Just found a free PDF converter app

 Just found a PDF converter app (web; desktop) which can do many things. And it's FREE! (https://tools.pdf24.org/en/creator)

"Type 3 conditional sentence"

Is this conditional sentence wrong? 

"If Jane had asked me, I would give her some money."

Glad to run into this example by Roger Berry in his 2021 book "Doing English Grammar : Theory, Description and Practice."

Berry was citing the above example from a test for teachers. The 'correct' answer, according to the test, and as you can guess, was: "If Jane had asked me, I would have given her some money." 

The so-called Type 3 Conditional Sentence!

Of course, depending on the context, and the speaker's intended meaning, "If Jane had asked me, I would give her some money" can be 'correct'!

Berry then used the term "the long-discredited three- or four-conditional approach" to describe the over-simplified and rigid classification of conditional sentences often promulgated in ESL textbooks. That totally resonates with me. 

Again, this highlights the importance of teacher language awareness. 

Two useful desktop apps for IPA transcription

 There are now a few mobile apps for turning an orthographic text into an IPA phonetic text. But in practice, we will more likely use a desktop app for such tasks. 

They work like this: 

1. Type or paste in an orthographic text. 

2. Click submit, and the phonetic text will appear. 

Two such desktop apps i have found useful: 

https://tophonetics.com/

What I like about this app is that you can choose to show weak forms. 

https://openl.io/translate/international-phonetic-alphabet

This is actually a translation platform. Besides giving you the IPA 'translation' for the orthographic text you input, you can also have the text translated into different languages, and immediately listen to how the translation is read out in that language. 

D-ID vs Genny for AI-creating speech videos

 D-ID.com

- generates talking-head videos from an input script.

- result praiseworthy.

- monologue only. 

- 

Genny

- generates an audio from a script

- to turn into a video with voiceover generated: (1) choose an image/a video from the built-in bank or (2) upload your own image/video. 

- can create dialogues, not just monologues. 

-  paid plan very expensive. 

First attempt to use AI napkin for creating the rundown for a lecture

 Created the first Napkin AI graphic organizer for a lecture. 

The first half below is the outline I input. 

The app generated several results. Not all the results make sense, though. The one in yellow is the one I chose. 

From Anchor to Riverside

 Anchor, an audio recording app, used to be coupled with Wordpress. Audio recordings made with Anchor could be automatically uploaded to the app called Podcasters for Spotify. The podcast one creates would be automatically featured in the Spotify directory. 

But a few years ago, the two were decoupled. Podcasters for Spotify coupled with Riverside, an audio recording app somewhat like Anchor. 

Then a few months ago, Podcasters for Spotify was renamed Spotify for Creators. It has continued to use Riverside as the built-in recording app. An audio made with Riverside is automatically added to one's podcast. 

Classcraft has become HMH Classcraft

 Classcraft was a gamification platform for classroom management. 

Though I have some reservations about gamification platforms, I can still cite it as an example of a gamification platform. 

But realised just now that Classcraft has become HMH Classcraft, which has nothing to do with Gamification. It is now purely a commercial learning resources platform. 

Symbaloo Webmix and Webspace

 A Symbaloo webmix is one collection of websites. Of course there are  now many tools which can do that, e.g., Start.me; Wakelet, ...

What makes Symbaloo Webmix visually appealing is that each bookmark is a tile. 

A symbaloo webspace is a homepage of a user's webmixes. Each user has given one webspace and its link, as below. 

https://paul-sze.symbaloo.com/

The individual webmixes appear as tabs on the top ribbon. 

Explain Video vs Explainer Page

 你也許也有這經驗，別人whatsapp 你，你寧願他用文字，而不是錄音；文字一眼看到內容，錄音卻要用時間去聽，而我們已忙到連聽留言的時間也不願花。

這亦是為甚麼近年我不再熱心用screencasting 方法製作eLearning的explainer video，轉而用screencap加簡單文字去製作一個流程的workflowy page。對我來說快㨗得多，對學員來說就像看text message 的方便。

下面是一例，解釋用Wakelet 製作一個sharing board的步驟；我製作這Workflowy page不用5分鐘, 學員亦可自行瀏覽，不像看explainer video 的被動。

https://workflowy.com/s/how-to-create-your-s/2MDB7W7ecytEDCaZ

Flinga Wall vs Flinga Whiteboard

 Flinga does not have a paid plan. But users can only create 5 boards in total, after which they will have to delete an older board to create a new one. 

Both types of boards can be shared with students who will be participants. 

FLINGA WALL

- For sharing ideas and brainstorming. 

- Works like Padlet and Wakelet, except that contributors can choose one of five colours for posting their idea. They can also post a photo from their drive. 

