Nermen's Little Corner

Hey fellow ed-tech enthusiasts! Last week, we had an incredibly engaging session that was anything but a boring lecture. Instead, we got to roll up our sleeves and test out a bunch of educational websites. Talk about a fun way to learn! I decided to take a spin with SimpleShow Video Maker, and let me tell you, it was a ride! The tool is designed to create explainer videos using a transcript and a library of visuals. Intrigued? Keep reading! My Experience: From Transcript to (Almost) Triumphant Video! The process was pretty straightforward: 1. Write a Transcript: I started by crafting a clear and concise transcript for my explainer video. 2. Design the Video: Using the transcript, I dove into SimpleShow's interface to choose visuals and animations to bring my script to life. [https://videos.simpleshow.com/Q7fATUZmtK] Why I'm Digging SimpleShow Video Maker: •  Perfect for Explainers: SimpleShow excels at creating short, engaging explainer videos, making complex topics easy to und...

 Tired of Rushing? Galaxy AI Just Might Be Your Lesson-Planning Savior! (But is it Worth the Hype?) 👩‍🏫 🤖 Hey fellow educators! Remember back in Session 5 of our YouGlish adventures? (Okay, so maybe I'm a little ahead of the curve, but hear me out!). Let's face it: we're all tired of the endless cycle of grading papers, attending meetings, AND crafting engaging lesson plans. It's a constant sprint, right? Well, what if I told you there might be a light at the end of the tunnel? I've been experimenting with Galaxy AI and, while it's not perfect, it's showing some serious promise for revolutionizing lesson planning. The Promise of Galaxy AI: Lesson Plans on Demand! The core concept is simple: feed Galaxy AI the Subject, Topic, Grade Level, Learning Objectives, and Lesson Duration, hit "generate," and BAM! A lesson plan appears before your very eyes. Sounds like a dream, doesn't it? No more late nights scrambling for activities or reinventing t...

Struggling with Pronunciation? YouGlish Might Just Be Your New Best Friend! 🗣️ Hey language learners and pronunciation perfectionists ! Ever find yourself endlessly searching for just the right way to say a word? I know I have! The other day, I was wrestling with the pronunciation of a particularly tricky word (I won't embarrass myself by revealing which one! 😉), and I stumbled upon a website that completely blew my mind: YouGlish! And honestly? I wish I'd discovered it sooner. Forget flipping through dictionaries or relying on robotic voices – YouGlish is a game-changer. So, what makes it so awesome? Let's dive in: What is YouGlish, Anyway? In a nutshell, YouGlish uses a massive database of YouTube videos to show you how real people pronounce words and phrases in context. Think of it as pronunciation training powered by the internet! Why You'll LOVE It: Here's why YouGlish has become my go-to pronunciation tool: •  Multiple Real-World Examples: YouGlish doesn...

Introduction: Okay, teachers, let's talk tech tools. We're always on the lookout for something that can truly spark student engagement, right? Last week, my class and I dove headfirst into MindMeister, a website for creating mind maps. Mind maps are perfect for brainstorming and outlining. But did it live up to the hype? Here's my honest take, warts and all. The Good and the Challenges: First things first, the promise of MindMeister is pretty enticing. A collaborative, visual way to brainstorm and write? Sign me up! We planned to use it to brainstorm ideas for our persuasive paragraphs. The concept is fantastic: students work together to build a visual representation of their thoughts, connect ideas, and develop arguments. The idea was seamless collaboration. The reality… well, let's just say it started with a bit of a tech hurdle. Getting everyone signed in took way longer than expected. You know how it is: signing in delays, giving access to the file! Plus, I hit a sn...

In our recent lecture, we explored ten amazing teaching tools, and I'm so excited to share my experience with one that's particularly close to my heart: Lyrics Training ! Back in 2020, when I started a new job, my life was incredibly hectic. I'd wake up, pack my lunch, head to school to teach (yes, I'm a teacher!), and then go to the language centre to teach English courses. Then,  bam - suddenly, while doing aerobics, I broke my foot – a fifth metatarsal fracture, also known as a Jones fracture (named after Sir Robert Jones, a British surgeon), or even a dancer's fracture because ballet dancers often get it! In a nutshell, my life took a turn for the worse. I was stuck in bed, unable to move my foot and constantly needing help from my family. I kept asking myself: what could I do? How could I enjoy my time? Then, out of nowhere, I started using Lyrics Training to practice songs! The cool thing is that it offers three different ways to learn: 'write mode,...

Today was an exciting session where we explored various online game websites designed for students, highlighting the unique advantages of each platform. 1. Voki        A fun tool that allows students to create speaking avatars , enhancing engagement and creativity in presentations. 2. Triptico (Paid)      Triptico offers a range of interactive tools that can be used for various educational activities, fostering collaboration and participation. 3. Kahoot       A widely used platform that enables users to create quizzes and interactive games. It is perfect for reviewing material in a fun and competitive manner. 4. Deck Toys       This platform allows students to complete tasks to advance through levels, creating a linear gaming experience. Educators can design diverse activities, including drawing prompts, writing assignments, and integrating other games like Wordwall. 5. Wordwall      ...