Breaking down the classroom walls with technology
Wednesday 25th April 2007 was an historic day in more ways than one. The sad news of 1966 World Cup Final Winner Alan Ball’s death was announced and Nodehill Middle School took part in its first ever videoconference. Driven by a desire to demonstrate the learning potential of Flashmeeting, blogging and podcasting, I volunteered to run a two hour after school session Breaking down the classroom walls with technology to the whole staff.
Despite becoming somewhat of a regular on the conference circuit in recent times, the prospect of speaking in front of my own colleagues and revealing my true ‘geekiness’ was a scary if unfounded thought. In reality, I had nothing to worry about as everyone reacted very warmly and generously shared their own experiences with each other.
The aim of the session was to show how technology can be used throughout the curriculum to offer new learning opportunities to enhance and personalise the education of pupils at Nodehill. I wanted to give concrete examples in a range of subjects which colleagues could specifically relate to as well as ask the Nodehill bloggers (Gill Bushell, Richard Peace, Peter Schlachter and Nick Wiltshire) to talk about their own individual takes on the power of blogging and podcasting.
The most nerve-wracking moment was waiting to videoconference with Silvia Tolisano, elementary school teacher at San Jose Episcopal Day School in Jackonsville, Florida. The previous week, Silvia and I had had a practise run with Flashmeeting as she was new to the service and this proved very useful when it came to the session itself. The way in which Silvia calmly discussed her ideas on using mp3 players and mobile phones both in and outside the classroom was amazing as was her use of Google Earth to ‘fly’ from her school to ours ‘across the pond’.
At the end of the session, staff gave their feedback in the form of post-it notes which I’ve typed up below. Since Wednesday, I’ve also been very pleased to hear colleagues openly discussing how they can use new technologies like blogging and podcasting in their teaching. I hope we can keep these conversations going and build on existing practice within the school. It is vital that we share our ideas and support each other. In this regard, I plan to run a further practical session on using Audacity in the coming weeks and then one on blogging after that.
Let’s hope we can continue to break down our classroom walls with technology and as the clipart at the top of this post suggests find out for ourselves what we can learn from doing so.
We’ll see, eh?
Download breaking_down_the_classroom_walls_with_technology.ppt
Download breaking_down_the_classroom_walls_with_technology.mp3
Download breaking_down_the_classroom_walls_with_technology_handout.doc
Download posting_to_a_Typepad_blog.wmv
Introductions
- Definitions of Flashmeeting, blogging and podcasting
- Ideas on how can we use these technologies to enhance learning across the curriculum
- Steph Hopkins subscription quote
- We have the technology – laptops, iRivers, Webcams
Flashmeeting
- Description of Flashmeeting
- Flashmeeting v Skype
- Creating links with other countries
- Flashmeeting example – China and English school Porters Grange
- Ideas for using Flashmeeting and having to take turns
Blogging
- 50%-75% pupils in KS3 already have a Bebo account
- Blogging is as easy as sending an email
- Blogging as assessment for learning
- Moderating comments and creating a safe environment
- Examples of different comments and how they can communicate
- What to include on your blog and how to get started
- Purpose, Audience, Content
- Taking advantage of the school community to read your blog
- Establishing blog rules
- Reasons to blog
- Nodehill French blog comments
- Introducing Silvia Tolisano
- Historical moment - First video conference ever at Nodehill
- Paper blogging
- Advertising your blog and finding your blog on Google
- Choosing your blogging platform
- Defining ‘one click publishing’ and not having to learn html
- Choosing to set up a blog or a website in a box
- Paying for a year’s subscription
- More blog comments and how they help learning
- Creating a buzz with your blog
- Inchinnan and Kirklandneuk examples
Greetings from across the pond - Silvia’s top tips for using technology in the classroom
- Recording pupils with mp3 players for podcasts
- Playing with the technology
- Subscribing to web services which allow you to record your voice by ringing a special number
- which you can then use on a school trip with a mobile phone
