Tuesday, March 31, 2015

TTP Week#5: Audio


Explore the Audio Guide.

Things to do/try
  • Phone RecordingEither transfer your audio recording to your computer or upload it to your Google Drive and download it to your computer. (see advanced challenge below).  
  •  Explore the audio-related sites listed in the Audio Guide.  Use Diigo to bookmark at least three interesting sites (from there or other sources). These can include audio activity sites, podcasts, audio utilities, or anything else that is related to the use of audio for language learning.
     
  • Recording and editing an audio file with Audacity. Audacity Introduction Screencast
    You will need some kind of external mic or headset to do this.  Record a short conversation or monologue about anything you like.
    - Export it as an mp3 file.
    - Then either
         -  upload it to your Google Drive and share it privately with pufslebow@gmail.com
         -  Upload it to Clyp.it and post the flash player on your blog like this:



  • Advanced Audio Gymnastics
    Upload your phone recording to your Google Drive. Install the Driver Converter app by clicking 'Open with/Connect More Apps/and find 'Drive Converter'.  Convert the phone recording from this morning to an mp3 file, Open that file, do some basic editing of it in Audacity.  Share it via Google Drive or post on your blog as described above.
     
  • Register at Voki.com, create a Voki chatbot, and post it on your blog.
     Voki Screencast Guide here




Assorted Cumulative To Do Items: 
  • Download our Talk Show Video and edit it in Windows Movie Maker. 
  • Check in on  Feedly. See new posts from classmates, alumni, and other sections.  
  • Post something on the TTP Spring 2015 Group Blog. 
  • Add videos to your YouTube Playlists. 
  • Watch  assorted Screencast Guides. 
  • Process vocab from Food Handouts and discussions and other recent TTP courses by adding them to your Quizlet set and/or our Group Quizlet. You can also annotate our Group Notes. 
  • Diigo, Diigo, Diigo!
  • Grab a book or two from Xreading.com

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Posted by Jeff Lebow at 1:38 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

TES531 Week#4 : Video Tools and Resources

Virtual Office Hours - Sunday, March 29 at 8pm.  RSVP Here
If you have not yet connected with Jeff by Hangout, please arrange a time to meet soon!
You can email me or send me a text message via Band or Hangout.

 Look at  The Learning CALL Video Guide and the screencasts there

The guide covers....
  • Sites that use video for language learning
  • Posting Videos on your blog
  • Downloading YouTube and other online videos
  • Editing videos with Windows Movie Maker
  • Watching TV Shows and Movies online
  • Screen capturing & sharing
  • Creating a YouTube Playlist
To Do Tasks
  • Look at the Language Learning Sites listed on the  Video Guide  Explore the sites listed there.  Use Diigo to bookmark at least three of those or other video sites of interest.
     
  • Go to YouTube.com, Ted Talks, or other video sharing sites,  find any video of interest, and post it on your blog.
     
  • Look through the ELL videos in your Feedly or go directly to YouTube.com and subscribe to channels of interest  and/or at videos to your playlists.
    Post your playlists on your blog and/or our group blog.  (See 'how-to instructions here)
     
  • Use a video download tool (like Torch or  KeepVid.com) to save a video file from YouTube or another video sharing site.
  • Create a blog post that either 
      a) reflects on how you might use video resources in your teaching
      or
      b) shows a sample of video-related lesson materials you might use in your teaching context
      Once you've create that post, go to the LearningCall Google Community and post a link to it.
  •  (Optional) Use Windows Movie Maker to edit that video (e.g. shorten it, add subtitles, etc.)
          Upload that video to your Google Drive and share it with pufslebow@gmail.com
  • (Optional) Use your webcam to create and post your own video on YouTube.  Become a YouTube Star!
     
  • (Optional) Use a screencapture tool like Ocam or  Screencast-o-matic to record a screencast and post it to YouTube or your blog.
Review  
  • Take a look at Feedly. See new posts from classmates, alumni, and other sections.  
  • Watch  Google Tools screencasts you didn't get around to last week
      Google Drive    Google Plus    Chrome Tools
  • Experiment with Speech Recognition Add-on to Google Docs (Similar to Google Translate, but allows longer passages to be transcribed)
    Download:      Speech Recognition Add-on
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Posted by Jeff Lebow at 4:39 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

TTP Week#4 - Video Resources & Tools


 Look at  The Learning CALL Video Guide and the screencasts there

The guide covers....
    • Sites that use video for language learning
    • Posting Videos on your blog
    • Downloading YouTube and other online videos
    • Editing videos with Windows Movie Maker
    • Watching TV Shows and Movies online
    • Screen capturing & sharing
    • Creating a YouTube Playlist
To Do Tasks
  • Look at the Language Learning Sites listed on the  Video Guide  Explore the sites listed there.  Use Diigo to bookmark at least three of those or other video sites of interest.
     
