Thing #12

Google Calendar lets you schedule and share events on a free online calendar. It is accessible from mobile devices and is available on all internet browsers. This is already speaking volumes for itself-- Google Calendar would be an excellent way to keep parents or older students (if one is teaching a middle/highschool class) up to date with class activities. One could put reminders on each day as to what kind of supplies to bring, if the students need to wear a particular kind of clothing, etc. Of course, all parents probably will not check such a thing, but for those who would, it would be very beneficial.

The other resource I have chosen is Google Translate. On my home PC, in my internet browser, I have a bookmark tab just for Google Translate. I probably use it every day. I speak three languages fluently, however, there are times where I just can't remember the Slovak or word for such-and-such, or when I can only think of how to phrase something in my native French. Google Translate operates a lot faster than whipping out a dictionary and thumbing through the pages, and thus it makes corresponding to family and friends in the respective French and Slovak much easier. 

I have used Google Translate in my other Education classes in order to make instructions for an ESOL student. This can be very helpful, but one must be vigilant and put the translation back into English to make sure that is makes sense. Think of all the words we have in English that have two, three or four meanings-- the wrong word can create a disaster. However, being able to communicate with a student who is completely unfamiliar with English is a very, very valuable ability.