MyBrainshark

What is it?
MyBrainshark is a presentation-creation-tool that allows the users to create multimedia presentations, and we can add audio to it as well, to narrate the presentations. Moreover, we can publish our creations so that it can be shared with others and we can embed it too. There are several forms of documents that can be used in MyBrainshark which are the PowerPoint presentation, word document and also photo album.

Suitable for:
This tool is suitable for all learners in secondary schools since the application of the technology used is quite complicated for the learners of primary schools. Nevertheless, MyBrainshark can be used for learners of all levels of language proficiency.

Activity Suggestions:
This tool is very useful to sharpen the speaking skills among students as they have to narrate the details that they have put in the slides. The teachers can use MyBrainshark as a new medium of a classroom activity. For example, the students can be asked to prepare PowerPoint presentations about, for instance, current issues such as global warming, road safety, and the topic could also be a simpler one like their biodata. Then the students need to use MyBrainshark to add a narration to their slides, and then present it to the whole classroom. In addition, they can also be asked to do it as a homework and the products have to be emailed to the teacher. By doing so, it can help to increase the students' autonomy.

The Link:

http://my.brainshark.com/home.aspx

Available at: http://my.brainshark.com/About-Me-510208205

Advantages:

1) It is Free! This tool is totally free to use. You just need a computer to have the work done. Besides, it is easy to use, even for people with limited knowledge about technology.

2) Motivation. Using MyBrainshark could motivate the students to speak comfortably using the Target Language as they can practice and do the narration on their own without any interferences and pressures from others. This is because to insert a narration in MyBrainshark, it requires a quiet environment (e.g. their own houses) so that the clarity of the voice is maximised.

3) Sharpen the students' speaking skills. When the students are motivated to speak in the Target Language, this will surely help them to enhance their speaking skills.

Disadvantages:

1) Time consuming. The students who are not fluent may take double or triple times in narrating the work than the ones that are fluent. Thus, it would be quite hard for them to complete a task in the classroom since the time given is not sufficient for them.

2) Inauthentic speaking activity. This might happen if the students prepare the script beforehand. Thus, the narration would not be spontaneous and authentic, but it will turn out to be a prepared one.

3) Limited access. If it is hard for the students to use MyBrainshark at school, then it might be harder for them to do it as a homework, if, they do not have the computer and internet access at home. Usually, in this case, the students especially in rural areas will be at loss.

Nevertheless the fact that they are some disadvantages of this tool, I believe that these problems are only minor, and they can surely be solved. MyBrainshark is a great tool, and it would be a shame if the teachers do not introduce it to their students. Anyway, as usual, if you want more helps and details regarding this tool, feel free to click these links, which are taken from Russell Stannard's website:

Part 1: http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/brain/index.html

Part 2: http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/brain2/index.html

Bookr and Bubblr

What is it?
Bookr is a tool to create and share your own photobook using Flickr images. This tool is very fun to use since the students can create their own piece of photobook depending on their own creativity. It is extremely easy to use since the pictures can be simply found from Flickr through the search engine provided in Bookr. Most importantly, this tool is not only about the photos alone, but the students are also required to write a description of each picture that they put in the Bookr.

Suitable for:
I would say that this tool would be a better option for lower secondary school students as you could not add a large amount of text to each page.

Activity Suggestion:
Nevertheless the fact that this tool offer a limited space for writing, Bookr can be used to substitute Microsoft Power Point Presentation, which would be great for students of all levels since it is could be helpful for them to practice their speaking skills.

Alternative:

Alternatively, you could use another cool tool that works just the same as Bookr. The only difference is that the final product will be in the form of comic strips rather than a photobook. It is called Bubblr.

The Link:

http://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/

http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/

Advatages:

1) It is fun! And free too! What a perfect combination. Most importantly, we do not breach the copyright infringement of the photos since they come straight from the Flickr. Besides, no sign up required, and it is very simple to use. I believe that the students will enjoy learning the language using Bookr/Bubblr.

2) Develop creativity among students. When the students are given freedom, the tendency for them to work creatively is very high since there is no boundary set for them.

3) Develop the students' speaking skills. They could be asked to present their completed photobooks to the whole classroom. With that, the teachers could use Bookr/Bubblr to help the students to improve on their speaking skills.

Disadvantages:

1) Limited space for writing. These tool is not suitable to be used as a writing activity since it is impossible to write long sentences for each photo.

2) Distraction. Since there could be a lot of photos available, it could cause a distraction to the students. When this happens, using Bookr/Bubblr seems to be time consuming as the students would likely to take time choosing their preferred photos.

3) Irreversible. The final product of the photobooks/comic strips could not be altered after it is published. Thus, if there is a mistake in the photobooks/comic strips, it will remain there. Since it is impossible to make changes, the students have to make a new one, therefore this will be quite a waste of time.

Although there are some minor disadvantages of using Bookr/Bubblr in the language learning, I believe that it is still fun to use once in a while; and the teachers and the students could still be benefitted from these tools. So, if you want more information about these cool tools, do click this link that available on Russell Stannard's website:

http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/newBubblr/index.html