App Fun Day: exploring 3 cross-platform apps

Friday afternoon, we had one more APP FUN DAY at Cultura Inglesa Uberlândia.

We are still focussing on apps which work OFFLINE and are available for both IOS and android devices, such as:

- Songify 

- Instaquote 

- Buddypoke 

We had one hour to demonstrate the apps, try some possibilities, a hands-on activity and then pairs brainstormed other activities for their classrooms.

These are the activities we tried together:

Songify turns your recorded sentences into a songified version.

Challenges for using the SONGIFY:

- when recording you have to speak very close to the microphone.

- covers of devices can muffle the sound and spoil the recording.

- pronunciation has to be very clear to be understood.

Having said that, we tried recording sentences and isolated words.

With Instaquote you can create short texts with beautiful background and fonts. You can use default backgrounds or even your own photos.

First, I asked teachers to imagine ways of ending the sentence "Where there is love, .......", create an instaquote with their sentence, share with others and choose the best one.

Then, I asked them to try to guess the original quote, which was "Where there is love, there is life." by Mahatma Gandhi.

Buddypoke is a great app for children and young teens. It allows you to create customisable characters and create video recordings using your own voice.

For the background you can use default backgrounds provided by the app, grab pictures from your device or even use your camera.

After having played with the three apps, before saying goodbye each teacher was handed an EXIT TICKET where they contributed with more ideas to use the apps.

Their suggestions:

SONGIFY

- Each student records a short sentence about their last weekend and the partner tries to guess what it is.

- Record 5 to 10 words and use the app to present a different dictation.

- Students leave the room to record a sentence, then the sentence which is more easily understood gets a prize.

INSTAQUOTE

- Write definition to find out words. For example: Sentences using relative clauses (which, where) / It's a place where we buy food (they can use pictures in the background)

- Students can prepare a gap fill sentence (using comparatives for example) and their friends have to fill in the blanks. As a round up, they can practise speaking and can elect the best or more creative background.

BUDDYPOKE

- Two students create a short dialogue (with two characters) about the subject they are studying and present the recording to the class.

- Students can use it to give funny orders and their classmates have to obey. For ex: go to the front of the class and start dancing samba.

- A student records directions using Buddypoke. The other student listens to the Buddypoke and follows the directions with the help of a map.

Some examples:

SONGIFY

- A recording made by a student of mine where he reads two sentences in the First Conditional. 

Can you identify them?

listen to ‘First conditional sentences’ on Audioboo

This is a previous blog post where I explained the activity. http://lifefeast.blogspot.com.br/2012/08/songifying-first-conditional.html

INSTAQUOTE

- two instaquotes created as a test by Ana Cláudia.

BUDDYPOKE

- This is an example of what can be done by adding images from the web to the background. In this case, it's used to describe a bedroom.

Making app tutorials on the Ipad

How can I create a video with the Cartoonatic app?

This post started with a question from one of the participants of the online course Jennifer Verschoor and I have been moderating this month.

As the online course is about MLearning and we've been exploring several apps, I sent the following cartoonatic video to participants at the beginning of Week 4.

The video was recorded with the CARTOONATIC app I have downloaded to my ipad. After that, I downloaded it to youtube as a video. It could also have been shared in different ways as facebook, e-mail, twitter or saving it my camera roll. After sharing the video with participants, Erika downloaded the app to her iphone and sent me the question mentioned above after having problems.

My next question, this time to myself, was:

How can I make this tutorial?

When using my laptop it's quite easy to create screencasts showing what to do, but with the ipad, it's not so easy, at least, as far as I know. I would have to use AN APP TO EXPLAIN HOW TO USE ANOTHER APP.

My first trial was with the app SNAPGUIDE:


Check out How to Use Cartoonatic by Ana Menezes on Snapguide.

Now, how did I make this Snapguide?
1. I took screenshots of the images from my ipad.
2. I inserted the arrows and texts to the images using SKITCH app and saved the images to my ipad again.
3. I used SNAPGUIDE app to create the tutorial slideshow and then grabbed the link to share.

