Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:

MFL Show and Tell 07-08

In the last couple of years, including an unconference element to a national event has proven to be a popular and useful way of allowing like-minded people to share their good practice and network with each other in a more informal setting.

Inspired by the early TeachMeets organised by Ewan McIntosh, I decided to try a similar idea for the second Isle of Wight Conference which allowed delegates as well as 'official speakers' to present their ideas in short bite-size chunks in the pub.

Below are recordings from every session from the last two years. The first come from 2007 at The Castle Inn and the second set from The Bargeman's Rest in 2008. Thanks to all those who volunteered to speak. Now sit back and enjoy.

MFL Show and Tell 2007

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_01_Introduction.mp3

David Noble on handheld devices and his Booruch podcast

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_02_David_Noble.mp3

Leanne Simmonds on learning to blog

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_03_Leanne_Simmonds.mp3

Lesley Billington on creating audio resources for GCSE revision

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_04_Lesley_Billington.mp3

Catherine Basset on her Primary French DVD

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_05_Catherine_Basset.mp3

Flashmeeting on a USB modem

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_06_Flashmeeting.mp3

Chris Fuller on his Euro08 project

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_07_Chris_Fuller.mp3

Lisa Stevens on VoiceThread

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_08_Lisa_Stevens.mp3

Peter Shreeve on languages on the Isle of Wight

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_09_Peter_Shreeve.mp3

Doug Dickinson on Textease Tools

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_10_Doug_Dickinson.mp3

Pilar Reyez Ortiz on using digital audio

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_11_Pilar_Reyez_Ortiz.mp3

Joe Dale on the Nodehill Bloggers on Radio 5 Live

Download 07_MFL_Show_and_Tell_12_Joe_Dale.mp3

MFL Show and Tell 2008

Joe Dale on giving PowerPoint the WOW factor

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_01_Joe_Dale.mp3

Isabelle Jones on integrating ICT into your MFL department

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_02_Isabelle_Jones.mp3

Adam Sutcliffe on creativity and French verbs

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_03_Adam_Sutcliffe.mp3

Chris Fuller on singing the Spanish verb ir (to go) to the tune of Kumbaya

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_04_Chris_Fuller.mp3

Sam Downe on setting up a PodClub

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_05_Sam_Downe.mp3

Jen Sutton on singing the months of the year in Spanish

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_06_Jen_Sutton.mp3

Jo Rhys-Jones on VoiceThread

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_07_Jo_Rhys_Jones.mp3

José Picardo on Edmodo

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_08_Jose_Picardo.mp3

Nick Mair on learning the endings of present tense verbs

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_09_Nick_Mair.mp3

Andy Stanford-Clark on the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project, InfoSlicer and Sugar

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_10_Andy_Stanford_Clark.mp3

Lisa Stevens sings happy birthday and la Vaca Lola

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_11_Lisa_Stevens.mp3

Sarah Ferretti on starting an Italian blog

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_12_Sarah_Ferretti.mp3

Drew Buddie on 50 ways to tell a story

Download 08_MFL_Show_and_Tell_13_Drew_Buddie.mp3

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

Show Notes

SSAT Annual Languages Conference 2008

Kathy Wicksteed at Language World 2008

the new KS3 curriculum

Typical teacher network v the networked teacher

RSS in Plain English

Google Reader in Plain English

Easy ways into RSS

IE7

FireFox

Flickr

European Day of Languages 2008 on Flickr

The Isle of Wight Conference 2007 on Flickr

SSAT Annual Languages Conference 2007 on Flickr

FlickrSLiDR

Video on Flickr

Video VoxPop at Language World 2008 on Flickr

Lisa Stevens' puppets set (lisibo)

Alex Blagona's EDL and LAFTA set (Blaggers)

del.icio.us

My del.icio.us tags

Isabelle Jones' del.icio.us tags

Diigo

Isabelle Jones on Diigo

del.icio.us tag roll

Flashmeeting

MFLresources

TESConnect with RSS

Linguanet Forum

Ning networking

Talkabout Primary MFL Ning

Jo Rhys-Jones

The Isle of Wight Conference Ning

Twitter

Creating your personal learning network with Twitter

Twitter film from IOW Conference 08

The Isle of Wight Conference 2008

Interview with Steve Collis

Quel temps fait-il à Foxford?

