When indie ICT consultant Leon Cych sent me a text message via Skype a couple of weeks ago asking to video interview me for his Learn 4 Life blog, I felt truly honoured. I've known about Leon's work for quite a long time now, but we only shared contact details recently following last month's NextGen Teachers Skypecast where he explained his mission to go around the country interviewing 'nodal' teachers on their ideas on using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.
The first date of his nationwide tour took place on 12th June at Caerphilly with Welsh blogger Paul Harrington who passed on some of his great ideas about blogging, digital video and eTwinning projects. Alex Savage, SSAT ICT lead practitioner coordinator and I shared the second date as we were both in London at the same time, attending the LP Induction day at The Emirates Stadium the following day. Here is a summary of our vodcast conversation. Hope you enjoy it and thanks again to Leon for inviting this so-called Nodehill 'nodal' to take part.
Leon has posted the video on Blip.tv. As a pro user, this means that an mp3 version of the clip is generated automatically too. You can download it from here.
Download Alex_Savage_and_Joe_Dale_interview.mp3
Summary
- Introductions and teaching backgrounds
- deciding to switch from teaching French to ICT because of being demotivated by having to invent imaginary scenarios and reasons for pupils to practise their language skills
- finding that ICT was more fun and something that the pupils wanted to do
- finding a real reason for communicating with native speakers from other countries
- describing the relationship between ICT and languages being a 'perfect fit'
- starting off by creating interactive exercises and PowerPoint presentations for whole class teaching which pupils found motivating across the ability range
- getting into Web 2.0 technologies and being inspired by Scottish expertise in the field
- trying to spread the word in a clear and practical way about the potential of new technologies by writing for the TES, setting up my own blog and by being a lead practitioner
- nurturing a community by readers leaving comments on the blog
- drawing from existing language fora and making new contacts
- dealing with LEA's filtering Web 2.0 services and raising awareness of the power of new technologies for learning
- promoting educational web services that can be used safely in schools
- using Flashmeeting to safely videoconference with pupils from around the world
- resisting the urge to always be looking for the next big idea and getting back to the basics of blogging
- moderating individual pupil comments on one blog instead of the 'nightmare' of having to moderate multiple comments on multiple pupil blogs
- establishing blog rules so pupils comment appropriately in a safe environment
- the importance of 'nodal' people collaborating with each other and encouraging others to come on board
- combining the power of wikis, blogs and RSS feeds to bring ideas together as 'courseware'
- recognising a rise in teacher blogs over the last twelve months and the importance of getting colleagues to share good practice with each other
- interviewing innovative practitioners via Skype or at conferences and publishing their thoughts on the web
- downloading offline versions of useful video clips at home for use in class
- taking advantage of the ease of finding authentic resources on the web for language learning
- YouTube creating country specific versions of their site
- Our top tips for killer services
- using online surveys between schools in different countries to make the analysis of data more engaging and real
- the benefits of using Flashmeeting (free and simple to use, no software needed apart from Flash and a web browser, one speakers at a time so uses less bandwidth compared to other VC service, can record and edit conversations)
- setting up a moderated departmental blog to publish your pupils' work (pictures of pupils' exercise books, wall displays, recordings of pupils speaking in a foreign language, video clips and useful links)
- encouraging colleagues in other departments to do the same
- the rise of the Nodehill bloggers
- ticking the assessment for learning box
- creating a local community around your blog and encouraging your pupils, friends and families to leave comments
- using blidgets so departments can advertise each others' blogs and collaborate together
- time management and networking with others using Ning
- saving time by using RSS so posts come to you via a blog reader or email account rather than you having to visit individual sites yourself
- the importance of creating an engaging title for your blog post
- RSS v Feedwhip
- Drew Buddie setting up the popular the eTwinning ambassadors Ning network
- creating a typelist Ning Network set of links as a reminder
Show Notes
SSAT Lead Practitioner Induction Day
Breaking down the classroom walls with technology
How local blogs can create communities
If you were wondering what my t-shirt says, it's La vie est simple ... Manger, Dormir et Naviguer sur Internet - Life is simple ... Eat, Sleep and Surf the Internet
Thank you for bringing such nice posts. Your blog is always fascinating to read.
Posted by: Ann | 01/07/2007 at 14:38
Cheers Ann. Thanks for dropping by.
Posted by: Joe Dale | 01/07/2007 at 15:28