Making Use of Blogging, Podcasting and Wikis in the MFL Classroom. Alex Blagona Northgate High School 6th December 2007

Is this the future? “Young people’s familiarity with ICT offers a great opportunity to language teachers. It seems to us that a determined commitment to use this world, which is so familiar to young people, is a key to increasing the engagement of young people of all ages with languages. New technologies can facilitate real contacts with schools and young people in other countries. They can also provide stimulus for creative and interactive work.” (Lord Dearing - Languages Review March 2007)

Can we keep up with the kids?

Using Blogs Web + log = Blog Used as an online diary, journal, source of news, and publishing of students’ work

What did we consider? Purpose Audience Content Why are we doing this? Who is going to bother reading it? What do we put on it?

How can we use a blog? Sharing good ideas and resources. Raising awareness of MFL across the school (and beyond!) Online diaries of school trips and exchanges. Getting students to assess each other’s work. Broadcasting podcasts and mp3s

“Es war ziemlich gut, aber die Musik war sehr langweilig. Bob, Sam und Alpal war lustig, und ich habe Pizza gegessen.” Callum “Funky music!!! It was well good. Well done to all the people who did it!!! Oh and I loved Sam, Alex and Robert’s laugh! “Hahaha, Oh Alex!” However some people could have tried to do it in a clear German accent.” Sophie “Mr Cobbold's class thinks - very good! Jack B. liked the music, Billy said it was funny - but the challenge is now set - can 9BGn1 do better? We will see…” Anonymous It was very good because everyone took it seriously. The music was really good, but some of the other people could have tried to do it in a German accent! Alex It was very good and I liked the accents everyone was doing - it made it sound really German. I didn’t like the music and I don't think that it went with the kind of thing that we were talking about so that could be changed and I liked it how everyone was talking really clearly and greeting them and saying goodbye. It was really good and I really want to do another one soon!! Louise

What are the problems? Keeping it up to date Technology over Teaching? Building an audience Overcoming fears and concerns

Are the students safe? I will only use my first name I will never give out my address I will never give out my home address I will never give out my telephone number I will respect others I will not use rude or threatening words I will not use text talk or chat language I will not copy other people’s work I will be responsible for everything I write I will check my spelling before posting

Where are we now? Audience Resource - used by over 100 students a week to download/revise/extend Reference - used by schools across the world!

Blog Positives Promotes creativity and global citizenship Familiar technology for pupils who use Bebo/MySpace Helps subject to be more relevant Simple to use – one click publishing Writing for a purpose (real audience) increases standards at all levels Allows for peer assessment through comments in a safe environment

What is podcasting?

Recording students using the target language Using software to edit and add music Publishing recorded content to the web Attracting listeners through subscription What is podcasting?

How can I record students? Logitech USB Desktop Microphone £15 Plugs into a PC/Laptop iRiver T30 £40 Portable, stores 17 hours worth of chat!

How can I put together a podcast?

What are the benefits? Students really motivated! Taking the speaking skill far more seriously! “Oh wow! I almost sound French!” Not so self-conscious - less afraid to make a mistake! Students learn to correct each other - what they say matters! “If the whole world can hear you…” Working collaboratively for a purpose Getting praise from outside of the classroom MFL suddenly becomes fun again.

It all looks a bit tricky… Imagination Planning and Time Don’t let the technology scare you Stick with it

MFL Podcasts for GCSE / A Level revision practice whenever and wherever your students want to learn Stantonbury Campus St John Fisher Parkstone Grammar School Wheatley Park School Notre Dame Catholic College Heathfield College Oldbury College of Sport Bristnall Hall Technology College Southend High School for Girls Northgate High School Edgehill College Elliott School Shireland CLC

Using a wiki to get your students working together A ‘wiki’ is a simple to use website that allows users to create their own entries, which can then be edited by other users. In MFL we can use ‘wikis’ to get students to create, share, correct and discuss their work with each other in a secure and personalised environment

Want to start your own blog? Want to create a wonderful wiki? Want to publish your podcast?