Jing

What is it about?

Jing is very cool screencasting tool and it let users can record videos of our computer screen when they demonstrate and explain the tasks on the screen to other viewers. We can record our screen up to 5 minutes in a free version. After signing up, users will immediately get 2GB of storage for free. Users may easily catch images and write down notes on them. Moreover, users can also choose the area of the screen they want to show before they record.

Why is the content good for language learning?

1. It is an easy and convenient way to use Jing for teachers to give their students feedback according to different kinds of assignments students nee to do in class or at home.  

2. Students may follow teacher’s instructions and feedback clearly and easily because of both visual and audio characteristics. 

3. Students may improve their English listening ability because the authentic English feedback from their teachers.

4. Learners can use Jing to do presentation. For example, they can tell a story, introduce their special photos or make a comment on a video by Jing.

5. Videos can be embedded in one’s website or blog and it can be shared by the link easily.

6. Students can repeat the video and listen to their teachers’ feedback comments again and again.

7. Teachers may record the errors of grammar or pronunciation that students might make commonly and send the video to students in order to improve their English ability.

How might you use it in a language teaching context?  

1. Jing is a very useful tool for both teachers and students. Teachers can use Jing to correct students' writing and explain the common errors students make when they write their assignments.

2. Jing can be taken as a visual notebook and can also be a good way for teachers to give their students direction and feedback.

3. The main characteristics of Jing are visual and audio, so students can use this special tool to do picture describing, short videos or story-telling and then share their works with their friends or their family. 

4. The teacher still has to provide some instructions to the students before they present their works on the screen.

Limitations

1. It might take the instructor a lot of time to make Jing for every student at a time and provide them with individual feedback.

2. Users need to prepare sufficient computers facility such as headphones.  Internet is also needed.

3. Users have to install Jing on their computer first.

4. There is time limit of recording. Users can only record up to 5 minutes, so the teachers cannot provide too much feedback at a time.