Home | Global Digital Citizen Foundation English Language Resources from Macmillan Dictionary After the success of Real Grammar – a series where we discussed 10 grammar topics that people are often uncertain about – we are now opening up the debate with Real Vocabulary. As part of this Real Vocabulary series, we are welcoming Scott Thornbury, author of An A-Z of ELT, Beyond the Sentence and Uncovering Grammar. In his 10-part video collection, he will discuss common misconceptions about certain vocabulary questions, such as “When do you say awesome” and “Can you grow a company?”. In these videos, Scott will explain whether these usages are acceptable. Over on the blog, Editor-in-Chief Michael Rundell will follow up each video with a post about a similar topic, explaining which vocabulary ‘rules’ should be followed – or ignored. Scroll down to watch the first videos and read the accompanying blog post. Quiz An introduction to Real Vocabulary In this video, Scott Thornbury introduces Real Vocabulary and explains what this new series will be about. Welcome to Real Vocabulary Can I get…?
Augmented Reality in English Language learning | ELT MATERIALS I recently attended Interfacing with Public Space: Embodied language learning with mobile technologies a workshop delivered by Paul Driver who is an educational technologist and co-author of Language Learning with Digital Video series. During the workshop I got introduced with a free augmented reality application Aurasma and how it is used to create and design learning materials for classes. Augmented Reality (AR) is defined as ”a variation of Virtual Environments (VE), which allows the user to see the real world, with virtual objects superimposed upon or composited with the real world.” AR-based mobile learning material helps engage learners in numerous learning activities. The students were asked to introduce their campus. ( The above picture is taken from Liu & Tsai study: shows the AR application) He et al. (2014) designed and used augmented reality application to promote pre-schools efl kids vocabulary. You can check what Paul Driver did with AR in his classroom. References
Spelling guide Why is English spelling so difficult? Many languages don't have a word for "spell". In Spanish and Italian, for example, it is almost a meaningless concept, because the way words are written corresponds exactly to the way they sound. It's this mismatch between what we say and how the words are written that makes spelling in English such a challenge. A bit of history A good place to start is knowing some language history. Germanic words Old English was a Germanic language and most of our basic vocabulary comes from here – words like head, house, cold, and eat. Latin and Greek words Words from these classical European languages first came into English with the Norman conquest, and there was another big influx at the time of the Renaissance. Loanwords from other languages English has always borrowed words from other languages, such as bungalow (from Hindi), ketchup (Chinese) and graffiti (Italian). As we will see later, a word's origins will often affect the way it is spelled. Very long words
Cool Tools for School | Its all about the learning! English Language Resources from Macmillan Dictionary We frequently create unique English language resources from our dictionary content. These resources are designed to help make the information on macmillandictionary.com more accessible to English language learners. Using all of our expertise in the area of language learning, we create educational material that is both unique and entertaining. Keep your eyes on this page. New resources will be added regularly! Red Words & Stars pack The Red Words and Stars are one of Macmillan Dictionary's most popular features. download the pack Classroom poster Get your hands on the new Macmillan Dictionary classroom poster that includes a grammar and vocabulary quiz. download the poster download quiz answers Watch Michael's webinar on Top Tips for Building Vocabulary Did you know that you can do a lot more with dictionaries than searching for definitions? download the presentation Do the Trending Words of 2015 Quiz! Are you up to scratch with the latest lingo? Infographics BuzzWords quiz Real Grammar Pragmatics
Learning First, Technology Second The Educator’s Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons By Liz Kolb By Liz Kolb Learning with technology doesn’t happen because a specific tool “revolutionizes” education. It happens when proven teaching strategies intersect with technology tools, and yet it’s not uncommon for teachers to use a tool because it’s “fun” or because the developer promises it will help students learn. Learning First, Technology Second offers teachers the professional learning they need to move from arbitrary uses of technology in their classrooms to thoughtful ways of adding value to student learning. This book includes: About the Author Liz Kolb is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan. Media Reviews Kolb’s Triple E Framework is an excellent tool for helping teachers focus on using technology to support learning and not just using technology for its own sake.
