I recently came across a Web 2.0 application called VerbaLearn. I found the site unique from the standpoint that students can take a pretest to build a list of words that are unique to their personal knowledge base. Once the students have built a list of words to learn, they can use different online activities to help them practice and learn the words on their list. They also have an option to download those same words and definitions to an MP3 player and study on the go. Once students feel they have learned the words on their personal word list they can self-test themselves and build new lists of words to learn. I found this approach fascinating, but I did have mixed feelings about an optional pay-to-learn option the site offers. Students can solicit sponsors (probably parents or grandparents) to contribute money online. Then, as student learn their vocabulary they are paid for their increased vocabulary prowess. I do not sanction the pay as you learn option, but I do feel that some students would enjoy the MP3 option and I do like the idea that students can continue to challenge themselves as they learn new words.

You have no doubt heard about the FreeRice non-profit website designed to help stamp out hunger one word at a time. Every time a student answers a vocabulary correctly 10 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program. This site will appeal to the altruistic nature of your students and gosh darn it really is fun! Remember, you can change the banks of words using the subject link found at the top of the page and do take time to show students the video footage of the first consignment of rice that was delivered to Bangladesh. Watching the video will inspire you and your students to learn new words and earn rice for the next shipment.

Visuwords is an online graphical dictionary. To use the applet found on the site type a word into the search query at the top of the page and press ‘Enter’. A network of nodes or ‘synsets’ will pop out from the word that you entered. A synset is essentially a single concept that is represented by a number of terms or synonyms. Hover over a node with your mouse to reveal all the synonyms for a synset as well as its definition.

High School students can view videos posted by peers to learn various words that could appear on the SAT’s. A group of MIT alums recently ran a nationwide SAT Vocab Video contest, which was funded by Salesforce. These videos are definitely geared to High School students. There is no way that I could view every video and these videos were posted by teenagers. The videos I viewed had a lot of teen appeal, but might not be appropriate for younger students.

Update:  It appears that this site has changed it’s name to Got Brainy and now features images as well as videos.  Additionally, the material seems to be more monitored and appropriate for younger students as well as older students.

A few additional vocabulary building sites that you may wish to investigate are listed below:

• Vocabulary.com
• Word Warriors.com
• Vocabulary.co.il

Currently there is no easy way to embed a board on a web page or blog, which could in fact serve as a greater security measure and curtail possible abuse of the product. As a board creator you have the option of inviting individuals to collaborate on a board or you can invite individuals to simply view a board…you provide users with the board address via email or a link on your webpage. I thought these boards would be pretty useful as homework boards. Create a new board each week (or day of the week) and post supporting website links, handouts, etc. along with assignments on the virtual board just as if it were a bulletin board in your classroom.

I actually like the appearance and interface of Stixy a little more than I like the interface of Wall Wisher and the tools (called widgets) that comprise the product are colorful, easy to work with, and flexible in regard to editing and posting. The image below links to a sample board I created while experimenting with the application. I have assigned permissions to this sample board so that you can experiment with the tools that are available with Stixy.

So what is inference? Below, you will find several of my favorite definitions:

• Inference is a judgement based on reasoning rather than on direct or explicit statement. A conclusion based on facts or circumstances. For example, advised not to travel alone in temperatures exceeding fifty degrees below zero, the man in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” sets out anyway. (Dictionary of Literary Terms)
• Inference is a logical guess based on evidence based on evidence in the text.
• Inference involves making conclusions about a piece of literature when the connection is not provided in a piece of literature.

The following resources may be helpful as you teach the skill of inference…

• Practice Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions – good material to use with elementary students
• Brain Pop Jr. Make Inferences – excellent information that includes a link to a great little (free) Brain Pop Jr. video
• Inference Riddles – an interactive resource
• Teaching Tips:  Inference – a portal of additional links relating to Inference
• Teaching Inference, Interpretation and Analysis with New (and Old) Technologies
• Critical Thinking: Distinguishing Between Inferences and Assumptions – an excellent article adapted from the book, Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life, by Richard Paul and Linda Elder
• Teaching Students to Make Inferences – a Bright Hub! article written by Keren Perles

Graphic Organizers that can be used to help students:

• Inference Notes (.pdf file)
• Text & Subtext: Drawing Inferences (.pdf file)
• Inference or Prediction? (.pdf file)

PowerPoints that help teach inference: