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Here's a list of some Web 2.0 tools and apps that may be useful in your classes.

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WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGY MEETS MOBILE ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING 

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WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGY MEETS MOBILE ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING 

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http://mobilelanguage.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/58995202/Web%202.0%20and%20mobiles.pdf

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http://llt.msu.edu/issues/february2014/yangchen.pdf

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The Positive Effects of Integrating ICT in Foreign LanguageTeaching 

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The Positive Effects of Integrating ICT in Foreign LanguageTeaching 

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http://conference.pixel-online.net/ICT4LL2012/common/download/Paper_pdf/235-IBT107-FP-Isisag-ICT2012.pdf

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Using Technology in Foreign Language Teaching

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Using Technology in Foreign Language Teaching

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http://www.cambridgescholars.com/download/sample/61911

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5 Terrific Technology-based Tools for the Foreign Language Classroom

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5 Terrific Technology-based Tools for the Foreign Language Classroom

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http://www.fluentu.com/educator/blog/using-technology-in-the-foreign-language-classroom/

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Don't let your classroom end up behind the times.

Modern blogs for ancient Greek? Why not!
We all know technology can be a powerful teaching tool.
I mean, we pretty much use it in every facet of our lives these days.

But what are the best ways to maximize the effectiveness of technology in the language classroom?

In a classroom setting, technology can help or hinder, focus or distract, depending on its application.

There's a fine line we have to be careful not to cross.

Doing individual exercises on personal devices can isolate students and rob them of the interactive experience that language learning should be. However, collaborative tools such as Google Docs and blogs can help fuel interaction and keep students focused on a specific learning goal.

Makes sense, right? In this post, we're going to continue exploring technology-based tools for teaching any language, along with their best applications.

5 Most Powerful Tech-based Tools for the Foreign Language Classroom

1. Music and Videos

If you're not using this one already, you're really missing out! Remember the first rule of language learning: Input, input, input!

Students can't sustain their skills on textbook explanations alone - they need the constant reinforcement that authentic sources provide. An important part of the language learning process for your students will be simply listening to native speakers and picking up new phrases, grammar patterns and more. When they hear their language lessons brought to life, they will better understand how to employ their knowledge.

Audio listening exercises can be good for testing what students can distinguish on their own. That being said, when it comes to music and videos, the video is the pedagogical powerhouse of the two. The combination of pictures, intonations and gestures gives students context clues that they can't get from classroom interactions alone. So, the next time you think about teaching the German subjunctive, consider something like Die Prinzen 's "Ich wäre so gerne Millionär" for catchy input.

2. Educational Websites

After your students have been getting good input from authentic sources, have them try some guided practice activities provided by useful websites. Here are some of my favorites from the (digital) vaults:
Quizlet
Quizlet is a powerful and flexible online learning platform based on a tried-and-true memorization tool: the flash card. The "sets" of digital cards can be used to drill vocabulary, but also work well for grammar topics like gender or verb conjugation. Teachers can create and organize sets for their classes and monitor students' activity and progress on a given set. Students in turn have access to a huge archive of sets and can easily search for topics like " Konjunktiv I German" or browse by language. The activities are fun, with plenty of opportunities for working in pairs. All in all, a great tool for homework and in-class playfulness. Try it on for size.
Foreign Language News Sources
What could be more authentic and relevant than current events? News in the target language affords the student a fascinating glimpse into the everyday life and attitudes of people who speak it. These are also topics that your students should be somewhat familiar with, giving them a clear context to build from. A photograph of houses lying in rubble with the headline " Erdbeben!" will be enough to communicate the idea "Earthquake!" If they're familiar with the story from NPR (...or Facebook), the word " China" will be enough of a hint. In addition, many national news sources, such as BBC and Deutsche Welle, offer slowly-spoken news and supplementary activities specifically for language learners.
FluentU
FluentU teaches language using strictly authentic materials such as news, music videos and movie trailers. This has the major advantage of ensuring that all material is up-to-date and culturally relevant. In a word: meaningful. This is just the thing students have been missing during hours of regurgitating fabricated textbook conversations about what they like to buy in the supermarket.

It's designed to get students familiar with foreign vocabulary in a fun, friendly, totally approachable way. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages from music videos, commercials, news, inspiring talks, cartoons and more.

With FluentU, your students will learn the real language-the same way that natives speak it. They'll hear their new vocabulary words in context, spoken naturally and casually. Every student is guaranteed to find videos they love to watch, and you're guaranteed to find videos that meet your teaching needs. FluentU has a very wide variety of videos, as you can see here:

FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is easily within the reach of any student, at any skill level, thanks to the interactive transcripts.

Didn't catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.

You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU's "learn mode." Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you're learning.

And FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that your students are learning. It uses that vocab to give students a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

You can organize chosen videos into "courses," name your courses and assign them to your students for homework or in-class activities. They can each sign in using nothing but a secret password that we bestow to you, the teacher. Then you can track their progress individually and as a group. How many videos and activities have they progressed through? What percentage of the exercise questions are they getting right? You'll be able to see all this information and more.

Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes store.

3. Collaborative Tools

The second rule of language learning? Output, output, output! Living languages are living for a reason. They need to be produced in spoken and written form. Here are some tools to get students to work together!
Google Documents
For those of us teaching without Smartboards, Google Docs can be a useful tool when collaborating on a single assignment. You can load up your Google Drive with tons of in-class activities or start a new document on the fly. With the click of a mouse, any of your students can edit the document. It's perfect for doing writing activities in pairs!
Facebook
I know what you're thinking: "wait a minute...isn't this what we try to get students to avoid doing during class?"

Forget NPR and BBC! Most of what your students know about the world? Yeah, they get it from Facebook. But this is precisely what makes it such a juicy source of information that you can be sure will reach them! Encourage your students to "like" a page about something of particular interest to them in their target language. Alternatively, start a Facebook group for your class! Make it a place where they can have casual conversations with each other and native speakers of the target language.
Blogs
Facebook interaction not enough? Start a class blog! Platforms like and WordPress are great places to encourage more advanced students to strut their stuff in a blog post.

In fact, if you want to go all out, there are many benefits to designing your own class website, which you may be able to achieve more easily and quickly than you think with ed2go's Creating a Classroom Website. This is an affordable online course that gets you set up with all the basics in just six weeks-and your own blog is only one of the perks. In addition, you'll be able to organize assignments on your website and create WebQuests for your students, using technology to the max.

In addition to a class blog, blogs about the target language - such as the ones provided by FluentU - are a great resource for students and teachers looking for more material.

4. Skype

Speaking of output: Give your students the opportunity to interact with a native speaker in their native environment!

Language and culture are intimately connected, making it essential that your students get a good feel for the target language in a cultural context and not just in the classroom. For more reluctant learners, the appeal of an exotic culture might be just the motivation they need to finally master the genders of common toiletries. This kind of cultural exposure can be difficult to get, especially if you're not a native speaker of the target language yourself. Never fear, modern technology is here!

The free online video chat program Skype provides a useful way to connect with people, groups and places across the globe. Explaining cultural differences and nuances is one thing, but transporting your students to an environment where they can witness them is another! Aside from its use as a transportation device, Skype is also a good way to get your students to interact with a speaker other than, say, you.

Activity idea: Plan a Skype date with a native speaker in another country. As a homework assignment, have your students each come up with three questions they want to ask the visitor. After the Skype call, ask your students to recall the answers to their and others' questions.

5. Apps for Smartphones and Tablets

Highly motivated learners will always be on the lookout for supplementary materials that will help flesh out and diversify their language-learning experience. Here are three of my favorite (free!) apps that you can recommend for practice at home or on the run.

The FluentU website is an outstanding learning and teaching tool on its own. But for the hungry student it also serves as a great source of meaningful and interesting supplementary materials. Thankfully, the scores of videos, trailers, quizzes and other authentic language learning materials are available as an app to take with you on the go!

For those students who just can't get enough practice: there's an app for that. DuoLingo is a free language-learning platform for beginning learners who want to really nail the basics, but it also works well as an after-class review of important grammar and vocab topics.

The magic of Quizlet in an optimized portable app! Memrise includes "courses" (similar to "sets" in Quizlet) composed of hundreds of meticulously selected words and phrases in the target language. Perfect for getting in a little vocabulary expansion on the weekend!

If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to teach languages with real-world videos.
Sign up for free!

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5 Terrific Technology-based Tools for the Foreign Language Classroom

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Don't let your classroom end up behind the times.Modern blogs for ancient Greek? Why not!We all know technology can be a powerful teaching tool.I mean, we pretty much use it in every facet of our lives these days.But what are the best ways to maximize the effectiveness of technology

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Technology-enhanced Multimedia Instruction inForeign Language Classrooms: A Mixed MethodsStudy

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Technology-enhanced Multimedia Instruction inForeign Language Classrooms: A Mixed MethodsStudy

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http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1112&context=cehsedaddiss

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http://web2-4languageteachers.wikispaces.com/Web2.0+tools

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Web 2.0 and language learners: Moving from consumers to creators

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Web 2.0 and language learners: Moving from consumers to creators

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http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1177&context=teachlearnfacpub

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Second Language Acquisition: Implications of Web 2.0 and Beyond

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Second Language Acquisition: Implications of Web 2.0 and Beyond

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http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1047008.pdf

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Using Web 2.0 Tools in English Language Teaching

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Using Web 2.0 Tools in English Language Teaching

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http://conference.pixel-online.net/ICT4LL/files/ict4ll/ed0007/FP/1314-ICL807-FP-ICT4LL7.pdf

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Using Web 2.0 Tools in the Language Classroom

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Using Web 2.0 Tools in the Language Classroom

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https://calicospanish.com/using-web-2-0-tools-in-the-language-classroom/

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Thanks to all our participants who came out for Thursday night's #langchat at 8 Eastern time! We shared some great resources and had a very interesting discussion on everyone's favorite Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Thanks especially to our moderators, Don Doehla (@dr_dmd) and Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell (@SECottrell).

