Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:: NUI Galway Modern Languages Symposium

Download New_tools_new_curriculum_new_opportunities_nui_galway.mp3

Download New_tools_new_curriculum_new_opportunities_nui_galway.ppt

Flying to Galway on Thursday last week was exciting for two main reasons. Firstly, it meant I could return to Ireland for another training opportunity and secondly I would at last be able to give my first proper keynote speech after four years of trying. I'm very grateful to Michelle Tooher the organiser of the Modern Languages Symposium for giving me this chance and for making me feel so welcome at NUI Galway.

Another highlight of the trip was meeting Paul Gormley who interviewed me via Skype back in March 2007 for the Modern Languages Comunity of Practice podcast. I'd like to thank Paul and Michelle too for their support promoting The Isle of Wight Conference on the NDLR blog in recent years.

Speaking in front of university lecturers was somewhat daunting, but my practical, honest approach seemed to go down well and I guess set the tone for the day. The conversation during our 3 course lunch was certainly animated and it was a pleasure to share ideas with like-minded colleagues.

I'd also like to thank all those people on Twitter who replied to my tweet at the start of my talk about personal learning networks (PLNs). Although I ran out of time to share them with delegates on the day, you can see them below in full.

In the afternoon, Paul and I did some hands-on workshops on blogging and podcasting and before leaving I even had a chance to look around the university's recording studio. Very cool.

Staying at The Westwood Hotel was also very memorable what with the luxurious surroundings, fast wifi access and generous breakfasts. Please note the picture below was taken the day before all Irish pork was recalled due to concerns over contamination.

I even had time to fit in the OZ/NZ Flashmeeting on Sunday morning before flying home thanks to the built in webcam on my MSI WInd. Very handy.

Hope you enjoy the keynote as much as I enjoyed my Irish breakfast, not to mention the Guinness or two I had before returning to good old blighty! Sláinte!

Summary

Introduction
quoting Kathy Wicksteed quoting Chris Maynard from QCA at Language World 2008
inviting teachers to be bold when implementing the new KS3 curriculum
Alec Couros' diagram of the networked teacher
creating new CPD opportunities using RSS
how language teachers are creating their own Personal Learning Networks (PLN)
explaining RSS and how to subscribe in Google Reader
tailouring materials to personalise learning for students
finding the RSS feed in your browser
subscribing to a RSS feed
celebrating language related events on Flickr
tagging photos on Flickr so pictures can be shared by different people in the same collection
embedding Flickr slideshows on to your blog
uploading videos as well as images to Flickr
using the video fuction on a still digital camera
subscribing to the photostreams of other language teachers
sharing your favourite websites online with social bookmarking
using email to find out about the latest updates as an alternative to RSS
adding a del.icio.us tag roll to your blog
the benefits of being part of an online community (fora/Ning networks)
having an open or closed network
micro-blogging with Twitter
the power of asking questions on Twitter
twittering at The Isle of Wight Conference 2008
using Twitter for language learning purposes
Twitter blending the personal with the professional
downloading YouTube clips and embedding them into PowerPoint
creating customised RSS feeds to search for clips by username and tag
using Skype to make free calls to other users or inexpensive calls to landlines over the internet
recording and editing Skype calls from a USB stick
bringing authentic voices into the classroom
using SkypeOut credit to ring landlines for a few pence
videoconferencing with Flashmeeting
using wikis for creative writing, collaborative projects and for hosting multimedia resources
reasons to start blogging and ideas on promoting your blog
ideas to start moblogging
using a UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC)
the educational value of podcasting
CILT video case studies on the effective use of ICT
using podcasting for assessment for learning purposes and distance learning
using podcasting for global citizenship and eTwinning
some cool tools for schools (Wordle, Mobus, Tumblr+Kwout, VoiceThread, eBook to Images, Go! Animate)
how to morph your voice in Audacity
further reading
a few final thoughts