Introduction │ Making the case │ Selecting resources │ Embedding ICT │ ICT training │ Other scripts │ Primary ICT
Selecting departmental resources
Selecting appropriate software for teaching and learning can be a daunting task with so much available from so many different sources. Furthermore, whilst some technology relies on whole school developments out of your hands, such as the level of Broadband access in school, you can sometimes be asked to specify hardware requirements for your department.
You may be asked about ICT requirements for ordinary languages classrooms, where ICT can be exploited for whole class teaching. The basic requirement is a computer and data projector (or other display method) and speakers, the flexibility of which can be enhanced with peripherals such as a wireless keyboard. An interactive whiteboard and associated technologies may also be within your budget, which can increase this flexibility further. An Internet connection will help to facilitate a balance of authentic and ready-made learning resources in teaching and learning. Your network manager should work with you on drawing up a wish list.
You also need to ensure that pupils can use ICT for more individualised learning, usually via lessons held in a computer suite and out-of-lesson access. Pupils can work independently using interactive programs offering regular feedback on work in all 4 skills; they can use ICT to communicate with peers and native speakers in the target language; they can work creatively with ICT and language, perhaps combining the use of various software and hardware. Do not forget that pupils can make extensive use in their language learning of generic software and resources such as Microsoft PowerPoint, sound editing software, web browser, digital cameras etc, which may already be available as a whole school resource. See the Technology for languages area of this website.
You and your network manager may well find a new paper from CILT and
ALL called 'Setting up effective digital language laboratories and multimedia
suites for MFL' a useful read. You need Acrobat Reader to be able to
read the document, which you can obtain free of charge from the Adobe
Acrobat website. To do this, click on the logo on the right. 
Download
Setting up effective digital language
laboratories and multimedia suites for MFL.
There are a number of initiatives enabling teachers to share their own resources online, some of which are intended for delivery via ICT. Try the Teacher Resource Exchange on the Virtual Teacher Centre or the MFL Resources website. Do encourage your staff to make their own contributions from time to time!
Software
A good place to start is the Curriculum Online website, which contains information on both free and charged resources for supporting and delivering subject teaching via ICT. These resources have all been approved for purchase using e-learning credits available in school. Although resources included in the database have not necessarily been independently vetted for their suitability for language teaching, the facility to search in one place is very useful. Becta ICT Advice publishes a useful guide on this initiative called Curriculum online and electronic learning credits.
If you want to read a teacher review of a product, try one of the software evaluation services available, such as Teachers Evaluating Electronic Media (TEEM), Evaluate or Schoolzone.
If you cannot find any reviews for the product in question, try posting a message with your query to a teachers’ forum, such as the Linguanet Forum. This and other routes for making enquiries are described in the Got a question? area of this website.
Try asking your software supplier for an evaluation copy of software in which you are interested. CILT has prepared a useful evaluation checklist, which can be downloaded within Module 3.7 of the ICT for Language Teachers (ICT4LT) website, in which section you will also find detailed guidance on evaluating software.
CILT information sheets list language learning software in the CILT library collection in London, with publishers’ contact details given at the end of these. You can also search the CILT library catalogue, by title or by using the Power search functions to bring up a list of software titles for your language. If you intend to travel to CILT and want to ensure facilities will be available for trying out software you are interested in, you are welcome to make an advance booking by calling the CILT Library on 020 7379 5110.
You can search for suppliers of educational software for languages on the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) website. All suppliers listed adhere to the BESA code of practice.
Hardware
The British Education and Communications Technology Agency (Becta) is the Government’s agency overseeing the use of technology in education.
The Becta Schools Technology section explain areas of new technology in easy-to-understand terms.
The ICT for Language Teachers (ICT4LT) site also provides useful explanations of basic hardware of relevance to language teachers.
The National ICT Register provides details of schools with expertise and experience in using ICT, who may be willing to discuss hardware decisions made in their own institution. The database can be searched by keyword, such as ‘MFL,’ and results can be given in order of proximity to your own school. Initial enquiries are answered free-of-charge and the purchase of more extensive support can be negotiated.
There is a range of guidance available for helping teachers to understand interactive whiteboard technology. The DfES has published a guide called Embedding ICT @ Secondary: Use of interactive whiteboards in modern foreign languages. This is available as part of a whole-school pack featuring guides for all subjects, or it comes as part of the Embedding ICT @ Secondary: Key Stage 3 modern foreign languages pack (order from DfES Publications on 0845 602 2260 or send an email to dfes@prolog.uk.com using the code DfES/0808/2004.) Try also the Getting the most from your interactive whiteboard free publication from Becta Publications; there is both a primary school and a secondary school edition. The REVIEW Project The Good Guide to Interactive Whiteboards helpsheets are also useful.
The Creative Teaching area of the Modern Foreign Languages Environment from Learning and Teaching Scotland also offers an excellent section on interactive whiteboards, providing guidance and step-by-step 'how to' materials across a range of interactive whiteboard software products. You can also download and read about examples of good practice, including contributions from practising teachers. Boarding and surfing from the Cardiff LEA Whiteboard Development Group is another useful resource, offering a range of useful tips and step-by-step materials for using MS PowerPoint.
If your department is taking part in video-conferencing or is planning to start, you should get in touch with Global-leap, which is part of the Video-conferencing in the classroom initiative from the DfES. You can add your details to the register of schools working with this technology, which enables you to access free services such as finding partners, testing your new equipment or taking advantage of target language lessons via video-conferencing. The free publication Video-conferencing in the classroom gives an excellent summary of the technical options for video-conferencing and lots of good practice tips, including guidance for language teachers.
The Educational Technology Show or BETT Show takes place every January at Olympia in London. The free exhibition is an excellent opportunity to explore cutting-edge hardware and software, much of which is relevant to language teaching and learning, along with some languages-specific products. You can also attend seminars from major agencies, two of which are provided annually by CILT and ALL. There is also an annual show in Scotland called the SETT Show and The Education Show in Birmingham, which includes similar content.
Becta works closely with industry to provide guidance to schools on
ICT infrastructure and purchasing as part of their role.
Becta provides information on suppliers via its Infrastructure Services Framework Agreement.
