Betül Piyadeci

Second Life is a 3D virtual world where users create and customize avatars, build and create new objects and places. Since this virtual world was created for the purposes of socializing, users can interact with other users through voice-based or text-based interaction. This virtual world can easily be used for educational purposes. Learners can easily interact with each other and have meaningful communications in real-life situations. For example, in an English lesson learners can order food at a restaurant, buy a train ticket at a train station or communicate with a shop assistant. When such tasks are created in Second Life, the environment can be adjusted according to the topic and make the task more interesting and meaningful for the students. With Second Life, teachers don't have to limit themselves with what materials they have access to or which tasks they can create in a classroom environment. Second Life enables teachers to create all sorts of tasks and activities while mak

 A podcast can be defined as an audio file which is uploaded in an episodic form. Podcasts can be about any topic. They can also be used for education since there are many podcasts about various subjects. It is really easy to find the most suitable podcasts for you among the many options. Nevertheless, if you cannot find the exact podcast you are looking for or you want to contribute to many podcasts out there, I have good news for you! Creating a podcast is as easy as finding the proper one. All you have to do is to record yourself talking and upload it to the web.

 A vidcast, also called "vcast", "vodcast" or "videocast", is the video equivalent of a podcast. Just like podcasts, vidcasts can also be found about any topic. When compared to podcasts, they have the advantage of being able to use visuals. This advantage is especially useful in education where you might need to use visuals to help your students understand you better. As iı is stated in podcasts, finding the best vidcast or creating your own vidcast is very easy!

  Quizlet is an online platform which can help learners learn concepts, terms or words through memory cards. This platform can be useful for any subject but especially for language lessons. Teachers can analyze what words students have trouble with learning or they can simply present new words in the form of flashcards. When prepearing a flashcard, teachers can also attach images to make it easier for students to understand certain concepts.  As an example, here is a flashcard I have created by using Quizlet;  Quizlet Example

  Socrative is a tool that can make assessment more fun than ever. Socrative enables teachers to create all sorts of assessment types which provide immediate feedback and detailed raports of the results.  Above is a picture that shows the assessment types that can be created with socrative. Socrative can turn the stressful assessment process into a fun activity. Making sure that the students don't get stressed out with assessments such as quizes is important in keeping them motivated.  Here is a quiz I have created as an example. This is what the quiz looks like on the teacher's screen.

Seesaw is a tool that can create an interactive, engaging and motivating learning environment through student portfolios and other projects. In a seesaw classroom, teachers can post activities and announcements. These announcements might tell students what are they required to do for their next project. Students can easily post their works on seesaw. For the seesaw journal, students can add videos, notes, drawings, links and more. Additionally, Seesaw enables students to post their group projects as a group which makes it easier to see the members who contributed to a particular work.  Getting started with seesaw and using it is very easy. Here is a Seesaw tutorial;  Seesaw Tutorial As an example, here is an activity I have assigned to my Seesaw classroom. Teachers can assign activities that already exists in Seesaw as well as creating their own activities.

  Storybird is a platform where students can read or write stories with illustrations. Storybird can be used for improving reading and writing skills of students. The illustrations it offers can also attract students into creating materials or reading what is already there. With storybird, teachers can find something to read for all topics and all ages. It is especially useful for learners of English as different levels require knowledge of different words and expressions. Nevertheless, if teachers cannot find what they are looking for, it is really easy to create their own materials.  To find the story most suitable for your lesson, you can easily search for the appropriate topic in Storybird. As an example, here is a story on Storybird;  Story Example

 Canva is an online platform where users can design anything from logos to presentations. Canva is free and easy to use. This tool is also very useful in creating materials for teachers. Teachers can create interesting presentations, or their own materials. For example, I can create a movie poster and ask students questions about the information given on the poster. Additionally, teachers can assign students projects that they can create with canva. Since canva is easy to use and has great options for any project, students can create impressive materials that can motivate them. For example, teacher may ask students to create a presentation or prepeare a poster with their groupmates.  Here is an example on a material prepeared by the teacher.  Canva Presentation

  Thinglink is a platform which can turn videos, images into a material that is more interactive by making them into a VR experience. I have discussed the effect of VR in a previous post; ( https://betulpmaterials.blogspot.com/2021/06/virtual-reality.html ). Thinglink makes it easier to have a virtual reality experience in classrooms. Through this platform, teachers can easily make their lessons more interactive and ,nteresting for learners.  Thinglink can be used for a variety of different topics for different subjects. For example, in an English lesson, if my topic is sports, I can show students a 360 view of a sport that I want to show. As an example;  Sky Diving . This can make learning more concrete and fun. Additionally, teachers can create interactive materials very easily.  As an example,  here is a material I have created;  Thinglink Material The material I have created can be used for teaching students body parts. Since this is an interactive material, students can see the na

  Sutori is a web 2.0 platform which can make presentations more engaging. Sutori creates a timeline for your presentations by placing each slide on the timeline. This platform allows you to be more flexible with what you put on your slides. With sutori, teachers can attach videos, documents, links and even interactive materials such as quizes. Additionally, both teachers and students can write comments for each slide. Teachers can even create an interactive material through sutori and assess this to their students.  Sutori is a very user-friendly platform. All that needs to be done is to sign up and get started! Here is a tutorial on sutori;  Sutori Tutorial Here is a material I have created with sutori;  Sutori Material To show an example sutori material, I have created a quiz. However, a variety of different things can be done with sutori. 

