Power Point resources

This site on Elementary Presentations is aimed at US classes, but there are some resources of interest to EFL classes.

1-2 minute video clips

Turner classics. Hundreds of 1 -2 min clips of classic movies:http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/Multimedia/Video/0,,,00.html

Includes an interactive game called one liners which has audio clips from movies - you have to match them to a still photograph:

http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/GamesTriviaFunstuff/Index/0,,,00.html

Gigadial - blog-efl channel

I've recently spent some time revisting Gigadial, and the more I look into it the more I like it. I've set up another channel, blogefl, to keep a record of podcasts and other audio files I come across that are related to blogging / podcasting.



Tonight I've been tagging and downloading some old stuff, but a lot of it is new to me, so I've loaded it onto the Zen so I can listen to it next week on the way to/from work.



The other great thing about Gigadial is its interactivity. Not only can anyone listen to what you're listening too, but people can also leave recommended audio/podcasts too. I've added a button to my sidebar now, so please go ahead if you come across something I should be listening to.




Because of the last feature I mentioned, I still think that setting up channels on Gigadial for different classes is a good idea, and I'll be trying this out when my regular classes start in October. It's also a great idea for a Community of Practice to share listening resources, and I'll be investigating that too.

Teacher training discussion blogs

Back from holidays, and I'm trying to catch up on things I've missed.


On our Building a Community of Practice weblog Jamie Hall has posted information about a weblog project with trainee teachers and asked them the question 'Should English teachers call on shy students?'



An interesting question for discussion, and you can read more in the post on Jamie's discussion blog. Apart from in the classroom, what if blogs are being used as a compulsory part of a course? In my experience, and that of colleagues who have used blogs, shy students have often benefitted from the new voice that a weblog gives them. I have seen students who are normally shy in class write lots in a weblog as there is not the pressure that there is in a classroom. They have time to think and to reflect in writing, and the use of a weblog can often be a very useful way of helping them express themselves.




Jamie also has another blog called 'English Teacher Training' and in this he reflects upon good practice and also uses it as a way of giving feedback to the trainees. My first impression is that this and the other blog seems to be successful ways of extending communication with this group.