So...I haven't made a post on this blog in two years. Hard to believe it's been that long. Would you like to know what I've been up to? If I get at least one person to make a comment to this post, then I will write a longer one with more details! Otherwise, it's probably not worth my time :) Cheers all!
Microsoft Translator: A Game-Changer in the ELL Classroom
Microsoft has released a new conversation component to its Translator app for Windows, iOS, Android and Kindle. One person starts the conversation on their device which creates a private room complete with its very own URL and a QR code. Others can then join the room to be part of the conversation. The really amazing part is that each person who joins selects their native language and as they speak Translator converts the spoken word into text on each person's device--in the language they chose upon entering the room!
I can envision this being used in the classroom for ELL students or refugees who may be arriving from war torn parts of the world (think Syria). One way this could be done is through Presentation Mode which mutes all participants microphones except for the room owners. Just imagine a classroom with students who speak Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Russian all have the teacher's English language translated to their native tongue!
Here's a video I made that shows Translator converting my English spoken into a Windows 10 laptop converted to Arabic on a student's iPad.
Washington State Geologic History Activity
I left the classroom in 2010, but every year it seems I get at least one request for more information about an activity that I did back then. Full disclosure, I got this activity from a colleauge, Dave Cruz, who taught 7th grade with me at Snoqualmie Middle School. Isn't that what we do as teachers, take the best of what we see from others ? Anyway, I think what happens is that teachers are searching for activities related to the Geology of Washington and they come across this video that I put on YouTube in 2009:
It seems that teachers have a desire to try this activity but don't have all of the materials. Well, in an effort to make these materials more available, here they are!
You can view them embedded below or click here to download.