Using videos for education can be important. Videos can be used to demonstrate certain topics for students to understand better and make the learning more permanent. The use of videos is especially important for language lessons. Learners can be presented with real-life use of language, they can see the proper pronunciation of a word, where and when to use a certain function and more. The internet is filled with videos for any topic. Nevertheless, teachers might not always be able to find the exact video they are looking for. In this case, it would be the best to create their own videos with every criteria they are looking for in a  video. Biteable is a video making platform. With biteable, you can use the already existing templates and edit them to make your own video. The videos you create will be more personalized for the topic of your lesson. Since you can easily create your own video with biteable, you no longer have to search for the proper video for the topic of your lesson. Her

  Augmented Reality is a web 3.0 tool which creates the experience of real world environment. Through headsets, users can feel like they are in a different reality as opposed to virtual reality where users interact through their avatars. While the virtual reality places users in a stimulated environment, augmented reality changes the perception of a real-world. Augmented Reality can be used for many purposes. For example;  Augmented Reality Example . AR can also be used for translating texts in foreign languages. As an example;  AR Translator Since augmented reality can be used to make experşences feel more real, it can be a great tool for creating memorable experiences in education. Here, you can see some examples on AR apps for education;  Augmented Reality in the Classroom

 Virtual worlds are web 2.0 tools which enable users to interact with each other in virtual worlds, through avatars. Computers are used to access virtual worlds where people create content or interact with what is in the stimulated environment. A lot of virtual worlds allow multiple users to connect to the stimulated environment, therefore, people from all over the world can easily interact with each other through their avatars.  Virtual Reality can easily be used for education. Teachers can connect to virtual worlds with their students and let them interact with the environment while learning about what is to be learnerd. For example, second life is a virtual world that can be used for this purpose. For English lessons, students can engage in real-life communication in these virtual worlds. Nevertheless, virtual reality can be easily used for any lesson and any topic. Education in Virtual Worlds As an example, you can see a lesson in second life;  Second Life for English

Powtoon is a platform where you can create customized animations for any audience and any topic. It is easy to use and makes lessons interesting and engaging for students.  Here, you can watch a tutorial on how to use Powtoon;  Powtoon tutorial For english lessons, Powtoon can be used for any topic. Powtoon can make it easier to demonstrate concepts, make the students focus on the lesson and encourage them into participating the lesson. As an example, here is a powtoon I have created;  Powtoon Example You can also attach videos, sounds or record your own voice for your Powtoon.

MindMeister is a mind mapping tool where you can easily create mind maps. MindMeister is a user-firendly platform in which you can store and organize the mind maps you have created. While creating new mind maps, MindMeister enables the users to fully customize their mind maps. Additionally, you can share your mind maps with other people. This feature of MindMeister makes it really easy to use this platform when working with other people. Additionally, this platform enables users to attach documents to mind maps. This is very useful especially for teachers. When creating a mindmap, teachers can attach videos, images, files to make the information presented in the form of a mind map even more effective. Here are some videos that can be helpful;  Getting Started with MindMeister MinMeister Tutorial In my TPACK & SAMR blog post, you can see mind maps prepeared with MindMeister;  TPACK&SAMR Mind Maps

 Language learning platforms can make language learning easier for a lot of people. Unlike traditional language courses, language learning platforms offer flexibility, lower costs and more interactive learning. Language learning platforms are great especially for beginners. People no longer have to read language books or attend expensive courses. With language learning platforms, learners can learn a new language whenever and wherever.  Various platforms for language learning can be listed. Here are some of them; 1-Duolingo Duolingo is a free language learning platform which offers 106 different courses in 38 languages. Duolingo adapts its lessons according to the learner, motivates them with virtual coins and gives learners immediate grading. Duolingo Duolingo Tutorial 2-Memrise Memrise is another free language learning platform which offers courses in 16 languages. With memrise, learners can learn new languages with videos of native speakers speaking in real-life situations. Memrise

Kahoot is a quiz platform which turns quizes into games. Kahoot can make quizes more fun and turn them into a stress-free activity for students. Kahoot is easy to use both for students and teachers. Students can join a kahoot that is shared with them or play kahoots from the discover page of kahoot. Kahoot quizes enhance learning by makng them more engaging, interesting and providing immediate feedback.  The image given above represents how kahoot will look like when played synchronously. The teacher's screen will have the question, image and each answer. This screen should be placed in a way that enables each student to see clearly. The small screens, representing students' devices, has the choice options.  Here are tutorials on kahoot; What is Kahoot? Guide to Kahoot

 Pixton is a platform that enables students and teachers to create their own comics. With Pixton students can easily create their own comics where they display what they have learned. This creates a learner-centered environment where the learners can have fun while learning.  With Pixton, it is very easy to create a variety of materials or activities. As an example, here is a Pixton task I have created; As an answer to this, students can create their own comics where they can complete this task. Here is what a student comic would look like; Additionally, comics can be used by the teacher to demonstrate the topic of the lesson. For example, if our topic is ordering food, I can create a comic with a conversation of people ordering food. This can make the lesson more effective. Here are tutorials on how to use Pixton; How to use Pixton Pixton EDU: Intro for Educators