TodaysMeet

                                                             http://todaysmeet.com/

This is a free text-based application which creates a virtual chatting room for before/during/after class, which is useful for discussions, formative assessment, and brainstorming.

 

You can create the account in a very simple procedure just by naming a room and use it for yourself and classroom activities. Next, choose the time which you required to keep your space on this site, click ‘created your room’, and ask your students to join to the same room by copying the URL on individual computers. Then, you can have all students in your online room.

Each participant can write a short message on Talk, and when he/she clicks Say, it is automatically transferred to Listen for showing all texts in order. You can save, watch and share all the conversations between you and your students until the time limit which you have already set.

Advantages:

-       This is a web tool with a very simple operation.

-       Students can authentically interact with classmates through computers.

-       Due to its text-based character, students focus on the spelling or grammar of the target language when they type or talk with together, which will effective for reinforcement of vocabulary.  You can see how they are working with given tasks.

-       Students will focus on a whiteboard and individual computer screens.

-       Brainstorming by reviewing the other students’ opinions

-       Powerful interaction

-       You can share and keep all data with students within the time frame.

-       Time saving/quick response/feedback

-       Any internet access device is available to participate in this tool including computers, smart phones, or iPods.

  *  This can be used as a whole class activity. By using students' quick response, teachers direct them automatically to a different topic one after another.  Students will be able to have a brainstorm each other by viewing the other's concise comment. I believe that this application is enjoyable and effective for a warming up or a short debate activity.

Limitations:

-       Students need to have basic operating skills of a computer in order to do a quick response.

-    Matching a pair or group is important, otherwise introvert students may stay quiet without joining this activity.

Although 140 characters is the words limit for each entry, it would lead the students to form more concise opinions. In TodaysMeet, this is a strength and limitation.

Suggested Activities :

 

Dr.Russel Stannard,
University of Warwick

 l Russell Stannard, our principal teacher of ICT class, recommends that two or three people should use one computer for collaboration and brainstorming. Firstly, he demonstrated how to create this TodaysMeet and asked the class a question such as ‘Why is speaking more important than the other skills in language learning? Or, ‘Why is e-learning increasing?’ A pair or group collaborating work often solves a problem or creates better solutions through those process and reflection. While encouraging each pair to response to each question quickly, he displayed the data on the Smart Board in order to promote another brainstorming. Comments to the original question may produce another question. He summarized and answered each question in the end.

      Even though we developed each topic engaging on individual computers, there were a lot of face-to-face interactions between t-ss and s-s.  Since he saved all data, students can access to the site again in order to review and reply to peers’ comments as homework. 
 

 

l When you need some feedback from students or other teachers, you can do an anonymous survey by using this TodaysMeet. You can just ask them to use any names they like instead of using real names.