In Depth: 2 Useful CALL Tools
I believe the most effective CALL tools have the following characteristics:
- COLLABORATIVE: CALL tools should give students opportunities to collaborate with each other and potentially with people around the world.
- AUTHENTIC: CALL tools should expose students to authentic language use and allow students to produce their own authentic communication.
- SCAFFOLDED: CALL tools should have the potential to both model language use and allow students to create and negotiate language use. They should have applications for both form and fluency focus.
Voicethread and Wikispaces are two programs that exemplify the above characteristics.
VOICETHREAD
Voicethread allows users to comment on uploaded pictures and videos. it is a powerful tool for ESL teachers. Teachers can create Voicethreads as a source of authentic language input in order to activate schema as well as develop listening and pronunciation skills in a controlled environment. Additionally, students can develop their own Voicethreads to practice pronunciation, speaking, and conversational skills as they listen and respond to each others' comments. Voicethread allows for a focus on both form and fluency.
Voicethread is a very user-friendly tool that can lower affect and increase motivation. Students can record voice or writeen messages and have the opportunity to delete and rerecord as needed. It is a collaborative tool that gets students working together to create and negotiate meaning in an authentic yet guided way.
Here are some useful resources for how to use Voicethread:
http://voicethread.com/media/misc/getting_started_in_the_classroom.pdf
http://voicethread.com/media/misc/getting_started_educator_mpb.pdf
WIKISPACES
Wikispaces is a collaborative tool that allows users to compile and present information. All members of a wiki are potentially able to edit content on the wiki, and there are areas for users to communicate on discussion boards. Wikispaces could be used in an ESL classroom for both reading and writing purposes. Wikis provide authentic input, and students can practice their language skills to create their own wikis. Peer editing can lead to consciousness raising and noticing of language forms. Although Wikis might most commonly be seen as tools for reading and writing, students also practice speaking and listening skills as they collaborate with one another to complete tasks. Wikis could be used to collaborate not only as a class, but with other classrooms around the world. This would be a great way for students to learn about language use in different contexts.
Here is a tutorial for getting started with Wikispaces:
http://www.wikispaces.com/site/tour