FLINGA WHITEBOARD

This has more functionality. 

- Other than text, contributors can upload their ideas in a Square, Circle, or Person, or Title and Subtitle. 

- Contributors can be allowed to place their posts anywhere on the whiteboard. 

- They can also use the Pencil function to draw on the board. 

- They can also upload photos. 

- A teacher can pre-create a board (with posts), and move the posts around during a presentation or annotate. 

=======

But the biggest downside is that it only allows for 5 free boards. 

Created a Workflowy Tutorial on How to Create a Small-group Wakelet Sharing Board

 https://workflowy.com/s/how-to-create-your-s/2MDB7W7ecytEDCaZ

Schools take pride in having teachers who are highly eLearning-competent

 Next Monday, I'll be meeting the group of undergraduate students taking my course on Technology Enhanced Language Learning (TELL) for the first session. I'll be doing a couple of things to get them excited about TELL, one of which is to show them the picture below. 

A couple of weeks ago, I visited this school in Tuen Mun for an AI-image-generating competition award ceremony. When I was walking past the school's meeting room, my eye was caught by the  teacher portraits posted at the entrance to the room. 

This picture will show the undergradate students how schools take pride in having teachers who are highly eLearning-competent.

Pyrotechnics show

 I went to the West Kowloon Park last night to watch the 水上煙火表演. Well, I admit I had had no idea what to call 水上煙火表演  in English, so I had to look it up in the mass media. 

The answer is: "a pyrotechnics show". 

OK, but this being quite a technical word, it's not easy to remember (unlike "firework(s) display"). Given the rising frequency of 煙火表演 in HK, I hope a more popular, easier-to-remember, name will evolve soon.  

Incidentally, I enjoy the traditional fireworks display more than the pyrotechnics show. 

Canvastera vs Thinglink and Genial.ly

 https://canvastera.com/

is a replicate of the former Glogster, which has shut down. 

It's for creating interactive posters. 

Canvastera vs Thinglink and Genial.ly

Thinglink and Genial.ly: 

The interactive elements (images; videos; etc.) are signalled as shimmering hotspots. 

Canvastera: 

The interactive elements (except audios) appear in small  sizes on the poster. When clicked, they enlarge. In other words, one can see all the inserted elements already. This may be a plus, or minus, depending on the intended use. 

CLOZEit for creating cloze passages

 CLOZEit is a Google Doc extension for quickly creating a cloze passage. 

The downside: It is not interactive. 

Anki vs Midterm for creating cloze passages for revision

 Just this morning, I realised that Anki can also be used to create cloze deletions in a passage. The passage, or pararaph, will become one card containing the deletions (as many as you like). 

But I still like Midterm more for this purpose. It's easier to create a study text. You only need to hover your cursor on a deletion, and the answer will show. 

The downside is that the developer doesn't support the mobile app or the web app any more (they have switched to Subconcept, a mobile app for a different purpose). While I can continue to create using the desktop app, there is no way I can study the cloze texts on the go. 

Normal view - Heading 1 and 2 vs outline view - level 1 and level 2 for converting to PPT

 Earlier on, I blogged about NOT starting with PPT even when we intended to create a PPT deck. Instead, we should start with WORD. 

The steps I explained: 

1. In Word, go to Outline view. 

2. Type in the presentation content (headings; bullet points; etc.)

3. Mark the headings as Level 1. 

4. Mark the bullet points as Level 2.

5. Save. 

6. In PPT, choose 'create from Outline'; then upload the saved Word File. The imported WORD file will become slides in the PPT. 

=======

Just now, i realised that instead of going to Outline view, and mark the headings and points as Level 1 and Level 2, we can stay on the normal WORD view. Then mark the intended headings as Heading 1, and the supporting points as Heading 2. Then proceed in a similar fashion as that in the Outline view. The resulting WORD file can also be exported to PPT. 

Padlet vs Flip for creating oral discussion activities

以前用Flip (Flipgrid) 讓學員就一個題目錄下回應，然後互相聆聽；但Flip兩個月前停止運作，於是我嘗試用Padlet的audio 功能，發覺效果也不錯；可以用Section去建立小組，然後給予每小组一個breakout link；Flip 沒有這功能，但Flip可以create classes, 這卻是Padlet 沒有的。整體來說，沒有了Flip, Padlet 是不錯的代替品

Microsoft Photo's AI-assisted Erase function

 可能是後知後覺，發現Windows 內置的Photos app，裏面有一個AI-assisted 的eraser功能，能夠把圖片中不要的部分擦掉，近乎不留痕跡。下面第一圖是原圖，第二圖是eraser後的效果。以前的app 用eraser function，擦後會留下疤痕的啊！

