Novice
Animoto is a web application that, with the click of a button, produces videos using images and music that a user selects. Language teachers and students can choose culturally-appropriate images and audio to produce short movies that can be used in language presentations. These can be looked at on the web or embedded in blogs to be shared with classmates. Some NOVASTARTALK products have included videos on Chinese food and Arabic scripts.
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Bamboo Paper - Note taking with iPad
Bamboo Paper is a free app for iPad, which turns your iPad into a notebook. You can use it to sketch your thoughts and ideas in an authentic paper-like digital notebook and your notes can be shared visually and easily. You can also use it to practice your penmanship of writing in non-western language characters such as Chinese, Arabic, etc.
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How to Create Your Own Blog Using Blogger
Blogger allows you to create your own personalized blog where you can post content (text, audio, video, images, etc.) that can be viewed and commented upon by your user community.
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Beginner
Prezi is an online presentation builder which can be used to introduce ideas/concepts in a much more creative, visual and dynamic way than PowerPoint slides.
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Using Screenchomp to create narrated short tutorials
Screenchomp is a free app that allows you to create and share short tutorials on your iPad. You can demonstrate things on its whiteboard by drawing and talking through your instructions. Your instructions and talking will be recorded and uploaded to ScreenChomp.com where a shortened URL will be provided for you to share with your students.
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Using Synchronous Tools (Skype) in the World Languages Classroom
Skype is a FREE VoIP technology (Voice over Internet Protocol) which can be used to make audio and video phone calls via Internet.
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Intermediate
Dropbox is a free file hosting service that helps you keep your files safe, synced and accessible from anywhere. According to Dropbox, “ Dropbox is a home for all your photos, docs, videos and files. Anything you add to Dropbox will automatically show up on all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website – so you can access your stuff from anywhere.” After you have placed files in Dropbox, you can easily share your files with other people, and the files will be backed up and kept safe. The following image best illustrate how you can access files in Dropbox:
Flip Cameras for World Languages
Flip video cameras are a useful tool in language classes as they are extremely easy to use and fairly inexpensive. With a class set of flip cameras, students can interview each other, perform skits in the target language, create their own "commercials" or music videos and much more. In order to produce a "professional" video, students will work on their project from storyboarding to rehearsal and finally to filming.
Using Google Docs for Collaboration in the Classroom
Google Docs is an easy-to-use online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor. You can use it to create, store and share your documents instantly, securely, and collaborately online in real time.
Advanced
Skype is a FREE VoIP technology (Voice over Internet Protocol) which can be used to make audio and video phone calls via Internet.
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Todays Meet - An easy to use collaboration tool
Todays Meet is a free micro-blogging site without logins. It allows teachers to easily create a virtual chat room where students can speak up. Its interface is very easy to use and like Twitter, it uses a 140-character limit. The information discussed can be saved.
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Using Comic Strips (ToonDoo) to Teach Foreign Languages
ToonDoo is a cool, comic-creating tool from Jambav, a fun site for kids. Jambav is devoted to creating a unique array of free and customizable online games of educational value for children of all abilities. ToonDoo was the happy result of brainstorming session that was aimed at creating a new way of expression for those who do not have the talent to draw.
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