So, what IS Web 2.0? Basically, Web 2.0 applications allow users to share information, collaborate and interact with each other over the Internet. Web 2.0 marks a turn from the Internet being a place where you passively read content, to one where you actively contribute and share - not just "go and get," but also "go and create" (@dr_dmd).

Some Web 2.0 examples include social networking (Facebook, Twitter), blogs (WordPress, Blogger), wikis (Wikipedia) and video sharing (YouTube). There are many more, and on Thursday night we discussed some of the best and how to use them in the classroom.
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
There are many Web 2.0 tools available to educators, and new resources appear every week. How do you choose the best tool for your classroom? First, choose a tool based on what you're trying to accomplish, rather than because it's new or you're enamored with its sleek look. Start with your objectives (@mmebrady).

If you're doubting whether an activity has improved through using a new technology, go back to the learning objective, compare the old way to the new way and determine if you're gaining or losing anything (@mmebrady).

If you're just getting into using technology in the classroom, @mmebrady suggests you find an objective you think could be better exercised and ask about a tool to do it. It's important to keep authentic materials and exercises in mind, too. If you take a tool and just use it to drill verbs for days, it's no more than a fancy, forgettable worksheet (@SECottrell).
Web 2.0 Tools for Organizing Content
Quite a few of you use wikis in the classroom to provide links, videos, audio files and other resources to students. Kids can access the class wiki for research on projects, to check homework, to share comments on a presentation and for many other purposes.

One of the overriding reasons that wikis are popular is because of all the other tools that you can easily incorporate into them. For example, @dr_dmd often embeds YouTube videos for students to watch and a Google form for them to write their reactions in. Another key feature is the ability of the whole community to access and add to the content, from anywhere (@SECottrell).

As of the time of this post, there are two major sites available for educators to host their own wiki: Wikispaces and PBworks.

Edmodo has been discussed in many #langchats, and for good reason. This Web 2.0 tool is great for foreign language teachers who want to organize their classes and get students engaged. Its Facebook-like interface pulls kids in, and it's easy to navigate for teachers as well. The privacy controls make it safe and suitable for both in- and out-of-class use.

@dr_dmd uses Edmodo as a home base. He posts the agenda and handouts on the class page, with links to the wiki and other resources. Students can also post files or videos to share. It's a great help when students are absent, as they can still access the class, get the agenda and download any handouts.

@js_pasaporte's school plans to use Edmodo with both their students and students from partner schools abroad! @SECottrell has an Edmodo group (AmigoWeb) for partner schools around the world. Contact her on Twitter if you'd like the code and more information.
Web 2.0 Tools for Writing and Presentations
Glogster is a great content-creation tool that kids really enjoy using. Students can use this service to make attractive posters or presentations or to demonstrate comprehension of material.

Teachers can also use Glogster to create content. @SraSpanglish likes using Glogster to provide both links to resources and feedback on student responses. @mmebrady creates glogs as media collections for her students.
Message boards
There are several Web 2.0 tools that function as virtual corkboards or whiteboards for messages. Many of our participants use sites such as Corkboard.me and Linoit. Participants mentioned that another option, Wallwisher, has too many technical problems for classroom use. All of these sites are great at getting students to write short notes or share information with the rest of the class.

We talked about Twitter quite a bit last week, and the discussion continued this week with some more great ideas. Twitter's great at getting students engaged and communicating in another language - sometimes with native speakers!

@dr_dmd asks students to tweet three to five times a week to a class hashtag, which he then checks for credit.

Several teachers use the foreign language learner hashtags, #charlando for Spanish and #parlons for French, and ask their students to join the conversations.

Another way to use Twitter in the classroom is to ask students to follow authentic language tweeters http://t.co/ihh62FP or musicians http://t.co/4myPqpY (@SECottrell).

For Spanish classes, have students follow the #dichos hashtag for a Spanish proverb of the day (@fravan).

An understandable concern of teachers, administrators and parents alike is privacy in Twitter chats. One way around this is the use of TodaysMeet, which allows you to set up a private, password-protected Twitter-like chat. You can even save the chat transcript and place it on the class Edmodo or wiki (@dr_dmd).
Web 2.0 Tools for Speaking VoiceThread
VoiceThread allows users to comment on photo or video slideshows by text or audio. Users can create a slideshow with comments, then share it and allow friends or coworkers to add further comments.

@js_pasaporte uses VoiceThread to exchange projects with partner schools.

@SraSpanglish asks students to describe pictures they take on a walk, or she provides a weather map and asks students to comment.

Google Voice
While not strictly Web 2.0, Google Voice provides a private, online number that you can use to place and receive calls. There are many opportunities to use Google Voice in the classroom. If you're worried about privacy, or for in-class activities, students can even send texts.

@mmebrady gives students questions they must answer by calling and recording a response on her Google Voice.

@fravan puts pictures on an overhead and asks students to call his Google Voice with a description.

@klafrench uses Google Voice for all of her speaking activities so that she has a recording of the students using the target language.

@SECottrell has her students call presentations in to her Google Voice, which then goes straight to her iPod for easy listening.

Some other speaking tools you can check out for use in the classroom are Audacity, a free audio software; Voki, a tool that lets you create an avatar and record your voice to it; Vocaroo, a voice messaging service sent over e-mail; and Aviary, a Web 2.0 tool with many features, which uses its Myna audio editor to remix or make songs (@madamebaker).
Staying Up to Date with Web 2.0 Tools
Collaborating on #langchat is a great way to share information with other world language educators across the US and internationally, and many teachers find out about new tools and ideas through this hashtag and Twitter at large. If you're interested in following a few foreign language education blogs for more information, @SECottrell shared some of her favorites below.

Finally, if any of these ideas or tools seems like too much to handle, consider asking your students for help! @fereydoon1975 admits he wasn't very tech savvy at first, but he asked his students to help him with a few tools, and he encourages other teachers to do the same.

I'm sure you've gained some great ideas from our creative #langchat participants - I know I have! Please join us next week at Thursday, 8 Eastern time, as we continue to collaborate and share some fantastic resources and experiences. In the meantime, feel free to visit the Language Teachers Collaborate Wiki or check out the full transcript of the chat here. If you have any topics you'd like to see discussed, please vote!

See you next time!

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Using Web 2.0 Tools in the Language Classroom | Calico Spanish

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Thanks to all our participants who came out for Thursday night's #langchat at 8 Eastern time! We shared some great resources and had a very interesting discussion on everyone's favorite Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Thanks especially to our moderators, Don Doehla (@dr_dmd) and Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell (@SECottrell).

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Web 2.0 in and out of the Language Classroom

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Web 2.0 in and out of the Language Classroom

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http://www.j-let.org/wcf/proceedings/g-039.pdf

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Web 2.0 Tools in the Foreign Language Classroom

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Web 2.0 Tools in the Foreign Language Classroom

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http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=cornerstone3

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Effective Cloud-based Technologies to Maximize Language Learning

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Effective Cloud-based Technologies to Maximize Language Learning

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http://www.csctfl.org/documents/2015Report/Chapter%207.pdf

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Using Web 2.0 to design meaningful Language-learning environments

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Using Web 2.0 to design meaningful Language-learning environments

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https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/muj/article/viewFile/20513/20111

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USING WEB 2.0 TOOLS IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: MOTIVATING STUDENTS THROUGH VIRTUAL SOCIAL INTERACTION TO IMPROVE READING AND WRITING SKILLSbyVÍCTOR A. COLÓN

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USING WEB 2.0 TOOLS IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: MOTIVATING STUDENTS THROUGH VIRTUAL SOCIAL INTERACTION TO IMPROVE READING AND WRITING SKILLSbyVÍCTOR A. COLÓN

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https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/colon_victor_a_201105_phd.pdf

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Rubric for Effective Teacher Technology Use (Organized by the Four Domains of Danielson’s Framework for Teaching)

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Rubric for Effective Teacher Technology Use (Organized by the Four Domains of Danielson’s Framework for Teaching)

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http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el201303_johnson_rubric.pdf

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3 Ways to Use Technology in the Foreign Language Classroom - Free Resources for Spanish Teachers

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3 Ways to Use Technology in the Foreign Language Classroom - Free Resources for Spanish Teachers

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http://www.santillanausa.com/spanish-classroom/3-ways-to-use-technology-in-the-foreign-language-classroom-free-resources-for-spanish-teachers.html

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A meaningful integration of technology in the foreign language classroom...

- Engages and motivates students to learn.

- Helps student relate what has been taught to life outside the classroom.

- Gives students opportunities to use their language abilities for interactional and real purpose activities

- Helps teachers reach all students in different ways and effectively differentiate instruction and allows students to work at their own pace

In my experience, technology is a rich resource for authentic language, and can help students with their listening comprehension skills. It is a way toexpose students to the different accents of Spanish, the music of the language, as well as the culture. Students can be transported to where Spanish is spoken and see what these places are like from the wildlife and topography, to thecities and monuments, to everyday life.

Technology contributes to student motivation, higher order thinking, and mastery of basic skills. Students respond more to real communication as opposed to the more structured kind in a classroom, feeling more relaxed and engaged, and being more willing to take risks with their new language.

Audio and VideoPrograms: Whether we realize it or not, looking at a teacher's face and body language can provide students with clues that help them with listening comprehension. We also tend to slow down our speech, which is natural when we speak to a roomful of learners. Video resources remove that crutch and students can really develop their listening skills. They also allow students to hearsomeone else speak Spanish with a different accent, both adults and children, which also will foster listening comprehension skills. For Spanish teachers who are not native speakers, it's an excellent opportunity for your students to hear native speakers. These programs are a great way to introduce the topics and themes of the day or week, showing the language in use in different contexts. I recommend using them as a warm up or as a closing activity.