- Using Google Earth to make learning connections
- Using iRivers to make audio recordings outside the classroom on field trips
- Posting recordings on a travel blog so parents can see what there children are doing when they are away
- Recording students singing as a memory aid
- Recording class presentations and being published
- Giving others access to students’ work outside the classroom
- Nick Wiltshire, Leader of History asks Silvia for her ideas on using technology in history
- Silvia’s final thoughts and offering to make more connections across the pond
Interviewing the Nodehill bloggers
Gill Bushell, Leader of RE describes the RE blog Believe it or not
- Reasons for setting up the blog and how Gill is now using it to raise the profile of RE and improve her own ICT skills
- Keeping a sense of continuity when deciding on layout and design
- Choosing a name
- Promoting RE in and outside school for recording events such as Special Acts of Worship, M.A.P.P days (More Able Pupil Project Days) and to publish children’s work
- Encouraging pupils to leave comments
- Providing opportunities for Self and peer assessment
- Positive response from pupils and giving them what they want
- The personalised benefits of accessing resources at home
Richard Peace, Geography and Science teacher who is in charge of our Eco-schools project describes his blog Take the weather with you
- Choosing to set up a blog to promote the work of the Nodehill Meteorological Club
- Creating weekly audio forecasts or 'Metcasts' made by pupils to predict the weekend weather on the Isle of Wight
- The benefits of publishing on the World Wide Web
- Linking to other useful resources
- Getting excited by hits from all over the world
- Relating content to Year 8 topic in Geography scheme of work
- Discussing climate change
- Receiving comments from pupils
- Adding Widgets to your blog
- Advert for weekly weather photo
- Reviewing the weekly Metcast to gauge its accuracy
- Setting your blog as a widget to aid subscription
- Advertising each other’s Nodehill blogs
- Plans to launch an Eco-schools blog
Peter Schlachter, Leader of Numeracy describes his Nodehill Maths blog
- Overcoming initial scepticism about the potential of blogging
- Deciding to set up a blog as a way of helping parents to give their children further support in maths away from the classroom
- Concentrating on ‘real-life’ problems such as weights, measures, telling the time and times tables
- Creating downloadable pdf files and Word documents with blank templates for extra practice
- Dealing with copyright and time management issues
- Organising a meeting with parents to explain the aims of the blog
- Competing with other Nodehill blogs and getting excited by worldwide hits
- Using key words in Google Blog Search or WidgetBox to find blogs
Nick Wiltshire, Leader of History describes his website and blog History Nodehill
- Deliberately not choosing to go the Typepad way
- Creating a permanent digital resource for parents, staff and pupils
- Blogging as personal therapy
- Researching the history of the school
- Adding a poll and map
- Typepad v Mr Site
- Becoming ‘blog happy’
- Recording a M.A.P.P day at The Roman Villa
- Adding password-protected Pathé videos which pupils are encouraged to access from home
- Including reference to the site in the medium term plans for History
- Going to the National Archive
- Creating downloadable documents to support homework
- Uploading useful references
- Developing and organising a links page
- Adding educational games
- Creating a blidget and RSS feed reader
Podcasting
- The benefits of podcast
- Audacity demo and using podsafe music
- Assignment: Podcast
- The Golden Rules: Script, Record and Edit
- Creating a blogging and podcasting culture
- Podcasting examples
- MFL blog examples
- Blogging and podcasting links
- Carisbloggers example
- A few final thoughts and thanks
Show Notes
Steph Hopkins subscription quote
eTwinning conference in Brussels
Flashmeeting example – Porters Grange Primary School and school in China
Blogosphere programme on Teachers TV
Blogging platforms – Blogger, Word Press, Edublogs, Windows Live Spaces or Typepad
Inchinnan and Kirklandneuk blogs
Greetings from across the pond Flashmeeting example
Widgetbox and making your blog into a widget/blidget
Nine Acres Primary Podcasting Day
Blogging and podcasting links
Carisbloggers (Kyra Ward)
Post-it note comments
General comments
Very useful and informative. Rather concerned about time needed to set up and update site
What legal rules are there with regards to putting photos of pupils on the net?