Below is where the Eraser button is situation in PHOTOS

tried My first Jotform fillable PDF

 終於找到機會用Jotform製作fillable pdf, 給學員作為課堂中的worksheet。學員收到我的fillable pdf的link後，以之在堂上記下要點或回答我的問題，完成後，可以download 到自己電腦作為classwork 紀錄，然後按submit,我便收到他們完成的worksheet。

類似的app例如Smallpdf沒有製作fillable pdf 的free plan,如果只是偶然使用便不值得subscribe, 至於Adobe Acrobat 更貴得驚人。Jotform 的free plan 同一時間可製作5個fillable pdf, 如果只是間中玩玩便很夠了。

Created my first fillable PDF with Jotform

 Just created my first fillable PDF with Jotform. Will use it in an upcoming PEDU6112 class: 

https://form.jotform.com/243213910747050

The dashboard for creating a fillable form is not that clear. I had to do quite a bit of trial-and-error before I came up with a usable fillable form. 

Of course, as I said in my last post, one big plus with Jotform is that I can create 5 forms for free. 

Jotform for creating fillable PDFs

 The last time I used Jotform for creating a fillable PDF was two years ago. 

I checked out Jotform again just now. 

The created fillable PDF is mainly for sharing with respondents, who follow the link, fill in the PDF, and (a) submit it, or (b) download and then submit. 

The owner of the form can view the submitted PDFs on his/her dashboard. 

Under the free plan, I can create 5 fillable PDFs. If I delete one, I can create a new one in its place. This is quite generous (unlike Wordwall). 

In this regard, Jotform is more generous than similar apps like Smallpdf, which do not have a genuine free plan. 

Except that unlike two years ago, now I cannot download a fillable pdf first and then share it with others. The sharing can only be done online. 

Figjam for creating graphics

 Just obtained an Education account for Figma, which entitles me to unlimited use of the web/desktop app. 

Figma is for creating presentations. This is very much like Canva, to me. 

Under Figma, there is Figjam. This is for creating graphics (mind map; flow chart; etc.). In this regard, this is like Microsoft Whiteboard, which I haven't touched for a while. 

One feature of Figma is its capacity for collaborative creation. 

I think there are similar apps, such as Miro. Perhaps the only difference is that Figjam gives me a free Education account. 

An AI-generated video example created with Capcut: What is translanguaging?

 Below is a one-minute video created with the AI function of Capcut. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtvoIyQMKIA

the script used to generate the video was first created with Poe.com

https://poe.com/s/ZIc5zigSteFmkYY4rVzd

Of course, as you can see, the visuals in the video are there mainly for 'deccorative' purposes. They are not out-of-place, but they don't really help much with meaning-making. 

Capcut for creating videos and images

 Capcut can create videos from photos, and also generate a video from a prompt or from a script, as well as generate in image from a prompt. The free plan is quite generous.

It comes as a web app, and a desktop app.

https://www.capcut.com/

Problems with Generating Blank-filling Questions from a Text

 Diffit, despite its functionality, does not generate blank-filling questions from a text. 

I looked to Questgen, but it turned out the Blank-filling generation function is a paid function. 

i then turned to Toolsday, which can generate blank-filling questions for free. 

The problem is, the generated blank-filling questions are quite superficial, and do not tap higher-level thinking. 

Creating a flashcard set to go with a diagram inside Quizlet

Compared with other apps that can create diagram tasks, this function in Quizlet is quite easy to use: 

Step 1: Unload a picture. 

Step 2: Click anywhere in the picture to create a hotspot. 

Step 3: The hotspot represents a flashcard: enter the 'term' and the 'definition'. 

This way of using a diagram with hotspots is quite different from other diagram apps. 

Found an image compressor application

 In Genial.ly, Even under the Pro plan, I'm  still only able to upload image files to a creation of up to 5MB. 

I searched the internet for an image compressor application, tried it, and found it to be quite useful. It looks like the free plan is good enough: 

https://www.compress2go.com/

My 10 language awareness videos for the Jockey Club Flipped Learning Project (2020-2022)

 Here is the playlist: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdCpljiXrUSIvKL4B-E-uGLwlxLH2loIq

Bookwidgets: How to return Ss' completed work

 For creating a more sophisticated digital worksheet, I prefer Bookwidgets. But unlike Wordwall, Learnngapps.org, Kahoot, Quizizz, and Educaplay, if the worksheet is a quiz which has pre-set correct answers (eg, MCQ), Bookwidgets does not show students their scores immediately after they have submitted their work. As much as I like BWG, to me, this is one defect of the app. 

