The document reviews several microblogging tools that can be used for language learning, including Twitter, Plurk, and Edmodo. It discusses the key features of microblogging like brevity, mobility, and real-time sharing. Benefits of using microblogging in the classroom include practicing language skills, continuing discussions inside and outside of class, and increasing interaction and fluency. Tips are provided on how to use tools like Twitter and Plurk for classroom activities and language exercises.

1. Microblogging for Language Learning: a Review of Options and their Potential. Rita Zeinstejer EFL Teacher Rosario, Argentina

2. content Microblogging: its features Twitter (+ Twibes ) Plurk Edmodo

4. What’s Microblogging…? exponent of “ snack culture ” privileges text brevity, users´mobility and virtual networks as social environments answers one question: What´s happening…?

5. microblogging imposes necessity to abbreviate fitting in ideas develops skills for word selection fulfils a need of …being fast and getting instant feedback … getting more connections encourages autonomous learning uses tags to build up a network shapes your own community helps share real time data

6. used to ask for and provide help share ideas get advice make recommendations announce events

7. Twitter “ a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send updates…” Wikipedia “ the most popular of the genre of 'microblogging' tools that emulate SMS messaging but fall short of blogging…” V. Stevens “ one of the largest platforms in the world for sharing real-time data” Douglas A. McIntyre , in TIME

8. Features http://twitter.com/home combines features of SMS text messages and blogs up to 140 characters long text-based posts updates instantly delivered delivery restrictions updates via instant messaging, SMS, RSS, email

9. Why the interest…? relevance quickness distinct style conversational

10. Everyday use…? dissemination of publications and materials product recommendations serendipitous improvement serendipitous discovery locating original sources of ideas, quotes, etc. following celebrities

11. tweet to…. follow conversations follow others participate in a community collaborate in twitterature correct tweets integrate note-passing into a lesson

12. Benefits as a classroom tool….? offers opportunities to practice specific language skills. stds learn how to focus on what they say better class chatter: conversations continue inside and outside of class development of classroom community get a sense of the world increase parental awareness track a word track a conference instant feedback follow a professional/ famous person storytelling

13. basically….. all about conversation keep students in contact emphasize fluency in communication focus on conciseness and accuracy well suited to task-based language learning can lead to more interactive and swift discussions

14. Tips… answer “ What has your attention ?” promote a blog post ask for opinions follow interesting people direct student’s attention to good things be wary of always promoting your stuff talk about non-education stuff too

15. Twibes finds Twitter people interested in similar topics enables people to meet and participate in conversations gathers likeminded members around key words organizes tweets encourages community formation anybody can find and join any group

16. Plurk http://bit.ly/8kUkZg ability to embed video from YouTube and images horizontal time line: scroll back through time lines threads easier to follow distinction between friends and fans accumulating 'karma'

17. Plurk http://bit.ly/8kUkZg Plurk widget allows usage of emoticons choice of verbs for the message manageable flow of information safer environment

18. Twitter access to huge knowledge base good for conversation encourages brevity totally linear: to find similar ideas: tagging target of hype, spam merchants and hackers lots of third party tools Plurk smaller knowledge base good for collaboration encourages wordiness items appear in a timeline and threads are packaged in the item no hackers, spam or reputation builders no 3rd party developers

19. How to use Plurk in the classroom..? share resources and links correct sentences build up collaborative stories speak about their everyday lives and share put up images to comment on/describe

20. How to use Plurk in the classroom..? create a learner diary post sentences one verb every day send reminders ask questions

21. Edmodo a private communication platform built for teachers and students a blend of social networking and online classes

22. What’s Edmodo? NOT open NOT a wiki (only teachers can edit) NOT a VLE But a safe, quiet space online to get you and your stds wired an extension of your f2f class for communication purposes a simple way to exchange and share opinions, files, homework, links, audio

23. Features http://www.edmodo.com/ archiving tagging grouping threaded replies: not last on top group-generated coding messages, files, links real time updates: auto-refreshing status updates inline editing of posts and replies spotlight feature: fast location of data see all posts by user

24. assignments to whole groups due dates set, receive grading, comments embed video add MM files add a poll

25. Unlike Twitter threading not on mobile phones no @ or # nomenclature stds cannot directly communicate with each other

26. advantages no paper fast communication scaffolding participation from home joining different groups privacy teacher decides which posts are public very userfriendly MM sharing code protection

27. it develops…. digital pride digital safety digital responsibility digital respect social skills netiquette

28. a few Twitter-esque uses outside the classroom an easy communications tool for a school club: share files, post links, exchange info a PD tool a project management tool for teams in educational settings: * schedule meetings * to-do lists * assigning tasks a family communication tool

29. classroom use…? post homework online return homework online communicate with experts share useful websites –links and games post spelling: SpellingCity : help use words in context send reminders: class events/ dates calendar

30. The Future of Work in 10 years´time…? 10 years ago: no Twitter 20 years ago: no Web

31. Rita Zeinstejer EFL Teacher- Advanced Courses, Self Access, Laboratory, Multimedia Coordinator at Asociacion Rosarina de Cultura Inglesa Cambridge ESOL Oral Examiner CALL SIG Coordinator at APrIR 2001-2008 Member of “ Webheads in Action ” an online Community of Practice doing research on Internet tools for Language Learning. Presenter at online and f2f international Seminars and Congresses. Google Certified Teacher 2008 CALL-IS TESOL Steering Committee Member 2009-2012 CALL Consultant www.zeinstejer.com Email: [email_address]