5 things you should know about Periscope for education Pros and cons for educators considering Twitter’s new live video streaming service Ever since Twitter introduced its live streaming service, Periscope, earlier this year, educators have become enamored. It’s not hard to understand why. The video app is integrated right into your Twitter account and boasts an impressive number of education applications, from broadcasting a riveting unconference discussion for a global audience to impromptu blended learning for students. Here are five things you should know about this new technology and its implications for schools. It’s easy to use. On the home screen, you can see video streams from the people you follow on Periscope—and if someone is streaming live, that video feed will appear at the top. Anyone following you on Twitter can click on the link that’s embedded automatically in this tweet to watch your live stream. Schools are getting creative with it. Privacy is a big concern. Some see Periscope videos as “disposable.”
10 tips for perfect English pronunciation Accurate pronunciation is an important part of learning any language, and especially when you’re learning English. The way your speech sounds can have a big impact on whether or not people understand what you are saying and their initial impression of you. The tricky thing about pronunciation is that it not just a question of acquiring knowledge, it’s a physical skill that you need to practise regularly. There are no shortcuts to perfect pronunciation, however there are some ways you can practise more effectively and improve your skills faster. Follow our ten top tips, start improving your pronunciation today and take a step closer towards your goal of perfect English pronunciation. Listen to yourselfSlow down! Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and more with EF English Live Listen to yourselfIt’s often difficult to hear pronunciation errors in your own speech because you are concentrating actually communicating rather than the sound you are making.
Sample speech outline: an organizational template - an organizational template to complete The sample speech outline template below will help clarify what you want to say as well as help organize your material. Once done, your outline will form the backbone of your speech guiding you logically and sequentially through all the aspects you need to consider before you write the speech itself. What you'll learn about structure, matching content to your speech purpose and your audience's needs will pay you back over and over again. Read the page through to familiarize yourself with the terms and the process. The process of outlining a speech is broken down into 4 essential steps. (Click a heading to find out more about each one) Remember this old saying? First: tell them what you're going to tell them.Second: tell them.Third: tell them what you told them. A simple sample speech outline uses all three. 'Tell them what you're going to tell them' becomes your introduction'Tell them' forms the body'Tell them what you told them' is your conclusion
Getting Started With Periscope In The Classroom - Getting Started With Periscope In The Classroom by Amy Arbogash and Stephanie Rudolph Today’s teachers are finding new and better ways to engage their students in the learning that goes on in classrooms. One of the ways to stay relevant is to use technology to their advantage. But like most technology, social media is often uncharted territory for teachers. Social media, and being out on the internet for all to see, is where our students reside. So how can we as teachers use social media to engage our students in the curriculum and at the same time teach them best practices, how to embrace the good, and deal with the bad? Next you must choose a tool that fits best for what your classroom needs. Periscope: Live Video Streaming Over Twitter One of the more exciting apps that has recently made it’s way onto the social media scene is Periscope. One of the ways Periscope can be used to enhance a lesson or unit is with a teacher-directed Periscope. How Periscope Is Different
Pecha Kucha – For the language and communications classroom Pecha Kucha (Japanese for chit-chat) is a presentation format that is based on using 20 presentation slides but only talking about each of them for 20 seconds. The format, which keeps presentations short and concise (each presentation should be 6 minutes and 40 seconds), was originally designed for the delivery of design presentations but can be adapted as a speaking or public speaking activity for students. Pecha Kucha Activities What we’ve learned this term – Create a presentation with images of different topics or themes you have studied in your coursebook. Topic-based – Create a presentation with images based around the same theme or topic. The story – Create a sequence of images of people, places and things. Present yourself – Ask students to prepare a presentation about themselves using 20 of their own images (Students who use Instagram can take images from their account if they choose). A trip you would like to take – Ask students to research a trip they would like to take.
BBC Learning English | Pronunciation Tips SelfControl | Steve Lambert Is email a distraction? SelfControl is an OS X application which blocks access to incoming and/or outgoing mail servers and websites for a predetermined period of time. For example, you could block access to your email, facebook, and twitter for 90 minutes, but still have access to the rest of the web. Once started, it can not be undone by the application, by deleting the application, or by restarting the computer – you must wait for the timer to run out. Created while at Eyebeam Center for Art and Technology. Self Control is Free Software SelfControl is Free Software under the GPL. Free Software means you are free to use, modify, and redistribute the application and the source code. Free Software and volunteers have made a Linux version and a Windows version possible. Why did you make this? Because I needed it, same as you. I am an artist, and as anyone who creates things knows; the time you can block out to get focused work done is invaluable. P.S. Help out Download SelfControl
ESL Warm-up Games and Activities Start your English as a Second Language class with a Warm-Up Game This site will help you incorporate lots of fun and excitement into your English as a foreign language classrooms. Teaching ESL has never been so exciting and your students will be learning English without even knowing it because they're having so much fun playing ESL games. A fun and interesting warm-up activity or game is the perfect start to your English as a Foreign Language Class. By using a warm-up game, you can grab the student's attention and introduce whatever topic you're discussing that day. The World Cup ESL Game: an exciting ESL Activity for Kids First, write up some questions. Then, in class count up your students and make up a "draw." Anyway, ask the students a question from your list and the person to answer the fastest gets to move onto the next round. SOS Review Game: a perfect ESL Activity for Adults I'm sure you know the game S-O-S. I draw a grid on the board, usually 6x6. ESL Games and Activities 1. 2.
Learn how to stress in English May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears. Listen to the podcast below (an interview with Dr. Piers Messum) and discover valuable insights as to how we stress and reduce vowel sounds in English. (This interview follows on from the other interview I did with Piers late last year about what we do to learn individual sounds. Those who have an interest in the English language are aware that English stresses some vowel sounds and reduces others, both at the word level and at the sentence level. I would encourage those who try his suggestions to let us know how you go below. Audio Player Piers refers again to the book, A Practical Introduction to Phonetics by J.C.