Online Activities: These are great activities to differentiate instruction. Students can be working at different activities within the same topic without feeling embarrassed. For struggling students, this is a great resource for reinforcement and remediation. Students who have a higher ability will be able to work with a variety of activities that will challenge them. This could be a review on a weekly basis or a something you have students do for a few minutes at the end of a class period.

eBooks: I'll behonest: I loathed the idea of e-books because I love books so much. It's the usual argument of bibliophiles about the act of holding the book, turning the pages, blah, blah, blah. While I still love my books, eBooks, I have to admit, can be pretty wonderful things: especially for the classroom. eBooks are interactive. Students have a glossary, or the definition or read aloud of a word at their finger tips. Most eBooks also integrate audios and videos, enriching the language learning experience. I wish I would have had something like that when I read Rayuela for the first time! I have found that a lot of students find working with eBooks more motivating because they are electronic and they are interactive. If it gets students to read, I'm for it!

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3 Ways to Use Technology in the Foreign Language Classroom - Free Resources for Spanish Teachers

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A meaningful integration of technology in the foreign language classroom... - Engages and motivates students to learn. - Helps student relate what has been taught to life outside the classroom.

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The Role of the Teacher in a Technology-Infused Classroom

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The Role of the Teacher in a Technology-Infused Classroom

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https://effectiveteacher.wcpss.net/the-role-of-the-teacher-in-a-technology-infused-classroom/

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Foreign Language Teacher Education and Technology: Bridging the Gap

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Foreign Language Teacher Education and Technology: Bridging the Gap

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http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1170&context=teachlearnfacpub

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http://spanish4teachers.org/techblog/

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39 Digital Tools Your World Language Classroom Should Have

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39 Digital Tools Your World Language Classroom Should Have

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https://calicospanish.com/39-digital-tools-your-world-language-classroom-should-have/

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Tech tools are everywhere and they're a dime a dozen. Which ones are the best for world language classes? In last Thursday's #langchat, @snesbitt1972 said

[The] focus shouldn't be on the device. It's just a tool. The bigger question is, how will devices help make life easier and connect learning to the real world?

Although we spent a lot of time sharing ideas and tools for incorporating technology into the world language classroom, the focus was on how these different technologies actually helped teachers and students do better work and build up language learning skills.

- Don't miss a post; follow us on Bloglovin'! -

What are the Most Common Devices?

Most of the teachers on #langchat have access to computer labs, but many of them have additional support with iPads in the classrooms. As the concept of a 1:1 technology ratio catches fire in many parts of the country, more world language teachers are able to use new forms of teaching their material.

Even though it is clear that technology access is increasing, every teacher has a different setup. Some teachers have 4-5 desktop computers that their students share, while others are much more fortunate. @LauraJaneBarber said, "We have a digital drop down lab by Steven's Learning in every WL classroom." @KrisClimer said,

All our students have [a] tablet PC now but I see more portable BYO [Bring Your Own] devices [being] the next norm."

Bring Your Own Device or Bring Your Own Distraction?

While the #langchat teachers agreed that a BYOD policy is probably the wave of the future, some teachers face reluctant administrators who resist the move towards more tech in the classroom. @SECottrell said,

This is a discouraging topic for me. This year all personal devices were banned from sight. No exceptions. If we see them, it's demerits. Cell phone is not supposed to be on their person.

She also went on to explain that administrators express concern that, "...students will cheat and be off task."

Although including devices can get students more engaged, it was clear that most #langchat teachers utilize specific times and procedures for them. @MmeNero said, "Students will sometimes abuse use. Asking students to BYOD to turn off phones in 1st 30 sec of class, BUT can turn on when needed." Other teachers also suggested having students' devices out on the desks, where they are quite visible. @CoLeeSensei said,

I am the same way too - "phones out and on the desk"...rather there than in their pockets!

- Let us share more of this with you on Twitter and Facebook -

37 Tech Tools Your World Language Students Should Have

Then, #langchat contributors shared the best of the tech tools that are helping them be more effective and efficient. What were they?

1. Parlons - Students follow along with the online web documents and complete games and workshops regarding the story.

2. Evernote - A great way for students to organize digital work, and can be used by teachers to organize lessons and share information with the entire class. @MmeNero said, "Our dept is doing great E-portfolios with Evernote. Students record sample conversations, take pictures of examples, reflect and see/hear progression."

3. Google Voice - Can be used for students to do presentations from their own home, or can make presentational grading easier by allowing teacher to grade after class.

4. Word Reference - An online multilingual dictionary that provides translation from and to English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, German, Polish, Russian, Greek, Chinese and more.

5. Quizlet - An incredible bank of study aids that have been created by other world language teachers. This resource also allows you to create study and lesson guides and share them as well.

6. Google Docs - This tool allows you to create online data forms and documents and then share them with students. Students can edit, comment and submit google docs for grading.

7. Poll Everywhere - You can create online polls that students can answer by texting and online messaging. Instant results are available, so students can see their responses immediately if you have a LCD projector attached to your computer. @mmebrady said, "We used polleverywhere this morning to share prior knowledge on a topic prior to analyzing a video text."

8. Puppet Pals - This is an Ipad App that lets your students create unique animations and capture them to video. Have students record audio for their plays for a great presentational method of learning.

