Introduction | Getting involved | Innovative practice | Reflective practice
Introduction - The pace of change
Advances in hardware and software continue at an astonishing pace and new applications and devices continue to be absorbed almost without effort into our daily lives.
The latest generation of mobile phones are truly remarkable. For those interested in music, mp3 files can be transferred, with cable or wireless Bluetooth technology, to a computer. Digital photos often adjustable with special effect options, can be taken, transferred to a computer or printer, or sent as message or email attachments. Voice recording, video clips, often with sound track, and Internet access are common and for those who need help navigating on long journeys some models provide GPS (Geographical Positioning System) facilities.
Camcorders are now common in many homes and consumers use video editing software, whether bought at common outlets or integral to Windows as is Movie Maker, to develop their own creative talents as film-makers.
Digital cameras can be quite cheap and very useful for modern languages teachers looking to create useful resources while away on holiday. The images are viewable immediately and also easily editable. Reasonably cheap digital cameras also allow movies to be made, some with a sound track.
For those with fairly average computer skills it is now possible with specific software to create a multimedia slideshow with digital photos, text titles and music. Many computers are equipped with DVD writers and special software enables the creation of multimedia DVDs. Again, no specialist technical expertise is required.
Indeed, the world of creative digital media has truly arrived for consumers and teachers and pupils alike!
While new hardware gives every teacher and pupil the chance to work creatively in the target language, software continues to appear which enriches language learning itself. Authoring software, online or proprietary, now allows multimedia inputs and virtual reality gaming-type software is making its way into some modern languages classrooms. Web 2.0 technology allows users to participate actively with web pages: writing to blogs or wikis or downloading podcasts to mp3 players is a feature of everyday life for many and is being used increasingly to change the way students learn languages.
To keep up with developments and good practice follow the news on ICT Outlook, an annual review of all that is new and interesting regarding ICT for languages. In the May 2008 edition, for example, you can find details of events and new initiatives and a set of useful links to leading blogs and podcasts for MFL. For video-based case studies on ICT in the languages classroom and archives of Languages ICT Action Research projects go to ICT in action. Those interested in primary languages should visit CILT’s Primary Languages Training Zone, which offers advice, case studies, policy guidance and downloads including numerous video clips of good practice, some of which exemplify the effective use of ICT. Also consult:
