Project #1 Podcasting
Level: Intermediate
Circumstances: Wide range of nationalities on summer course in UK
Classroom time required: 1 hour a day, on an intensive 30 hour-a-week, 4-week course
Brief outline: Students rehearse and then record each other talking about cultural issues of interest to them and the differences and similarities between their cultures and those of their classmates. Recordings are then posted on an audio blog.
Equipment required: MP3 players with recording facilities (which most of the students have); Audacity, a free audio editing program (which is available in the computer room at the centre); a blog (which the teacher has set up).
To find out more about podcasting:
See this previous post.
Circumstances: Wide range of nationalities on summer course in UK
Classroom time required: 1 hour a day, on an intensive 30 hour-a-week, 4-week course
Brief outline: Students rehearse and then record each other talking about cultural issues of interest to them and the differences and similarities between their cultures and those of their classmates. Recordings are then posted on an audio blog.
Equipment required: MP3 players with recording facilities (which most of the students have); Audacity, a free audio editing program (which is available in the computer room at the centre); a blog (which the teacher has set up).
To find out more about podcasting:
See this previous post.
Labels: Podcasting
posted by Tom at 1:45 PM
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5 Comments:
Comments from the session:
Pros
-Motivating
-Cost free
-Group building
-Fun
-Talking about personal experiences
Cons
-What's the purpose?
-Level of IT skills required?
-Fear/embarrassment of microphones?
-Enough MP3 players available?
Further comments from Tom:
A project I really like. What's its purpose? Basically, to get the learners to work together to create something, which I think would motivate them; if they want to do it, they will learn more...
I'd find out first before embarking on a project like this whether or not the learners could do most of the techie bits themselves -- and probably wouldn't do it if they couldn't.
My job is to create the best possible circumstances in which language learning can take place, and to provide help with the language -- but I'm a teacher, not a lab technician, and shouldn't spend a lot of time on that...
It is a good idea although it is a little embarrasing.
I believe that, after meeting your class and observing them as a whole group, you can determine if this is useful and fun. I think it would be fun for a young, culturally diverse and computer-friendly class.
I think it is a good idea for the ones who use technology but not for the ones who don't. Neither for the shy ones, may be
Yes, I agree with Ana -- you probably want to know your group before you do something like this.
If you know them, and they know each other, I don't think you need be worried about embarrassment.
There is of course the sensation "Do I really sound like that?!" when you hear yourself on audio... But everyone gets that.
Note that it really doesn't require very advanced technological skills. If you have a couple of kids in the class who are confident with technology, that's probably about all you need.
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