Anyhow, I have just found out how to return Students' work. Remember when students submit a completed worksheet, they have to type in their name and email address. The following screencast video shows how to return students' work (so they know their scores) via email. 

https://www.loom.com/share/0fd54146dc664088b582def6b8f2c6d6?sid=627c9382-0067-4338-8c32-aaa6575ad904

用心教學，好像理所當然 ...

突然很想對那些努力做好優質學與教的老師致敬，用心教學，好像理所當然，但以香港教師工作量之重，雜務之多，要把很多心思放在教學上，談何容易。

Ahaslides seems a promising alternative to Mentimeter

Just checked out Ahasides, which is for creating interactive lessons (similar to Nearpod, Quizizz Lesson, Pear Deck). Its free plan is quite generous, as it allows for 50 participants (Wooclap's free plan admits 15 participants only).  

Each event can inlude 5 quiz questions and 3 poll questions (Wooclap only gives you 2 questions in total). 

Like the other similar apps, you can upload your PPT, and add the activity slides. 

Ahaslides also has a PPT add-in, which when clicked in PPT, will take you to the Ahasides dashboard, and you can open a previously created question set or presentation. Then you can continue with your original PPT presentation. 

Wooclap vs Quizizz lesson

 Just had a go with Wooclap, which on the surface resembles the functionality of Quizizz Lesson, Pear Deck, Nearpod, etc., but is cheaper for subscription. 

But there are many problems with this app. The free plan only allows for 2 questions. Even though the basic paid plan may be one third cheaper than that for Quizizz, overall, it's not worth it. 

How to insert a Reading Passage into a Diagram-labelling Bookwidget task

Bookwidget's Split Tasksheet format does not allow users to put a reading text on one side, and insert another created Bookwidget (in this case, 'Diagram Labelling') into the right. 

This is a workaround that have found out. 

I simply opened the created Diagram Labelling bookwidget (in this case: 'Layers of a Forest'). In the Question box, I inserted the passage itself. (In my workaround, I simply got a screenshot of the passage, and pasted it into the Question box which I switched to RTF). 

A bullet in Workflowy can be linked to another Workflowy page with [[ ]]

 Just tried this function. Should turn out to be a useful function, especially when I'm looking up the acdemic literature, which will involve a lot of cross-referencing. 

https://workflowy.com/learn/internal-external-links/

Wordwall trumps other apps for creating anagram games

 For Creating anagram games, Wordwall is the best: 

- The resulting game won't change your small letters to capital letters, like the other apps do. 

- You can insert a TTS audio to accompany each word. 

- You can also insert a picture to accompany each word. 

- in the Play mode, the letters are large enough. 

- When attempting an anagram, you click the letters in the order that you think is right; this is closest to real life spelling. 

+++++

Problems with other apps: 

- Bookwidgets

    - No built-in anagram format. You have to use the 'Drag words/sentences' function instead. 

    - No TTS. 

    - Letters in resulting game too smal. 

- Educaplay

    - small letters you input will be converted to capital letters; not good for revising for Dictation. 

    - no TTS

- Learningapps.org

    - No Anagram game function. 

Wondershare Virbo for adding voiceover to PPT

 https://virbo.wondershare.com/

The app claims to be able to AI-generate a voiceover presentation video. I had a try, and below are my obseervations: 

0. The starting point is a PPT which you upload to the desktop app. 

1. Under the paid plan, you can choose your voiceover avatar. 

2. The avatar will appear in some of the slides in your original PPT. 

3. The app requires that there are speaker notes for EVERT slide. Even if the slide contains text, it won't automatically generate the voiceover if there are no speaker notes. 

4. As a result, this app works similar to Narakeet. 

5. As for the fee charging:

- Virbo requires a monthly subscription. 

- Narakeet operates on a pay-as-you-use basis. That makes more sense to occasional users of such applications. 

Kapwing can AI-generate an instructional video

 Kapwing can now AI-generate an instructional video, from a TOPIC (eg. Present Perfect tense vs Simple Past tense)

Here is the result of my attempt, a 29-second AI-generated video on the above topic: 

https://www.kapwing.com/c/oiK9Egp1Ix

But of course, do not expect the content to be highly customised for your needs. 

Youtube Trimmer being the best alternative to Vibby?

 Vibby, which I liked the most for getting clips from a Youtube, has suddenly disappeared. 

I have tried a few alternatives. As of this moment: 

https://www.youtubetrimmer.com/

is the best for my purposes, even though it will never be as good as Vibby. 

Still unhappy with AI apps for generating a presentation from a document

 Just tried a few other apps for generating presentations. These apps can generate a presentation: 

a. from a topic, 

b. from a passage

The problem is: 

For a, the resulting presentation will be too general. And in my case, I seldom need a general presentation on a topic. 

