¿Qué piensan de esta película?  ¿Cuál de las dos prefieren?

Spanish Alphabet Pronunciation Guide

Try this screencast to work on the alphabet. http://www.screenr.com/vKWs

New survey

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEVCRWxYMzB1dXNlcGJON0hiTXR6X1E6MQ Check out my latest survey.

JotForm.com

Here is a new tool that can be used to create forms that can be used in class. You can customize them or use pre-created settings. It is quick and simple. It is free up to a certain size limit. Check out my form below!

A new google tool for foreign language...

Did you read about the new google search keyboard? This looks like it will be a great help! Check out this link. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/69715.aspx

Ideas for teaching reflexive verbs....

So we're working on reflexive verbs right now in Spanish II. I've been looking for a fun way to get some good real world practice with these strutures. While I was checking my reader account, I came across this article that looked like it might have some ideas worth trying. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/69715.aspx What do you do to make reflexive verbs memorable?

A search for a Spanish nodictionaries.com.......

As I was reading through my feeds yesterday, I got really excited about an entry on a colleague's blog. She had mentioned how useful a new site is. It is called NoDictionaries.com. As I read through her blog, I was thinking of more and more applications of this program for my class. Then I went ahead and clicked on the link to the original blog where my colleague found this program. I read that blog entry as well. Finally at the bottom, I found a link for this intriguing program. AHHHH! It is a site designed for Latin only, not Spanish! Does anyone out there know of anything similar for Spanish? A quick Google search didn't pull up anything useful. If you know of a program/site that can do the same thing for Spanish, please share.

The risk of fossilization in language acquisition....

I read this article tonight about the risks of fossilization in language acquisition. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/63102.aspx As I read, I was thinking, "Great. Two of the top risks my students inherit as soon as they enter my classroom!" The article talks about commonly known research that shows that once a child hits puberty, it's more difficult to learn a language. In addition, it highlights the fact that my students are going to hit a brick wall because they are learning Spanish in a classroom in Ohio instead of in a Spanish speaking country. I thought it was interesting that they also included this reason on their list: some people just can't get past their native language paradigm to learn a new one. The author also mentioned how even living in a native speaking country for decades may not help this type of person overcome the risk of fossilization. I can only hope to make my students' language learning experiences as authentic as possible!

How to say I love you in Spanish....

I found an interesting lesson on teaching students the subtle differences in language in regards to love. I think this would make an interesting mini-lesson as we're reading our novel "los ojos de carmen". Take a look, and see what you think. http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/63195.aspx

Another wordchamp fan...

I was reading the blog of a friend tonight. She was sharing how much success she is having with her students and wordchamp. I started using wordchamp with my level 2 students this year. What I haven't done is share the resulting data with my students. After reading my friend's blog today, I've decided that this is a great idea. If I break down the results for my students, they will be able to see how to best use wordchamp to increase their learning. Thanks for the idea A!

An open letter to educators..

As I was reading Dr. Scott McCleod's blog, I came across this video. It really is worth your 6 minutes to watch. The basic message is that if we as educators do not change with society as it is changing, society will decide that it doesn't need us. It really is food for thought. Like the young man in the video says, the fact that information today is free really does change how we are going to educate our students. What do you think? http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2010/03/video-an-open-letter-to-educators.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dangerouslyirrelevant+%28Dangerously+Irrelevant%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Wallwisher

I found a really interesting new tool today while I was reading my feeds. The slideshow linked below says that it is really user friendly. Has anyone out there tried wallwisher and liked it? I think I'm going to give it a try. I'll let you know what I think.
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/04/interesting-ways-to-use-wallwisher-in.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

A fun way to teach hace.....

This game looks like it might be fun for a brief review of the hace construction in Spanish. Follow this link: www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/67931.aspx

This week I found a really interesting article on how the brain processes language. Did you know that the brain processes nouns and differently? Check out this article! www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100225084640.htm

A day of review

Today I am really stretching to remember all of the information that I learned this summer. It is so true that life gets so busy that it is hard to keep up with everything. I'm looking forward to spending some time today investigating how I can reincorporate these RSS feeds into my crazy schedule. Wish me luck!

