Readspeeder.Com Evaluation

Purpose/Brief Description
Interactive site. Users can create an account and then log in to playback text streams at a reading speed that suits their current language proficiency. The application uses a proprietary technology to parse the text into phrases. These phrases can be played back using VCR-like controls to control the speed of the playback or pause it altogether. The user can also highlight and catalog phrases.

Learner Fit
This site is a good fit for all levels of ELLs but especially useful for lower levels, where being able to parse whole sentences and slow down the speed of reading is more critical.

The site also meets some of the Conditions for Optimal Language Learning Environments, as listed in Figure 1-2. By controlling the speed of reading, students have a better opportunity to interact and negotiate meaning; they are involved in authentic tasks (pausing the readback to think about meaning or look up a definition ); students can slow the readback down to a speed that does not overwhelm them, which reduces stress and anxiety; students control their interaction with the site, which supports learner autonomy.

Teacher Fit
Teachers could recommend this site for readers who have trouble...perhaps they cannot readily parse whole sentences themselves and try to digest too much, too fast. Readspeeder can parse the text for them. This would lower the affective filter.

How Can It Be Used?
Students can use it as a control for reading speed, which would help most in lower levels of ESL learning. Presumably, the students' need for this “decelerator” would diminish as their English proficiency improves.

Likes/Dislikes
Likes:
The site is minimalist in approach: the playback controls, tools to add and save your own text, a library of classic books and literary works, and a feed for current news stories. That's it! Straightforward and simple.

Dislikes:
At first blush, I don't have any dislikes. I love the straightforward design and simplicity of operation.

Voicethread.Com Evaluation

Purpose/Brief Description
Interactive site. Users can create an account and then log in to develop a “voicethread” on any subject. This voicethread can consist of a document, presentation, image, video, etc...virtually any downloadable file, which is then saved on the site. Other users can then log in and add comments by typing in text, adding an audio comment, or adding a video comment.

Learner Fit
This site is a good fit for all levels of ELLs: the comments can grow in sophistication and depth of analysis as the learner's proficiency level increases.

The site also meets many of the Conditions for Optimal Language Learning Environments, as listed in Figure 1-2. Using the various types of comments, students have the opportunity to interact and negotiate meaning; they are involved in authentic tasks (thinking about questions or responses, then posing them in either written or spoken language); the task of commenting allows students to produce varied and creative language; students can stay on the site as long as they want to get the task done, which reduces stress and anxiety; students control their interaction with the site, which supports learner autonomy.

Teacher Fit
There are virtually limitless activities that fit well with this site. As a teacher, you could upload text documents, presentations, or audio or video clips, and ask questions about them. As far I can tell, you could do this individually or as a group.

How Can It Be Used?
The real strength for ESL teaching, it seems to me, lies in the various ways that other users can comment on your postings. If other users want to post a text comment to your written document, they can do that but they could just as easily post an audio comment. Perhaps an audio comment to your audio voicethread would work better?...for example, to correct an error in pronunciation. The possibilities are endless.

Likes/Dislikes
Likes:
The site has an excellent look and feel and is very easily navigated. There is almost no learning curve...the controls and icons are very intuitive. Although the mode of communication is asynchronous, this feature allows users to contemplate their responses a little longer, although responding via audio or video probably lends itself more to a more immediate, “stream-of-consciousness” mode of expression. Unlike many other sites, voicethread has robust help features under its “Support” link...just pick the way you want your questions answered: forums, FAQs, tutorials, or online manuals.

Dislikes:
The only dislike I have (which is really a technological requirement/limitation) is that the site needs a broadband connection to function as intended (for audio and especially video without pauses or interruptions). Although, I must add that, believe it or not, I was able to use voicethread on a dial-up connection and post text and audio comments with only a slight delay.

CALL Website Evaluation

Quizlet.Com Evaluation

Purpose/Brief Description
Interactive site. Users can select from among hundreds of flashcard sets already created, covering many subjects. Users can also create their own flashcards. Card sets can also be shared on Facebook and Twitter.

Learner Fit
This site is a good fit for all levels of ELLs, especially the lower levels, where drill and repetition may be used more often. Creating your own flashcards also serves to reinforce concepts: the student creates the cards, then mentally recycles them when he/she uses them for review.
The site also meets many of the Conditions for Optimal Language Learning Environments, as listed in Figure 1-2. Through online study groups, students have the opportunity to interact and negotiate meaning; they are involved in authentic tasks (creating the flashcards); the task of creating the card sets allows students to produce varied and creative language; students can stay on the site as long as they want to get the task done, which reduces stress and anxiety; students control their interaction with the site, which supports learner autonomy.

Teacher Fit
There are many activites that fit well with flashcards: regular review, test review, in-class games using the cards, etc. Again, the fact that students can create card sets themselves is a good learning activity in and of itself.

How Can It Be Used?
Users can print the sets as cards or as lists. They can also set up study groups and chat interactively. The site also has games. The interactive chat feature would be a good opportunity for more authentic interaction.

Likes/Dislikes

Likes:
The site has a good look and feel and is fairly easily navigated. As with most commercial sites, you can become a member to access additional features. There is a blog feature that allows registered users to discuss additional uses and features of the site.

Dislikes:
The Help feature is simply a list of FAQs, not an interactive, context-sensitive help. Other than the lack of a more robust Help feature, there's not too much to dislike.

Review of the Video "Social Media In Plain English"

This video tells the story of the transformation of the ice cream business in Scoopville. With the advent of the counter-top ice cream maker for the home, Scoopvillians liberate themselves from the corporate tyranny of Big Ice Cream Company's three basic flavors.

Soon Scoopville's residents have created a whole new universe of personalized flavors. Thus, the analogy to social media is made: with the advent of the Internet and social media we all can create our own flavors of blogs, tweets, and other digital communications.

Say, can you give me a double-scoop, waffle cone sprinkled with TSL methods?

Thanks!

Here is a link to the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE

This is my first post. Hopefully, many more will follow.