Storybird

Storybird allows students to make and share beautiful story books within minutes, on any sort of device. Students select images from a comprehensive gallery of artwork contributed by illustrators and animators from around the world, then add their own text. The site’s ease of use means students are focused on their writing skills, not on the technology. The stories can be embedded in blogs, emailed to parents or shared with classmates.
Note: European characters can be entered using the ALT codes. Storybird does not accept scripted languages.
It’s free to sign up, and the site is accessible for all DEC students K-12.
You can also find support and see a range of Storybirds already created by students of Languages at: http://mfl-storybirds.wikispaces.com/

Image Chef

Image Chef enables students to create a range of short texts, including:
• visual poetry
• photo frames (e.g. vinyl album covers, ‘Wanted’ posters, billboards)
• fun and friendship texts (e.g. fortune cookies, number plates).
It takes foreign characters, using ALT codes, and also takes Chinese and Japanese script (no Korean – sorry!). Why not have a little explore, and see how you could use it? As always, check before using with students.

My Languages Online (MYLO)

MYLO is designed to engage young people in learning languages, to raise their competence, and to encourage them to continue studying languages. It is available in German, French, Spanish and Chinese. Why not explore for free? If you like it, you can sign up (also free!!). It includes league tables, for students who like to compete.

How to make a photostory in Microsoft PowerPoint

For the complete beginner! A step-by-step guide for you to practise at home and then try with your students. We'd love to hear how you went!

photo credit:Valerie Reneé via photo pin cc

PhotoPeach - but wait, there's more!!!

A very kind person read my post on PhotoPeach and left a comment about loving the quiz feature - I had no idea there was one! Take a look at my little sample below, practising vocabulary related to daily routine...
Was macht Isaac der Bär? on PhotoPeach

PhotoPeach

PhotoPeach has to be one of the easiest sites ever for creating a photostory. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you it took less than two minutes to create! Students could make a PhotoPeach about their family, their friends, their school - whatever they like! Text can be added to each slide in the form of captions.
Luke's 5th birthday on PhotoPeach
Note: The DEC has blocked this site.

ToonDoo

ToonDoo is an online comic-creating tool. You can sign up for free, or pay for an educational version.

To create comics in foreign languages, simply choose the text bubble that looks like this:

Find these and other great manga style characters under the 'special' tab (indicated by stars) in the ToonDoo maker.

This site also has the option to create your own cartoon characters, called TraitR. What a fun way to explore describing what people look like in other languages. Students could create their own characters, then describe what they look like, or create a character from the description the teacher provides. Students could use it for self decsription too, as you can upload a photo as a reference - I had lots of fun creating a cartoon of myself!

Kerpoof

Kerpoof is a suite of online multimedia software to create original artwork, animated movies, stories, greeting cards and more. It is owned by the Walt Disney company and has a section dedicated for educators. Check out the teachers’ guide, provided lesson plans or dive straight in at http://www.kerpoof.com/

Scripted languages work in Make a movie and Make a picture but not in the other sections. However, you can use the pencil in Tell a story to draw the script and use the text box below to enter the meaning – a nice way for students to build their own kanji/hanzi reference book. You can also use script by using Create a doodle in Make a card to draw your message using the pen.

Strip generator

www.stripgenerator.com
Students create their own comic strips. No sign-in required – just click on ‘Create new strip’. Students can type in script.

Wordle

Wordle enables teachers and students "to create beautiful word clouds" - a great brainstorming or summarising tool. At the end of each topic, students can create their own vocab list – in a much more visually spectacular fashion! Each ‘wordle’ (see image below) can be printed off in colour, and laminated for students to display in the classroom or at home.
Note: Students cannot type in script, however ALT codes can be used for European characters.

Pixton

Another fun little website:
www.pixton.com

Pixton provides a visual writing tool. From fully posable characters to dynamic panels, props, and speech bubbles, every aspect of a comic can be controlled in an intuitive click-n-drag motion. Comics can be published and shared, enabling classmates to view and comment.

Poster yourself with Glogster

www.glogster.com
Hi everyone and welcome back to the new school year! I had a little play with this website the other day and I LOVED it! The idea is to "poster yourself". Students can add their own images, sound files, movie files, text, graphics, etc. The sample below will give you an idea of the finished product - stunning!
You can use Chinese, Japanese and special characters and accents. Using script was a little clunky so you may want to download our instructions.

Go Animate!

A great tool for encouraging student writing skills and embedding ICT. Students make their own animations, choosing characters, props, scenes, sounds and special FX. Unfortunately it doesn't take scripted languages, but European characters can be inserted using the ALT codes. Sign-in required.
Take a look at the sample I created...
GoAnimate.com: German David's house by elisabeth_robertson

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!