Screencast for web 2.0 class

My journey to figure out how to screencast has been hard fought! I have spent 3 days trying to make Jing work. I don't know why, but I was having technical difficulties. I was in contact with Jing support. In the meantime, I tried to use 2 other screencasting tools unsuccessfully. I was just about to give up on screencasting and move to podcasting. Luckily, Jing magically appeared in working order late this evening. I guess you could say that technology doesn't come naturally for me. Once I managed to get Jing working, I had to figure out how to use it. It took me three recordings to figure out how to get the microphone working. Then another 2 to make everything fit together. What I finally previewed looked pretty cool. So, here (Oh how I hope!) is my first attempt at a screencast. http://screencast.com/t/FZQZFb2fLz I am really hoping that this is the correct screencast. I have redone this several times, and I'm hoping that this URL that was on my clipboard is the most recent one. If not, please forgive me. I'll fix it in an updated post! (If this works, I have to say that I do plan to give this assigment to my students the first week of school. I want them to do their own screencasts about their summer vacation. I know that we'll be spending time in the lab figuring out the questions before I send them home with this one. In reality, they probably already know how to do this, or they won't find it difficult!)

Top picks of the week (section 4)

Again I am sharing my top picks of the week with my Web 2.0 class.

1. http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/05/18/the-best-resources-for-beginning-to-learn-what-twitter-is-all-about/ My first pick is a link to a site that has great tips for starting out with Twitter. I'm thinking about jumping on board, so I thought I'd share this with others who might want to try.

2. http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2007/12/27/the-best-places-to-learn-web-20-basics-2007/ My second pick is a great list of resources to continue learning to apply the Web 2.0 skills that we're learning in our class this summer.

3. http://www.mothering.com/12-ways-to-avoid-toxins-in-packaging My third pick isn't education related, but I found the article very interesting. I've been spending time trying to figure out how I'm going to best package the kids' lunches in the fall. This information was helpful.

4. http://theconnectedclassroom.wikispaces.com/ My last choice IS education related. I found this site contains lots of valuable presentations about using Web 2.0 in the classroom. Enjoy!

My 3 picks of the week- section 3

I am still taking my Web 2.0 class. Each week I will be blogging my top three finds to share with our class. Here are my 3 picks of the week for section 3. The first is an interesting article about what the author considers the downside of taking the time to give educators training in technology. http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/07/are-our-training-efforts-helping-educators-or-enabling-codependence.html I really feel like my learning style works best with some kind of training before I just try to jump into something new. Take a look at the article to see what you think.
My second pick is an interesting foreign language site that looks like it will be worth investigating. Sra. E., have you seen this before? http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/07/08/learn-about-a-zillion-language-blogs/
My final pick is a really great site that offers free apps and websites for teachers. It looks very promising! http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/25-free-apps-and-websites-for-tech-loving-teachers/

Is technology dumbing us down?...

Today I read the following article for my Web 2.0 class. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/09128092341.htm The premise of the article is that while technology increases visual intelligence, it impedes the development of critical thinking. Patricia Greenfield, the professor who authored the study sites many examples of how multi-tasking with technology in the classroom impedes learning instead of enhancing it. On the one hand I agree with some of her points. For example, she states that "multitasking prevents people from getting a deeper understanding of information." In the study, it was noted that students who were given internet access during class learned far more than students who did not have internet access. While I agree with the initial assertion, the logical question here is: how is that any different from a student who is reading or doing other homework while the teacher is talking? Unfortunately, she then goes on to say that "wiring classrooms for internet access does not enhance learning". When I viewed this article using diigo, the comments were very strongly against the article. Many people were concerned that administrators would take this article out of context and use it to justify cuts in technology spending. I have to admit, the first thoughts that went through my mind were in the same vain. Here was my simple excuse for not having to keep up with all of this new technology. After reading the entire article and browsing other people's opinions about the study, I know that I need to step out of the Dark Ages and jump into this new Read/Write web. I hope you'll join me.

Interesting questions for the classroom

Tonight I read a post on Kim G's blog about learning styles and multiple intelligences. She mentioned the book by Dr. Daniel Willingham, Why Don't Students Like School? http://givenk.blogspot.com/2009/07/so-i-guess-everything-ive-been-doing.html I too have spent time trying to consider/incorporate learning styles and multiple intelligences into my classroom. I think that it would be worth my time to take a look at this book that Kim recommends. It seems that there might be more out there that I need to consider when I'm gearing up for a new school year.