Yesterday I was talking to Andrew Balaam, German and French teacher from The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire about how he integrates technology in the classroom and in particularly his creative use of the Hot Potatoes suite for making interactive exercises on his inspirational website Languages Online.
The discussion which is nearly a hour in length includes Andrew's views on:
- how he started using ICT within his teaching with Word and PowerPoint
- using his laptop with a television and VGA converter in class before getting an interactive whiteboard
- developing his own bank of resources
- working with colleague and co-author of Languages Online, Francisco Villatoro
- using a wireless keyboard and mouse with a data projector
- getting used to producing worksheets in Word
- using PowerPoint to make 'interactive flashcards'
- finding images on the net
- how ICT can engage language learners
- trying not to be predictable and being creative with different learning packages
- the 'magic' of being able to make resources quickly and easily to recycle language
- evidence and results of independent learning opportunites and practice
- assessment for learning
- using language actively and creatively with authentic resources such as images and videos
- how he started Languages Online
- being proud of reaching 10 million hits
- paying for and hosting the site
- explaining the five basic exercises of the Hot Potatoes authoring package (matching, gapfilling, sequencing, making quizzes, crosswords)
- adding reading, video and listening materials
- focusing on grammar
- creating resources according to need and not having a 'plan'
- students' proofreading
- the benefits of recycling pupils' work in Hot Potatoes to tailor your own materials
- pupil feedback
- taking part in the first SSAT toolkit session
- creating a 'cycle' of exercises
- future plans for Languages Online
- reflections on different authoring packages such as Hot Potatoes, TaskMagic and Spellmaster
- timesaving tips
- not having to be online to use Hot Potatoes
- the motivating benefits of instant feedback
- differentiation, independent learning and pupils working at their own pace
- staying on task and 'getting 100%' ethos
- fun rigorous grammar practice
- getting in contact
Show notes
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Very interesting!
I use the site everytime I get the change to go to an ICT suite.
Great grammar activities.
Posted by: esther | 13/01/2007 at 15:58
Our French Teacher recommended this site to us and it has been invaluable. I access the site each day, and it has been an enjoyable medium to gain extra knowledge. I was disappointed this morning to find the site was down, but I will keep trying, and look forward to the next time I can log on.
In the meantime, I would like to say a big thank you to all concerned in the setting up of languagesonline.
Posted by: Irene Jones | 11/03/2009 at 11:08