My second trial was with the app SHOWME:



This one I liked best as I could add my voice and draw arrows on the images while explaining.
I sent the link to my own e-mail, clicked the link, clicked SHARE and grabbed the embed code for publishing.

In conclusion, with both apps, I had to base the tutorial on static screenshots taken with my ipad. I keep wondering if there is an app which allows us to record video tutorials of ourselves while we use an app. I know some people mirror their ipads to their laptops and then make a screencast, but is there a way to do that with an APP? Wondering ........

19 BYOD language activities wrapped for Christmas

Sharing some activities I've collected for  android and IOS devices.

 

 Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

BYOD apps for ELT

Would you help us build a list of cross-platform apps (IOS and Android)?

by Ana Maria Menezes

Roseli Serra and I have started collecting apps which can be used by our students with their own devices. http://list.ly/list/6qC-byod-apps-for-elt?feature=mylist

All the apps added to this list can be found for BOTH SYSTEMS ( IOS and Android), therefore, ideal for BYOD classes.

To contribute to the list, click the pink button ADD TO LIST and paste the URL of the app.

BYOD apps for ELT

View more lists from Ana Menezes

Android APPS for ELT

By SIDDARTHA

This week, in one of the EDMODO groups I'm a member of, a teacher asked suggestions of Android apps for English Language Teaching.

I know many people blog about IPHONE/ IPAD apps and it's not that simple to select good apps for a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach.

Here in Brazil, specially with well-off teenagers iphones are very popular. However, what about all these other devices our students carry in their bags, not to say on their hands all the time? Once schools invest in providing free wifi to students, there's a lot we can do with the devices that belong to them. 

As a teacher, I've decided to invest in an ipad and an android cell phone in order to be well acquainted with both systems. 

The best source of suggested Android apps, in my opinion, is Richard Byrne's blog http://www.android4schools.com/  .

Nevertheless, I've started a collaborative list of ANDROID APPS FOR ELT.

http://list.ly/l/6a4

Android apps for ELT

View more lists from Ana Menezes

Would you help me enrich this list?  TO CONTRIBUTE, just click ADD TO LIST and paste the URL from the android app you suggest.

Ipad apps for GREEN SCREEN videos

In case you don't know. WHAT'S GREEN SCREEN?

 According to EHOW,

Green Screen Classroom Projects | eHow via kwout

I've always wanted to try out creating green screen videos with my students but didn't know how to start. 

With the IPAD it's quite easy.

The easiest app in my opinion is FX Studio. Although you have to pay U$2.99 for the app, it's quite easy to create your green screen movie.
https://itunes.apple.com/br/app/green-screen-movie-fx-studio/id575716410?mt=8

http://youtu.be/_JFjo9SEewU

This was my first trial with FX Studio:

 What I liked about it:

- it's very easy to use and there are various backgrounds and effects you can choose from.

What I didn't like so much:

- As far as I know, there's no way I could use my own images in the background. :(

The second app I tried today was VideoFX Live.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/videofx-live/id478338333?mt=8

I couldn't find a youtube tutorial but at least I had access to this written tutorial which helped me a bit. http://videostarapp.com/blog/2012/03/making-better-green-screen-videos/

After some trials and errors, I discovered that first you have to click NEW FX, choose the effect USER PHOTO, click PICK PHOTO to choose a photo from your own ipad and then click RECORD to make your video. 

I feel a bit embarassed to share this simple trial but here it is.

 What I liked about it:

- the app is FREE but by paying U$ 0.99 I was able to use my own background photo.
- there are MANY background images, animations and effects to choose from.

What I didn't like so much:

- I couldn't find a tutorial easily.
- It took me some time to find how to go about the green screen effect.

Now , HOW COULD I USE THESE APPS with my own students?