Free Dictionary Toolbar | English Dictionary Gadget | Plugins | from Macmillan Dictionary We provide a selection of ways to enable quick access to definitions directly from your browser or webpage. You can use our free dictionary toolbar in your browser to search the dictionary direct. And you can enhance your website by allowing your users to find definitions with our English dictionary gadget or our double click dictionary plugin. Since launch in 2009, we have established partnerships with a number of organizations in the fields of media, education, general reference and charity work. If you wish to power a large website or intranet with a customized version of the Macmillan Dictionary, please contact us by clicking here. There is also an API available for developers interested in using the data within their own applications or websites – further information can be found here. Share At the top and bottom of each entry, you will see buttons allowing you to link your community site profile to the entry. Free Dictionary Toolbar for Browsers Get your free dictionary toolbar
Why Schools Should Be Wary Of Free Tech Products -- And Startups Shouldn't Make Them When I was a middle school science teacher, I oftentimes found myself digging into my own pockets to pay for equipment — Bunsen burners, test tubes, dead frogs. And that didn’t change when one-to-one iPad programs in schools became popular; in fact, it added yet another item, software, to my to-buy list. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found free online products, especially those that seemed flashy. It didn’t even cross my mind back then that using free tools (and more importantly, asking my students to use free tools) could be problematic and even potentially dangerous — more so than the free consumer products I was finding online and using in my own time. But in the world of edtech, “free” isn’t only a danger to the users — it’s quickly becoming more and more of a danger to the makers of edtech, as well. To the users: Nothing is really free There really is no so thing as a free education technology product for the user — because what's more valuable than money?
Word frequency: based on 450 million word COCA corpus Ofsted 2012: Questioning to promote learning — From Good to Outstanding Have you ever noticed that often, when someone is being interviewed, they say “That’s a good question.”? It’s usually when it’s a question they can’t answer quickly and easily. Indeed, “good” questions are ones that generally need thinking about. Inspectors must consider whether: “teachers use questioning and discussion to assess the effectiveness of their teaching and promote pupils’ learning” School inspection handbook from September 2012 Notice, in this instance it does not say “ASSESS” learning, although clearly this is undeniably a major purpose for questioning. Questions that are easy to answer don’t move learning on; they might indicate that learning has happened, or that at least something has been noticed, thought about or memorised, but they don’t promote learning. How do questions promote learning? Questioning can fail because: Questioning succeeds when: What kinds of questions do you routinely ask, and how do you ask them ? E.g. E.g. T: How might you describe a hexagon? E.g. Applying
uncertainty and being uncertain - synonyms and related words Synonyms uncertainty noun the fact that something is not known or has not been decided doubt a feeling of not being certain about something reservation a feeling of doubt about whether something is good or right question a feeling of doubt about something reserve scepticism doubts that someone has about something that other people think is true or right a question mark over something a doubt about whether something is good or correct, or whether it will be successful if/when in doubt if you are not certain: used when giving advice or instructions grey area a situation in which the rules are not clear, or in which you are not sure what is right or wrong Show me more Show me less More synonyms crisis of confidence a situation in which people have stopped believing that someone or something is good distrust a feeling that you cannot trust someone or something hesitancy a way of behaving in which you do something slowly or pause before you do it, because you are nervous, embarrassed, or worried hesitation incredulity
How The Memory Works In Learning How The Memory Works In Learning By Dr. Judy Willis, M.D., M.Ed. Teachers are the caretakers of the development of students’ highest brain during the years of its most extensive changes. This introduction to the basics of the neuroscience of learning includes information that should be included in all teacher education programs. Teaching Grows Brain Cells IQ is not fixed at birth and brain development and intelligence are “plastic” in that internal and environmental stimuli constantly change the structure and function of neurons and their connections. It was once believed that brain cell growth stops after age twenty. These physical changes of brain self-reconstruction in response to experiences including sensory input, emotions, conscious and unconscious thoughts are so responsive that human potential for increased knowledge, physical skills, and “talent” in the arts is essentially limitless. High Stress Restricts Brain Processing to the Survival State Memory is Sustained by Use The Future