Mindmap

This is my first time to use FreeMind to create a mindmap.
The topic is CALL(Computer Assisted Language Learning).
I think Freemind is a good software to create a simple mindmap.
However, it is enough for me.

How to convert PPT into pictures?

How to convert PPT into pictures?

Because I didn't know before, I share the method here.

In fact, it is not difficult to do it.
Only 3 steps can solve this problem.

First, open your Power Point.
Second, choose the key "save a new file".
Finally, choose the filetype: picture filetype, such as *.jpeg, *.gif ,or *.bmp before saving the file.

Okay. Go to the place you save the file , and you will find that a power point is divided into many pictures. Finish.

E-portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of a learner's work and can be used instead of a test to assess how well a learner is doing. The advantage of the portfolio as a means of assessment is that it does not rely on how well the learner performs on a single day, as a test or examination does, but looks at their work over a period of time. (From the textbook Learning and Teaching English)


An electronic portfolio, also known as an e-portfolio or digital portfolio, is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web (also called Webfolio). (From Wikipedia)


I think that e-portfolio has become a tendency now. We can start to arrange our learning records from now on. Don't forget that the chances are ready for those who have already prepared.^^


By the way, I find a website http://www.eportfolio.org/. This is a a student-centered platform. Students can create portfolios for academic, career, or personal uses; maintain their plan of study; and share their work, goals, and achievements with advisors, career counselors, and employers. From their homepage you can see the advantages of e-portfolio. I think ePortfolio.org is a good website for everyone.

Search Files by Google

My CALL teacher said that she is better than others because she is good at searching on the internet. I learned a skill of searching files from her in the CALL class.

If you want to search a specific file. You can key in the filetype on google. For example, you want to find a power point about "TOEFL", so you key in "filetype:ppt TOEFL" on Google. And you will see...

All files you search are power point related to TOEFL. How easy it is!

In addition, Google Scholar is another good search engine. It can limit the search in scholarly research. The site is http://scholar.google.com.tw/schhp?hl=zh-TW .

Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. From one place, you can search across many disciplines and sources: peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles, from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other scholarly organizations. Google Scholar helps you identify the most relevant research across the world of scholarly research. (From About Google Scholar)

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is not unfamiliar to me. I have known it before although I never really contact it. However, I think it is a good web browser after being introduced by my teacher, and now I want to spend time studying it.



Mozilla Firefox is a free web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. It has become the second most popular web browser after IE( Internet Explorer ). Its variety of free add-ons are the reason why firefox can attrat many users.

Learning by Doing.

Recently, I have heard the theory "learning by doing" many times. I am very curious about it, so I find some information about "learning by doing."

John Dewey, an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, promoted “Learning by doing” because he believed that “direct experience” is very important. "Learning by doing" means getting involved in an activity and learning through the process of doing the activity. Students can benefit from “learning by doing” by strengthening their understanding, being stimulated and motivated learners to learn, and learning the ability of problem-solving.

Good Sites for Learning Languages.

• Learn English
  
  This is a site for elementary and intermediate learners to learn English. There are five parts for learning. First one is vocabulary. There are many kinds of words, such as classroom English, feelings, or sports. Specifically, the new words are all with colorful pictrures. Learners can learn new vocabularies quickly according to the visual aids. And then, learners can do some exercises to evaluate themselves after learning the new words. The second and third parts are grammar and writing. There are also some practices for learners to self-evaluating. It's a pity that project and game parts will be online soon.

• Exam English
  
  It is a site for people to practice tests for IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and the Cambridge ESL exams. If you choose the TOEIC part, there is a introduction of TOEIC, and you can choose vocabulary or listening parts to practice. It can link to another website for you to get information or do exercises.

• The Japanese Friend Exchange
  
  This is a place for learning free Japanese lessons. You can learn basic Japanese lessons or make Japanese friends here. There are ten basic Japanese lessons on the website. It comes from the basic alphabet, learning ひらがな(Hiragana), to learn some common phrases. I like the forms that the class gives. I think that it is useful. By the way, if you want to make Japanese friends, you have to be a member of Japanese Friend Exchange.