I searched for some ideas and these are a few links which I really liked:

- Green Screen classroom Projects

http://www.ehow.com/info_8054435_green-screen-classroom-projects.html

- Project: students choose as a background a place they would like to visit. Then they would have to use 3 props to talk more about themselves. An example video: http://youtu.be/uovkgxCj-wY

- Project: students create a Civil War film.

http://www.doverschool.net/pdf/dovergreenscreenarticle.pdf

- The Nome Storytelling Project (Superb idea)

http://www.jasonohler.com/resources/NomeDST.cfm

Oh, something important I forgot to mention, although these kinds of videos are called GREEN SCREEN with both of the apps I mentioned you DON'T NEED a green screen at all. All you need is a blank white wall to make the recordings.

APP Swap: IATEFL 2013

WHAT'S AN APP SWAP?

It's an informal teachmeet where all teachers have the chance to share apps they find useful.

During IATEFL Liverpool, we had a very interesting moment of sharing apps when each one of us suggested apps, explained why we liked them and also used the webpage http://todaysmeet.com/appswap to keep track of what was being shared. 

Photo by Roseli Serra

As most apps suggested on Todaysmeet don't have a link and descriptions, I carefully explored 50 + of the apps shared and organized them into an INTERACTIVE LIST which can be added by anyone who wishes to contribute as well. To suggest an app, all you have to do is click ADD TO LIST and paste the URL of the app suggested, remember to leave a description.

App Swap IATEFL 2013

View more lists from Ana Maria Menezes

PEN + PAPER ? Notetaking during conferences

When I started attending conferences years ago, I normally used the notepad provided by publishers to take notes during the sessions I attended. I used my pen to jot down whatever I thought was pertinent to my teaching practice and kept these notes stored for some time before I threw them out. I also kept the various hand-outs given by the presenters.

This year at the IATEFL conference I noticed a big change in the way people are storing information. First, I could see an ocean of mobile devices being held above people's heads taking photos of slides being shown. 

Many people tweeted throughout the conference.

Others used their fast fingers to blog about the sessions and resources being shared. Check GRAHAM STANLEY's blog posts at http://blog-efl.blogspot.co.uk/

Image by Carla Arena

Others like me, used their ipads for taking notes. I had thought of using the EVERNOTE APP but something went wrong and I decided to give another note-taking app a chance. NOTABILITY was the app I used each day to keep notes and pictures taken during the sessions.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT?

Well, it was pretty easy to type the notes, take pictures from within the app to add to the notes, save them and then share them via e-mail with a friend at the end of the day. It's also possible to share your notes via Facebook or Twitter. 

Another great difference which I've been noticing more recently is the way people have been sharing their ppt presentations and resources after the session. In the past, most presenters would share their e-mails with the audience and promise to send the ppt to anyone who wrote them an e-mail. Honestly, I hate this method as some presenters never send you their slides later on. Nowadays, there are SO MANY OTHER OPTIONS. Some people like Vicky Saumell and Carla Arena,  shared cards with the link to a webpage with resources and their own presentations. Vicky created a protopage and Carla wrote a  blog post.

Vicky's resources: http://protopage.com/saumell_iatefl2013

Carla's resources: http://collablogatorium.blogspot.com.br/2013/03/contentcuration.html

Others, like Gavin Dudeney shared a QRCODE at the end of the slides so that by scanning it you would be taken to their shared presentation. If you don't have a QR reader, I suggest THIS ONE (for iphones or androids ).

Others, like sharing LIVEBINDERS with their links ( I learned this one from Shelly Terrell).

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/202342?present=true

And some others, still use two very powerful technologies: PAPER + PEN.

Now, is there a best way to store information? I don't know, I think the most important thing is to keep some sort of  information so that you can retrieve later for further reflection.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How do you take notes during presentations and conferences nowadays?

The sound of music (2) - my apps

This is a collection of FREE APPS which can bring music to your life.

1. RELAX MELODIES HD - a great FREE app to help you relax and maybe go to sleep. You can customize your own relaxing music by selecting what sounds you want to include: rainy day, birds, piano, flute, ocean, river, thunder and so on. I've never used it in class but I guess it's possible to use it to set moods for writing for example. (iphones and androids)

https://itunes.apple.com/br/app/relax-melodies-hd-white-noise/id367506176?mt=8

2. SONGIFY - another FREE app for iphone or androids. Record yourself saying something and the app turns it into music. I've already used it in class to record my students reading sentences they had created themselves using a target structure and then played all recordings as a dictation. (iphones and androids)

Similar apps
- AUTORAP
- TALKAPELLA

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smule.songify

3. BAND OF THE DAY - free app which offers you songs from a new band every day. Great way of discovering new bands.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/band-of-the-day/id459664402?mt=8

4. MOODAGENT - choose your mood and the app selects a playlist for you. For iphones and androids.

http://www.moodagent.com/

5. MUSIXMATCH - I've always thought reading lyrics while singing is a great way to practice pronunciation. Well, this is a FREE app which can let you  follow the lyrics. Just love it! (iphone or android)

http://musixmatch.com/






TWO KARAOKE APPS

6. SING SING TOGETHER (FREE) -This a Karaoke for kids. Perfect for kids to sing in English in EFL classes.

http://www.famigo.com/app/sing-sing-together/

7. ANDROID KARAOKE SING ALONG - more than 1,000 most popular karaoke videos.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sadi


TOOLS TO IDENTIFY TUNES THAT HAVE STUCK TO YOUR MIND

8. SHAZAM - If you're listening to a song but want to know what it's called or who the singer is, just turn on the app and shazam the app gives you the answer. (Iphones and androids)

http://www.shazam.com/

9. MIDOMI - Many times you don't have the real song playing to identify it but only the tune that stuck to your head. The app allows you to sing or even only hum the tune and it identifies the song for you. Mashable says humming works better than singing. For iphones and androids.

http://www.midomi.com/
Similar app: SOUNDHOUND


AND YOU? Do you have music apps you enjoy using? Please, leave your contributions in the comment area, I'd love to learn about other apps.

QR Codes - the mystery solved

We see these little codes EVERYWHERE and many people still don't understand what they are for.

Meanwhile, several teachers have been sharing different qr code generators and interesting activities for the classroom.

But first things first, if you're one of the many who don't really know   how different they are from normal bar codes, FIRST, let's  understand them and then see how they can be used in our classes.



Let me tell you a secret , I was one of these people who didn't really see the beauty of QR codes until I came accross the following video http://www.commoncraft.com/video/qr-codes

Step 1: watch the explanatory video.
Step 2: download a scanner reader app to your cell phone or ipad.
      - apps for android
      - apps for iphone/ ipad
Step 3: Test your scanner app by pointing it to the qrcode on this post and you'll be taken to the video I mentioned.

Step 4: Let's learn how to generate these codes.
There are different generators you can use, the easiest might be a simple generator such as http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ but one I've found very useful is using URL Shorteners such as:   www.bit.ly  or http://www.tinyurl.com/

First of all, copy the URL of a page you would like to share, go to one of the sites mentioned above (tinyurl or bit.ly), paste it and click to shorten. You can customize the name of the link by clicking CUSTOMIZE. Copy the link provided by the site and paste it on a new tab, include /qr and press enter. Then you should have the qrcode of the shortened URL.



Oh, as you can see the QR Codes are black and white but if you want to add some color to it, try http://www.unitag.fr

And how can we use QR CODES in education?

