Recharging the batteries...

How an MFL teacher feels at the end of term?

 

Reading Clare Seccombe's excellent blogpost on the benefits of Twitter really make me think tonight. Reflecting on what has come out of opening a Twitter account and getting involved (to an extent) with the MFL Twitterati has changed my approach to MFL teaching in so many ways. However, it has not always been easy to pass these changes on to my departmental colleagues. As teachers we have very busy lives; I am sure I am far from the only MFL teacher who also organises/goes on trips, runs a sports team, teaches extra-curricular lessons, organises MFL drama evenings etc etc. Just recently I have been prompted to reflect on these efforts; the half term break has provided a period of rest and reflection.

It seems that the way forward has to be to produce an initiative that has a lasting impact on my Department over a period of time. The challenge is to decide on what this might be. It would have to be:

• Measurable
• Manageable
• Lasting
• Open to all members of the MFL staff, even those with weaker ICT skills

At the moment my thoughts are leaning towards devising a twofold programme:

• One for lower school students which increases takeup of MFL at KS4 through wider use of Moodle and Web 2.0 tools
• An upper school programme which supports examination classes, moves homeworks online, encourages independent learning and supports students in moving beyond the curriculum via social media (twitter feeds for wider reading, blog, etc)

These are just initial thoughts, and I would be interested to hear how fellow MFLers have embedded new technologies into their Schemes of Works and practices. Are you the only teacher in your Department who can "do it"? Or does your Department have a policy on the use of Web 2.0 which everyone follows and uses? What are the challenges of introducing these changes to other staff?

Finally, I hope I don't have to give up on some of the things I love doing to achieve this; one of the reasons I love my job is being able to pass on my passion for the things I love to the students! But in the words of Beverley Knight;

"for every little thing you hold onto

gotta let something else go..."

Gratuitous picture of Beverley Knight :)

Comments

[Isabelle Jones]

Great blog post! I disagree with one thing, though: I don't think you should let go of ANY of your passions. They define who you are and they are very precious bits of professional "me time". I would focus on ONE thing that is homework/ independent work and go on to show my colleagues how Mooddle can make their life easier and motivate children to do more independent work. Once they are confident with Moodle and they see how it helps them, I would introduce web2.0 tools and get the children to experiment with Voki for homework, for instance. No access at home? Use one/ two of your lunchtime clubs to have "open ICT rooms". It does not have to be the whole lunchime, either and it could be time when staff are supervising and paired up to look at specific web2.0 tools or recording sftware like Voki, Glogster or Audacity. Just an idea...

[Saira Ghani]

A really interesting post Simon, particularly as I find myself in a similar position. I initially set up my blog, encouraged by members of the MFL Twitterati, in the hope that others would send me clips, ideas, students' work etc to post on it, with me basically acting as a "coordinator". Unfortunately that hasn't tended to happen - it's usually my students' work that is posted.
I do think colleagues can be encouraged to use Web 2.0 tools more often, but it is a matter of time. Small steps, perhaps smaller than the ones we would take, are required as not all colleagues are as confident using new technologies, and some need to be persuaded of the benefits. Using a slot in department meetings to demonstrate some of these tools is useful, as long as colleagues quickly try them out for themselves and /or demonstrate them to their classes before setting homework tasks, perhaps with you acting in a "coaching" capacity. Our students are generally much more confident to try out these tools once they have been pointed in the right direction by us.

[supra shoes]

I agree with your idea.You look like very talented.It is very happy to meet you. Thank you!