Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:: Mark Pentleton on the power and potential of podcasting

Mark_pentleton_at_podcampuk

I've been a fan of Mark Pentleton's podcasting prowess since first hearing his PiEcasts and VerbCasts way back in 2005. In fact, it was principally Mark along with Ewan McIntosh who first opened my eyes and ears to the power of podcasting and how it can enhance language learning in so many interesting and creative ways. In the following interview recorded at PodCampUK, Mark talks about the many different projects he has been involved with in recent years including his role as coordinator of PiE (Partners in Excellence), his day job as Curriculum for Excellence Development Officer and his new personal venture Radio Lingua Network and in particular the incredible worldwide success of Coffee Break Spanish launched just days before The Isle of Wight Conference 2006. Hope you find it useful.

Download interview_with_mark_pentleton.mp3

Summary

introduction
interest in ICT, languages and music
becoming the coordinator of the Partners in Excellence project (PiE)
finding ways to motivate young people to learn languages using technology (website, learning environments, digital video, film-making weekends)
starting podcasting to practise language and give students more exposure
defining podcasting as being a delivery method for audio or video content
the flexibility of podcasting letting students learn when and where they learn best
being inspired by PiEcast and the Verbcast
how the 'magazine style show' PiEcast helped to develop and enhance a community
producing learning content with FLA's and pupil 'phone ins' to create more learning opportunities
creating new strategies of learning verbs by using relaxation techniques with the Verbcast
receiving very positive reaction from pupils and teachers and seeing an improvement in writing and an understanding of how verbs are conjugated
seeing the huge potential of student or teacher produced podcasts as a flexible medium which can be of great learning benefit both in and out of the classroom
being aware of issues of access to technology
being able to play mp3 files on mobile phones transfered via USB cable or Bluetooth technology
explaining the potential of podcasting by referring to three specific scenarios 1. pupils learn from their own notes or a handout. 2. pupils download a short podcast outlining the lesson content after school revising the points covered in class. 3. pupils download a podcast prior to a lesson so they have been taught the content already and therefore have more time to ask questions.
seeing practical examples of podcasting in action
asking Mark to speak at the first Isle of Wight Conference after attending Language World 2006
launching Coffee Break Spanish and being excited by the immediate response
explaining the philosophy and content behind CBS
creating a professional sound and the benefits of working with a learner co-host
including some premium content as a way of recouping costs including pdf text files and videos which can be played on an iPod, mobile phone or burned on to DVD
borrowing ideas from the Verbcast by using relaxation techniques and Salsa music to reinforce message
achieving a mindblowing 200,000 downloads of each episode of CBS and 8 million downloads in the first year in total
suggesting the possible success of CBS being based on the flexibility offered by Web 2.0 tools and the community surrounding it
being featured on the home page of the iTunes sandwiched between Chris Moyles and Ricky Gervais
building The Radio Lingua Network with new podcasts - My Daily Phrase Italian, My Daily Phrase German and Love Lingo
planning some new podcasts for more experienced learners in French and German called A Flavour of French and A Flavour of German as well as others for beginners in Dutch, Polish and possibly Mandarin Chinese and Norwegian
creating Café Cortado for Spanish learners looking for feedback on grammar points or translation issues
launching Coffee Break French on 26th September to celebrate The European Day of Languages
experimenting with TwitterLearn as a way of delivering learning content on a regular basis to learners' computers or mobile phones
A few final thoughts on the power of podcasting