9. Book Creator - You or your students can create their own books for use in the classroom. Afterwards, you can submit them to the world book store!

10. Comic Life - Students get excited to create their own comic book characters with this exceptional tool.

11. Socrative - This is a Learning Management System (LMS) that allows teachers to create and share tests, quizzes and lessons to students' smartphones, tablets and computers. @klafrench said, "I use Socrative for lots of quick feedback or practice activities. Easy to post a question for students to answer, no usernames."

12. Voice Thread - Students can record conversations and post to the class. Unfortunately, this may have become a fee application.

13. YouTube - This online video sharing community is a great way for students to see authentic video and audio in the world language class. Some schools may have it blocked, though. (Spanish teachers, check out La Voz Kids - A Spanish version of "The Voice - Kids." This is a highly entertaining series that can be the springboard for interpretive, interpersonal and presentational learning activities.)

14. Juno - Another LMS, @natadel76 said, "Similar to Socrative - JunoEd: can add videos, audio, multiple question format." Update: Juno is now managed by Powerschool.

15. Edmodo - Possibly the most popular LMS on this list, Edmodo allows teachers to create lessons, connect with students safely, share apps and document student progress.

16. Audacity - This is the most widely used free online sound recorder and editor. This is great for having world language students record their voices and create polished files to share with others.

17. Wordle - @MmeNero said, "Students add to list of words they know; smaller words/exp=need practice, bigger=what most know."

18. Infuse Learning - This site offers a comprehensive way to connect your world language lessons with any student on their phone, computer or tablet device. Note: InfuseLearning shut down. See Jonathan Wylie's article 10 Alternatives to InfuseLearning for Assessments.

19. Duolingo - Offers free online courses in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and English. Some #langchat teachers like it, others said that the language was not as high quality as they would like.

20. Lingt - Another great LMS that allows world language teachers to incorporate assessments, video, audio and track student improvement.

21. Haiku - This is a cloud-based LMS that is standards-based and provides options for both mobile and desktop use.

22. Scan - This app allows you to read and create QR codes on a variety of devices.

23. WordFoto - Students can turn their personal photos into text for a very creative interpretive or presentational project. @MmeNero shared her student WordFoto projects here.

24. Memrise - Uses memorization tricks to teach a variety of subjects. There are many classes to choose from, and world language teachers can create their own lessons if they don't find exactly what they're looking for.

25. Student Blogs - These are easy to set up through free services like Blogger and Edublogs.org (which provide a little more security for students). Some helpful tips: @KrisClimer said, "For student blogs, give clear expectations for peer review," and @DiegoOjeda66 shared the Stout Blog Rubric.

26. DiLL - This LMS from Swift incorporates headsets, microphones and laptops to create a no-hassle language learning lab.

27. Grooveshark - Much like Pandora or Spotify, this website lets students listen to authentic audio samples for great interpretive projects or interactive class discussions.

28. Educreations - You can browse lessons for your computer lab or Ipad that have been created by other world language teachers, or you can easily create your own.

29. Spotify - This music app provides both free and paid options. Students can listen to authentic resources and you can create playlists to share as a class.

30. Songza - This music application is 100% free and has no listening limits. It is different than some other music apps in that the music is chosen by experts in the language and music of the cultures the music represent. Note: Songza has been acquired by Google Play.

31. Skype - This is a free live video calling application that can allow students to interact with native speakers all over the world. Be sure to check with your Information Technology Specialist (ITS) before using in the classroom. @natadel76 said, "Skype is a security threat too, according to my ITS."

32. Wikispaces - Many teachers are still using Wikispaces as their dominant LMS. This tool allows you to create assignments, comment on work and upload and share images and video. Note: Wikispaces is closing in 2018. For an alternative, check out PBWorks.

33. Google Hangout - Possibly a more secure alternative to Skype, Google Hangouts also allow you to do video calling with up to 10 different computers.

34. Schoology - Voted the best 2013 LMS for students in grades K-12 by the CoDIE Awards ( Software and Information Industry Association). It's advanced integration system works with many outside applications like Moodle, TurnItIn and BlackBoard.

35. Mentor Mob - This is a search tool that clarifies world language searches and creates "learning playlists" for your students. You can also rate search results for relevance, use others' playlists and create unique playlists for your students to use.

36. Moodle - A free LMS that provides teachers access to instruction of large groups of students, as well as assessments and interactive wikis, discussion boards and assessments.

37. Twitter - This instant messaging forum is a great way for students to interact with you and each other in the target language. You can change trending items to Spanish-speaking country lists, do live chats with your students in the target language, or participate in #langchat and get some great professional development!
Eager for more? For an update on this list, check out a couple of blogposts from longtime #langchat contributors. In February 2015, Maris Hawkins posted her Top 5 Tech Tools, and then Laura Sexton posted her Top 10 Tech Tools from 2016.
Thank You

We'd like to thank our moderators, for keeping us on task and giving us some great ideas for using technology in our world language classrooms. As usual, there were many great ideas that didn't get included in the summary. If you want to see what you missed, check out the full transcript of the chat in our online archive.

