Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Internet TESL Journal
Internet TESL Journal is one of my personal favorite sites for flash quizzes. (A flash quiz means that each time students access the site, the questions are introduced in a different order.) I prefer this kind of an online quiz because students can be tested on the same information but STILL be seated next to each other ... The other advantage to using this site is that students don’t become accustomed to the order of questions and memorize the answers. From my experience, it really seems like a better way to use the same system to test the student’s understanding of the points.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: The first few times I stumbled across this link, I didn’t include it in any of my resources; the colors of the site are quite bright, the titles of sections are titled “Kid’s Corner”, and even some of the pictures were of children. I was concerned that including the information would make my adult learners feel as if they were not viewed as a mature individual.
However, after taking a closer look, I realized that the site is evolving. The developers realized the information was not only attracting their initial audience – elementary aged students – but it’s also beginning to attract a wider audience. At the bottom of the page, the information is divided into levels, such as what would be interest an elementary, a high school, or an adult student.
One of the problems that many of our students face is loosing academic time while they are acquiring the language skills; thus, the students spend the time learning English rather than the specifics of geography. This site could possible link the two areas if the students are specifically directed to the specific subject. As teachers, we know that students learn faster when engaged and interested in the topic!
Before introducing this to students, pre-screen the site. Be sure that the link that you send the students includes more of the mature material. Thus, sending them to the “Painting Activities” page really wouldn’t be helpful. Nevertheless, the resource is DEFINITELY worth looking into!
However, after taking a closer look, I realized that the site is evolving. The developers realized the information was not only attracting their initial audience – elementary aged students – but it’s also beginning to attract a wider audience. At the bottom of the page, the information is divided into levels, such as what would be interest an elementary, a high school, or an adult student.
One of the problems that many of our students face is loosing academic time while they are acquiring the language skills; thus, the students spend the time learning English rather than the specifics of geography. This site could possible link the two areas if the students are specifically directed to the specific subject. As teachers, we know that students learn faster when engaged and interested in the topic!
Before introducing this to students, pre-screen the site. Be sure that the link that you send the students includes more of the mature material. Thus, sending them to the “Painting Activities” page really wouldn’t be helpful. Nevertheless, the resource is DEFINITELY worth looking into!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
FREE On-line Product Printing Resources
There is a whole plethora of on-line printing resources for people to use. However, many of the sources require an upfront fee in order to post posters or other products.
• This most well-know source for printing images of products is Café Press. The nice part of this site is that the link allows users to upload images for free. The MAJOR drawback is that the source only allows one image per store. For an example of this, CLICK HERE. If users want to have multiple images on the same page, they must pay and monthly or yearly fee. As well, as long as the store is posted, the fee is automatically applied to the credit card. To avoid this, the store must be deleted – thus, negating all of the work that was done to create the store. In addition, there are trillions of images uploaded to the site. So, it’s easy for your images to become lost in the mix.
• Another source is Zazzle. It’s a newer site, but I prefer this to the above link because it allows users to upload as many images to the same store as desired. Plus, the link has some fun products, such as keys chains, skateboards, and shoes. To be forwarded to the site, CLICK HERE.
• The final site Image Kind. This site is geared more for photographers, painters, sculpture, or arts who want to sell printable versions of their images. This isn’t a site that is for everyone. However, the site has VERY competitive prices and is extremely easy to work with. Users are able to use ten key words and have two different galleries at no cost. For an example of this, CLICK HERE.
How do these sites make money? Well, whenever a product is sold, they take a percentage or a base price. The nice part is that the user just needs to keep uploading images and revising key words, if needed, to keep the store fresh and active.
Granted, there are MANY more of these types of stores online. If there is another source that would be a great addition to the group, please add a comment at the end of this blog. As well, feel free to comment on sites that you do NOT prefer or should be avoided. (As an aside, I still use all three resources!)
• This most well-know source for printing images of products is Café Press. The nice part of this site is that the link allows users to upload images for free. The MAJOR drawback is that the source only allows one image per store. For an example of this, CLICK HERE. If users want to have multiple images on the same page, they must pay and monthly or yearly fee. As well, as long as the store is posted, the fee is automatically applied to the credit card. To avoid this, the store must be deleted – thus, negating all of the work that was done to create the store. In addition, there are trillions of images uploaded to the site. So, it’s easy for your images to become lost in the mix.
• Another source is Zazzle. It’s a newer site, but I prefer this to the above link because it allows users to upload as many images to the same store as desired. Plus, the link has some fun products, such as keys chains, skateboards, and shoes. To be forwarded to the site, CLICK HERE.
• The final site Image Kind. This site is geared more for photographers, painters, sculpture, or arts who want to sell printable versions of their images. This isn’t a site that is for everyone. However, the site has VERY competitive prices and is extremely easy to work with. Users are able to use ten key words and have two different galleries at no cost. For an example of this, CLICK HERE.
How do these sites make money? Well, whenever a product is sold, they take a percentage or a base price. The nice part is that the user just needs to keep uploading images and revising key words, if needed, to keep the store fresh and active.
Granted, there are MANY more of these types of stores online. If there is another source that would be a great addition to the group, please add a comment at the end of this blog. As well, feel free to comment on sites that you do NOT prefer or should be avoided. (As an aside, I still use all three resources!)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
English Pronunciation for ESL, ELL, EFL, or ESOL Students
I just finished another lens. This one is geared to help ESL, ELL, ESOL, and EFL students. All of the specific language information was requested. If there is a language that you would like added to the lens, please feel free to add a comment at the bottom of the page, in the “Reader Feedback” section. To go to the link, click on the title of this blog or go to http://www.squidoo.com/gw-english-pronunciation.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
BASIC Vocabulary for Students Learning English
This resource is intended for students who are learned English as an ESL/ELL student in the high school setting, an adult student in a community education program, or a student just beginning to learn English as a Foreign Language. All of the resources included in this link are free! If there is an area that you would like to see expanded, please feel free to leave me a note either just below this blog or in the “Reader Feedback” section of http://www.squidoo.com/english-vocab .
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Free Resources for the Online Writing Tutor
Free Resources for the On-line Writing Tutor, at http://www.squidoo.com/online-tutor , include links to citations rules and examples of papers using these methods (such as APA, MLA, Chicago …); links to lists of grammar rules and free online tests; and additional links to different types of writing (such as persuasive essays, memos, business letters …)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Teaching Links for the ELL/ESL Instructor
This link, http://www.squidoo.com/teaching-links , is a collection of on-line resources for ESL/EFL/ELL instructors. It includes helpful links to free on-line resources, such as how to cite papers, improve listening comprehension, edit grammar, refine pronunciation skills, increase reading proficiency, develop writing skills, foster students’ vocabulary, and other interesting free on-line source. As well, there are examples of books that can be helpful resources to have in the classroom or to use with students. If there is any additional information that you would like added to this page, please send me a note in the "Reader Feedback" section or send me a comment in this blog.
Free! Grammar Rules & Quizzes
Do you have problems editing grammar in your own writing? Most writers do! The objective of this page is to provide you with additional information about various areas in grammar as well as FREE online quizzes. ALL of the links at http://www.squidoo.com/esl-links are FREE via the World Wide Web and easy to access. Because this is a page that is evolving, I would like your feedback as well. If there is an area in grammar that you would like additional information, please send me a note at the bottom of the page in the "feedback" section. Once the information is included, I can either email you or check the site often for updates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)