21st Century Language Learning

Audio quality and settings in a language lab can be problematic depending on the design of the room, PCs and the size of the USB headset connectors, which as Thomas Plagwitz notes with his Sanako lab takes time to recorrect and costs money both in man hours and new cables.

http://plagwitz.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/positioning-of-language-lab-pcs-needs-improving/

Sony Virtuoso language labs seem to have gotten around the problem by 2 key changes, firstly reducing by half the size of the USB connectors, making it less easy for them to be knocked or disconnected. Secondly improved software development on the Sony platform means that now can use a wider variety of branded headsets without compromising the audio quality for students and teachers.

1. Get groups of students collaborating together on projects using shared Google Docs – Remember this means Documents, Spreadsheets and Presentations

2. Students and Teachers can quickly build their own quizzes, test and surveys using Forms within Google Docs

3. Use Street View in Google Maps to illustrate local situations for Business Studies, Geography, PSHCE and….(you decide)

4. Google Translator – fast, free and effective translation of many, many languages including Latin!

5. Set up shared calendars for Year groups, Sixth Forms, Staff or whole school using Google Calendars with PC, Mac and Mobile synchronisation

6. Try www.geogreeting.com – spells out any words you like using locations in Google Maps – great for starters

7. Find out how to get the most from Google Search for you and you students by visiting http://www.google.com/insidesearch/ – you’ll be surprised what you can do

8. Don’t get you students to write an essay for homework – get them to build website. Its free, fast and secure using Google Sites

9. Consider offering your students a one hour after hours homework  ‘surgery’ using Google Talk – social networking for homework.

10. Set up independent learning support forums for in-class or homework use with Google Groups.

1. Try the free Epic Citadel ‘virtual tour’ iPad App  of a medieval city in English/Literacy or History
2. Use Photo Booth on a Mac to encourage ‘learning through talk’ and building confidence in reluctant speakers
3. Make professional quality movies from video footage or images easily and quickly using the pre-installed iMovies on a Mac
4. Record podcasts using the pre-installed GarageBand on a Mac – it’s incredibly easy
5. Try the eClicker voting system iPad App for instant assessments, surveys, starters or plenaries – fun and effective!

More ideas for using ‘Technology on a Budget’ at TEL Event, Didcot Girls’ School, Tuesday 20th March http://www.connectededucation.com/event/tel-conference/

I regularly use these in my language lessons – but use can be cross ciricular.
You might just find a nice example here to try out.

For more ideas on Technology Enhanced Learning you could attend the TEL Conference at Didcot Girls’ School on 20th March 2012. Please find more information on the conference organiser’s website here: http://www.connectededucation.com/event/tel-conference/

With the news today that PS Vita sales have reached 1.2 million we thought a short post on how the PS Vita can be used in education might be useful.

• Use the ‘Near’ feature to work collaboratively on web sites
• Create new and more detailed user generated content on games like LittleBigPlanet using the touch screen and motion sensor tools
• Access information via 3G and wireless when on field trips
• Use the built in augmented reality features in lesson planning and student engagement
• Use the great range of games in the context of teaching and learning, especially in games like LittleBigPlanet

Language Labs are no longer simply about listening and repeating, recording and playing; only concentrating on the Oral and Aural skills.
The latest generation of labs can all support learning in the following ways:
1. Differentiation: In order to reach the same learning objectives, bespoke work can easily be provided to the learner.  Differentiation by text, task or outcome is made simple as the teacher is able to deliver pupil specific work directly to each pupils’ computer
2. Independent learning:  Pupils are able to immerse themselves in their learning, using online resources to solve problems and having their teacher on call to support them
3. Controlled Assessments:  Newer language labs are able collect and label students’ work at the click of a button. This work could be an audio recording or a written text. Practice and preparation for the written and spoken controlled assessments can be easily stored and evaluated and feedback can be given through the Language Lab.
4. Assessment for learning: Language labs allow pupils to review their own work and note areas for improvements. Learners can also review and feedback on each other’s work; a sound example of Assessment for Learning in practice.
5. Instant feedback: Newer labs have in built quiz or test features where multiple choice questions can be created using audio, video and web based resources.  The answers can be sent directly to the teacher for marking or the software can do the marking for you.
6. Providing evidence of pupil progress: Using quiz and assessment features over a period of time will provide evidence of pupil progress to be shared with learners and used to set future targets. Assessment scores are stored centrally for easy access.
7. Behaviour management: Teachers are able to monitor remotely the pupils’ screens and limit which programs are to be used.  Teachers can also control remotely the learner’s keyboard and mouse.
8. Group work: By placing pupils in different groups it is possible to teach a number of lessons within one lesson, this is a great feature allowing teachers to differentiate; to support the weaker pupils and stretch the most able.
9. Talking your students’ language: students are exposed to a plethora of multimedia devices in the home, using a language lab to send rich multimedia files to students improves engagement in language lessons.
10. Whole school / campus wide access, efficiencies and cost savings
Truly software only language labs can be installed and used on any networked PC anywhere on a school, college or university campus. Students can access resources in one room, from room to room or from campus to campus.

Most language labs can send, collect and manage audio and video files from teacher to student, however there are some extra and very important features that any discerning teacher / procurer should look for which will increase student attainment and engagement, these are particularly around clear audio, increased functionality and product future proofing and being accessed from anywhere on a local or wide area network.

Here to help you is a list of 15 key functions that highlight these attributes

1. There is no discernible ‘lag’ between a teacher and multiple students talking to each other
2. The ‘Collect work’ function should be simple and easy to implement.
3. There should be a file association functionality
4. New student pairing can be added without having to restart the lesson
5. There should be an ‘Automatic Comparative Recording’ (ACR) facility on the student player
6. There should be a  ‘text chat’ in pairs
7. There should be a ‘real time’ recording between teacher and student
8. The teacher console should be able to send multiple files to a student desktop
9. There should be a disable windows function from teacher console to any designated student desktop
10. There should be an extensive bookmarking functionality on the student software
11. On the student client software extra audio can be added by ‘right click, insert, record’
12. Audio can be easily extracted from video files
13. The teacher interface is simple
14. The teacher can control audio files after they have been sent to students
15. The teacher can open and close files for individual students

As anyone who reads my blog will know I’m a big fan of using technology in language lessons. I noticed lots of tweets pointing to the BBC News and Irish Times articles this weekend on the use of digital tools to save dying languages. I’m sharing them here, you might find them useful.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17081573

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0218/1224311980755.html#.Tz_oDswmMW9.twitter

Didcot Girls’ School is pleased to host the Technology Enhanced Learning Conference (TEL) on 20th March 2012. With a strong focus on languages the event will examine using web 2.0 and game based technologies and how they can enhance teaching and learning in languages and also in other subjects across the curriculum. The event is a must for head teachers & teachers across all levels of education and subject areas who want to understand and use game based learning and multimedia technologies effectively to deliver engaging and successful learning experiences.

I’ll be delivering a presentation on languages labs and sharing my experiences of using technology to enhance language lessons. £50 for places so good value to schools. Please visit our website for more and for details on how to book.

http://www.didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk/86/news/article/118/dgs-to-host-the-technology-enhanced-learning-conference

I’m experimenting with the functionality of my language lab and using the software to deliver instant feedback to my students. The lab has built in quiz features / test features allowing me to create multiple choice questions using audio, video and the web. I can send the answers direct to my pc and mark myself or even set the software to mark for me…. saves time!