Embedding YouTube and Google videos into PowerPoint

Keepvid

Download video clips with Real Player 11

Search YouTube via username with RSS

Subscribe to YouTube video tags via RSS

MFL Karaoke and Role Play Raps

Welcome to Gorseville

GCSE French for Dummies

AuthorStream

Podcast your PowerPoints

Podcasters power up in class

Skype

Recording Skype calls with Pamela

Record and Edit Skype calls from a USB stick

Bucharest eTwinning Conference 2008 and using a USB modem abroad

Audacity Anytime Anyplace Anywhere

Interview with Kathleen Holton

Kathleen Holton at The Isle of Wight Conference

Podcasting and Language Skills

SkypeOut

eTwinning ambassador John Warwick and his email contact

My Flashmeetings

EdTechRoundup

Flashmeeting project for Primary Languages

OZ/NZ Educators

Passionate about podcasting

Live Blogging with Cover It Live

OZ/NZ Educators Ning

Making Use of Blogging, Podcasting and Wikis in the MFL Classroom

Interview with Chris Fuller

Peter Morris and his CILT Wikimania project

CILT Cymru Wetpaint wiki

Making Languages Count: CILT Cymru DVD

MFL Show and Tell 08 wiki

Shozu

Using SkypeOut credit with Utterli

Interview with Chris Holbrook

Liz Kolb at K12 Online

USB modem

Asus Eee PC

MSI Wind

The educational value of podcasting presentation at Jersey e-Learning Conference

Podcasting in Plain English

CILT video case studies on effective use of ICT

Nodehill French Grammar Podcasts

Nodehill French Grammar Podcasts go from strength to strength

Nodehill French Grammar Podcasts now on iTunes

Interview with Adam Sutcliffe

Rate My Mate's Podcast

Chinese Day at Nodehill

Interview with Joe Molloy

Spread the IOW Conference Wordle

Blog on a mobile

Tumblr + Kwout for simple tumbleblogging

Learning languages with VoiceThread

Mobile revision with eBook to images

Go! Animate your lessons

Morph your voice in Audacity

Morph your Voki in Audacity

Posts on blogging, podcasting, moblogging and mobile phones

Twhirl for Twitter

Thinking outside the classroom box

Download Thinking_outside_the_classroom_box_at_The_Language_Show_2008.mp3

Thinking outside the classroom box the presentation Chris Fuller gave at The Language Show 2008 went down a storm. His words on blogging, moblogging, podcasting and mobile phones amongst other things inspired the audience and gave them food for thought about their own practice. Thanks to the power of technology you can enjoy his talk too with this slidecast and audio recording. Hope you like it too.

 

If this is not enough, you can also check out Chris' 'back catalogue', by listening to the slidecast he did with Louise Crossley at the SSAT Languages Conference 2008 in October

Download Thinking_outside_the_classroom_box.mp3

as well as the first ever talk Chris gave which was at The Isle of Wight Conference 2007 when he was a wee Web 2.0 beginner! How he's grown since then! 

Download A_year_in_the_life_of_a_web_2_point_0_beginner.mp3

Quite an inspiration, Mr Fuller! Well done.

eConfident students lead the way

One of the most inspiring sessions I’ve witnessed in the last two years on the use of new technologies and language learning took place at Language World 2007 when I first heard about the amazing work of pupils and staff at Heathfield Foundation Technology College and Shireland CLC in the West Midlands.

A shining example of the educational value of podcasting, digital video work and other collaborative projects, their shared journey has so far produced a wide range of positive learning outcomes, culminating in the ‘phenomenal results’ achieved by the pupils this summer in their Spanish GCSEs.

Now in its fourth year, the project has allowed the pupils to not only develop into able linguists, but also become confident and independent learners who are more than happy to give their views on what helps them with their language learning.

For this reason, I asked Lesley Haggar-Vaughan, e-Learning manager at Shireland CLC and Julie Adoch, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Heathfield whether they would be willing to bring the gang down to this year’s Isle of Wight Conference and I was delighted that they agreed.

Below are the recordings of both the presentation and podcasting workshop they gave at the conference, plus their two legendary sessions from Language World 2007 and 2008 which together provide a convincing argument of the learning benefits of using new technologies in the MFL classroom as recommended in the recent Dearing review.

Download e_Confident_students_in_the_Languages_Classroom_IOW.mp3

Download Podcasting_with_Macs_IOW.mp3

Download e_confident_students_in_the_languages_classroom_LW08.mp3

Download e_Creativity_in_Language_Learning_LW07.mp3

Listening to the pupils describe how technology helps them to take an active role in their learning is a joy to hear, as is their support for traditional textbooks for reinforcing grammar and learning vocabulary.

