The buzz at the ICT Links into Languages Conference (ILILC) earlier this month was extraordinary. A joyous coming together of like-minded language teachers, friends and colleagues passionate and willing to share and learn from each other in a relaxed and supportive environment. The celebration of a grassroots movement coming of age was testament to the power of social media and the desire for colleagues to meet up face to face in these difficult financial times.
Two days of inspirational talks, live streams, workshops and learning conversations followed enabling the buzz to flourish and helping the community commonly known as the MFL Twitterati to grow and make history in the process.
In my keynote speech I tried to set the mood for the conference by describing the roots of the Twitterati and the people power they represent. You can decide for yourself how successful I was in fulfilling these two objectives by watching the video replay or slidecast here.
Download If_you_build_it_they_will_come.mp3
As part of the keynote, I played a short clip which pooled together tweets which were sent in response to the question ‘What does the MFL Twitterati mean to you?’
One of the key messages conveyed in these tweets was the way in which colleagues like the support they receive from each other to help them cope personally and professionally in their jobs.
This of course is a universal theme valued in all walks of life, but arguably more so in teaching where it is easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed by the demands of the job at times.
I asked language teachers Fiona Rose from Australia and Melinda Sears from the U.S to answer the question too. Their responses can be heard here.
A moving example of the power of Twitter was brilliantly exemplified by Annalise Adam at the memorable MFL Show and Tell which took place at the end of day one of the conference. Thwartedmum as she is known on Twitter gave a heartfelt presentation on how the MFL Twitterati has supported her during some difficult times recently and the difference this has had on her pupils’ learning as well as her own well-being.
- 01_Introductions.mp3
- 02_Cover_it_Live_Lingro_and_Twister.mp3
- 03_El_Oso_ Marrón.mp3
- 04_Cooperative_Learning.mp3
- 05_Peux_tu_marcher_comme_un_canard.mp3
- 06_Les_pouces_en_avant.mp3
- 07_Getting_excited_about_languages.mp3
- 08_The_Languages_Rap.mp3
- 09_Creative_Partnerships_in_MFL.mp3
- 10_Bing_Map_Apps_Songsmith_and_PhotoSynth.mp3
- 11_Twitter_is_my_lifeline.mp3
- 12_Soy_una_taza.mp3
- 13_Introducing_writing_no_fears_no_tears.mp3
- 14_Xīn_nián_hǎo_ya.mp3
- Get real!Language Learning for the 21st Century
- Languages: Reboot
- Inspiration in a hashtag
- #ililc
- Get Inspired, Create and Share
- Flashmeeting for easy videoconferencing
- Using ICT to Enhance Teaching and Learning in MFL
- Reflections on ICT Links into Languages Conference
- #ililc
- What can eTwinning do for you?
- A guide to using wikis in MFL
- The Inset is excellent, but where's the impact?
- Peux-tu marcher comme un canard?
- Tell me a story
- Simple and Effective Tips for Transition KS2-KS3
- My contribution to the great #ililc debate- but is there any debate?
- Moblogging from #ililc
- Soy una taza
- The importance of intercultural understanding
- PPT Magic
- Getting started with screencasting
- Creative Partnerships: French Rap Project
- Personal learning and Thinking Skills In The Languages Classroom
- What now?
- ICT in the MFL Faculty
- Get Inspired, Create and Share
- Slidecasting
- Flashmeeting for easy videoconferencing
- Using ICT to Enhance Teaching and Learning in MFL
- My week-end in Southampton
- ICT in MFL conference by Links into Languages South East of England
- You show me yours
- #ililc Southampton
- ICT Links into Languages Conference
- ICT Links into Languages
- Joe Dale built it... And yes, we came, we saw, we WILL conquer!
- Teeching the Teechurs
- Reflecting on ICT Links into Languages
- From Generation X to the XBOX generation
- So my teacher went to #ililc, so what’s in it for me?
- Inspiration from England!
- Where to go on the internet, with thanks to Alex Blagona
- The Southampton ICT conference - worth a weekend?
Karen Woods recorded a podcast over the two day event which really captures a flavour of everyone's thoughts and feelings:
Download Links_celebration_mixdown.MP3
Here are some photo sets from ILILC by Lisa Stevens, Helen Myers, Annalise Adam, Volker Green and me
A huge thank you to Zena Hilton, the Links into Languages team, Jo Rhys-Jones, Rachel Hawkes, the speakers and all the delegates for making the vision of ILILC a reality. It was an unforgettable weekend which was only made possible because of the power of the community and the combined efforts of everyone involved. Southampton University has confirmed they would like to run the event again next year so watch this space for further news on this in the future.
Following tradition, we will be having an MFL Flashmeeting Special on ILILC on Monday 28th February 2011. Feel free to join us and share your thoughts on the event and how we can now spread the word even wider.
You may also be interested in listening to a conversation I had with Steven Anderson and Ken Royal on the latest episode of the Royal Treatment podcast where I talk about about ILILC and the power of the community. Thanks to Ken for setting this up.
Download edtech_over_the_pond.mp3Check out too the MFL Flashmeeting ILILC Special where we reflect on the conference and how best to carry on spreading the word!
Until the next time...
Hello, Joe! This is Sheena Nettles again. I'm a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I really enjoyed reading this post. You did such a great job setting a positive mood for this language conference. The videos and the slidecast were great. The MFL Flashmeeting Special on ILILC sounds great! I wish that I could join you! Terrific Post!
Posted by: Sheena Nettles | 05/03/2011 at 22:39
Hi Sheena,
Thanks for your latest comment and for this blog post: http://nettlessheenaedm310.blogspot.com/2011/03/c4t-summary-2.html
The buzz from the conference has been amazing! Long may it continue. The next MFL Flashmeeting will be on 2nd April 20.30-22.30 GMT. Feel free to join us!
We will create a sign up page here nearer the time:
http://lmhtob.wikispaces.com
Best wishes
Joe
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/03/2011 at 00:00
Hi Joe,
Great website! I am interested in contacting you with regard to some inset delivery for the Catholic Partnership - do you have an email address we can correspond on?
Posted by: Deirdre Duignan | 06/01/2012 at 14:01