  • Go to YouTube.com, Ted Talks, or other video sharing sites,  find any video of interest, and post it on your blog.
     
  • Look through the ELL videos in your Feedly or go directly to YouTube.com and subscribe to channels of interest  and/or at videos to your playlists. Post your playlists on your blog and/or our group blog.
     
  • Use a video download tool (like Torch or  KeepVid.com) to save a video file from YouTube or another video sharing site.
    -  (Optional) Use Windows Movie Maker to edit that video (e.g. shorten it, add subtitles, etc.)
    -  Upload that video to your Google Drive and share it with pufslebow@gmail.com
    (Optional) Use your webcam to create and post your own video on YouTube.  Become a YouTube Star!
     
  • (Optional) Use a screencapture tool like Ocam or  Screencast-o-matic to record a screencast and post it to YouTube or your blog.
Review
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Posted by Jeff Lebow at 8:42 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 16, 2015

TES531 Week#3 - Google/Chrome Tools and Feed Me!


Welcome to Week#3 of TES531.  I enjoyed 'Hanging out' with some of you last Thursday.  This week I hope to virtually meet with the rest of you.
Virtual Office Hours on Sunday, March 22 at 3pm. You can RSVP at: the Google+ Event Page
If you're unavailable at that time, please let me know days and times when you will be able to connect. 

Watching all of this week's screencasts and experimenting with the tools they describe  might take a while.  Next week will be an easier  'single-topic' week, so don't be too stressed.  Hopefully, you'll have some time to catch-up next week if necessary.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with questions - before you spend too much time making frustrated  faces at the computer :)

 Week#3 Tasks 
PART 1
Feed Me!
Keeping up with the endless  stream of great content out there can be overwhelming.  One of the tools that can help us 'sip from the firehose' is an RSS Reader.  This is a way to have new content come to you rather than having to constantly check sites you follow.  The screencast below shows how to use Feedly.com to subscribe to sites you like. It was recorded for last year's TES531 course, but most of it is still up-to-date.
Please watch the screencast and then  Download the LearningCalFeeds2015.opml file here . Once it's all set up, you can  spend some time exploring the sites in your Feedly (and perhaps adding others).  As always, use Diigo to bookmark any interesting sites you encounter.  By the end of the week, please create a blog post about useful sites and/or posts you've seen and how you might use them in your teaching and/or learning.



PART 2
Explorations in different parts of the Google Universe.
Google offers a variety of useful tools which are included for free with a Google account.  Below are screencasts that describe some of these tools.  There were also recorded last year, but are mostly up-to-date. 
Gmail    Drive   Google Plus
&   Photos 		Calendar   Translate
Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File
(the video file links are there in case you want to download these for offline viewing)
To Do: 
  • Add a forwarder from your Gmail account to your main email account (if gmail isn't your main account)
  • Create a short Google Presentation (2 slides is OK) , post it on your blog, and make 'pufslebow@gmail.com' an editor. 
  • Upload a photo or two (or 100) to your Google photo space and share them with your TES531 classmates in Google Plus. 
  • Use Google Translate (online or mobile) and see if it can accurately transcribe you speaking these Pronunciation Practice Sentences and Minimal Pairs
Chrome TOOLS
There are also a variety of ways to 'extend' Google's  Chrome browser to add functionality.
You can see all extensions in the 'Chrome Web Store'.   (despite the word 'store', extensions are free)
Below are some CALL-related extensions.

Watch this Screencast Guide>>>:   YouTube    Video File 

Screenreaders
Speakit: Chrome Extension  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/speakit/pgeolalilifpodheeocdmbhehgnkkbak?hl=en
 List of other screenreader options at: http://usabilitygeek.com/10-free-screen-reader-blind-visually-impaired-users/


Dictionary Extensions  
Google Dictionary 
This can be useful for quickly checking the meaning and pronunciation of words online. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-dictionary-by-goog/mgijmajocgfcbeboacabfgobmjgjcoja?hl=en


Other Options
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-chrome-extensions-lookup-words-meanings-browse/

Week#1 & #2  Reminders
If you didn't get around to doing these yet...