“In my opinion using technology really helps you develop into the language. Some people may think that using new gadgets and technology with children will hinder their progress in learning, but most children actually grow up using this type of equipment anyway and get used to it. So it actually gives them an incentive to work like it did for me.”

“I find that subjects that always use textbooks and nothing else, they’re not really diverse. They get boring after a while. So you need to keep changing, to keep it interesting which technology does.”

“I enjoy learning interactively in the classroom, using whiteboards, computers, games and textbooks. Textbooks are really good for your vocabulary and your grammar. Yes, I do agree with that. Computers and games however, get more kinaesthetic learners to be involved.”

The collaboration with Shireland CLC began when the pupils were in Year 8 and Lesley invited them to come to the centre and create digital videos of restaurant role plays and fashion shows that they had been practising in class. With careful planning and support from foreign language assistants and sixth formers to keep everyone on task, they shot the clips in small groups and each pupil played a role in the production and editing process. Pupils were encouraged to be creative and use props and humour in their scenes to embed the language and make it more memorable. When all the films were completed Julie would have a ‘cinema lesson’ with drinks and popcorn where everyone could celebrate their combined achievements and enjoy each other’s efforts.

Building on this success, the pupils then started exploring the potential of audio and reinforcing language by podcasting role-plays which they could then listen to again and again. This seemed particularly popular for the less confident ones who were shy appearing in front of the camera, but were happy to record their voices and publish the results on iTunes to a worldwide audience. Using iPods and docking stations meant that they could rehearse and listen back to their scripts before making a definitive version for broadcast.

Next, staff at Heathfield decided to roll out the project across different languages in the department by investing in their own equipment and forming an innovations group to forge cross-curricular links throughout the school. This has resulted in the best uptake of languages at GCSE Julie has seen in the last seven years.

The pupils are now involved in creating a Spanish GCSE revision website to pull together all their prior learning in one place and to act as a model for others in and out of school. Each pupil has taken on a different role in the project such as creating games, proof-reading scripts and adding downloadable content supported by staff from both establishments.

Over the last four years, Julie and Lesley have found that digital video and podcasting are excellent tools for promoting pupils’ productive skills, improving fluency, pronunciation, accuracy and intonation, as well as developing memorisation skills, independence, creativity and collaboration. If you are still not convinced, listen to the pupils speak for themselves. They know how to personalise the curriculum and create distance learning opportunities. They’ve been doing it for years and it’s us who need to catch up. Listen and learn!

Animations at IOW Conference 2008

One of the most popular sessions from this year's Isle of Wight Conference was Mark Pentleton's One Stop Animation workshop. Here are the short clips produced by delegates on the day using webcams, Stop Motion Animator and Windows MovieMaker. They include:

• ¿Eres Nemo?
• Fred et Bob jouent à cache-cache
• Pierre Le Poisson
• C'est Halloween
• El Fantasma, El Blobbo y La Palmera

Thank you to Mark for showing how easy it is to produce such fantastic results in a short period of time using a bit of plasticine and lots of imagination.

I'm sure these clips will give food for thought for anyone interested in integrating animation within the languages classroom ¡Estupendo! 

Testing the Wind at Language Show 2008

As The Language Show fell over our half term break this year, I was lucky enough to be able to attend for all three days and see lots of great sessions from inspirational speakers such as Chris Fuller, Rachel Hawkes, Carole Nicholl, Helen Myers and Alex Blagona (pictured below).

It also gave me an excuse to test drive my new MSI Wind and check out its potential for moblogging, twittering, editing audio and presenting via a projector. Suffice it to say, the Wind rose to the challenge admirably on all fronts and should prove an indispensable tool for the forseeable future with its four hour battery life and stylish good looks to boot!

I spoke on the Saturday morning and repeated my talk from The SSAT Conference recently New tools, new curriculum, new opportunities with an update from The Isle of Wight Conference 2008. The audio, presentation, summary and links are supplied below. Hope you find it useful and thanks to Lisibo for her shot of me in full flow. Mmm.