What comments, questions or concerns do you have about teaching world language? We'd love to hear more about you and what is important for your teaching journey. Give us your suggestions for future #langchat discussions and get involved in your professional learning community!

Additional Resources

Looking for more fun and games with learning power to put on those devices? Check out our as well as our engaging Spanish learning videos. Sing along and learn together!

iPads for Spanish
Pourquoi pas les e-portfolios?
Twitter Rubric
iOS Apps for World Language education
Wiki Rubric

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37 Tech Tools for every World Language Classroom | Calico Spanish

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Tech tools are everywhere and they're a dime a dozen. Which ones are the best for world language classes? In last Thursday's #langchat, @snesbitt1972 said [The] focus shouldn't be on the device. It's just a tool. The bigger question is, how will devices help make life easier and connect learning to the real world?

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Technology-Infused FrenchForeign Language Instruction for the Digital AgeCarl Falsgraf

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Technology-Infused FrenchForeign Language Instruction for the Digital AgeCarl Falsgraf

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http://www.iste.org/docs/excerpts/FRENCH-excerpt.pdf

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The 21st century teacher: modern foreign languages

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The 21st century teacher: modern foreign languages

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Learn Microsoft Sway - New! 2016 Tutorial

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Learn Microsoft Sway - New! 2016 Tutorial

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZFnRVwgOOM

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Office Sway 2015 Microsoft Full Tutorial

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Office Sway 2015 Microsoft Full Tutorial

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3dspMKu_xI

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Recap: Student Video Response System for Classrooms | TeacherCast Podcast

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Recap: Student Video Response System for Classrooms | TeacherCast Podcast

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cryTqSC0yik

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Swivl Refocuses on Teachers & Presentations

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Recap: Student Video Response System for Classrooms | TeacherCast Podcast

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Recap is a free video response and reflection app developed by the makers of Swivl. It gives teachers and parents insight into students' learning and progress by introducing video as a quick, simple and everyday tool to collect student data. Recap provides evidence of student thinking, improves formative assessment, and supports personalized learning.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMqJmMcME0

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Blended Learning: Making it Work in Your Classroom

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Blended Learning: Making it Work in Your Classroom

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auzwH1mK2TY

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Blended Learning: Making it Work in Your Classroom

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EDpuzzle - How to create my first lesson.

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EDpuzzle - How to create my first lesson.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSYhtKbwtKM

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EDpuzzle - How to create my first lesson.

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Edpuzzle - Teacher Evolution (How to introduce EDpuzzle into the classroom)

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Edpuzzle - Teacher Evolution (How to introduce EDpuzzle into the classroom)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmtOGMwHR9o

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Edpuzzle - Teacher Evolution (How to introduce EDpuzzle into the classroom)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlnI1f-Q1JM

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Socrative Tutorial - Formative Assessment Tool

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Using Nearpod for Classroom Assessment Formal and Informal

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Using Nearpod for Classroom Assessment Formal and Informal

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8G5niO2Dso

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Using Nearpod for Classroom Assessment Formal and Informal

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Nearpod is a great website/application that allows you to use your iPad as a presentation tool. It also works as a great system for delivering quiz content and features a tool that I really like which is the drawing feature. With this feature you can design assignments around using the drawing tool to annotate directly on the project.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHWRi54nCn8

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkBnwPqaIjA

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1jPS4koKiA

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What is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge?

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What is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge?

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http://www.citejournal.org/volume-9/issue-1-09/general/what-is-technological-pedagogicalcontent-knowledge/

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What Is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge? – CITE Journal

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Editors’ Note: For the benefit of readers who are unfamiliar with the notion of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge (TPACK), we offer the following condensed and updated depiction by Mishra and Koehler (2007), which was presented originally at the annual conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education in 2007.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBce25r8vto

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FagVSQlZELY

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a90EvWfoLU

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGpSaTzW58

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Research Implications for Preparing Teachers to Use Technology

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Research Implications for Preparing Teachers to Use Technology

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https://prezi.com/fx7uxkqsrjvm/technology-infusion-tpack-iste-standards/#

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Key Initiatives of Technology Infusion Infrastructure Need

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Technology Infusion: TPACK & ISTE Standards

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http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-A_PDF.pdf

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4 Arguments for Technology Infusion in Schools

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4 Arguments for Technology Infusion in Schools

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http://www.teacher.org/daily/4-arguments-technology-infusion-schools/

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Jon Konen
School Principal

You ever been in argument with someone about education, and what we should be or should not being doing? It's not hard to argue against someone who believes students should be technology free in schools. We see technology in almost all jobs and every aspect of our lives. Recently, on the second day of school we were without electricity for over two hours. I was very pleased to see both staff and students doing creative activities, discussions, read a-louds, and more in the dark. Good instruction is that, good instruction! The argument comes when we say that technology infusion is just as important as these activities that can be done in the dark! I recently had this discussion with a colleague. I found myself wondering how someone could even argue against technology...but his argument was valid, "Good instruction is good instruction!" Here are my four best arguments that I could surmise, do you have more?

