So you have a school link? Now what do you do with it?

Dale Hardy

Why are we here?The need to rapidly raise standards through

innovation

Motivation & engagement

Increased intercultural understanding

Enhanced quality of language learning

Increased uptake for ISA

New technologies need not be hard work & inaccessible

Live Skype session

• With Gilles Morel, Primary MFL consultant in the Nantes region, Loire-Atlantique, France

and it’s free!

What will you need?

• • You will need to download the software from: http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/

• • And the person you will Skype with needs to have downloaded the software as well

• • You will also need: A webcam (either free standing or in built) • A microphone (internal or external). If external it can be a free

standing microphone or incorporated in your webcam

• • Once you have downloaded the software, open it and then create an account.

• • Once you have created an account, you need to add your contacts i.e. people who already have a Skype account so that you can Skype with them.

e-safety guidelines

• Pdf guidelines on CD– the MFL teacher to install Skype on their laptop, set

up a username and a unique strong password

– Privacy settings: Open Skype and click Tools > Options > Privacy to set your preferences for receiving communications.

The teacher need not accept any communication from anyone

who is not on the contact list by clicking on “Only allow

people in my Contact list to contact me”

Success in the classroom

a teacher’s perspective Pupils’ perspective

Flip cameras Easy to use

– A quick demo for features on webcam and – audience participation– Just a few buttons to operate – Mpeg4 (mp4) format

– and simplicity: plug and play via USB connection

How have we used it?– Pupils video each other – send to link school – and for assessment– Instant playback on the whiteboard

Good points:• Motivates pupils

• It’s instant

• Cross curricular

Flip usage in the target language by pupils

Pupils recording each other pupils’ reaction and comments

USB video cameras

• Points to note– Drag and drop into a folder rather than use

the software on the camera– Using Moviemaker to make a film from flip

clips (edit, music, titles, voice over, transition and effects) will need a different format from MPEG to avi or wmv – see guidelines on CD

– Other brands are available e.g. Samsung FlashCam

Audio recordingsA lot of teachers in Nottingham City

recommend the award winning

Easi-Speak microphone

• a quick demo of the features using the webcam and audience participation – Records in mp3 format– USB connection– Keeps the learning experience authentic and exciting– Easy playback– Can re-record if need be

One step further for audio files

• Light in data so can be emailed• Can be shared on the learning platform• Use Audacity to combine more audio files, edit in a

sequence, add music etc. – software on CD• Use mp3 audio files in Photostory, PowerPoint and

Moviemaker

Another way to exchange resources

• The learning platform (VLE) allows you to:– Upload big files which can’t be emailed– Share your teaching ideas via a forum– Upload tutorials for teachers – Watch slideshows live– Listen to mp3s live– Access your resources any time, any place

Food for thought• Start small and manageable• Have fun and play with the kit which is

affordable/free• Be adaptable with what you use – if your

partner school is not ready for one approach, try another

• See our CD for guidelines and free software• Get in touch if you need further info!

Dale Hardy

Primary & Secondary Languages Consultant

Nottingham City LA

Tel: 0115 876 4574

Email: dale.hardy@nottinghamcity.gov.uk