TOP 10 TOOLS 2008
Mourad Diouri

Mourad Diouri is an eLearning Lecturer in Arabic as a foreign language at CASAW (Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World), University of Edinburgh. He is a registered  practitioner and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

He is the author of v-Arabic.com  and e-Arabic.com.  v-Arabic.com is a searchable database of digitised/virtual language realia (i.e. authentic real-life items which reflects the target language and culture) for Arabic learners and teachers worldwide.  e-Arabic.com is a growing directory of eLanguage Learning Tools designed to encourage and guide Arabic learners and teachers to adopt technology-enhanced learning/teaching tools.

As a result of integrating technology into language teaching M. Diouri has won an Award of Excellence in Teaching in 2005 for innovative course design and teaching strategies from the  University of East Anglia.

Mourad's Top 10 Tools as 31 March 2008

1. Google Search : If I have any question whatsoever, the first thing that comes to mind is (Let’s Google it). Due to its popularity, Google is now classified as a verb (to google something i.e. to search the Internet for information using the Google search engine, even other engines). I must admit Google is by far the most powerful ICT invention I have ever come across, even though it is the most-taken for granted free tool. I also use Google Images Search to search for educational images to support my teaching, which is predominantly visual. Google Images Search is literally a goldmine of authentic images for teaching foreign languages. Thanks to Google, my use of digital images in teaching, learning and communication has grown tremendously.

2. Gmail: is more than just an email application. I’ve tried and tested all the well-known email providers (web-based and desktop-based) and Gmail is by far the best for me. Super-fast, easy to manage, easy to search, tough on spam, and offers unique and easy to follow threaded conversations. I use real-time communication chat with my students for online support. The fact that I can reach my emails from anywhere in the world is a real bonus. To enhance it further Gmail FireFox Adds-on makes the application more powerful and personalised. In short: this is a must-have tool.

3. Virtual 3D books & newspapers : It’s amazing how flash technology can bring tangible real items to life online. With virtual 3D publications, my students and I can enjoy an intuitive browsing experience and realistic page turning and flipping effects. The best examples I have come across so far are : the Arabic newspaper An-Nahar.com which offers its readers a daily virtual 3D copy of the real paper free of charge and QuranFlash

4. BYKI (Before you know it): is a personalized digital FlashCard software. It is a self-teaching tool of foreign language tackling “chunks” of words and phrases with perfect recall. As a foreign language teacher, I use the commercial version for designing flashcards for my students with my native speaker pronunciation (see samples in (www.d-arabic.blogspot.com). As for my students, they use the free version for studying vocabulary and grammar rules following a systematic learning process. BYKI is learner centred, a faster memorisation tool of essential vocab, it accommodates all learning styles and provides learners with self-assessment tools. There is a free BYKI software download for over 60 languages.

5. WordPress : following an unsatisfactory start with Blogger, I decided to try out WordPress.com. It is highly sophisticated, easily customisable and the best blogging platform for anyone who wishes to share his thoughts to the world. I use it to design and manage my two sites v-Arabic.com and e-Arabic.com

6. MindGenuis : to organise and crystallise my thoughts in a brain-friendly approach, I have used paper-based MindMaps for so many years. Then I switched to the computerised MindMaps using MG for brainstorming, designing presentation slides and teaching materials for vocabulary memorisation. What makes this tool powerful is the visual, illustrative final product. Unlike FreeMind, MindGenuis doesn’t support Arabic which is quite disappointing.

7. Audio Player Wordpress plugin: Designed by M. Laine, this stylish Flash player provides my students/readers with the simplest, the most straightforward, and the fastest way of listening to streaming audio podcasts. See an example here.

8. Google Calendar: an amazing tool for personal and professional development with excellent mobile and email alerts/reminders.

9. FireFox + Extentions : this is my day-to-day tool to connect with the world. Customizable, easy-to use, faster than IE, offers a comfortable browsing experience with tabbed windows, and loaded with a growing directory of fantastic adds-on. The best browser available.

10. Audacity : is the easiest software to use for anyone serious about Podcasting. If you are a beginner podcaster, all you need to get started is a microphone and something interesting to talk about and record. Make sure you watch a video tutorial (from YouTube) on how to use it. I use it regularly to record educational podcasts for my students, especially those who prefer to learn on the move (mobile learning). To describe Audacity in two words: Simplicity and efficiency.