Download New_tools_new_curriculum_new_opportunities_Language_Show_2008.mp3

Download New_tools_new_curriculum_new_opportunities.ppt

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 function 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
• creating the Nodehill french Grammar Podcasts and putting them on iTunes
• 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

Show Notes

SSAT Annual Languages Conference 2008

Kathy Wicksteed at Language World 2008

the new KS3 curriculum

Typical teacher network v the networked teacher

RSS in Plain English

Google Reader in Plain English

Easy ways into RSS

IE7

FireFox

Flickr

European Day of Languages 2008 on Flickr

The Isle of Wight Conference 2007 on Flickr

SSAT Annual Languages Conference 2007 on Flickr

FlickrSLiDR

Video on Flickr

Video VoxPop at Language World 2008 on Flickr

Lisa Stevens' puppets set (lisibo)

Alex Blagona's EDL and LAFTA set (Blaggers)

del.icio.us

My del.icio.us tags

Isabelle Jones' del.icio.us tags

Diigo

Isabelle Jones on Diigo

del.icio.us tag roll

Flashmeeting

MFLresources

TESConnect with RSS

Linguanet Forum

Ning networking

Talkabout Primary MFL Ning

Jo Rhys-Jones

The Isle of Wight Conference Ning

Twitter

Creating your personal learning network with Twitter

Twitter film from IOW Conference 08

The Isle of Wight Conference 2008

Interview with Steve Collis

Quel temps fait-il à Foxford?

Embedding YouTube and Google videos into PowerPoint

Keepvid

Download video clips with Real Player 11

Search YouTube via username with RSS

Subscribe to YouTube video tags via RSS

MFL Karaoke and Role Play Raps

Welcome to Gorseville

GCSE French for Dummies

AuthorStream

Podcast your PowerPoints

Podcasters power up in class

Skype

Recording Skype calls with Pamela

Record and Edit Skype calls from a USB stick

Bucharest eTwinning Conference 2008 and using a USB modem abroad

Audacity Anytime Anyplace Anywhere

Interview with Kathleen Holton

Kathleen Holton at The Isle of Wight Conference

Podcasting and Language Skills

SkypeOut

eTwinning ambassador John Warwick and his email contact

My Flashmeetings

EdTechRoundup

Flashmeeting project for Primary Languages

OZ/NZ Educators

Passionate about podcasting

Live Blogging with Cover It Live

OZ/NZ Educators Ning

Making Use of Blogging, Podcasting and Wikis in the MFL Classroom

Interview with Chris Fuller

Peter Morris and his CILT Wikimania project

CILT Cymru Wetpaint wiki

Making Languages Count: CILT Cymru DVD

MFL Show and Tell 08 wiki

Shozu

Using SkypeOut credit with Utterli

Interview with Chris Holbrook

Liz Kolb at K12 Online

USB modem

Asus Eee PC

MSI Wind

The educational value of podcasting presentation at Jersey e-Learning Conference

Podcasting in Plain English

CILT video case studies on effective use of ICT

Nodehill French Grammar Podcasts

Nodehill French Grammar Podcasts go from strength to strength

Nodehill French Grammar Podcasts now on iTunes

Interview with Adam Sutcliffe

Rate My Mate's Podcast

Chinese Day at Nodehill

Interview with Joe Molloy

Spread the IOW Conference Wordle

Blog on a mobile

Tumblr + Kwout for simple tumbleblogging

Learning languages with VoiceThread

Mobile revision with eBook to images

Go! Animate your lessons

Morph your voice in Audacity

Morph your Voki in Audacity

Posts on blogging, podcasting, moblogging and mobile phones

Twhirl for Twitter

The Isle of Wight Conference 2008

The Isle of Wight Conference 2008 was a celebration of technology, language learning and social networking. The communal buzz created by speakers and delegates at this year's event was phenomenal as was the face to face networking. For many attendees, the conference provided the opportunity for those who had been communicating online through blogs and Twitter to meet for the first time and share ideas collaboratively and informally in a warm environment.

This was of course what we'd planned and hoped for, but the fact that it worked so spectactularly was amazing. For example, to keep our sponsors happy, we made sure the sessions had staggered starts so that there was a constant drip feed to the exhibition and delegates could congregate and take part in informal round tables over lunch.

 

Twitter was a revelation for many at the conference thanks to Drew Buddie's session on Web 2.0 tools which inspired delegates to create their own account and start tweeting throughout the event. Having John Johnston's customised Twitter presenter page on two large TV screens in the main hall meant that everyone could keep up to date with the incredible learning going on around the school.

Mark Pentleton paid the conference a flying visit and presented a very popular sessions on one stop animation the results of which will be published soon.

Another hit of the weekend was the presentation and workshop delivered by pupils from Heathfield Technology College who showed us how to create enhanced podcast with Macs (pictures and audio). A real treat.