For b, the resulting presentation will still be quite general. 

======

To me, a presentation (eg, PPT) will most of the time be quite customised to my own needs and objectives. There will even be times when I don't want to include too much content on one slide; the slide may simply be a prompt to my explanation. 

IN sum, of the apps for different purposes, those for generating presentations are of the least use to me. 

Comparing 4 apps for creating comics

storyboardthat.com

- most versatile

- large bank of insertibles

- easy to edit inserts

- free plan allows for 3 frames only 

- all export options under free plan will produce huge watermarks

https://makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/

- always free

- but lots of adverts

- can create as many frames as you like; 

-- bank of insertibles not that large;

- not that easy to edit inserts;

mystorybook.com

- bank of insertibles not that large;

- not that easy to edit inserts;

- can create as many frames as you like;

- final product can be shared via a link. 

Pixton

Pixton is by far the best. But it practically has no free plan. After your first attempt, that's it. 

Checking out Presentations.ai

 https://www.presentations.ai/

Just had a go with Presentations.ai. 

I uploaded a WORD document which was an Outline which I later uploaded to PPT to create a PPT. 

Presentatons.ai then converted my WORD ppt outline to an AI-generated presentation. The resulting presentation can be exported, or shared as a link. 

My views:

- The resulting presentation is visually very appealing. 

- It actually develops the content in my original Word outline. In this regard, the ai app is worth praising. 

- =========

The other two functions: 

1. Start with a prompt. 

2. Use the app to beautify your existing PPT. I tried it with an existing PPT. It did make the presentation deck more stunning in terms of visual effect (eg., transitions). But I think I actually prefer the PPT Designer function, which allows me to get the effects that I want. 

++++++++

I haven't tried the 'generate from an uploaded article' function. Anyway, if that article is one which I have found on the Internet, the resulting PPT will not specifically present what I MYSELF want to present (unless I write an article myself). 

This is my overall view about using AI to generate presentations: THEY ARE GOOD FOR INTRODUCING A TOPIC, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO CREATE A PRESENTATION WHICH IS CUSTOMISED TO MY TARGET CONTENT. 

++++++++++

Anyway: 

My original WORD outline: 

S4 Towards Communicative Activities PPT Outline.docx

The presentation generated by Presentations.ai: 

https://app.presentations.ai/view/jqmHG3

Workflowy for Presenting a Lesson Rundown List

 I use Dynalist to do my lesson planning. When I'm done, I copy the rundown and paste it into Notion which serves as the homepages of my courses. 

Sometimes, I have no time to, or I don't need to, or I don' t want to, create a PPT for delivering my session rundown. Can I simply turn my list rundown into a presentation?

Dynalist has no such functionality. 

A Google Search returned an app called Wunderlist which claimed to be able to convert a list rundown on a NOtion page into a Presentation. But it is not working at all. 

Then I found https://snackthis.co/presentations/, which turns the public page of a notion page, into a presentation. I had a try, but it only worked partially. I guess one has to do a lot of formatting to one's public notion page before this app will do a decent job. 

So finally, I'm setting for Workflowy. 

Here are the plus'es: 

- Just copy from Dynalist to Workflowy. No need to do any further formatting (level 1, level 2, level 3, et.)

- No need to convert a page. Just click on the 'Present' button in the top right. 

- The result is quite decent. 

Bottom Line: I will stick to Workflowy. 

A quick review of Eduaide AI

 Eduaide is an AI platform specifically to help teachers plan their teaching (from lesson plans, to creating question sets based on a topic). 

It has many many Generating functions, and I have yet to pick up all of them. 

For most of the gen-AI functions, it asks you to put down a topic, or some key points. 

This could be an asset, if you're dealing with concepts (eg., you're a science teacher. 

But if you need something more customised, then you may not get what you exactly need. 

I had a go with the 'Generate MCQ' function. Unlike QuestGen, though I can paste in a reading passage, the result does not fit my purpose. 

If  the purpose is to generate a Reading Comprehension question set based on a passage you have, then those apps which are specifically for that purpose, like QuestGen, will do a better job. 

but there are dozens of functions on the paltform. So, it is still worth having a look at the other functions to see how useful they may be. 

To create a Google Form for students to elect their class rep

 1. Have the students appear on a WORD or Google document. 

2. copy the list

3. Open Google Forms. Create Question. Choose 'Dropdown' 

4. In the first option box, paste in the copied list of names. 

That's it. 

+++++++++++++++

Realised just now that other than Dropdown, the Create MC function also works. Simply paste in the names (copied from a Spreadsheet) in Option 1. The names will automatically be converted to individual choices. 

