Thinglink

 

 Thinglink is an interactive media platform that enables its users to share multimedia content. Users can create their own interactive images and videos, they can either upload images or videos from their devices or use one existing on the internet to create new posts.

 As a language teacher, by using Thinglink you can create interactive pictures to enhance understanding and memorization of the target language of your students. Through hotspots, students can explore vocabulary items and grammar rules. You can also create interactive images for reading comprehension. Hotspots provide additional information and related videos, improving the understanding and reading skills of your students.

Besides understanding and reading skills, Thinglink supports speaking and writing practice as well. Your students can engage with interactive pictures, responding by typing or recording. It promotes productive and interactive language use.

Another advantage of Thinglink is its facilitating cultural exploration by providing details about historical sites and cultural memorials. Your students can click on hotspots to learn more and better comprehend different cultures. Which also enhances their cultural knowledge besides language learning.

TPACK and SAMR Models

 The TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) Model refers to the ways in which an educator can integrate technology into their classes. Its subbranches are:

1. "Technological Knowledge" or "TK", refers to the educator's being knowledgeable of how they can use technology and what tools they can use in their classes.
2. "Pedagogical Knowledge" or "PK" refers to the educator's knowledge of different teaching methods, strategies, and classroom management techniques
3.  "Content Knowledge" or "CK" is about the teacher's knowledge of the subject they are going to teach.
4. "Technological Content Knowledge" or "TCK" describes teachers’ understanding of how technology and content can both influence and push against each other.
5.  “Pedagogical Content Knowledge” or “PCK” refers to the teachers’ knowledge of the essential areas of teaching and learning, including curriculum development, student assessment, and reporting results.
6.  “Technological Pedagogical Knowledge” or “TPK” refers to the teachers’ understanding of how certain technologies can change both the teaching and learning experiences by introducing new pedagogical convenience and limitations

  And SAMR Model is a model categorizing and depicting to what extent technology is integrated into educational practices. To make the categories clear I added an infographic that explains the categories of SAMR which can be seen below:

FrameVR

 

 FrameVR is a virtual reality tool similar to Second Life, an application I mentioned in my previous post. But while Second Life possesses a more game-like purpose, the purpose of Frame is to provide its users a collaborative virtual platform. Its usage is simpler than Second Life since it has lower graphics and a more basic interface, you can use Frame on its website "framevr.io" without downloading an additional application. You can create a more basic avatar and attend "frames" which are like virtual rooms designed by other users. 

 If you want to use Frame with your students all you need to do is send the link of your frame to them, they can attend with their avatars and open their microphones, and cameras whenever they want. You can present them with the content of your class in your customized frame. And just like the experience in Second Life, Frame is likely to make your classes more attractive for your students.

An example of a virtual classroom in Frame

Voki

 Voki is a web 2.0 tool that enables users to create avatars and add voices to them. When it comes to avatars, there are many options available: you can either create your own or choose from a variety of pre-made animated avatars. In terms of voices, you have three choices: recording your own voice, utilizing the text-to-speech option, or uploading audio from your device. 

 The infographic below explains the benefits of using Voki:

 

 If you are a language teacher Voki's text-to-speech option enables your students to hear the language from a native speaker, you can literally make your avatar say anything you want in more than over 30 languages and various accents

Here is my attempt to a Voki avatar talking briefly about the usage of technology in language teaching: https://www.voki.com/site/pickup?scid=19595086&chsm=7c52c6dc7023c87945d76900ae32a574

Flip

 

 Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a tool that can be used versatilely in classroom environments. Teachers can create a classroom in Flip and add their students and start posting video and text-based content with them. In response, students can also share videos with the teacher and with their classmates, one of the benefits of this situation is that they can interact with each other by giving feedback on each other's posts

The camera of Flip is not the same as your phone camera because Flip allows its users to add filters or images or pieces of text to the videos, which would make the videos more attractive for the student. You can use Flip by visiting its website on your computer or downloading the mobile application on your mobile phone