(Coming up next week. Feel free to take a sneak peek)
Video
In-class overview of the Video Guide
  • Sites that use video for language learning
  • Posting Videos on your blog
  • Downloading YouTube and other online videos
  • Editing videos with Windows Movie Maker
  • Watching TV Shows and Movies online
  • Screen capturing & sharing


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Posted by Jeff Lebow at 8:43 PM 1 comments

Sunday, March 15, 2015

TTP Week#3 - Feed Me, Archives, & Google Tools


Week#3 Tasks 
PART 1
Setting up a TTP Spring 2015 Archive
Inspired by 성우's Saturday Night Band Posting Extravaganza ....
I have made the TTP Spring 2015 Group Blog private.
This creates a closed space where we can all post categorized notes, reflections, and materials during and after TTP.

PART 2
Feed Me with Feedly.com!     Download the LearningCalFeeds2015.opml file here
Keeping up with the endless  stream of great CALL content out there can be overwhelming.  One of the tools that can help us 'sip from the firehose' is an RSS Reader.  This is a way to have new content come to you rather than having to constantly check sites you follow. We will get things set up in class, but if you have any questions about how the magic happens, the screencast below shows how to use Feedly.com to subscribe to sites you like. It was recorded for last year's TES531 course, but most of it is still up-to-date. 
Once it's all set up, you can  spend some time exploring the sites in your Feedly (and perhaps adding others).  As always, use Diigo to bookmark any interesting sites you encounter.




PART 3
Check your Gmail for a message from Xreading.com
This is the online source of extensive reading materials. 
Once logged in, click on 'Add book' to check out online book options. 

PART 4
Explorations in different parts of the Google Universe.
Google offers a variety of useful tools which are included for free with a Google account.  Below are screencasts that describe some of these tools.  There were also recorded last year, but are mostly up-to-date. 
Gmail    Drive   Google Plus
&   Photos 		Calendar   Translate
Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File		Screencast
YouTube
Video File
(the video file links are there in case you want to download these for offline viewing)

To Do Possibilities: 
  • Add a forwarder from your Gmail account to your main email account (if gmail isn't your main account)
  • Create a short Google Presentation (2 slides is OK) , post it on your blog, and make 'pufslebow@gmail.com' an editor. 
  • Upload a photo or two (or 100) to your Google photo space and share them with your TTP Classmates classmates in Google Plus. 
  • Use Google Translate (online or mobile) and see if it can accurately transcribe you speaking these Pronunciation Practice Sentences and Minimal Pairs
Chrome TOOLS
There are also a variety of ways to 'extend' Google's  Chrome browser to add functionality.
You can see all extensions in the 'Chrome Web Store'.   (despite the word 'store', extensions are free)
Below are some CALL-related extensions.

Watch this Screencast Guide>>>:   YouTube    Video File 

Screenreaders
Speakit: Chrome Extension  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/speakit/pgeolalilifpodheeocdmbhehgnkkbak?hl=en
 List of other screenreader options at: http://usabilitygeek.com/10-free-screen-reader-blind-visually-impaired-users/


Dictionary Extensions  
Google Dictionary 
This can be useful for quickly checking the meaning and pronunciation of words online. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-dictionary-by-goog/mgijmajocgfcbeboacabfgobmjgjcoja?hl=en


Other Options
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Posted by Jeff Lebow at 6:30 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 9, 2015

TES531 Week#2 - Hanging Out, Blogging, and Games & Activities

Before tackling Week#2 Tasks, please make sure you have....
  • a Gmail address, Blogger blog, and Diigo account. 
  • Make sure you've included that information  TES531 Account Info Page
Our First Virtual Session: Thursday, March 12   7:30pm  This is an opportunity to connect in real time and troublsehoot any challenges you're experiencing Participation is not required, but it would be great to connect with as many of you as possible. Please RSVP here to let me know if you plan on joining in or not.

