Storybird

Storybird

            This is an app that allows teachers to inspire their students to write better and read more often. It is not a secret that students hate or got (get) scared when they are asked to write or suffered from the blank-page syndrome in the worst cases (MOVE THIS IDEA AFTER "...scared"). This app combines pictures with letters to help students to have a visual illustration of what is written. This app reinforces the reading and writing skills by giving students a different and more interactive activity. For this reason, this is a very useful app to reinforce EFL students by means of different activities that teachers can create. For example:

-          Teachers can ask students to create a short story by using five random pictures that appear in the app.

-          Teachers can ask students to create a short story by using just pictures and narrate it orally in front of the class.

-          Teachers can ask students to get in groups of three and each student create a part of a short story. For example, students divide the short story in three chapters and each student write(s) one of them.

To use this app, teachers have to consider three aspects:

1.      To use this app, students need a computer and internet connection.

2.      Be sure that your students know and understand all the instructions to use this app.

3.      Monitor your students’ work because they can get distracted while using internet.

The implementation of this app in your classes will help your students to fall in love with writing by making classes more creative and in an environment in which they can feel more comfortable.

Working with Storybird in the Teaching Practicum