1. Web 2.0 Tools Promoting Reading Skills among University Students Adam Forrester English Language Centre The Hong Kong Polytechnic University IETC 2011

2. Background Importance of Reading Declining Reading skills Internet Read@PolyU

3. Pilot Course First year veterinary nurses Academic English course 40 Students in 2 groups English level – IELTS 5.5 – 8 Host department very supportive Requirement of 3 articles Moodle ‘blog’

4. Reading Quality and Quantity critical view Journals Collaborate and Share Added Benefits vocabulary development presentation practice

5. Web 2.0 Tools What tools? Online voice recording and sharing Mind maps Vocabulary development

6. Example (1): Online Voice Recording

7. Example (2): Mind Map

8. Example (3a): Vocabulary development

9. Example (3b): Vocabulary development 2. Secrecy encrypt (verb) (see picture using Shahi - encryption cog ) to change electronic information or signals into a secret code Example: The emails are encrypted so that the Government cannot read them. Extension encryption similar words – encipher, write in code

10. Example (3c): Vocabulary development picture using Shahi - encryption cog

11. Results Most students fulfilled requirement Voice recording most popular Mind mapping least popular Vocabulary- students used a range of techniques

12. Student Feedback Online Voice Recording “it’s very convenient to use and it works well” “quite easy to use” Vocabulary “I have learnt the skills only, but not yet enhance the "ability". For example, learning more vocabulary” Mind mapping “ The software takes too long to master. It looks good at end but takes long time” Overall course “too many different types of homework” “there are too much homework”

13. Problems (1) Online Mind Mapping Current methods technically difficult compared to drawing on a piece of paper Balance ease of use / benefits Online Voice Recording Students need to understand reason Why not write a summary?

14. Problems (2) Vocabulary Development Still waiting for technology to catch up compare a vocabulary note book / online notebook Teacher workload Listen and feedback to voice recordings Encourage peer review

15. Tools Used Moodle (hosted on University servers) Online mindmapping http://www.mindomo.com http://www.bubbl.us http://mind42.com Online Voice Recording http://audioboo.fm/ http://www.houndbite.com/

16. Tools Used (2) Vocabulary http://blachan.com/shahi/ is a visual dictionary http://www.wordle.net/ used for word maps http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ used for pronunciation and definitions.

17. Adam Forrester ecadamf@gmail.com http://about.me/adamf