Rich Internet Applications: Audio and Video Dropbox,

Conversations, and MashupsScott Sterling

Some tech lingo

Term AKA Definition

Rich Internet Application RIA An embeddable web application

Embed Link An element added to a website. It is directly usable from the website.

A link hyperlink, link An object that takes you to a different website

Center for Language Education and Research

CLEAR Federally funded language resource center

Where is my handout?• We have some flyers available• However, CLEAR has been working hard to

create digital documentationo http://clear.msu.edu/teaching/online/ria/

What is a RIA?• Rich Internet Application• They are FREE to use• Can be used in most course management

sites (D2L, Moodle, Edmodo, Wordpres)• Currently 12 different web applications• No content, just functionality

o You create the content

What is a RIA? (cont.)• Pedagogically motivated• Benefits

o Allow shy/quiet students to talk moreo Give students more chances to practice speakingo Can help ease stress in the classroom

What do I need to use the RIAs?• A CLEAR account (free to sign up for)• Basic computer knowledge

o copy/pasteo drop and drago Identifying online elements (embed code, URL)

What will we talk about today?• Audio Dropbox - online audio recorder• Video Dropbox - online video recorder• Conversations - simulated conversation• Mashups - simple web page creator

Problem• Your students are not getting enough verbal

practice o 50 minutes divided between 20 students = 2.5

minutes of talk time per student

• You have one student who talks too much or one student who talks too little

• You are teaching a speaking class and want your students to practice speaking at home

One solution• Use web-based tools that allow students to

practice: o whenever o wherevero at their own pace

Audio DropBox• This tool allows you to embed an audio

recorder into your website• Students’ recordings automatically get sent

back to your Audio Dropbox account

Audio Dropbox: what the students see

Start recording

Upload recording

Delete recording

Recording time

RecordingPlayback

StopbuttonRecording

indicator

Audio Dropbox: What you see

Live demohttp://clear.msu.edu/teaching/online/ria/audioDropbox2/

Video Dropbox• Similar to Audio Dropbox but it allows your

students to record video of themselves

Video Dropbox: what the students see

Buttons should look familiar to you

Video Dropbox: What you see

Live Demohttp://clear.msu.edu/teaching/online/ria/videoDropbox/

Problem• My students need to practice for the AP

exam, OPI, or a class speaking test• My students have no idea how to interact

with people from X• I don’t get to have many one-to-one

conversations with my students

Our solution• Use a static tool that simulates

conversationso **CLEAR’s Conversations

o CeLTA has practice OPI tests in Spanish, German, and French http://celta.msu.edu/assessment/improving.php

Conversations • Similar to an Audio/Video Dropbox

o embed it into your website

• When students start appo they see a prerecorded questiono respond immediately to ito repeat until all questions are finished

Sample Conversation

Conversations: student view

Listen to practice question

Select practice question

RecordStopListen

Student sideStarts the app

Playback responses

Playback student responses only

Instructor view

Live demohttp://clear.msu.edu/teaching/online/ria/conversations2/

Problems• These tools look great but I am not good at

technology• I want my students to design web pages for

a project but I want to keep it simple• I don’t have a homepage/course

management site

Our solution• Use Mashup

o A simple web page developer

• All of the examples today have been in Mashups

Mashups• Allows you to create a web page and include

various elementso Video (Youtube)o Audioo Embeddable elements (wikis, Conversations,

Audio/Video Dropboxeso Texto Images

Student view

Instructor view

Live demohttp://clear.msu.edu/teaching/online/ria/mashup2/index.php?code=editMashup&folderID=0&ID=23466

Your turn!Build an activity that helps solve one of these issues

1. You have a test scheduled for next Thursday. You want your students to practice asking for directions.

2. One of the goals for your course is to have students learn how to order food at a restaurant.

3. Students in your class are having trouble pronouncing certain sounds.

Share!

How to D2L!

Questions and play time• Please ask any questions you have

• Use the rest of the time to design an activity you need for your class. I will come around and help everyone I can.