| |
Blogging and social learning networks for MFL teachers
Meet students where they are at: be cutting edge, not catching up!
If you’re wondering what “Web 2.0” is all about, or what your students get out of Facebook and YouTube, this course will take you from mystification to mastery.
During this hands-on course all delegates will design their own MFL blog and learn how to exploit this medium to inspire and motivate students and staff alike. You will upload text, pictures and PowerPoints, as well as learning how to use a variety of free websites to create animations and cartoons, embed video and a whole host of other “wow factor” features.
Your blog will enable you to:
• Communicate quickly and easily with students, staff, parents and the wider world
• Teach students how to be safely and intelligently involved in the world-wide learning community
• Keep up with initiatives such as AfL
• Organise your teaching and revision effectively.
| COURSE OUTLINE |
9.30 - 10.00 |
|
Coffee, registration and introduction |
10.00 - 11.30 |
|
Session 1 Blog Basics
In this session we will critically view some example blogs and consider the advantages of different blog hosts. Each delegate will set up at least one MFL blog, customise the design and add several pages and posts. I will show you a variety of MFL teaching blogs and ideas for exploiting the format (fictional blogs, revision blogs, homework blogs, collaboration between classes and peer assessment etc). Simple text and picture uploads will be practised in this session |
11.30 - 11.50 |
|
Drinks |
11.50 - 1.00 |
|
Session 2 Blog Features
This is the core practical session, when we will cover a range of features such as:
• finding and embedding video clips to reinforce grammar
• running online polls
• setting up a tag-cloud so students can search your site
• listing the best websites in your blogroll so students can easily access online exercises and games
• moblogging: posting on the go from an exchange or visit |
1.00 - 1.45 |
|
Lunch |
1.45 - 3.30 |
|
Session 3 The Wow Factor
Getting students to really love your blog: we will practise “third party functions” such as making virtual teachers and customized cartoons to add impact to your blog. There will be time to view (and add links to) colleagues’ new blogs, as well as some top tips on how to use blogging to minimise workload, increase students’ independence and enlist the support of the wider community. |
| |
|
|
| Delegates should be confident using a computer (for example for Word Processing). Prior to the course you will be sent details of how to create an account with at least two blog hosts, and other relevant websites we will use during the day |
|
| |
|
|
