Practical Tips for Selected Web 2.0 Applications

There are numerous applications used by the "digital natives," "the cyber nomads," the new millennial learners that foreign language teachers can utilize for their classes. World language teachers cannot ignore the fact that we are dealing more and more with students who spend more time in MUVEs (multiuser virtual environments) and MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games) than with homework and learning for tests. They learn by doing. They spend more time on their smart mobile devices clicking, texting, facebooking, skypen, you name it. We are dealing with "millennial learning styles." We ought to incorporate some of the features of this "social-media revolution" and at the same time not ignore serious concerns about this new reality: loss of privacy, exposure to the world, quality of life, loss of the human touch, etc. As an educator, I use the motivation and willingness of the students to use new devices and apps and I try to channel that into positive energy and enduring learning objectives. In the Tagxedo image above, you can see many of these application, and this is just a selection. 

• Integrating Technology & Digital Media in the Foreign Language Classroom (Powerpoint by Mohamed Esa)
• Practical Tips for Selected 2.0 Applications (Short PowerPoint by Mohamed Esa)
• Integrating Culture into the Foreign Langauge Classroom (Handout by Mohamed Esa)
• Culturally Appropriate and Inappropriate Behavior (Handout by Mohamed Esa)
• Blog for Arabic and Chinese Teachers (Startalk Blog by Mohamed Esa: http://startalkarabic.blogspot.com/)
• iPads und Audio-Visual Resources (Startalk Blog by Mohamed Esa: http://startalkarabic.blogspot.com/)
• Seven Project Ideas using free Applications
• iPad, YouPad, WeAllPad Too: iPad 2 and Language Instruction (Handout by Mohamed Esa)
• iFlip, YouFlip, WeAllFlip: The Creative Side of the Flip Camera (Handout by Mohamed Esa)
• How to Use Technology to Meet the National Standards (Handout for Arabic Teachers)
• Social Media in Higher Education ( Ray Junco Blog)
• Top 100 Tools for Learning compiled by jane Hart

Student-Produced Music Video Clips

Many language teachers sometimes wish they had a music video at their disposal to get students' attention and motivate them. There are so many songs and music videos that teachers would like to use in their classes but cannot because of a possibly offensive word or an image that is inappropriate for their students. In this workshop, you will learn how to create your own music videos and how to edit audio and video songs to fit your needs and also upload them onto YouTube, Vimeo or TeacherTube.

• Students-Produced Music Video Clips - PowerPoint Handout by Mohamed Esa
• Create Your Own Music Video Step-by-step Directions for Windows Users - Handout by Mohamed Esa
• Tutorial for Windows Movie Maker Users (standard and free program)
• Manual for i-Movie 6 Users (part of the i-Life package)
• Manual for i-Movie 8 Users (part of the i-Life package)
• Manual for iMovie 9 Users (part of iLife package) by the University of Toledo
• Tutorial for Pinnacle Studio 12 ($49-$129)
• Evaluation of Student-Produced Films