Flipped Classrooms...LOTE Style!

It has been a while since I have posted and there are many new technology resources out there for foreign language teachers! One important concept that is sweeping education today is the flipped classroom. This concept is not about the videos per se, but a way to get students engaged in their learning. For those of you unsure of a flipped classroom, watch this video by Aaron Sams. There are many tools available today to help with videos and animation if this is the road you choose. This one has many resources already created by fellow FL flippers! The key to success is to remember that this concept is not about the video. If you do not have resources to create animated videos, no worries! You can be as successful with a simple video to impart what you want your students to know. A couple things to keep in mind: keep them short and impart humor! Oftentimes, you can find incredible videos on youTube that will serve the pupose perfectly. No need to reinvent the wheel! Another resource for flipping your classroom is the TedEd website. There are fantastic videos you can customize to your teaching. Now, as far as LOTE teacher are concerned, we are still the pioneers. The flipped classroom gives us more application time in the classroom which means more exposure to what we want our students to master. The beauty of this concept is this: when the kids need to apply what they have learned, you are right there to help them so they do not practice incorrectly! It is much more difficult to correct inaccuracy that has been practiced over and over than to teach and model correctly and practice initially. Another advantage is that students can watch the videos, pause, and rewind as many times necessary to help with mastery. The final point I will make in regards to flipping your foreign language classroom is the fact that it caters to all levels of learners. Those that master the concepts quickly can move on. Those who need more time, can spend more time learning and mastering the concepts. It is a win-win for educators. There are many resources for you on the web. I hope you take the time to consider even using this method some of the time in your classroom. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

New Collaboration Tools

I came across some online sites that are helpful tools to put in your tool belt. The first I found to be especially helpful as it has real time communication for collaboration and allows the users to see the updates as they are being made. typewith.me is a helpful site that will enable your students to work in groups with real time communication.
The next site I found to be especially helpful to language teachers is Google Earth. I know many of you have had exposure to this online tool but may not be too sure as to how you can use it in your language classrooms. One way you can use Google Earth is to create a "tour" to various places in a country as a culture lesson. There are photos you can "fly" into and 3-D buildings you can experience.
Here's one that is a new spin on a favorite of mine, tagxedo.com  This site uses the same concept that Wordle uses but you can create your word "clouds" in shapes. These tools can be used at the beginning of a unit, a warmup activity, student work, Advance organizers, to name a few.
There are many new tools that can be incorporated easily in the foreign language setting. I will post a few more in the coming days.
Think of the units you plan to teach and find ways to incorporate technology into them so that it is as natural as using a pencil.

Flickrstorm!!!

Foreign Language teachers (and all others for that matter), you are about to acquire a tool that will allow your students to use photos from Flickr safely! For those of you, like me, we cannot use Flickr in our district and I understand exactly why...now. As I was searching their site for photos on Spain, I came across a rather alarming, but funny photo. Of course, I would be completely dismayed should any of my students come across something like this while searching for useful goodies! I found that Flickrstorm will allow you to search their site (be sure to use the "advanced search" for creative commons photos), you will then take the photo you like and put it in a "tray". You may put multiple photos in this tray. Then you will take the web address for that tray, and share it with your students. This way, they ONLY see the photos YOU added!! I was so excited to find this little nugget and just couldn't wait to share it with you! Flickrstorm is easy to use and above all, safe for your students to have a resource for photos. Just be sure they are creative commons and allowed for student use or educational purposes!

Voicethread

Wow! I came across this little nugget at a Web 2.0 class this week! It has so many great features! Project opportunities abound! This is especially helpful in a foreign language classroom. The students can create artwork and discuss it or they can post a picture and describe it in the target language. You then have his/her classmates make comments on the work also in the target language! What a great way to have students practice at home! Another way to use this tool is to provide prompts and have students make comments and answer. Teachers can leave video comments to provide students with constructive criticism and guidance.
http://voicethread.com/