Tuesday 10 February 2009

Self-assessment

Self assessment in the Primary classroom of EFL can be approached in a number of ways. Most coursebooks include sheets or boxes at the end of a unit with questions about activity preferences, sense of performace, etc. but their filling can become a kind of meaningless routine for the student. A more intregrated option can be found in portfolios following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Portfolios foster self-assessment and learning awareness through record sheets, questions or work collection for the dossier. This model of portfolio can be useful with that purpose.

Other resources:
Involving language learners in assessment: a new paradigm (article)

Some examples of self-assessment sheets related to the use of ICT.
Example of a sheet about work on a particular Webquest.

Monday 9 February 2009

eTwinning


We commented on eTwinning in a previous post in this blog. This service enables teachers to contact with other colleagues around Europe and participate in school projects of different kinds. You can browse through these ideas for inspiration or have a look at the 2008/09 prizes.

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Converting text to speech

VozMe is a Google utility that allows converting written texts in English, among other languages, to mp3 sound. Users select between feminine or masculine voice and files can be saved. Although the pace and intonation may sound a bit 'robotic', the pronunciation and stress are good enough.