Teacher Discussion Forums

My guess is that you're after the answer to the question, "How can I get my learners to not drop pronouns when they write and speak?" I think you're right that the traditional approach doesn't seem to be very effective at changing learners' behaviour: They can do the discreet grammar item exercises ...

Hi Rp, My question is, why use iPads? There are several reasons why they are unsuitable for elearning: #1 - They don't support Flash, which is the de facto elearning software platform and used for most on-line multimedia, and there are no practical workarounds. #2 - They don't have a real keyboard a...

Hi Andy, It looks like a nice idea for open learning, i.e. Creative Commons learning resources that anyone can use, modify and redistribute. I think most organisations that adopt elearning these days use a learning management systems, such as Moodle, which already include all the tools necessary for...

You wrote: You can see why it was pretty unfair passing off our system, just because it isn't 100% free. Can you please point out anywhere in my comments where I wrote this? And can you please clarify what you mean by "passing off"? Nowhere have I ever claimed that open source or any other software ...

This is an often quoted and slightly misleading benefit of open-source software. It is never easy for schools to develop their own plugins without heavy support of a developer that will maintain the product. Due to the break-neck speed of open-source development, plugins made from API's often break...

With any kind of certification programme, look into the nitty-gritty details as part of a cost-benefit analysis: How well recognised is the certificate? Will future employers be more inclined to hire you and/or pay you more as a direct result of having this qualification? How long will it take you t...

You can get most of this functionality from free web services. Skype is pretty good and there's a Skype module for Moodle that makes it easier for tutors and learners to swap contacts and get in touch. The newer versions of Skype include all kinds of conferencing, file sharing, screen sharing, chat,...

Open Lazlo mmm... I wonder. They announced support for Flash Player 9 (AKA ActionScript 3.0) on 6th April 2009. This means they're well behind the curve on RIA development. You only really get the full benefit of handling open protocols like XML and developing in a fully object oriented language wit...

I've also dabbled with a few open source LMSs and eventually settled on Moodle, simply because it's the one almost every school and university is using as well as lots of other businesses and organisations. I see you're using Moodle too for your website, using a dedicated server as you said. What do...

Hi teacherbeam, Congratulations on your success! I'd like to know more about what you're doing and how you're doing it and I'm sure other members of this forum would be as curious as I am. Are you using an LMS (learning management system) to manage your students, records, grades, etc.? How do you co...

Hi Amal, I'm teaching a class of Saudi students in the UK at the moment! :) I'd certainly recommend Moodle for trainee teachers and course designers to learn how to use learning management systems. As far as I know, it's the most widely used open source LMS in the world so your students would be get...

I've just started an EFL Stories blog on Wordpress.com. If you'd like to share an anecdote about your experiences as an EFL/ESL teacher in the unregulated, shady world of private academies, summer schools, businesses, freelancing and other organisations, please feel free to do so. You can find more ...

Personally, I think beauty's in the eye of the beholder and funny's a point of view.

Do you like your glass of water half-full or half-empty?

Lorikeet wrote:Looks interesting. By the way, on the demo info you spelled "enroll" as "enrol" once.

AFAIK, both are correct. Like spelled and spelt