Three things you can insert into a Google Forms worksheet to make it multimodal

MIEE for the 6th year

 

The Download PDF function in CHECKLIST under Bookwidgets

 Just found out that the 'Checkist' interactive in Bookwidgets allows students to PDF-download their completed checklist at the end of a class session. This is useful for a class session which is made of many tasks and subtasks. At the end of the class session, students can download their completed Checklist, and then present it on their Learning Journal. 

Padlet's Sandbox is a great replacement of Google Jamboard

 Just had a go with Padlet's new function: Sandbox. It's very impressive. It's not just a good substitute for Google Jamboard (though Google Jamboard is free); the Sandbox function can also do several other cool things, like creating an interactive, clickable presentation (somewhat like Genial.ly, and Thinglink). 

So, after I've become a proficient Sandbox user, I may not miss Google Jamboard any more!

Tried Padlet for replacing Flip

 Just tried using Padlet to create something like a Flip group discussion activity. 

In a way, it's not that complicated. Just create a new Padlet, share the link with Ss, and then they audio/video record their responses to your task. If you want them to share in smaller groups, then use the 'Sections' function. 

It's easy for Ss to take part. They can also easily listen to, or watch, each other's responses. 

Of course, there are still some functions in Flip, which are not found in Padlet, e.g., Creating a Class, and then Creating a Discussion Topic under a Class; mixtapes; covering up your face with a meme, etc. 

Padlet's Jamboard Import Function

 A couple of days ago, I mentioned that Padlet has this new function which allows users to import their Jamboards into Padlet. Just now I  had a try, and found that it was a very fast and simple process. The imported Jamboards, now as Padlets, work quite similarly to the original Jamboards (although some original Jamboard functions may have been lost). 

What's more, the imported Jamboards do NOT count towards my Padlet quota!  (I was an early adopter of Padlet, which started as a free app. When they started charging fees, they allowed the early adopters to keep the number of Padlets they had made. So in all these years, I've been using 58 Padlets for free. And when I need to go beyond the quota, I simply archive some old Padlets (which I can unarchive later) to make space for new Padlets!)

I was criticising Nearpod the other day, but Padlet has always been an app that I salute. 

Wordwall's New Function: Ss indicate name before starting a game

 

Renominated MIEE for 2024-25

 

Congratulations on becoming a Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert! Your dedication to transforming education through innovative practices and technology integration is truly inspiring. As MIE Experts, you join a global community of passionate educators who are committed to making a difference in the lives of students. We are excited to see the incredible impact you will continue to make in your classrooms and beyond. Welcome to the MIE Expert community!  

How thoughtful Padlet is!

 Just noticed that Padlet has added these 2 recent functions to the app. This is very thoughtful (on top of their commercial interests), as they seem to know how desperate some Flip and Jamboard users are.

An abrupt farewell to Google Jamboard

 Earlier on, Google announced that Jamboard would close down at the end of this year. Jamboard is one of my favourite apps for groupwork. So just now, to make use of its final months, I headed to the app in order to create another new activity. There was this announcement on the screen which said 'Jamboard will be view-only from 1 October.' 

"OK, I still have 20 days to play with it," I thought. But when I looked for the CREATE JAMBOARD button, it was not there any more!

Sigh!

FLIP is finished

Sad to learn that Flip (formerly Flipgrid) will stop serving us from the end of this month.

Flip is one of my favourite free apps. The teacher assigns a topic on the platform. Students then join the discussion by video-recording their thoughts (say, for two minutes). Afterwards, the students can view each other's videos to find out what their classmates think. For ELT, Flip is a very useful tool for practising Speaking.

The Flip functions will be subsumed in Microsoft Teams. But to me, as a standalone tool, Flip is much easier to use.

Another piece of sad news is that Google Jamboard, another favourite app of mine, is sunsetting, and will no longer be available after December 31, 2024.

https://www.tesol.org/blog/posts/flip-is-finished-where-do-we-go-from-here/

DIFFIT: WHAT resources can it generate?

 DIFFIT is an generative -AI tool. It's primarily for generating resourcces for teaching Reading. 

The 4 input methods describe in my previous posts will generate the following standard materails: 

1. The adapted Reading passage.

2. Summary in 3 sentences. 

3. Key Vocab Words - a List

4. MC Ques. 

5. Short Answer Questions

6. Open-ended Questions. 

+++++++++

The Reading passage can be further modified by the AI system (length; difficulty)

The materials generated for (2) to (6) can be edited, modified, or increased in number. 

