://www.news.com.au/technology/tablets/preps-try-learning-the-hi-tech-way-with-ipads/story-fn5knrwy-1226562551443
References
Chinnery, G. M. (2006). Going to the MALL: Mobile assisted language learning. Language Learning and Technology, (10,1), 9-16. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/vol10num1/emerging/default.html
Owen, R.J., (2110, May 31). The "How, What, Why" framework for Experience Design. [Web blog posting]. Retrieved from http://www.developria.com/2010/05/the-how-what-why-framework-for.html
Smith, A. (2010). Pew Internet & American Life Project: Mobile access 2010. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2010/PIP_Mobile_Access_2010.pdf
Thatcher, M. (2012, May 7). Apps for Adult Ed Administrators. [Blog message]. Retrieved from http://marianthacher.blogspot.com/
4 comments:
I absolutely love the visual that you chose, they always ake the blogs more interesting to me. The apps you have can be used by all groups which is also very help full. The fact that they are in your pocket and can be used instantly is great because carrying Rosetta Stone around with you may become burdensome. Great post.
Thanks for that image - dragging a huge rock around to class !!
Janet,
Thank you for sharing Duolingo. After looking at the sight, it seems like it could be a useful resource for ESL students. I especially like that it is free to use. I could see me using this as an addition for homework/extra credit in my classroom.
Janet,
Both of these apps look very useful for ESL students. I especially like the voice recognition and text-to-speech capabilities of iLingo. Many ESL students are afraid to speak up in class because they might mispronounce a word or get something wrong in their translations. The text-to-speech ability of iLingo looks like it allows students to get a more phonetic understanding of English which might also help them learn through the idioms that make that learning more difficult.
What really intrigues me and is something I can see using in my own classroom is the game-based options of Duolingo. Any time you can make learning fun for students you are more likely to keep them interested and motivated to learn. The fact that you can take it with you on mobile devices makes it just that much more useful as students are able to continue the fun as homework and share with family to get them engaged.
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