In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced Roxxem and discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to using it in your instruction. Today we’ll provide detailed instructions for using this tool and share classroom ideas.
Learn languages through popular songs with Roxxem! This free platform offers content-filtered songs by language level in Spanish, French, Chinese, and German. Enjoy interactive games like Whac-a-Word and Lyric Puzzles, perfect for individual learners and classrooms. Note: YouTube access is required for songs.
Getting Started with Roxxem:
As you arrive at Roxxem, click to either Login or Sign Up. There is also an option to join a game, allowing students to participate without signing up for an account.
Teachers can register at Roxxem using their email, Google, or Apple accounts. Students do not need to create an account to play a game; a code will be provided.
The free account (shown below) includes all songs, personalized lessons, study games, and live classroom activities (games).
Navigating Roxxem from the Home Page:
- Viewing Options: On the left side of the home page, you can access various options such as Songs, Progress, Review, Editor (premium feature), Profile, and Log Out.
- Free Plan Limitations: The free plan shows only overall class progress, not individual student progress.
- Student Accounts: Students can sign up for their own free accounts, but this requires an email address. We recommend this option for secondary-level students only.
When you select Songs, you can scroll through the results or search using lyrics. At the time of this blog post, there were 358 songs, but check frequently because new songs are added often. Also, take note of the details shared with each song. For example, you can see the rating, title, and difficulty level. This will help you find appropriate songs for your class.
Once you choose a song, you are presented with the choices to Play Whac-A-Word, Play a Lyric Puzzle, view Slides and Handouts, or Learn a Lesson. Under the video, you have the option to view it in Full-Screen Mode and Auto-Pause. There is also a control button with additional options, which we will share below.
You can also view all of the lyrics directly under the video. The lyrics are shown in both English and the world language being learned.
The Control button offers these additional options, which can be toggled on and off depending on your learners’ levels.
Game Options
WHAC-A-WORD challenges students to choose missing words or definitions as quickly as possible. You can also change the difficulty level for this game (easy, medium, or hard). With the free account, you can only view the lyrics for the whole song. The paid version allows you to view portions instead of the entire song. Another option is to choose the question type: the options are word and definition.
Here is a sample of the game in action. Remember, speed matters in this game! The highlighted text is shown along with the answer options, but you are playing against the computer, so think fast!
LYRIC PUZZLE is designed to help students understand the meaning of the words as they put the lyrics in the correct order by swiping tiles.
Here is an image of Lyric Puzzle in action. Use the buttons on the video to rewind to review or play again. Click the tiles in the grid to move the lyrics into the correct order. The orange connector can be added to show lyrics that are connected.
SLIDES and HANDOUTS – Under the Slides and Handouts option, the free option includes Print Lyrics. You can also show translations and timestamps (seen below).
LEARN A LESSON offers additional opportunities for students to hear the lyrics before playing the game. Think of this as practice before the group game begins.
After each game, you will be presented with your score. Remember, if this is a whole class activity, this score screen will show up for the students who played the game. The teacher view in the free account is an overview of the class score, not individual students.
This is the Teacher dashboard. Here, you can view the songs used for group games and check the overall class score. This feature provides a quick snapshot of student understanding.
Classroom Implementation Ideas:
Roxxem is a game-based learning tool for students learning French, Spanish, German, and Chinese. Below, we share 10 ideas for using Roxxem in your lessons.
- Share Roxxem with secondary students to learn a new language not offered in your school, at home.
- Play a game (and share a video) with all your students to practice listening comprehension.
- Play a game in world language classes for listening comprehension practice.
- Share Roxxem with secondary students for additional practice in world languages. Students can choose their own difficulty level.
- Use Roxxem with gifted students to learn a new world language.
- Start your day with a live listening game to prepare students to learn and pay attention.
- Assign Roxxem games as homework on virtual learning days. Students can take screenshots or photos of their final scores to share with the teacher.
- Create a weekly scoreboard to motivate students. Play the same song 3 times and challenge the class to beat their speed and score each time they play the Whac-A-Word.
- Encourage young, multilingual students to play together to practice the target language and read English.
- Before completing a video or game, decipher the song lyrics and challenge students to create their own lyrics using the vocabulary learned in the song.
Additional Video Tutorials and Articles:
- TeachersFirst Review: Roxxem
- Video: What is Roxxem
- Video: Roxxem for Teachers – Getting Started
- Video: How to Play Whac-A-Word Live
- Video: Introducing Lyrics Puzzle
Have you used Roxxem in your lessons? Share your activities in the comments below!