Andrew Grenfell on the Linguacast project
Andrew Grenfell, manager of the Open Learning Resources for the School of Modern Languages at Newcastle University was one of the first language specialists in the UK to explore the potential of podcasting as an educational tool. Launching the Linguacast project with colleague David Lowe back in 2005, Andrew started his research by making EFL material to support international students, then built up a depository of resources in various languages recorded by native speakers and finally provided language learning materials for KS3 and 1st year A level students
The project then stalled for a while following a funding hiatus, but was able to carry on thanks to the Routes into Languages initiative in 2007 and has gone from strength to strength. For example, pupils can now visit the university for a day, learn how to podcast or create digital videos and publish the results on the Linguacast site. Andrew has also designed the web repository Universed which features free materials in a range of languages for access in school or at home.
In our 25 minute interview, Andrew describes how the two strands of his research have developed over time and what his plans are for the future.
Download Interview_with_Andrew_Grenfell.mp3
Summary
- introductions
- starting the Linguacast project and developing it into two separate strands
- deciding to use PowerPoint as a way of producing enhanced podcasts as well as standalone mp3 files following feedback
- organising Linguapod/Linguacast days and using native speakers to support local pupils
- choosing a theme, creating a storyboard and developing microphone techniques
- publishing podcasts and vodcasts on the web and also burning them on to CD for pupils to take home
- giving pupils tasters in languages such as Chinese and Russian
- seeing the reaction from the pupils
- practising pronunciation and creating short soap operas
- podcasting in a Sanako digital language lab with microphone headsets and using an iRiver for mobile recordings
- keeping things simple, contentrating on language and having fun
- how the project has expanded in the last two years due to funding and the Routes into Languages initiative
- launching the Universed site as a way of collecting good MFL resources together from sites such as YouTube, Flickr and Del.icio.us as a celebration of language and culture
- controlling the quality of materials on the site
- dealing with blocked sites
- encouraging language teachers to add resources
- Windy Nook Primary School podcasting and vodasting at Gateshead CLC
- organising the Euromarché project
- promoting mp3 files as a flexible resource
- receiving positive feedback and learning by doing
- producing a range of resources to support the project
- getting into podcasting and being an early adopter
- designing the Universed site on the back of an envelope
- creating and editing authentic resources
- explaining RSS feeds
- making the move from analogue to digital
- a few final thoughts
Show Notes
Podcasting project investigates international market
Schools Enterprise Euromarché podcast site
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