Videoconference with Ourense pen pals

Our three Year 7 Spanish classes have been writing to their Spanish pen pals in Ourense this year. 7 Blue have been the lucky ones who did a videoconference with their friends in 5°B. Below are some photos that were taken in the Spanish classroom. Their school blog is here. Why don't you take a look?

Successful Videoconference - Elbeuf Work Experience Exchange

Today we held a successful videoconference between our students going on the French Elbeuf Work Experience Exchange and their partners. Students were introduced to their new partners for the first time on camera where a small exchange took place between them. Time was tight due to the time difference -we only had a 15 minute window! - however, we got through a lot of introductions and this brought life to the exchange earlier than it would have been physically possible. Well done to both sides!

European Week of Languages Videoconference

On the 28th September 2010 we (a year 8 French class) conducted a videoconference with our partner school in France: Lycée André Maurois in Elbeuf, near Paris. We focused on the topic of careers - the chosen topic for European Week of Languages. This was not the first videoconference we have done jointly with our French partner school, and so this time the official language was English. The French side asked us questions about our future career choices and whether that would need languages or not. Our answers formed a listening exericise that they completed the other side.

Here are some of the pupil reviews...

Lara: On the 28th of September 2010 we had a video conference to France. We prepared answers to the questions they asked us. We answer these three questions in English we took it in turns to answer. I enjoyed getting the chance to see how alike our two schools are. All in all it was a great opportunity.

Holly: …I feel a bit more confident about speaking out loud to other people now. …It was cool to see what schools are like in different countries. … I gained a lot out of the video conference and I would love to do it again some other time!

Anna: … I found out what it was like to talk to somebody French, and it was interesting to hear how they spoke English. It was the first time I had seen a video conference with France.

Frederica: It was good practice to speak to them in English and speak loudly and clearly because this skill will probably be used in your job when you are older.

Emilia: The video conference was a lot of fun and a great experience to see how they learn languages in other countries like France. I would most definitely like to do another conference with the school in Elbeuf again as it was a very amusing and unique experience.

Freya: I found the video conference really interesting because we got to hear real French people speak to us and hear their accents! It was also a really good opportunity because we could answer questions and the class felt involved in the link between the schools. I really enjoyed it because I have never spoken or heard a French student before and also I found it was a really fun activity in class and a good way to learn.

Eleanor: …it was very interesting to hear how the French speak our language. I have learnt to speak clearly when speaking to people and I have also learnt that it is important to have your answers prepared … Also, that you should not speak into your book and that you should speak directly into the camera.

Olivia: The video conference was a great opportunity for us to practise public speaking…

Sophie: … I have now learnt how to speak clearly and slowly so people can understand you and also how to keep eye contact with that person through the web cam.

Grace: I would definitely like to do this again because it was really fun and is a good way of learning French pronunciation.

Ella: I think the video conference, was a very fun and educational experience. It gave us the opportunity to practice speaking to real French people, and it taught us how to speak at a steady pace and confidently.

Zara: I really liked taking part in the video conference as I enjoyed listening and speaking to French people... I also liked the fact you can have a link with a school so far away.

Molly: Even though it was in English it gave us a chance to see what other schools in different countries are like and their similarities and differences. Over all it was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed it… I would love to do it again.

Abigail 2: I think that the video conference was a brilliant experience; it gave us a chance to speak to some French people inside school as well as getting to use some new technology.

Katya: I think the video conference was educational and…it is better if you look directly at the camera and watching it back I can see this is the mistake that most people made.

Jessica: I enjoyed the video conference a lot because it was a good experience talking to different students from another country.

Flashmeeting Overcomes Volcano Hurdle

How exciting! As our Swiss German language assistant has been unable to return to the UK for the new term, due to the volcanic ash from Iceland cancelling her flight, many of our 6th formers have been left without the specific 1-to-1 input in the target language. However, to overcome this we have set up a test Flashmeeting videoconference today between Swiss German and the Weald of Kent students that were scheduled to meet with her today. Trouble shooting issues were over come, (sending out the Flashmeeting booking link to students and languages assistant alike, testing available headphones, and ensuring students were familiar with how to work the software) and a successful videoconference is taking place as we type...!



UPDATE: Feedback from the students suggests that Flashmeeting is an effective videoconferencing tool as the assistant could use the "Chat" function (instant messaging) to type any words that the students found difficult to understand from listening to the spoken word.

It definately created a buzz in the corridor as other students waiting for the next lesson could see the videoconference taking place.

We will be setting up a schedule of Flashmeeting videoconferences for the remaining time that our assistant will be away.

Successful Videoconference with France!

On the 31/03/10 we held a successful videoconference between the French and English sides of our French work experience exchange. We set up 15 web cams on our side, with the students sharing in pairs, whilst the French side used one web cam interchanging the students as they took their place to speak. Time was tight given the only mutually convenient time was 8.30 am to 9.00am that morning. However, 10 of the students from the Weald of Kent Grammar School held conversations in French with their corresponding partners in France. The English students used the time to ask questions in French to the French students about their on coming stay in France in June. At first the students were nervous to take part and speak on camera, however, they were eventually encouraging us to use as much of the time as possible to allow as many students to take part. All in all a successful videoconference which we hope to follow up with another before June so the French side can practise their English.

This has been a very successful use of our recent purchase of 15 web cams for the MFL department and we hope to integrate their use into other exchanges across the department. Videoconferences provide authentic language experiences for our students to develop their confidence with languages.

Videoconference second stage success!

Success! We have just completed another test videoconference with one of our partner schools in France. Last time it was from our home addresses to familiarise but this time we based ourselves at our respective schools. We were excited to find that both sides were able to load photos (excuse the picture of a bucket - it was just a test!) and URL's for the other side to see. This will be great when asking the French party of students to provide photos of where the English students will be staying and useful websites of their home town. Next step the conference itself!
Miss Hardman & Mr Oakley

Videoconference Preparations

In the languages dept we have been practising with Flashmeeting - and online videoconference tool - in order to link with our exchange partners inbetween visits. Miss Sheehan and Miss Figueira have both been getting to grips with it, and Miss Hardman has been also practising with a teacher in France involved with the Elbeuf work experience exchange. Plans are in place to test the technology between the English and French school sites, with the student videoconference planned prior to our visit to France in June.

Les Languages et La Technologie - UPDATE

At the end of last term we had a successful videoconference with Mascalls Secondary School. The pupils presented their schools in French and played buzz word bingo on the topic of Careers and Work Experience. This was a timely topic as both sides of students were about to embark, or had just embarked upon their work experience placements. Students also learned about Videoconference etiquette and presentation skills.

A successful videoconference needs careful preparation and organisation, and the students demonstrated professionalism and teamwork throughout. We look forward to holding more in the future.

Mr Oakley checking the webcam...









...and Miss Sheehan helping to test the equipment prior to the videoconference.