Using ICT and other strategies to engage pupils actively in learning
Nodehill Middle School, Isle of Wight
At Nodehill Middle School ICT is integrated fully into the teaching and learning of French. Teacher Joe Dale employs a wide range of software to enhance whole-class teaching and to consolidate learning in the ICT suite. Pupils at the school are used to working with ICT and enjoy the opportunity to prepare podcasts which are placed on the Internet for flexible access by pupils from the school and elsewhere. The video clips available on these pages demonstrate how ICT is used to present language and consolidate understanding of the present tense of regular “er” verbs in French. The interactive whiteboard and actions, gestures and mime are used in whole-class teaching to involve pupils and develop learning styles and strategies. In the ICT suite pupils work independently on interactive exercises while others record a podcast which they have created to be posted to the Internet.
Presenting language
Animations are used in presentations to introduce pupils to expressions relating to “er” verbs. Using colour coding, repetition, games and gestures, including ‘pegging’, language is presented and reinforced in an enjoyable way which engages pupils and helps develop understanding. View video
Using song to enhance learning
Pupils sing the verb paradigm for the present tense of the verb “jouer”. Their singing is recorded using Audacity and the recording is looped and played continuously while pupils come to the interactive whiteboard to manipulate parts of the verb in a drag-and-drop activity created with Spellmaster. The song loop of the verb conjugation provides a reassuring background as pupils hear their own voices singing while at the same time lending support as they listen and work out the answers to the activity on the interactive whiteboard. View video
Using technology to create classroom resources
Technology can be used in a simple and efficient way to create stimuli for traditional classroom activities; in this case, cue cards are created using a free downloadable tool, Teacher’s Pet. The software makes it very easy to create the cards which are then distributed to the whole class who work in groups to match the correct parts of the verb in response to the teacher’s questions. The interactive whiteboard was used to model the activity, pupils coming to the board to drag and drop elements of the verb, all of which were colour coded to assist pupils and develop understanding of the component parts of a verb. View video
In the ICT suite
Pupils reinforce learning on a range of interactive materials prepared with authoring software such as Task Magic and Spellmaster. Moving from revision of lexical items and the verb form pupils progress to more demanding activities created with Hot Potatoes. View video
Podcasting
While the class completed their interactive exercises, two pupils worked on the recording of a script which they had prepared for a podcast exploring the formation of the present tense of regular “er” verbs in French.
Podcasting is a regular activity in the French department. All pupils prepare scripts for podcasting and the teacher selects pupils to record their script which is then uploaded to the Internet. Recording takes place in the ICT suite or in the classroom while the rest of the class is engaged in activities. View video
The value of podcasting
Podcasts can be used for many purposes, from role plays to grammar explanations. For the latter, pupils at Nodehill use English with examples in French. Pupils collaborate to explain their own learning, thereby allowing the teacher to see easily how well a concept has been understood.
Placing podcasts on the Internet permits pupils to access materials outside of school and develop a flexible and independent approach to learning.
In 2007-08 pupils posted 25 podcasts to the Nodehill French Grammar series on the Podomatic website. View video
Practicalities
Listen to some advice and tips to ensure that your podcasts are a success. View video
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