[WK9] MailVU: The Floor is Yours!

What is it?

MailVU (mail you can view) is an online service that allows users to do private video messages via webcam which up to 10 minutes and they can send them to anyone that they want by inserting the recipients' emails and a short text message.

How does it work?

# Through these 3 easy-peasy simple steps:

• Click on the record button to start your video message
• Record yourself speaking. If you are not satisfy with the video, you can redo it again and again.
• Send to others via emails. You cannot embed the video.

How can it be used in the classroom context?

Currently, the most popular idea in integrating MailVU into the language learning environment is via "Connected Classroom" concept in which teachers need to think wisely on how to connect the lesson that has been taught in the class with the homework that will be given at the end of the lesson. The good continuation will help teachers to achieve their teaching objectives while learners can also enjoy their learning outcomes. There are several activities that can done by using this tool such as:

i) Interview: 

• In class: 

- Teachers can introduce the language structure, vocabulary and functions that can be used for interview to learners plus showing example of several interviews from YouTube (students get to see the models in terms of the way the interview is carried out, the body postures and gestures using by the interviewer and interviewee)

 - Learners work in pairs, discuss about the topic for the interview session and how the interview could be done (in terms of  listing the questions that will be asked and the suitable answers for particular questions)

• Outside the class:

- As learners need to record the interview in pairs using MailVU, they can do it anywhere they want as long as internet connection and webcam are available (home, internet cafe, self-access centre)

ii) Puppet / teddy bear show

• In class: 

- Teachers bring realia such as puppet (eg: Pinocchio) or teddy bear and initiate the discussion by asking learners' favourite story during childhood 

- Teachers explain how a story should be constructed (opening, climax, ending etc)

- Then, learners work in pairs, telling each other about their own favourite story 

• Outside the class:

-Learners need to do story-telling individually at home by using realia (puppet / teddy bear) and record it using MailVU. Then they need to send the link to the teachers and peers to get some feedback and comments.

iii) Cooking show

• In class:

- Teachers share her recipe of making 'Nasi Lemak' through written handouts that are distributed to learners so they can take note on the particular structures used (imperative form, sequence connectors) and vocabulary on the ingredients and measurement

- Teachers ask leaners to think about their own favourite food and try to list down the ingredients and the steps that might be included

• Outside the class:

- Learners check whether they have produced the correct recipe by searching it on internet or by simply asking to their mother. 

- Using MailVU, learners start their 'show' by stating the ingredients involved or just by simply drawing them in a piece of paper or show the images from the net to the audience. 

iv) News-broadcast

• In class: 

- Teachers bring some of the newspaper article of various sections (local news, world issues, sports, fashion) and distribute them among learners who are already grouped (4-5 per group)

- Teachers ask learners to look out the structure for writing news.

- Teachers play the example of video containing news-broadcast from several sites (BBC, YouTube).
- Learners pay attention to the speakers' tones, speed and voice projection 

• Outside the class

- Learners need to find news article and record themselves speaking through the role of news presenter.
- Learners send the video recording to teachers and friends

What are the advantages?

1. It provides free account! 

2. Foster autonomous learning in which learners learn on their own space and pace through homework that has been assigned by the teachers (do-it-yourself activity)
3. An easy-to-use technology that can be used by anyone that has basic computer skills
4. An alternative to make sure students are always taking part actively in learning even though outside the classroom environment (beyond the physical constraints of bricks and mortars)
5. Enhance students' speaking skills through various activities that can be carried out using MailVU
6. A good way of compensating the insufficient time for practicing speaking in the classroom 
7. Using the video recording, teachers could diagnose problems / learning disabilities faced by students in speaking (especially the beginners or the shy learners who are rarely speak in the class) in terms of structure that they use, pronunciation or vocabulary and teach the correct use of them in the class (blended learning)
8. Encourage collaborative and cooperative learning where learners work in pairs or groups in order to complete the task, thus capitalize on one another's resources and skills (peer teaching)
9. Learners might feel less anxious to record themselves as they can redo the recordings until they feel satisfy with the final product. This will create motivation in appreciating their own work.

What are the limitations?

1. Limited access of internet and computers. 
2. Even though computers are available, learners need webcam to make the video
3. Teachers might take times to assess the each of students' performances and give feedback (in terms of workload)
4. The video cannot be embedded into the blogs and cannot be downloaded as well

Further suggestions:
i) Vocaroo: a free on-line voice recording service which basically functions just like Internet voicemail. Users can record their voice and send the file to others through email. Unlike MailVU, they can be embedded into blog, can be published to the website and can be downloaded as well. However, it can only record the voice message and not the video's like MailVU can do.

ii) Bubblejoy: a tool that enables you to quickly create and design custom video cards that are easy to share with others by simply using your webcam

~Because English is FUN! :) ~