To join the Hangout, make sure you've added Jeff to your Google+ circles, and installed the Hangout app on your computer or mobile device. Then go to your Google+ page and wait for a message inviting you to the Hangout.  I will also text a join link to our Hangout text chat. If you are having trouble, you can view the Hangout at the Learning Call Hangout Center and make contact via the text chat there. When you participate in the Hangout, please use a headset (or at least ear buds) if possible.  This will help improve sound quality for everyone.
Google+ Hangout Guide here


Week#2 To Do Checklist 
  • Make sure you've already completed everything on the Week#1 Checklist
  • Keep exploring the Buffet of CALL websites and using Diigo to bookmark sites of interest.
  • Create a blog post that contains a photo or video and short description.
  • Look through the Games & Activities Guide and Bookmark at least three sites of interest with Diigo. 
  • Either create your own Quizlet (or find one of interest) and post it on your blog. 
  •  Create a short blog post about your thoughts on activity resources and using them in your teaching and/or learning
  • If/When you have questions about anything, please post them in the Learning CALL Google Community or our Band. 
Week#2 Tasks (Detailed)
Keep Sampling the Buffet and Using Diigo

  • Keep exploring the Buffet of CALL websites and using Diigo to bookmark sites of interest.  Make sure you have diigo'ed at least three sites by the end of this week.
    Diigo Guide Screencast (full size here)
Start using your blog! (Blogger Guide here)
To experiment with your new blog, try
Begin Exploring Activities, Games, & Quizzes

    Coming Attractions (some of the things we'll be exploring next week)
    Next week we will start exploring other parts of the Google Universe.  Feel free to take a sneak peek.
    Gmail    Drive   Google Plus
    &       Photos     		 Translate
    Screencast
    YouTube
    Video File    		Screencast
    YouTube
    Video File    		Screencast
    YouTube
    Video File    		Screencast
    YouTube
    Video File
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    Posted by Jeff Lebow at 12:26 AM 0 comments

    Sunday, March 8, 2015

    TTP Week#2 - Bookmarking the Buffet, Blogging, and Activities Intro


    Week#2 Tasks
    If you didn't already do so, create an account at Quizlet.com. You can use your gmail address if desired. Join the BUFS TTP Quizlet Class. 
    Quizlet App here    .
    Check out the TTP Spring 2015 Group Notes and adding defintions, translations, and comments.
    Go to the Group Quizlet and edit the quizlet to add words from any of your TTP courses.
    You create your own Quizlet by clicking 'create a set' and choose to share it with the BUFS TTP Quizlet Class if you like.




    Begin Exploring Activities, Games, & Quizzes
    Keep Sampling the Buffet and Using Diigo
    Start using your blog!
    Post a video, photos, and/or comments about the beginning of your TTP Journey.
          (Blogger Guide here)


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    Posted by Jeff Lebow at 1:19 PM 0 comments

    Monday, March 2, 2015

    TES531 - Spring 2015 Week#1


    The goal of the first week is to get oriented to the course, acquainted with each other, and get set up with some of the accounts and tools we'll be using and to start sampling from the buffet of CALL resources. Please watch the video below first.


    Week#1 To Do Checklist (Please complete everything on this checklist by March 9)  See below for details and links

    Week#1 Tasks (Detailed)
    • Please use Chrome (not MSIE) for these tasks.  It will make life easier.  If you don't already have it installed, you can download it at http://google.com/chrome
      . 
    • Go to gmail.com and Create a gmail account if you don't already have one. (this ID will be used for public posting. If you want to remain anonymous online, please choose a pseudonym - don't use your real name as an ID).
      PLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE, REMEMBER YOUR ID & PASSWORD!
      Please post your gmail address on the TES531 Account Info Page
              
    • Go to Jeff's Google+ Page and add him  to your 'circles'.



    Create your first blog post about anything you like. To see some examples of what you can do with a 'Blogger' blog check out the ones below.
    • From former CALL Participants
     Humming English, Nayoung's English, Jackie's Ideabox, Claire's English Playground,  SmartLearning, Undertaker's English, Happy English w/Xena
                 ... and others
        To experiment with your new blog, try
        - posting a photo 
        - posting a video
        - adding 'gadgets' to the side of your blog  
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        Posted by Jeff Lebow at 3:59 PM 0 comments

        Sunday, March 1, 2015

        TTP Spring 2015 - Week#1: Getting Oriented & Acquainted


        The goal of the first two weeks is to get oriented to the course, acquainted with each other, and get set up with some of the accounts and tools we'll be using (and to grab your first plate of goodies from the buffet).

        Week#1 Tasks:
        • Go to gmail.com and Create a gmail account if you don't already have one. (this ID might be used for public posting. If you want to remain anonymous online, please choose a pseudonym - don't use your real name as an ID).
          PLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE, REMEMBER YOUR ID & PASSWORD!
          Add your Gmail address to the TTP Account Info Doc
           
        • When logged in to your Gmail, go to Jeff's Google+ Page and add him  to your 'circles'.
                   ... and others



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        Posted by Jeff Lebow at 12:16 AM 0 comments
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