1950's vs. 2010's, Times Have Changed, Why Haven't We?

An overhead projector at one time was state of the art technology. You could project information onto a large surface for all students to see. This revolutionized teaching. In fact, document cameras now can do the same thing...the technology may look a little different, but the instructional strategy used by teachers may be pretty close to the same. Other technology that teachers may have at their disposal does show major differences from the 1950's: Web 2.0 tools, new Web 3.0 tools, Swivel, Google Cardboard, Skype, Facetime, Facebook Live, Periscope, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat to name a few. In fact, the most creative and innovative teachers are still trying to play catch-up and figure out how to successfully use this newest technology in classrooms. The multitude of new devices, social media apps, and programs are rapidly growing to the point where teachers are afraid to learn something new for fear of it being gone in a few months. Sadly, many teachers don't even try. So, shouldn't we be at least experimenting with this technology in our classroom?

Students Have Changed, Why Haven't We?

In the 1980's many of my friends had a party-line phone number at their homes. This specialized phone number allowed many of my friends to talk on their phones (many who had the first push button phones). Some phone lines were able to split the line so they could add more callers on all at once. I was so jealous. While they could talk to many people at once, I was still using my dial up phones in our house. My parents finally did purchase a 20-foot long cord while I was in high school so I could go into my room instead of having my conversations out in the kitchen in front of them. For me, this changed everything in my social life. My wife and I recently joked with our sophomore son when we found out he had 330,000 snapchats in a little over a year since we allowed him to have the app! His generation can all be in the same room, next to each other, and not talk for hours other than the occasional, "you gotta see this...!" They repeatedly keep showing each other short videos, posts from friends, funny memes, and more! Students have changed how they communicate, how they access information, and how they have fun. So, shouldn't we be changing how we teach?

All Fields Have Continued to Adapt, Adopt, and Assimilate Technology....Why Not Education?

When Web 2.0 became more accessible and usable for companies, and explosion began. Many 2.0 tools were replacing low entry-level jobs. What was once done by a person is now automated. We haven't seen anything yet...Web 3.0 will start to take over mid-level jobs and so much more. Listening to Dr. Bill Daggett, Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education, reconfirmed my thoughts on how far we are behind in education. He said all fields and industries have taken the challenge and are finding ways to use these 2.0 and now 3.0 tools to their advantage. He speaks of Web 3.0 being the "artificial intelligence" revolution. Cars are currently be equipped to detect upcoming pot holes and adjust the ride so you don't feel them. Doctors are using virtual tools to practice impossible surgeries without even cutting anything. Dr. Daggett profoundly states that there are two domains that remain behind, without much substantial change, "education and government." In the next couple years, Google will soon be the largest provider of educational resources. We need to heed this warning signs, as public education may soon no longer be the main providers of education and this competition may provide education cheaper. He continued by telling us that "schools are merely museums" right now. We can walk down the hallways much like a museum, seeing old technology. I will always believe that a human connects better with kids, and we can teach more effectively than anything "artificial." I am just saying, private schools are going to be more enticing for some parents who ride the fence on public education. We, public educators, can do much better. Will we step up and infuse technology with our students?

Coding - "It's What's for Dinner!

The amount of Web 2.0, and soon to be Web 3.0, tools our world will create will change how we live, what we buy, who we hang out with, and how we have fun. The amount of jobs that require coding will multiply exponentially in the next decade. We must start building a workforce that can sustain this change or we will forsake these positions to other countries. Coding should be an option in all schools starting in elementary grades. Will we change our technology curriculum and will coding be a part of what we do every day?

Each of these arguments have their pros and cons on society, and specifically on our students in education. You can argue that good instruction in the 1950's would be good instruction in 2010's, but I argue that isn't true or prudent. We can't look the other way as technology in all other work domains change and we chose to remain stagnant with our instruction. We know our kids are different, and subsequently, the way our teachers instruct must also be different. Change is tough for so many, but when we have technology staring at us in our face...we cannot withhold the infusion into how we teach!

RELATED - How to Become a Science Teacher

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4 Arguments for Technology Infusion in Schools | Teacher.org

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Jon Konen School Principal You ever been in argument with someone about education, and what we should be or should not being doing? It's not hard to argue against someone who believes students should be technology free in schools. We see technology in almost all jobs and every aspect of our lives.

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Technology Integration for the New 21st Century Learner

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Technology Integration for the New 21st Century Learner

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http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner

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Today's students need educators to re-envision the role of technology in the classroom. by Nancye Blair Principal, January/February 2012 Web Resources A dramatic shift is sweeping through our schools. The signs are all around us. Third graders texting on their cell phones. Kindergarteners who can navigate an iPod Touch better than we can.

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Six Objectives for Technology Infusion into Teacher Education: a model in action

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Six Objectives for Technology Infusion into Teacher Education: a model in action

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http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/0962029960050107

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http://www.speakeasydesigns.com/SDSU/student/SAGE/compsprep/Technology_-_What_it_is_good_for.pdf