Speaking+and+Listening+Tools

These tools are perfect for having students speak and record so that the teacher can listen, evaluate, and offer feedback for needed improvement. They are particularly well suited for language acquisition, whether the language is English or one of the World Languages taught in CMCSS.

*CMCSS teachers and Technology Integration Coaches are using the free versions of these tools.


 * Click the name of the tool for detailed information about set up and use in classroom on Empower Students.**
 * Click on the image below the name of the tool for a link to the website for the tool if applicable.**

Audio Dropbox ||  || A virtual dropbox for audio recordings. ||  || Teacher account required. Teacher sets up audio dropbox.
 * Tool ||  || Description ||   || Account Information ||   || Equipment Needed ||   || Included in these Professional Learning Session(s) ||
 * put a dropbox for speaking assignments on any web page.
 * from within that web page, students record themselves,
 * audio files are automatically put into your dropbox.
 * access your dropbox from anywhere to listen to the recordings.
 * easy as copying and pasting
 * works on any computer from anywhere.
 * runs from your web browser without downloading or uploading.

Student accounts are not required.

// Available through Clear Labs. // ||  || Teacher - computer

Student - computer

||  || Record audio files and distribute them to other people for playback on a computer, cellphone, or MP3 player. Broadcasts is intended to be used in two different ways: Teacher sets up podcast channel.
 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||
 * Broadcasts
 * Broadcasts
 * Teacher-created podcasts can help students practice listening comprehension skills
 * Student-created podcasts can help students practice their speaking skills ||  || Teacher account required.

Student accounts are not required.

// Available through Clear Labs. // ||  || Teacher - computer

Student - computer

||  || Record prompts or questions for their students to answer. The program can be used to simulate conversations, role plays, or for “virtual interviews.” The program runs from your web browser, and works without downloading or uploading ||  || Teacher account required. Teacher sets up conversation forums.
 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||
 * Conversations
 * Conversations
 * Create a conversation to ask questions and collect responses.
 * Join a conversation to listen to and respond to questions.
 * Students can work in “practice” mode or respond to questions spontaneously.

Student accounts are not required.

// Available through Clear Labs. // ||  || Teacher - computer

Student - computer

||  || A virtual dropbox for video recordings. Teacher sets up video dropbox.
 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||
 * Video Dropbox
 * Video Dropbox
 * put a dropbox for speaking or role playing assignments on any web page.
 * from within that web page, students record themselves using their webcam
 * video files are automatically put into your dropbox.
 * access your dropbox from anywhere to watch to the recordings.
 * easy as copying and pasting
 * works on any computer from anywhere.
 * runs from your web browser without downloading or uploading ||  || Teacher account required.

Student accounts are not required.

// Available through Clear Labs. // ||  || Teacher - computer

Student - computer

||  || This site allows user to hear pronunciation of words in language chosen. Over 100,000 pronunciations in: Fewer words in other languages. Users can request words to be pronounced and recorded by native speakers or record words requested by others. ||  ||   ||   || Teacher - computer
 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||
 * Forvo
 * Forvo
 * [|German] [de]
 * [|Tatar] [tt]
 * [|Russian] [ru]
 * [|English] [en]
 * [|Portuguese] [pt]
 * [|French] [fr]
 * [|Spanish] [es]
 * [|Italian] [it]

Student - computer

||  || Set up a new phone number for students to call to record whatever you wish to hear them speak.
 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||
 * Google Voice
 * Google Voice
 * Voice to text transcription (is not always perfect) creates a message
 * mp3 recording for playback at teacher's convenience

Video overview and instructions ||  || Teacher sets up phone number for students to call and record message.

Student accounts are not required. ||  || Teacher - computer

Students- phone ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES || ||  || Recap provides teachers with new, creative ways to gather evidence of student thinking using video. It helps create new learning connections between students, parents and teachers, and foster more transformative dialogue by everyone. Great for any age!
 * Let's Recap
 * Let's Recap
 * Formative Assessment
 * Reflection
 * Class Management
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parent Communication ||  || Teacher account required.

Student account required.

// *Note - talk with your // // Technology Integration Coach about guidelines for student accounts // ||  || Teacher - computer or tablet

Student - computer or tablet ||  ||   ||
 * @MyBrainShark
 * @MyBrainShark

Please note that as of August 29, 2015, However, your existing presentations will still remain active, and all presentation links you’ve embedded or shared will still work until the full myBrainshark site shut down on January 4, 2016. We recommend using this time to review all of the places where you’ve published these links as they will no longer function as of January 4, 2016. ||  ||  ||   || Teacher account required..
 * you will no longer be able to upload**
 * or create new content in your account**.

Student accounts are not required.
 * Terms state that all users must be 18 years old. Teacher must do all uploading. ||  || Teacher - computer

Student - computer

||  || <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Web-based application - no software to install. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Requires an up-to-date version of Adobe Flash and modern web browser <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**Create** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**Comment** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">**Share**
 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||
 * VoiceThread
 * VoiceThread
 * Upload, share and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files and videos. Over 50 different types of media can be used in a VoiceThread.
 * Comment on VoiceThread slides using: microphone, webcam, text, phone, and audio-file upload.
 * Keep a VoiceThread private, share it with specific people, or open it up to the entire world. ||  || Teacher account required.

An account is required to create, save, and edit student work. (Under 13 with permission of parent or guardian.)

//<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">*Note - talk with your // //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Technology Integration Coach about guidelines for student accounts // ||  || Teacher - computer

Student - computer


 * Headphones or ear buds optional ||  || RELATED ARTS EXPLICIT DIRECT INSTRUCTION: 6-12 WORLD LANGUAGES ||