1. Videoconferencing A case study Esther Hardman Weald of Kent Grammar School Tonbridge

2. Videoconferencing What is videoconferencing? Our case study What did we do? The importance of planning Language learning activities Managing a videoconference Learning outcomes Relevance to new secondary curriculum Notes about “Flashmeeting” software Moving forward Online resources

3. What is videoconferencing? Connecting people in different locations via the internet Web-cams enable participants to see and hear each other and hold a ‘virtual conference’

4. What did we do? Joint project between Weald of Kent Grammar School and St. Margaret Clitherow Primary School Used a year 10 post-GCSE French group and a year 5/6 Primary class A series of approx. 6 lessons Developed speaking and listening activities for both primary and secondary students to improve their language skills

5. The Importance of Planning Planning by staff face to face meetings working with the primary school to develop ideas and activities setting up a timetable virtual meetings to practice using the equipment (internally and externally) Preparing the Pupils pupil practice sessions in English pupil practice of activities without web-cam pupil practice being in front of the web-cam

6. Language Learning Activities Pupil introductions Pre-prepared questions asked by primary class to groups of secondary students in French Role-plays performed in French by secondary students whilst primary students played vocabulary ‘Bingo’ Activities differentiated End of conference and evaluations

7. Managing the Videoconference Managing the lesson Confidence with equipment Using additional adults (ICT support, members of Dept.) Consider group size and dynamics Give all pupils a focus - peer assessment sheet Videoconference skills Language skills Peer feedback Whole class discussion – how to improve?

8. Managing the Videoconference Videoconferencing Etiquette Pre-defined running order Communication in case of equipment failure Signs / signals Instant messaging Managing change-overs / on-screen traffic

9. Learning Outcomes KS2 Facilitated language learning KS4 Practised and reinforced language knowledge Built confidence in the target language Skills – more than subject specific: personal presentation skills; public speaking skills; ICT skills; independent learning skills; trouble shooting skills

10. Relevance to KS2 Framework for Languages O 6.2 Perform to an audience. O 6.3 Understand longer and more complex phrases or sentences O 6.4 Use spoken language confidently to initiate and sustain conversations and to tell stories. IU 6.1 Compare attitudes towards aspects of everyday life

11. Relevance to New Secondary Curriculum Active learning Creative use of ICT Links with other subjects ICT Life Skills Goes beyond classroom

12. Notes about “Flashmeeting” Software Hosted by E2BN: http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/ ICT requirements: IWB, PC, speakers and web-cam

13. Notes about Software Setting up Register as a user with website Complete online booking process All participants then register via generated unique URL All participants check equipment to check meet requirements Combined webcam and microphone provide cost friendly approach

14. “Flashmeeting” in Practice Advantages Free and secure Requires no downloading or installation Only requirements are internet connection, web-cam, speakers and IWB if whole class activity. Record the meeting for replay Disadvantages Entry level software Only one person/class can speak (“broadcast”) at one time. Only simultaneous communication via instant messaging or emoticons whilst queuing to speak – ordered / restrictive?

15. Moving Forward Plan to trial software akin to industrial / corporate level – allow spontaneity Use Foreign Language Assistant Involve real life communication with native speakers

16. Online Resources South East Grid for Learning http://www.segfl.org.uk/casestudies/ Select: “Kent schools using Flashmeeting for MFL” TeachNet UK http://www.teachnet-uk.org.uk/projects- languages.htm “Flashmeeting” user guide: http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/projects/R ivers/docs/flashmeeting%20sep3.pdf