To share ideas with other professionals - lesson plans?
How do you arrange for a whole class to record their work?
What has an iPod got to do with a podcast?
What is the TIME management for your blog? How do you regulate your blog?
Well done Joe. I think we will all go blog crazy now!
Blog - real audience. It's got to be motivational. Podcast - on event in curriculum area. Pupils could explain process for subject skills
Great tips on how to use blogs better and include speech for those of lesser ability who struggle to write
You've inspired me to try it out!
Could we have a session where we blog?
What is the difference between a 'website + bulletin board' and a 'blog'? Aren't they the same?
Giving tips for exams or revision techniques
Why do you have to 'book time' for the Flashmeeting? Does it cost? (per minute?)
The pen is mightier than the sword ...
How often do you have to check emails?
Whilst at Superchoice visit with Year 6 - lots of them were using Bebo - anything to keep them interested and excited in the class should be encouraged - this is their technology! Their way of learning!
Subject-specific comments
Design and Technology - Gamemaker - Can post their games for other children to play on
Geography - Development of new original content - to publish and make available to pupils
Animation Club / Film Club - Set up a blog to celebrate all the work they do
My response
Time - Time is always an issue for any teacher. Blogging can be time-consuming if you let it. Once the blog is set up which takes a couple of hours in my experience, it's up to you how you choose to use it. I suggest experimenting and seeing how your pupils react.
Photos of pupils - As teachers we need to gain permission from parents which could be done on an individual basis or through a blanket policy covering any multimedia eventuality)
The iPod myth - because the word podcast has the word 'pod' in it, there is a common misconception that you need an iPod to podcast when this is not in fact the case.
Whole class recording with mp3 players - This depends on your purpose. If pupils record themselves all at once in pairs, then clearly there will be background noise. If the aim is for them simply to practise listening to themselves speak, that's OK. If they want to make a 'best' version they can take it in turns in or outside the classroom.
The difference between a 'website + bulletin board' and a 'blog'? - I think a blog is arguably more dynamic and perhaps more straightforward to set up. Moreover, as the blogmaster you can set your own tone and direct conversations yourself more easily. There are many similarities though, I agree.
Booking sessions for Flashmeeting - It is free to use Flashmeeting, but you have to set up an account first. I would imagine that you have to book sessions so The Open University can keep a record of who is using the service to ensure no-one abuses it.
Checking emails - I find moderating comments is not an onerous task as long as you don't ask too many classes to leave them all at the same time!
See Silvia's response to her Flashmeeting experience here
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Hi Joe - how's it going, I have used your videoconference with Sylvia Tolisano as an example in a post today on Flashmeeting - I have now got booking rights thanks to Jeff Howson and the team. I tried it out on 20th with 2 friends from NZ who were very impressed and can now book their own videoconferences as well. Keep up the good work.
Paul
Posted by: Paul Harrington | 29/04/2007 at 21:18
Thanks for the link to Edublogs - we're always trying to provide the best blogging service we can for educators - with many of the other features you mention (slideshare, flickr etc.) all completely integrated.
Posted by: James Farmer | 30/04/2007 at 04:07
Thanks for the mention Paul. I'll be seeing Jeff and John at the eTwinning conference in Nottingham on 1st June-3rd June 2007.
Here are the details: http://www.britishcouncil.org/etwinning-uk-national-conference-2007.htm
You can sign up here:
https://survey.britishcouncil.org/wix/p7004958.aspx
Best wishes
Joe
Posted by: Joe Dale | 30/04/2007 at 06:55
Joe,
Thank you for inviting me to participate in your professional development session. The best part is experiencing first hand what we are trying to transmit to our students: Global Collaboration & Learning. I hope we can continue collaborating by involving teachers and students we work with.
