Augmented Reality in Language Learning/Teaching

     Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to talk about augmented reality (AR). As a beginning, i am going to start with giving some brief information about what AR is and then i am going o explain how we can use it in language learning and teaching.
Augmented reality is a product of technology which enables us to expand our physical environment by adding layers of digital information on it. It actually changes the perception of reality. AR apps makes conncections of digital animation to a special marker. Today, we can find four different types of augmented reality which are markerless, marker-based, projection-based and superimposition-based. AR doesn't create a new environment and replace the real with the virtual one unlike VR. However, it only appears in a view of existing environment by adding images, sounds, videos and graphics to it. You can find the examples of AR in Snapchat lenses or the in the shopping apps letting you try on clothes without physically being in the store.

When we come to the question of how we can use AR in language classes, i can say that there are many ways of its usage. As an example, it can be used to develop vocabulary about an environment that you can interactively add media on it. Moreover, there are actually language learning apps which use augmented reality to offer the best option. One of them is the Mondly that i talked before. It promises to bringing language classes to life by creating your own learning environment. Especially children may have fun while learning about things such as animals because with the usage of augmented reality in Mondly, life-sized animals can appear just in the middle of their living room. Also for the adult learners, they may have real world-like conversations. Therefore, learners can be engaged in the language in every aspect with the usage of augmented reality and it is doubtless that they will enjoy the experience.

Virtual Reality in Language Learning/Teaching

      Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to talk about Virtual Reality(VR) in terms of language learning and teaching.
First i should start with a brief information about what virtual reality is. It is a three dimensional, simulated environment enhanced with the usage of computer. That are variety of systems used for this purpose such as headsets or speacial gloves as you can see from the pictures below.

With the usage of them, you can experience a version of reality which is actually not there but simulated so perfectly that you can feel it with your senses as if it is real and you may even react physically to the situations happening there.
However, the area that we are concerned here is how we can use VR in language learning and teaching. Since the VR 'brings languages o life', there are many ways that teachers can use it in a classroom environment. For example, they can bring a VR headset in class and perform creative tasks by immersing their students different environments such as a tropical island or a desert in another side of the world. Students can experience these types of expeditions which enables them an authentic learning environment. As another example of its usage, students can involve in a role-play task which they can perform by using VR and instantly reaching their area of the performance anywhere in the world. Therefore, the usage of VR in classrooms to teach language can be very effective for students.

Thinglink

      Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to talk about the app Thinglink. It is an interactional image-creation tool. It works for anyone who prefers to present ideas on a visual basis. This platform can especially be useful for children who like to work on interactive and creative images, videos and 360° media. Children will enjoy creating material on this platform because of the fact that it contains images instead of boring mere texts. Thinglink allow users to add a text or another image on the material they work on. It also allows to add these stuff under a variety of icons. One of the best advantages of the app is providing an easy usage.

Teachers can form classes and invite their students to work together. While working on a subject, teachers can give interactive and meaningful assignments through which they can use Thinglink to create their materials. Thinglink also offers images which are already created by someone else to inspire the others with their work.
Here is the material that i created by using Thinglink: thinglink material that i created after viewing my material, you can click on the icon '+' which i provided on each image to give brief information about them.

Second Life

      Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to talk about a 3D virtual world platform called Second Life. It contains the areas of entertainment, creativity, social, real estate, education and business. Users can start with creating their avatars after signing up for becoming a part of the 'second life' that totally belongs to them.
As our area of concern, educating in a virtual world that Second Life provides enables students a real life learning and has many advantages for them. Since this generation grows up with technology, they learn best in an environment which enables them to be creative and which meets the technological demands of their generation in terms of educational aspects. Many of the learning institutions are in Second Life today. These institutions can create their own virtual campuses and perform their distance education there easily. Moreover, they can collaborate with other learning organizations around the world. With the usage of Second Life in terms of education, you can actually reach more student than you do in a normal class environment.
Here is my first experience in Second Life photographed:

Information About TPACK and SAMR Models

      Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to give brief information about the TPACK and the SAMR models and how to use them in language learning and teaching.
To begin with the TPACK model, it stands for the Technological Pedogogical Content Knowledge, in other words, a framework for teacher knowledge. These are the set of knowledge areas which teaches need to acquire in order to make their way of teaching effective. TPACK model combines these three categories, technology, pedagogy and content knowledge, with each other.



