Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:

Create mobile phone quizzes in MS Paint

Lilian Soon from xlearn has come up with the creative idea of using MS Paint to make simple multiple choice quizzes for mobile phones which could be a useful technique for providing distance learning opportunities for pupils and an alternative to the free software eBook to images.

A jpeg quiz on the phone shows the idea in action and Creating quizzes for the phone runs through the process of generating a quiz.

Thanks to Dave Foord for the shout out.

Checking out the Samson CO3U microphone

 

This weekend, I've been playing around with my new Samson USB microphone which arrived on Thursday. As you can see from the picture, I bought a pair of headphones and a pop filter too as well as a shock mount and boom stand to stop vibrations from the floor affecting the audio quality.

The condensor microphone is USB plug and play which means it doesn't need any extra software to be installed to get it to work although you can download the Softpre software to allow you to check your recording levels which is useful.  It has a three setting switch on the side which allows you to choose whether to record unidirectionally (single speaker), bi-directionally (two speakers) or omnidirectionally (a room of speakers). Check out this detailed guide about installation of the Samson CO3U for more information.

See this link for more explanation about different types of microphone.

For using the Samson in Audacity, click on the Edit menu, select Preferences and click on the drop down menu next to Recording Device and select Samson USB Mic. Click OK.

Have a listen to the demo of what the mike sounds like when recorded in Audacity and passed through The Levelator. Enjoy.

Download Samson_CO3U_demo 

This evening, I also talked about the new mike on the EdTechRoundup Flashmeeting. Here is the audio of my bit.

Download Samson_CO3U_on_ETR

As you can hear the quality is a far cry of what can be achieved as above, but this is because of the processing done by Flashmeeting during the recording not the microphone!

Show Notes

Samson CO3U podcasting pak

SE Electronics Pop filter

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones (these are closed headphones which means sound cannot 'leak out' from them and create feedback)

K & M 210 boom stand

Samson SoftPre

Snowball Blue

MXL USB microphones

Sonar CakeWalk

Tutorials

The Right Microphone for Podcasting

Samson C03U Podcast Kit

Unboxing Samson CO1U Mic

Review Samson CO1U Mic

How to setup Samson CO1U Mic

Podcast - Microphone Techniques

Blue SnowBall side by side Comparison and Review - microphone

MXL USB Stereo Mic Demo

Powerpoint Spotlight Tool

Mark Purves from Ecclesbourne School has devised a method of imitating the spotlight tool on an interactive whiteboard, but in PowerPoint. Ingenious!

Mark first revealed this neat trick just before Xmas on Talkabout Primary MFL where he posted two versions of his speed reading presentation and clips showing them in action. Janet Carruthers then posted a variation of the idea to the language forum MFLresources which you can download here.

Download Janet_Carruthers_example

As Mark explains in his tutorial the key to the technique is placing the text in front of the object used to reveal what is underneath and setting the text colour the same as the background. To do this right click the text, select Order and Bring to Front. In Mark's examples he uses motion paths to the text appear in little chunks whereas Janet prefers the custom animation Fly Out Very Slow To Right

Playing around with the idea myself, I applied the drag and drop macro to an oval shape which meant I could move it around the screen to uncover the text in any way I wanted as opposed to the linear presentations of Mark and Janet. I also applied different triggers to the motion paths to generate a range of effects.

This is not to say that any one method is better than another, just different. My presentations are here for you to have a look at too and adapt as you wish:

Download Spotlight Tool

Download Speed Read Trigger

Thanks for the inspirational use of PowerPoint, Mark and for your 'how to video'. Very useful.

Around the World with 80 Schools Project

In this clip, Howard Wolinsky interviews Silvia Tolisano, technology integration facilitator at San José Episcopal Day School in Jacksonville FL about her Around the World with 80 Schools Project.

Sylvia who has been using Skype for a few years now in her own school wants to encourage others to participate in a global experiment where classrooms around the world can connect with each other and pupils can explain a little bit about where they live and what life is like in their country in 5 minute conversations. This could mean simply saying hello, learning some foreign words or collecting data for a weather report.

Sylvia finds that using Skype in this way makes learning real for pupils and proves how small the world has become thanks to technology.

Within a week of its launch, nearly 60 schools have signed up for the project already which bodes very well for its success and proves the desire for schools to collaborate with around the world.

To cope with time differences, Sylvia is intending to organise sessions before school and in the evening so that pupils can talk to their international peers in different continents in real time. To call countries such as Australia, New Zealand and China, this may mean having a lockin sleepover party so that as night falls pupils can connect with schools that are waking up across the globe.

If you would like to take part in the project, you can sign up on the Google Form Sylvia has prepared. She is particularly interested in hearing from classrooms from Europe and Africa.

If you are concerned about using Skype in the classroom, I suggest you listen to Dave Solon's podcast interview Skype is a Valuable Educational Tool which should put your fears to rest.

Adding accents in Smart Notebook

A common problem amongst language teachers using SMART Notebook software with their interactive whiteboard is not knowing how to add accented letters. Well this clip provides one solution by showing how you can change the language of the keyboard settings in Windows to combat the issue.

Thank you Miss Duckworth for the tutorial.

SSAT Languages Lead Practitioner Seminar

 

Following the success of my SSAT LP seminar on blogging and podcasting in Colchester, I'm delighted to announce a repeat performance at Shireland CLC in the West Midlands this month.

If you are interested in finding out more about the potential of blogging and podcasting to enhance language learning and offer personalised distance learning opportunities to your students, why not download the flyer and apply to attend the course? You won't regret it.

Download Shireland flyer

Here is some of the feedback from Colchester to whet your appetite:

Thanks for an enjoyable day.I had a great day and now feel inspired to use the ideas with my classes. Can't wait to get started. (Steph Rudkin)

Thanks for a really great training day. Have already secured funding for an iriver and a MFL blog! Now just got to get started!! (Melissa Capes)

Many thanks for an excellent day-it was really inspiring and I aim to put all the practical advice to good use right away! We're also going to sort our blog subscription out and get going as soon as we can! (Lorraine Hunt)

Download Feedback_from_Colchester

See you on the 29th!

Creativity in languages

Simon Cox, Head of MFL from Bishop Ullathorne School has made an interesting presentation on creativity in languages.

You can download the original PowerPoint from here.

Switching windows with Alt Tab PowerToy

 

When you have a number of windows open on your PC, finding what you want can be a laborious task. The traditional keyboard shortcut to speed up the process is holding down the Alt key and then pressing Tab. However, if you install the Alt-Tab Replacement tool for Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP you will also see a thumbnail of each open window which makes life even easier to find what you want quickly and easily.

Why not try it out and see what you think.

Podcasting advice from Danny Kelly

On these VideoJug clips, Danny Kelly shares his wealth of experience in radio broadcasting to give some great tips on how to get the most out of podcasting. These include not tieing yourself to a script, being spontaneous and laughing when your interviewee cracks a joke!

For more insights on the wacky world of podcasting, take a minute or two to watch these videos. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Best microphone for podcasting?

In this clip, Chris from Jupiter Broadcasting reviews some of his favourite microphones for podcasting from budget devices to pro-level equipment.

The microphones mentioned are:

• Rode Mic
• Blue Snowball
• MXL 990
• Heil PR-40

Interestingly, he didn't mention the cheap and cheerful Logitech USB desktop mike nor the Samson CO3U which can be purchased as a pack including a stand and shock mount. Well worth considering too for podcasting, particularly if you are an Audacity fan .