This does not of course prevent anyone contributing directly and solely to the ESK Project, and bypassing us completely.  See the ‘How to Help the ESK’ section at: http://lexitronics.edublogs.org for how to do this.

Just saw a documentary on BBC WORLD about the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Hugh’s untimely departure makes these two verses quite relevant, even though they were written over a thousand years ago.
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too into the Dust descend;
Dust into Dust, and under Dust to lie,
Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and—sans End!

But helpless pieces in the game He plays
Upon this chequer-board of Nights and Days
He hither and thither moves, and checks … and slays
Then one by one, back in the Closet lays

Although I didn’t know him, I suspect Hugh would have been sympathetic to this one as well.

“Did God set grapes a-growing, do you think,
And at the same time make it sin to drink?
Give thanks to Him who foreordained it thus–
Surely He loves to hear the glasses clink!”

http://www.valodas.com/

A student needs to register, but it is free.  You then download the software (it is PC-based, with Windows, Linux and Mac versions.) The students then indicate their native language and the target language (there is an L1 English to L2 Turkish option, as well as an L1 Turkish to L2 English option.)  A ‘target list of words is then downloaded (there are levels, e.g. basic or higher.)  The system keeps track of the words they are learning, and if the learner can copy and paste a text into a ‘profiler’ which will identify words that they know, and suggest words that they should learn.   So, this could be used for simplified texts (e.g. simple Wikipedia) or authentic texts.

In terms of English, our Common English Lexical Framework might provide a focus for students to use this tool to help them ‘boost’ their vocabulary knowledge.  The nice thing is that each user has their own ‘deck of cards’ and therefore can build their own vocabulary according to their needs and abilities.  It has testing options, spelling tests, and the option to analyze a text according to the words that the student actually knows, which are powerful features that the other flashcard systems don’t have.

Here are the screen shots of the ’system’ – http://www.valodas.com/index.php/Help/Screenshots.html

Lexitronics Ways with Word Courses at: http://lexitronics.org

Here is an example of a WallWisher ‘project’ I used with my students  — the task was a ‘warmer’ to get them to share ideas about places that they like in Cyprus.  Some didn’t have any favourite places in Cyprus, so they chose to feature their favourite places in Turkey.  Doesn’t really matter…you’ll get the idea if you look at http://wallwisher.com/wall/cte319-favs

Walls are free to create.  Students can create their own walls as well (possibly a way to share images, etc. related to a content topic? Pictures related to sports, biology, history, religion, etc.)  There is no interactivity as in VOICETHREAD, but it is really easy to set up and all a student has to do is double-click on the wall to post something.  They have a limited number of characters to type in (which most students would find easy to stay within) and then they can include a link to a website, picture, video, etc.  Possibly a good way to get students on the road to collaborative activities.  The only real work in terms of the teacher is to set up a blank wall.  However, once students figure this out, you could just delegate that as well, and each student could take turns being a ‘wallwisher’ organizer (and moderator, as no doubt a few students would attempt to do something silly on the wall.)

In the end, if you did want some kind of visual for the classroom, you could print out the page.  Or simply show it on the smartboard at breaks, etc.  As with paper-based posters, it seems that students quite like to showcase their creativity.  Published their ideas on a WallWisher wall is a good outlet for this kind of creativity…sort of like a graffiti wall.

Lexitronics Ways with Words Courses at: http://lexitronics.org