You might enjoy reading these articles:

• Interesting ways to use QR codes in the classroom
• QR codes in the classroom

I've been collecting interesting ideas about QR CODES in my PINTEREST BOARD for some time and here are some of them:

• QR VOICE -  Type in your message (100 character max.) then create the QR code. When the code is scanned, a voice recording will read your typed message! I will be using this with my students!  http://qrvoice.net/?id=u8gLjf
• TOUCH A WORD + GET A DEFINITION - download a program which allows you to see definitions of any word you touch on your mobile.  http://www.snapanda.com/en
• MAKE QR CODES with your cell phone -  http://snapguide.com/guides/make-a-high-quality-qr-code-with-your-ios-device/
• ART GALLERY - students have created posters with audio stories attached by using Qr codes.  http://blogs.southfieldchristian.org/pixelsandpaintbrushes/2012/05/29/qr-code-art-gallery-superheros/
• SLIDESHARE PRESENTATION - several ideas on how to use qr codes with elementary students.  http://www.slideshare.net/gwynethjones/qr-codes-in-the-elementary-classroom?ref=http://daringlibrary.edublogs.org/
• TREASURE HUNT GENERATOR - add a series of questions and grab a code for  each one.  http://www.classtools.net/QR/
• EDUCATIONAL POSTERS -  http://www.rylice.com/teachertech/?p=370 Great idea!
• MULTIPLE CHOICE EXERCISE - students get immediate feedback to answers by scanning the code for the right answer.  http://pinterest.com/pin/213991419764501747/
• LANGUAGE LESSON -  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/01/create-mobile-language-lesson-with-qr.html

Another way you can use QR CODES is ....

Let's imagine you are at a conference and don't have a business card to exchange. NO PROBLEM, with SnapMyInfo you can trade info by using your phone camera. http://snapmyinfo.com

QR code at a glance

An amazing comic tutorial from the Daring Librarian

Guest post: Finding "APPiness"

This is how everything started:
Camila Sousa and I sending messages to each other. Camila lives in Chicago and I, in Brazil.


- Ana, you've got to see the fabulous apps I've been exploring for the ipad.
- I have an idea, Camila, why don't you write a guest post for my blog telling us all about it?


I'm very pleased to host Camila's post just below. Check out her fantastic blog " 2 Teach is 2 touch lives 4 ever"

Thank you to Ana Maria at LifeFeast who invited me to write a guest post for her blog. I am very happy to be sharing with you all. Those who know me understand that my philosophy and motto is - Sharing is caring! :-)

I have been researching apps because the school district I work at is implementing a program that provides iPads for all 6th grade students and, believe it or not, they get to take their devices home!! I know, right?? These kids are so lucky!! I wish I was studying there. LOL I am the Technology Facilitator so I get to help them learn to use their iPads. It has been great hopping from site to site and  finding some amazing educators' blogs, wikis and social media pages that review apps or just list them.

These are the free educational apps I have been collecting and sharing with the district staff I work with. I am very "APPy" to be sharing them with you all. My suggestions are based on schools I am currently working with.

Free Educational Apps

You can also find a list of educators' blogs with their app recommendation on my online bookmarking website.

Iphone apps for EFL learners

I was showing some apps I have in my iphone to a friend of mine today when she asked me what apps she could download to her iphone to help her revise English.

After checking out various posts, these are the ones I'd like to recommend so far:

VOCABAHEAD - A word a day

$0.99

LEVEL:  Advanced Learners

 VOCABAHEAD - SAT Vocabulary
There's a FREE version

Fun and intuitive way to learn hundreds of new words using humorous illustrations with audio. You have a list of words to learn from, with examples and drawings.

WORDGLIDE 

FREE

Watch words glide through your screen, some words may pause and show their definition, you can hear the word and add it to your favourites by tapping on +



Watch an overview

GENGO Language Audio Flashcards  (also in English)

$5.99

1. You learn the words/ sound with flashcards with images.
2. You test your knowledge by playing a game where you have to click on the image according to the word you hear.


I have this application in French and use it every day.
Really recommend it.

LEVEL: Beginner - Pre-Intermediate

LEARNING ENGLISH with the New York Times

$2.99

Improve your reading, listening and vocabulary.

 If you have already used Quizlet to make your own flashcards with words and definitions, you can use the following site to have access to your flashcard sets.

FREE
http://www.fcfree.com/