Let's Take a Look at an ESL Website Closely

Hello all! 

Today, we are going to put an ESL website under our scopes and evaluate it together! 

As you know -or not know, I am an ELT student which also means I have to search through different ESL websites in order to expand the material choices I have and gain a new perspective. :) 

Consequently, we are going to examine the site which is called VOA -learning English. 

Let the evaluation process start! 

✮ Who authored the website? Is there any information about their qualifications or credentials?

-This website was found by the radio web which is called Voice of America. There is no information about their qualifications. ‘’In 2014, our line of products was expanded to include more English teaching materials, and the service became known as Learning English.’’ said in their site in about us part.

All the news share the information of the producers and reporters under it.

✮ What is the content of the website? 

-The content of the website includes not only learning materials but also teaching. There is also an audio menu that broadcasts can be found. Lots of news contribute to the authentic material the site possess. 

✮ Who is the target audience? 

-The target audience is mostly students but teachers can 

also benefit from the site, as well.

✮ What is the purpose of the website?

-The purpose of the site is to be a multimedia source of news

and information for millions of English learners worldwide.

✮  Is there a date that shows when the site has latest been updated? 

-You can pick the date by clicking the calendar symbol in order

to choose the date from the date you want to the latest.

✮ Are there any errors or information corruption? 

-As far as I see, there is no clear mistakes. 

✮ Are there any broken links? 

-I tried their social media accounts’ links and they work perfectly.

Also the other links which they embed in their post are seem to

be working. ✔️

✮ Are the images of high quality and appealing to the target audience? 

-The images possess high quality but I couldn’t say the video quality

is like that. Videos are much more like a product of 

an amateur in terms of the materials used in them.

*A video example from the site. 

✮ How can it be applied to EFL teaching? 

-In terms of updating the class with the newest events happening

around the world, it’s such a beneficial tool to be used. Also as the

videos posted in the site are fun to watch and consist different types

of contents such as health & lifestyle, arts & culture and so forth. 

The 3D materials and games the site propose is also good for 

students to enjoy while learning another language.

Overall, I really liked and enjoyed searching through the learning the site Learning English -VOA, and recommend the teachers as an effective ESL classroom tool!

In order to look at the site please click here. 

See you and take care! 

#TeachingwithTe(a)chnology - Padlet

Hello all again, it's been awhile!

Since we were taking our midterm exams, I wasn't active as I was before. 

So, let's continue where we left, shall we? 

Today, we are going to talk about padlets. Have you ever heard about it? 

padlet

Padlet is an online virtual “bulletin” board, where students and teachers can collaborate, reflect, share links and pictures, in a secure location. Padlet allows users to create a hidden wall with a custom URL.

As the definition suggests, padlets are virtual online walls which allow the user to create a picture of insight thoughts or opinions. I think padlet is a sophisticated way of forming brain-storm charts.

Actually, they are like digital cork boards. I have one cork board on my wall and when I was preparing our padlet, I saw the resemblance between them. Here they are so that you will be able to compare two of them:  

   (My cork board)

          (Our padlet)

While creating it, I realized its advantages to be used in the field of education since padlet is easy to use, accessible and student-friendly. I started to think about how can I use it while teaching English to my future students, and finally find out some projects which can be done on padlet. 

Firstly, since padlet is like an online wall, students can create games such as creating stories with pictures accordingly. Each student should add a photo or line to make the story continued and at the end, the teacher can share it in the classroom. 

It will increase the collaboration between the students consequently we can say that padlet is a good and useful tool while conducting group projects. 

With our group, we discussed the idea of 'Freedom' and talked about the rights of women, children, animals and so on. I posted a composition about 'The Color of Freedom' on there as well. So it became an efficient way to collect data about freedom for other people. If you want to take more information and take a look at it please click here.

Please go and see my friends blogs' too; Gülşah, Sıla, Refiye, İlayda, Eren. 

But you have to be careful about the Padlet's constrains too... Padlet has a very basic and simple design so it won't let you share post which are over 10MB. It was very limiting for us to post some videos about them and in addition, in one post you only can share one picture... So again it was upsetting not being able to add some kind of logos to the post as well... Nonetheless, it was enjoyable to use it with our friends. 

What would I use padlet for? How would it affect my students' motivation? 

These are the questions you should ask yourself before using it. :) 

See you and take care.