++++++++++++++++++++++

On top of the above 'standard' materials, the AI system can generate further 'Student Activities' for further and deeper study by students. These are also generated from the 'standard' materials. The formats include, eg.,: 

Under each of the above 8 categories, there are several worksheet templates. You can choose one of the templates and a customised digital worksheet will then be generated. 

As of this moment, Diffit is the most capable AI tool for generating reading materials, reading quizzes, and reading worksheets. 

The company targets schoools as their customers. The premium plan for individual teachers last for 55 days, after which teachers can continue with the Basic plan. 

DIFFIT: Generate a reading a passage from a list of words

 The earlier input methods include: 

- naming a topic;

- providing a text; 

- providing a Youtube URL

But this fourth method is amazing. You give it a list of words (max. 10). It will create a reading passage containing those words. The passage is then followed by the reading comprehension quiz. 

DIFFIT: Generating a Quiz from a Youtube Video

 To me, this is a wonderful function. I tried it by pasting in the URL of a pre-class flipped learning video (for PGDE: SCT). After half a minute, it gave me: 

1. A Passage which is the transcript of my video. 

2. A Reading Quiz

DIFFIT: Generate a Reading quiz from a document your provide

 

A Reading Quiz will then be generated.

DIFFIT: Generate a reading passage from a topic

 See the possible parameters in rectangles: 

What quizzes can Quizizz's AI functions create?

Default sub-functions

- Indicate target grade level; 

- Choose up to three sub-topics (focuses) after initial analayis of text (Distinguish between noun types)

- indicate number of questions needed.

- indicate Subject focus (e.g., Biology; Science; English)

- choose level of difficult: Easy; Medium; Difficult

- Specify Bloom's level

- Specify DOK (Depth of Knowledge) level (4 levels in total)

- Choose Real world scenario questions (i.e., application questions)

- story-based questions (questions phrased as real-life situations)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- from a pasted-in text. 

- from a topic, e.g. 'how typhoons are formed'. 

- from your instruction, eg, 'Create a grammar quiz on Countable nouns vs Uncountable nouns'

____________________________

The resulting questions can be: 

- can be copied; 

- can be downloaded (DOCX; PDF)

- exported to Quizizz. 

NOTE, THOUGH, THAT SO FAR ONLY MC QUESTIONS CAN BE GENERATED. 

Converting a Google Doc to a Google Form

 There are several ways to convert a Google Doc to a Google Form. The Google Form can be a questionnaire, or a quiz. 

For me, one simple way is to use the Google Doc add-on Form Builder. (There is a Form Builder plus add-on which can also import from other Google Sheet, etc. But for now, I'm assuming that I'm drafting my quiz questions on a Google Doc.)

Draft the questions (let's say MCQ for now) on a Google Doc, following the following format: 

++++++++++++

1. What is ....? 

1. Lj jl

2. Jljl

3. Cjl

4. Dl ;j

2. Who invented ....? 

1. Jljl;

2. Bj ;j

3. C ljll

4. Cjl jj

3. Where did …? 

1. Ljljl

2. Jljl

3. Jlj jl

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Open the Form Builder add-on. A right-hand pane will appear.

Follow the instructions. The final step is IMPORT, the created Form will appear in the original Folder (same as that for the starting Google Doc).

The resulting Google Form will be a quiz, and those distractors in the Google Doc which are bolded will become the Answer Key.

Kahoot Lesson vs Quizizz Lesson

 停用 Nearpod 的paid plan 後，我便要決定訂用Kahoot 或Quizizz 的paid plan (免費plan 始終有限制)。

如果要製作interactive presentation, 兩個app 的功能都很相似，就是content slide 和activity slide相間，Kahoot 的content slide, 在live presentation 時學生iPad 會顯示Look Up, 即他們要望著班房前的螢幕，教師可以看見學生是否在聆聽。Quizizz 則學生在他們的iPad 會看到螢幕上的slide,不用抬頭望著教師， 這究竟是好處抑壞處？

但Quizizz有一獨特功能，就是content slide 可以embed external webpage, 在live presentation時，學生在ipad看到這embedded webpage, 一按便在browser 的新tab出現，然後繼續瀏覽。

那麼整體來說，用那一個app較好？於是我做了一個試驗，在今年新開始其中一科的第一課用Quizizz Lesson, 第二課用kahoot lesson, 然後請同學投票從學生的角度他們喜歡那一個，結果是100%喜歡Quizizz Lesson。

那麼我就付費訂用比Kahoot Lesson畧貴的Quizizz Lesson(當然Quizizz還有其他kahoot沒有的generative AI功能)。多謝ELED4870學員参加試驗。

GOOD NEWS: Classtools' QuickSlides Function has come back

In the past, when I was hard pressed for time, I would use Classtools' Qwikslides function to create a quick presentation deck. Of course it won't be sophisticated, but I have just a few major statements to present, then all I have to do is to input the sentences in the text box, click submit, and immediately I get a presentation deck. 

