Nik's Edtech & ELT Updates

This is an old blog post but hopefully still useful - 20 + Things you can do with QR codes in your school https://peacheypublications.com/20-things-you-can-do-with-qr-codes-in-your-school

On 17th April I’ll be doing the first of a series of free 30 minute webinars on aspects of the TeacherMatic AI platform for language teachers. This first one will be looking at using the lesson plan generator to develop lesson plans that are both tailored for level and the specifics of your students including various neurodiversities. You can register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tCA4awaDRVi1VKAmj1uWgw#/registration

This AI assessment tool seems to be getting a lot of press at the moment. Has anyone ever tried it? What do think of it? https://olex.ai/

CineMapper is an interactive map that shows you where iconic movie and TV scenes were filmed. From blockbusters to cult classics, you can explore real-world locations tied to the stories https://cinemapper.com/browser Students can research the palces or plan a fictional trip and decide where they would visit. Lots of harry Potter locations listed.

Great to see this book is now available for free. I had the great pleasure of editing it for the British Council. https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/transforming-teacher-education-ai-lessons-global

OpenAI Academy Unlock the opportunities of the AI era by equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to harness artificial intelligence effectively. https://academy.openai.com/

Some really nice examples of movie level AI avatar creation from a research project https://congwei1230.github.io/MoCha/

This looks very promising too. https://media-and-learning.eu/subject/higher-education/unlocking-africas-potential-artificial-intelligence-in-higher-education/

This is an interesting report into some research done using real online tutors and AI avatars https://media-and-learning.eu/subject/artificial-intelligence/do-ai-avatars-teach-as-well-as-humans-the-results-might-surprise-you/

This is a useful site that helps you find live streamed TV from around the world. Very simple to use https://tv.garden/

Interesting video about some of the new image creation features of ChatGPT https://youtu.be/eO0AQTODXHk?si=RF7b22Rm1YExwW1A

You can access the recording of my most recent webinar - Using Infographics to Enhance Information Literacy Skills below. Great to see it has 155 -5 star reviews already https://app.fobizz.com/fortbildungen/2388-using-infographics-to-enhance-information-literacy-skills/access_info

Pesimistic but quite likely. https://criticaledtech.com/2025/03/20/more-work-for-teacher-the-ironies-of-genai-as-a-labour-saving-technology/ More work for teacher? The ironies of GenAI as a labour-saving technology

Blank Page is a zen mode text editor designed for distraction-free writing and creative thinking. It provides a clean, simple environment where your words can flow freely without interruption. https://blankpage.im pages can be shared and remain available online for 7 days. No registration necessary.

This is a great looking tool for making screen cast videos. Great for digital literacy training and tech tutorials - It’s free at present https://supercut.video/

Here’s another speaking tutor app that sounds impressive. Only available of PC at present so I haven’t tried it. “Fluento is an AI-powered app designed to enhance spoken English fluency and confidence. Its key features include: Instant Feedback: Provides real-time analysis and personalized feedback on grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. AI Teacher: Offers tailored tips and challenges during practice sessions, even helping you complete sentences when you're stuck. Integration into Online Conversations: Seamlessly plugs into virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom or Google Meet to offer real-time feedback on your speech. Community of Learners: Allows users to connect, share progress, seek advice, and stay motivated.” https://www.fluento.ai/

I’ve just been checking out MockReady - It looks like an interesting tool for developing speaking skills with AI feedback - You can also partner with real people and give each other feedback. This is how it describes itself - “MockReady is an AI-powered language platform that helps users improve their English speaking skills with instant feedback. It simulates real conversations and proficiency exams like IELTS and TOEFL, analyzing pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency to provide personalized recommendations.” https://mockready.com/aref/VL7QDWAM

I’ve just been checking out MockReady - It looks like an interesting tool for developing speaking skills with AI feedback - You can also partner with real people and give each other feedback. This is how it describes itself - “MockReady is an AI-powered language platform that helps users improve their English speaking skills with instant feedback. It simulates real conversations and proficiency exams like IELTS and TOEFL, analyzing pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency to provide personalized recommendations.” https://mockready.com/aref/VL7QDWAM

Just published my free Edtech & ELT Newsletter for March 2025 - This is my first one on the Substack platform. I hope you find it useful. https://nikpeachey.substack.com/?r=ojb9d

I’ve just completed a big update on The Digital Toolbox - It now has a searchable database of more than 240 digital tools and 150 articles. It can be installed on your phone, laptop or accessed through the browser https://payhip.com/b/y9xmN