Greetings from Florida/USA
Posted by: Langwitches | 30/04/2007 at 20:45
Joe,
I hope to meet you in Nottingham - fingers crossed - I finally listened to the audio file great to hear from your Nodehill Bloggers - thanks for the tip on Assignment Podcast - I will be using that in my presentation to staff on podcasting on Thursday...
Paul
Posted by: Paul Harrington | 30/04/2007 at 23:01
This is a great overview of the many ways that we as educators can support and extend learning using "new technology" - I've just started that journey and in a month I've been so excited by the possibilities. I have put a link to your blog on my blog, which is part of the Haringey "Transformation Teachers Programme", so hopefully lots of our teachers will be able to be inspired by your site. Thanks. Susan
Posted by: Susan Kambalu | 01/05/2007 at 21:05
Thank you for all these lovely comments. Let's keep the conversation going ...
Posted by: Joe Dale | 02/05/2007 at 07:42
Joe, thanks for dropping by and sharing these links! Hey are you in New Zealand? I think I recognize that stadium you're standing in in your photo!
Take care,
Miguel Guhlin
Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net
http://www.mguhlin.net
Posted by: Miguel Guhlin | 03/05/2007 at 01:59
Hi Miguel,
Thanks for your comment. I'm not from New Zealand. I live on the Isle of Wight in England. The stadium shot is Stamford Bridge where Chelsea FC play their football. The photo was taken at the SSAT Lead Practitioner Induction Meeting in June 2006.
Posted by: Joe Dale | 03/05/2007 at 07:19
Hi, Joe.
I visit your blog from time to time, and read all of your posts with great interest. However,I struggle with the concept of using Web 2.0 in my Spanish classrooms, and its actual value in learning a MFL. Thus, I present here my dilemmas, which, perhaps, you, Joe, or your readers can provide support/insight:
1. Using such things as wikis, Podcasts, and blogs with non-native speakers of a MFL seems contrived to me, i.e. a blog for posting student work, a wiki for a culture project, a podcast for presenting commericals. These are perhaps fun and engaging ways for students to present their work. However, unless I am partnered with, say, a classroom in Spain and working with native Spanish-speakers, then the use of such tools does not seem very purposeful and authentic to me.
2. Using a cell phone to text-message verb conjugations from one student to an other in the classroom may be a fun and novel technique, but, does it really enhance the learning of those verbs?
In any event, the question I ask is: Why?
Posted by: Miss Profe | 06/05/2007 at 16:10
Hi Miss Profe,
Great comment!
For me, Web 2.0 tools and teaching modern foreign languages fit perfectly together because they help pupils learn and communicate by using different skills.
e.g
podcasts: listening, speaking and writing (if they prepare a script)
blogs: writing and reading
wikis: writing
By publishing their work on the web we are creating new opportunities for it to be accessed away from the classroom and therefore to a real audience.
If the audience includes native speakers then they can leave comments in the target language which I believe the pupils find very motivating as they like meeting new people.
Moreover, pupils are using this type of technology already in their free time and therefore I think as teachers we should think of ways of integrating Web 2.0 tools into our practice.
In my experience, the learning benefits and motivation outweigh the concern that what they are doing may be seen by some as artificial. Blogs and podcasts do create communities which potentially can grow and grow. Given time, these communities will include native speakers as passive readers or as commentators.
If you have a link with a partner school, your native speaker audience is ready made and you don't need to build one up gradually which makes life easier.
As for cellphones, I think they have huge potential, but we have to think how we can use them safely within the classroom, particularly if we are going to use them to record audio or video
So in short, do Web 2.0 tools enhance their learning? Yes they do and yes we should be using them!
What does everyone else think?
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/05/2007 at 18:16
Thank you, Joe, for your detailed and sensitive response, i.e. thank you for not whopping me over the head for asking the question.:)
Posted by: Miss Profe | 12/05/2007 at 18:51