As can be seen from the framework above, one of the combinations is the pedagogy with the content knowledge creating PCK, pedagogical content knowledge. This means the knowledge that is central to teachers. The other one is the combination of technology and content knowledge which creates TCK, technological content knowledge. This combination is how technology inluences the content. The last combination is tehcnology with the pedagogical knowledge creating TPK, technological pedogogical knowledge. This one is the area where technology and pedagogy influences each other. Finally with the combination of all these areas, we reach a center area, TPACK. Each area in this model bears equal importance.
The integration of this framework into a classroom environment in terms of language teaching and learning will provide students with more efficient learning. Especially with the integration of technology into the other two areas, teachers can make their lessons more fun for students and they can save from time of preparation for example for the grammar teaching.

The other model SAMR, stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition. These are all categories of a framework about classroom technology integration. The technology can be used to replace the traditional tools such as coursebooks.



The picture above shows us the four categories of SAMR model. At the stage of substitution, technology is directly substituted for a more traditional tool as i mentioned before. This can be done by using powerpoint or prezi slides instead of distributing copies. The stage of augmentation presents significant enhancements on student experience. In the stage of modification, there is an actual change in the design of the course and the tasks. In the redefinition stage, student's experince is fully transformed. While the first two stages are categorized as 'enhancement', the last two steps are called 'transformation' beacuse in the first two steps , you just enhance the course by doing substitutions, however, in the last two steps, you actually create a difference by transforming the course and the student experience using technology.
SAMR model can be used in language learning classes by changing the coursebook into digital presentations and assigning students from digital platforms to let them be more creative with the enhanced world of technology.

Language Learning Apps

      Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to talk about some famous language learning apps: Mondly, Busuu, Memrise and Duolingo.
Language learning has been considered as a must for a long time. Although there are lots of face to face language courses, there are not so many people who have the chance, money and the time to participate face to face courses. However, as the technology has been developed, it has brought about various opportunities in terms of language learning.
One of the best advantages of these apps is their being free of charge, especially at these times when the fees of face to face language courses are pretty high.
Also, they are pretty easy and effective in terms of usage and saving time. They allow you to organize your time of learning according to your availability.
When you forget about practicing regularly, these apps don't forget to send you a reminder of your responsibility as a language learner.
Moreover, as another advantage of these apps, you can find people to practice the language you're learning.
Therefore, these apps help you to learn languages in an efficient way with a lower cost than face to face courses.

Nearpod - Mindmeister

      Hello everyone! In this blog, i am going to write a review about two apps: Nearpod and Mindmeister.
Nearpod is a useful app for interactive presentations and assessments. Students can join the classes by entering the codes.

Maybe the most beautiful thing about the app is there being sample presentations of lessons prepared by other teachers who are professionals. These already-prepared presentations allow teachers to save their preparing times and to spend more time on teaching. In addition to preparing interactive presentations, teachers can also upload images, videos and documents in various formats to enrich their presentations.

The assessment part can be done at the time of presentation or with the post-session reports. Nearpod also allows teachers to evaluate their students individually or as a whole class.

The other app that i am going to write about is Mindmeister. It is an online mind mapping tool that works for anybody who wants to study by visualizing their thoughts. It also enables  creative problem-solving activities by using brainstorming technique.
One of the best advantages for the usage of the students is learning more effectively by easily structuring and categorizing the information. It also improves the memory through working with the clusters of the words.
In terms of a classroom environment, it helps students collaborate under a general idea and present their own distinct ideas.