Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:

Using Google Maps in MFL

Simon Howells from Cheadle Hulme School has created a brilliant clip showing how to use Google Maps and Street View to create an interesting and engaging way of teaching directions. The screencast takes you through each stage of the process and explains how pupils can produce a PowerPoint as a final outcome. See example below:

Toni Theisen has also produced a useful resource covering the same topic. See below.

 

Finally, if you want to explore other possibilities of using Google Maps to teach directions have a look at Vidmap and in particular this clip which shows how to geotag a video! It seems to me that pupils could use Vidmap to practise directions by adding subtitles on to a video clip using Movie Maker and then plot the route in Google Maps using the Vidmap interface. What do you think?

Thanks to eyebeams for the heads up

Inserting short phrases into Wordle

 

Did you know that it was possible to insert short phrases into Wordle by putting a ~ between words? Well it is and thanks to Jamie Keddie, his useful blog post and Twitter many more people know too!

For more ideas on using Wordle in the classroom, check out this earlier post which includes many links to other bloggers' ideas. Now I knew I'd find the inspiration to blog on my birthday from somewhere ;)

Skype Home Alabama

 

Inviting a guest speaker to join your class for some informed conversation can be a valuable and engaging experience.

Back in September, I noticed from my Google Alerts that students from the University of South Alabama were blogging about posts I had written on podcasting. Intrigued, I got in contact with their tutor Dr John Strange via Twitter and suggested I took part in a Skype call with them so they could ask me some questions directly and we could learn more about each other.

 
Below is an audio compilation of the best bits of the three calls we made on the day and here is the link to the unedited video.

Download Skype_Home_Alabama.mp3

Hope you find the conversation interesting.

Here are some further ideas on using Skype in the classroom:

• All Schools should Skype
• Using Skype to Connect ESOL Students with Foreign Language Students
• 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom
• Create flexible speaking and listening opportunities with Skype
• Virtual Vikings on real-time rampage
• Tech in the foreign language classroom
• Skype in the K-12 classroom
• Ednam Skype with French school
• Singapore interviews via Skype
• Questioning the potential value of Skype and video-conferencing in the classroom
• Using Skype class to class
• Etherpad and Skype perfect together
• An interview with Enza Antenos Conforti