The MFL Show and Tell on Saturday night proved to be another highlight of the weekend including 10 minute presentations from:

• myself (Triggers and drag and drop in PowerPoint)
• Isabelle Jones (Social bookmarking)
• Adam Sutcliffe (Amazing etre)
• Sam Downe (St Neots Podclub
• Jo Rhys-Jones (VoiceThread)
• José Picardo (Edmodo)
• Andy Stanford-Clark (One Laptop Per Child)
• Sarah Ferretti (LinguaRyde)
• Drew Buddie (50 ways to tell a story)

Between presentations we sang the odd foreign language song and at the end I was presented with two birthday cakes (even though it's not my birthday until next month, but nevermind) Drew twittered throughout and described the evening as unconferencing at its best in one of his tweets. Thanks Drew!

Before leaving on Sunday, some of us took part in a Flashmeeting with colleagues around the world and gave our impressions of the conference.

Here is the audio version including background noise and laughter.

Download Flashmeeting_at_IOW_Conference_2008.mp3

Leon Cych who took part in the videoconference was so impressed by how energised and engaged delegates seemed in the Flashmeeting that he interviewed Drew Buddie on his mobile phone to find out more.

You can listen to an edited version of the interview here:

Download Interview_with_Drew_Buddie_on_Twitter_and_IOW_Conference_2008.mp3

In the EdTechRoundup Flashmeeting on Sunday night I did admit to feeling a little disappointed that we had ony been able to attract 60 delegates to this year's conference considering the quality of the programme and the amount it had been promoted. Preaching to the converted is great for those 'in the goldfish bowl', but we need to spread the word further a field and encourage those who are curious to find out more. Have a listen to the thoughts of a very tired language teacher by clicking on the link below.

Download Reflections_on_the_IOW_Conference_2008.mp3

I'm delighted to see that attendees have already started by blogging about the conference and you can check out their posts here:

• MFL in Isle of Wight
• Podclub at the Isle of Wight Conference!
• Free Your Mind and Your Class Will Follow
• @digitalmaverick Drew a crowd
• Recovering from IOW Conference
• Why we came to The Isle of Wight Conference
• Digital voice recording in MFL
• Interactive Whiteboards, The Isle of Wight Conference, Organising ICT CPD
• Podcasting with a Mac
• From Pod to Vod tutorial
• Funky Flipcharts and Interesting Interactivity
• IOW Conference 08 - delegate podcasts
• Why you should use Twitter - interview with the amazing Drew Buddie
• Impressions of The Isle of Wight Conference
• Isle of Wight Conference
• Isle of Wight Conference
• Mark Pentleton - Two years of podcasting
• IOW Conference Show and Tell: Let's Not Preach To The Converted
• Coffee Break Podcasting
• IOW Conference 08
• Teaching the world through podcasting
• Creating digital exercises and integration within the school's VLE
• The new curriculm: Making it work for languages
• Free your mind and your class will follow
• Using digital voice recorders in the classroom
• Moodle by Drew Buddie
• Thinking outside the classroom box
• Flashmeeting with John Warwick
• Creating digital exercises and integration within the school's VLE with Steve Whittle
• Get Animated! with Mark Pentleton
• Giving students wings by building content in a VLE
• Progression and Fun in Primary Languages
• Videoconferencing with Flashmeeting
• Sharon Balch - AfL in Practice
• Funky Flipcharts and Interesting Interactivity
• The Aftermath of the IOW Conference 08
• The Isle of Wight Conference
• Interview with the amazing Drew Buddie
• Event materials 

Thank you to everyone who came to the Isle of Wight last weekend and made the event what it was. Let's keep spreading the word and encourage more colleagues to open their minds too and embrace the power of new technologies in the 21st century. It's all about community.

Here we go

Can you help Mary Glasgow?

Mary Glasgow Magazines are looking for volunteers to help them create a new website for teachers and students on the use of ICT in MFL. If you are interested in taking part in the project and would be happy for MGM to contact you, please email Helen Cunningham for more details.

For those of you who are coming to The Isle of Wight Conference 2008 this weekend, you can meet Helen face to face and have a chat. The first 10 who visit the stand will win a prize worth around £100!

Download IoWflyer.pdf

Twitter@iowconference08

To allow delegates the opportunity to give instant feedback and experience the power of Twitter first hand at The Isle of Wight Conference 2008, I thought it would be a good idea to create an account and display tweets throughout the event on two large television screens in the main hall. John Johnston has kindly created this dynamic page to make it easier to read messages and as you can see some dedicated followers have already made a start.

To send a message, simply follow iowconference08 and start your tweet with @iowconference08.

Thanks John.