BUBBL-R

What is the link?
http://www.pimpampum.net/bubblr/

Bubblr is an online tool that allows people to add captions or create comic strips using photographs. One can either make use of the available photos on the website’s archive - this can be done by typing in a keyword or a user - or by uploading photos from an existing flickr account (www.flickr.com). Ultimately, Bubblr allows the user to get creative with their photographs, share their finish project with friends, or embed it on their blogs.



Below is a step by step video from YouTube on how to use Bubblr.



How to integrate Bubblr into the classroom?

Bubblr can be integrated in a TESOL classroom in various ways.

• An instructor can assign the class a theme/keyword and create a comic strip using Bubblr. Once the students have saved their assignment and edited their writing, the instructor can then assign the students to present their finish comic strips in class. This method allows learners to work on their writing skills as well as communication skills.
• Teachers can also assign students to create a story line using photographs from their travels or hometown. Afterwards, the students can work in pairs and correct each other sentences or point out any grammatical errors found. Again, as a way to develop speech and communication skills, have the students present their photographs in class and allow them to make comments about the presentation.
• Bubblr can be use for character education by assigning the students to look photographs with people. The students will then have to come up with phrases, thoughts, or dialogues that describe the photograph. Below is an example: 

To sum up, Bubblr thoroughly utilizes the saying “a picture says a thousand words”.  Thus, for the reason that there are endless ways to create stories, captions, and dialogues using photographs, this website can be quite beneficial to language learners.

Advantages:

In my opinion, because there are countless of ways to describe a photograph, therefore, I believe Bubblr to be a very useful website for language learners. It allows students to create storylines through photographs, it helps them develop their speech and communication skills, it can be an interactive task, and it provides a lot of output from the students. With language learning comprehensible output, is just as essential as comprehensible input. In addition, since pictures and images are involved, this activity is a stimulating way to practice and learn a second or foreign language for beginner language learners.  Lastly, this website promotes independent work since the students are using their own description and observation from photographs. 

Disadvantages:

The only problem I found with Bubblr is that only a limited amount of words can be typed in the caption/dialogue box and it’s mainly catered to beginner language learners. If the caption box wasn't so limiting with words or if descriptions can be typed at the bottom of the photograph, then intermediate language learners can also use this site as a tool to improve their second or foreign language.