In today’s session, we have examined a
number of tools for speaking activities, including Fluency Tutor and Audacity
for producing radio drama. Paul also showed us some samples of digital
storytelling.
I really like Fluency Tutor because teachers can type in (or
just copy and paste!) any passage and then it will automatically read for the
students. Teachers may put in textbook passages, reading comprehension passages
or dictation materials and then share them with students. Then, students can
listen to the passages for as many times as they like before they are confident
enough to record their own recordings. Apart from the advantage that saves
teachers’ time, it is also beneficial to students in a way that they can do the
speaking activities at home where they feel more relaxed. I believe they will
have less pressure doing a speaking task in front of a computer at home than
doing so in front of their classmates in the classroom!
Audacity is actually a good (and free!) tool for teachers to
produce radio dramas. With lots of sound effects, the recordings can be very
professional! However, it may be quite time-consuming for teachers to do that
in such a packed and tiring daily teaching life. But anyway, I would share the
recording I’ve made today with my students J
For digital storytelling, I am familiar with it because
people always use it for the video in wedding ceremonies. (Haha!) I’ve never
thought about using it in teaching! I am looking forward to the next session in
which I will produce my digital story for my students! :P
