Web 2.

0 tools to
promote oral
communication in
distance and blended
learning contexts
 Why use web tools to promote oral
communication?
 Provide opportunity to experience different kinds of
communication – synchronous – asynchronous.

 Increase interaction inside and outside the classroom.

 Foster global learning (collaboration with other teachers

and students locally, nationally and internationally.)

 Allow discussion to be attached to the lecture itself (e.g.,

voicethread).

 Improve the social presence of instructors and students.

 Why use web tools to promote
oral communication?
 Promote students’ motivation making learning more
engaging.

 Can be used with different learners (teenagers, adults).

 Give a voice to shy students.

 Web tools
 Voki:

 Voicethread

 Voxopop

 Tokbox
 Voki
 What is it?

Free web tool to create speaking avatars/characters.

 Features:
 Personalized avatars (animal, cartoon, human)
 Personalized voice and accent (via phone, microphone,
text to speech or upload file) – No more than a minute.
 Personalized background
 They can be shared through email or posted in wikis,
blogs or websites.
 Voki use in language
learning
 Developing characters for digital storytelling projects

 Reading comprehension / literature

 Listening comprehension

 Introducing group discussion by asking questions.

 Expressing opinions or presenting content about a topic

(e.g. recorded debates)

 Assessment of oral skills (e.g. pronunciation)

 Voki examples
 Spanish learners talking about a native speaker:
http://tecnologiaenl2.blogspot.com/2009/11/practica-oral.h
tml

 Spanish learners narrating a dream using past tense

http://www.voki.com/php/viewmessage/?chsm=fc4152a46
df3f3722f20d3860ecb0f41&mId=498158

 Spanish learners talking about their favorite vacation place

http://rodolfonauspan102-1331.blogspot.com/2009_10_01
_archive.html
 Voicethread
 What is it?

Digital tool for having conversations around media

 Features:
 Upload pictures, powerpoints, videos
 Add voice, text or video comments
 Comment moderation
 Privacy controls
 It can be embedded in your blog, wiki, website.
 Voicethread in language

learning
Make presentations

 Describe, compare and contrast pictures/pieces of art

 Narrate a story / Adding voices to the characters in a story

 Reading groups

 Peer review writing samples

 Comment, review or discuss a videoclip

 Digital portfolios

 Problem solving / Debate on an issue

 Voicethread examples
 Spanish student presentation on cultural topics:
http://spa101hfall09.wetpaint.com/page/Webquests

 Questions to a native speaker’s presentation of a trip:

http://voicethread.com/share/746050/

 Students’ interview at the beginning:

http://voicethread.com/share/1306986/
 Voxopop
 What is it?

A webspace for talkgroups. A message board/forum that uses

voice instead of text.

 Features
 You can create a public or a private talkgroup.
 You can be notified by when others contribute to your
talkgroup (keep a watchlist).
 You can have messages automatically transferred to an
mp3 player (Add to iTunes).
 Voxopop in language
learning
 Discussion about topics covered in class.

 Activate background knowledge about a topic you are

going to present in class.

 Collaborative narratives

 Pronunciation practice

 Practice your listening skills in L2

 Assessment of oral skills

 Voxopop examples
 Gina Santi Fotografías – Questions to a Spanish-speaking
photographer:
http://www.voxopop.com/topic/56244dbc-95b2-400d-a1
8f-6cce47cc96ba

 Students’ introductions – SPA101:

http://www.voxopop.com/topic/d235ff72-2011-4d5b-957e-
5188177613b3
 Tokbox
 What is it?

Webtool that allows you to connect face-to-face using video.

 Features:
 No downloads involved
 Video conference (up to 20 people for free)
 You can upload presentations, videos and documents to enrich
your online discussion.
 Tokbox in language

learning
Synchronous feedback to students’ work

 Virtual pen pen pals for language students

 Review material with students

 Local, national and international collaboration in projects

 Group discussion in online classes

 Interviews / Oral assessment

 Homework: (e.g. Survey of native speakers or language users)

 Tokbox example
 Interview with a native speaker:

http://tecnologiaenl2.blogspot.com/2009/11/practica-
oral.html
 Resources
 Voki: Voki – Avatars in Education

 Voicethread: Voicethread 4 Education wiki

 Voxopop: IELTS speaking practice with Voxopop

 Tokbox: Teach outside the classroom