But a few months ago, this use ceased to function. 

I'm glad that this morning, when I tried it again, it is functioning again!

https://www.classtools.net/qwikslides/

Sampling an AI Composition Grading Tool

 A former Education student sent me 4 samples of AI-graded compositions (primary-school levels), which have been marked by an AI programme. I looked through the samples to find out how well the AI tool is performing in grading the students' compositions. Below are my tentative observations: 

1. The programme is very accurate in recognising students' handwritten compositions. 

2. The programme then presents a corrected version of the students' composition in computer text. The corrections made are highlighted in red. 

3. The corrections (in red) are also inserted into the students' original handwritten version. Students can easily the corrections that have been made by the programme. 

3. Generally, the programme does a good job in correcting grammar mistakes. 

4. On top of the grammar corrections, the corrected version also contains a small number of re-written sentences, for better cohesion. 

5. The programme then presents 'a suggested article', which is a re-written version of the students' original version. This 'suggested article' shows students how the original version can be further improved at a higher level (i.e., not just having the composition grammatically correct), for better coherence and cohesion, and conciseness. This involves the programme making some arbitrary decisons on what to leave out or rewrite. Hence, occasionally, it may misunderstand the writer's intentions and come up with a sentence which doesn't quite make sense. If the original version contains something unclear in meaning, the programme is unable to guess the original intended meaning and re-write accordingly. 

6. There is then a 'Sentence Improvement' section, which shows how each of the original sentences is being re-written. The re-write mostly pertains to grammar, and sometimes to choice of words. 

7. There is a 'synonym usage' section. It lists out the words in the original version which are somewhat repetitive. Then for each repetitive word, the programme suggests a couple of synonyms. This may not be a useful section (especially for primary students), as students cannot simply replace their original word with the suggested synonyms. 

8. The Self-directed Learning section offers 5 suggestions on how the writer can improve his/her writing. Overall, these suggestions are too general to be of much use to students. 

9. Overall, the programme does a reliable job in correcting students' mistakes in spelling, grammar, and to a certain extent, choice of word. It is able to rewrite some sentences to improve the written discourse. 

Am I communicating with a Human?

 

While preparing for an upcoming class session on technology-enhanced vocabulary teaching, I asked ChatGPT to give me a list of 8 words about EMOTIONS and their definitions. Copilot came up with the list in less than 5 seconds, and ended the conversation with the following question TO ME:

"Do any of these adjectives resonate with how you’re feeling today?"

Oh, my God, am I communicating with a Human?

Interactive Tasks: Kahoot Lesson vs Quizizz Lesson

KAHOOT LESSON: 

QUIZIZZ LESSON

Using Headings instead of Levels in Outline view

 To prepare a WORD document in Outline format, so that it can be imported into PPT and EdrawMind, other than going to the VIEW > OUTLINE tab, we can also start with the normal view, and then Mark the phrases and sentences as Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3. These correspond to Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. 

When finished, just save it as a usual WORD document. 

Of course, in the Outline View, because of the indents view, the whole outline will look more coherent. 

Giving up on Nearpod's paid plan

 终於停止了Nearpod的Gold subscription。

以前Nearpod是唯一可以設計interactive lesson 的app, 後來kahoot和quizizz都增加了interactive lesson的功能(即不只是用來做問答遊戲)，跟著還有peardeck, 但Nearpod 不思進取，它的收費plan只得1 GB 的cloud storage, 相比之下，kahoot 和quizizz, 和peardeck便慷慨得多。

但Nearpod 今天最致命的，就是太慢，在課室使用時，教師和學生要經常齊齊等畫面load。到如今，我這個Nearpod Certified Educator 也要棄它的paid plan而去。

Two Uses of a WORD Outline: PPT and EdrawMind

 Some time ago, I wrote about the advantages of starting with an Outline in WORD when creating a PPT presentation. Starting with an Outline gives you a useful overview of your presentation. If you plunge into a PPT slide directly, you may not see the forest for the trees. When your WORD outline is ready, open PPT, and import the outline into the PPT file (Home > Slide > from Outline). 

Now, Edrawmind, a desktop/mobile app for creating mindmaps, also accepts importing a WORD outline. Choose this Import function, import the WORD outline, and you get a Mindmap immediately. 

So, it's like killing two birds with one stone. 

By the way, while preparing an Outline in WORD, my current experience is to go to VIEW, then select Outline

Then prepare the Outline using the various Level settings. When finished, the WORD file can be saved as a usual WORD document (i.e, no need to save it as txt, etc.)