Why not post our wishes on the wall?

What is it?

As indicated by its name, Wallwisher allows users to build a colorful 'wall' of a given topic and let others post on it. Like an open forum, it is an exciting website for sharing ideas and comments. One attractive feature is that you can design their walls or ‘stick notes’ in an arbitrary order. Not only the text, you can also draw website links, images and even videos on your wall!!

How might it be used in English language teaching?

1. A warm up activity. After giving student a general idea, teacher can make      students guess what the lesson is and then ask them post their ideas on the wall as a warm up activity.

2. To complete a task. At speaking class, teacher can give students a topic, such as, introduce a historical place or a superstar. In order to complete this task, they need to build a wall, posting whatever they like, for example, pictures, videos and website links etc. Assign students in different groups and let them discuss. At the end of the class, teacher can design a presentation stage, making students show their achievements.

3. To collect feedback. If teacher wants to get some feedback, he/she can use this website. In terms of students, they can choose whether leave their names or not. Since it allows anonymous posts, students can make comments and give suggestions without any pressure.

4. Interaction between teacher and student. The students can ask any questions or share whatever they think useful related to a certain lecture on this particular wall and the teacher can answer them by posting a new sticky. Also, some relative videos or websites can be posted as supplementary materials or for further learning. 

5. Long distance learning. Teacher can put the language point as the topic of a wall, and add some videos, pictures or website links that related to this language point. Students can use this wall and learn this language point at home or review after class.

6. For teacher to prepare next lesson. By using Wallwisher to get ideas, interests, teacher could better prepare for next class. In this case, teacher is closer to their students and may be easier to get to know students’ needs.

Benefits

1.It is a great tool for students to express their thoughts and share ideas.

2.It is excellent when Wallwisher is used for a task or project work.

3.It promotes promote learner autonomy and reflective thinking.

4.It is good for students whose learning type is visual one, since the post is colorful and the background is so attractive.

5.Great tool for long distance teaching and learning. Wallwisher provides a connected classrooms, making e-collaboration and e-learning more easily. Learners can collaborate, communicate and connect with their peers and teachers when they are in or outside the classroom.

Limitations

1.The wall cannot be downloaded.

2.Wallwisher has limited characters (only 160) to use give written messages.

3.It may be hard to read when there are many comments on the wall.

4.Users may waste lots of time on organizing the layout in order to get a clear visual effect. 

Jing

              

Try to download Jing by free.

• What is it ?

Jing is a very useful screen-capture tool produced by TechSmith. It enables other people to  view what you record on your computer screen as well as hear your voice of explaining at the same time. Another  important feature of it is user can easily store and share the recording.Of course, all of these are free.

• How to use it?

Following video will show you how to use it step by step.

• Why is it good for language learning?

1. In the language learning process, Jing can be regarded as a superb tool for teachers to give feedback. They can mark students' homework online and highlight the mistakes or errors, and then explain in detail. and give and record  the oral feedback. 

2. Compared with traditional written feedback, it is more clarified by using Jing to record an oral feedback since amount of suggestions will be given during recording. 

3. As for lower-level learners, this type of feedback provides them a plenty of time to digest and understand their confusing or difficult problems. 

• How to use it to foster language learning?

1. As for giving feedback, teachers can  point out the part they want to make a comment, either by explaining more details, or by giving examples. Then students can go back to listen the comments and watch the video again and again until they understand.

2. It can also used by students. For example, describe a picture using target language structures or phrases as a follow-up activity after speaking class or draw an outline and demonstrate their thoughts to the teacher before a writing work.

• Limitations

1. It is impossible to give such an oral feedback to each students,especially in a large size class like China. Taking a record one by one is a time-consuming work. 

2.If it's a free version, there is only a 5-minute length for one Jing recording.