Introduction to a proposal to use the cloud-based software, MyBrainshark, in an English Language Teaching setting - The China Central Academy Of Fine Arts, Beijing. Note: This was created for an ICT module on an MA course at the University of Warwick. Part 1 of 6.
1. 1. Introduction
With Phil Longwell
phil.longwell@btinternet.com
2. 中央美术学院
Each lesson is one hour long.
We shall be in this room all day this week
Monday – Saturday (inclusive) time: tbc
Aim: to introduce a digital cloud-based software
tool to use with students on the International
Foundation Course @ CAFA
Requirement: BYOD (Bring your own device)
3. An asynchronous, cloud-based software tool.
What does that mean?
What do you think it can do?
Here’s an example: My Timeline
4. An asynchronous, cloud-based software tool which
allows you to:
Upload different kinds of content to share online.
e.g. a document, PPP,
photo album or video.
You can add a voice-over or
narration.
It also allows podcast to be
produced.
It allows sharing and
embedding (+ tracking).
5. Multimedia digital presentations
It’s free for individual users.
6. Quick four minute tour of ‘my Brainshark’:
Quick Tour
There are thousands of presentations already
uploaded. Authentic listening practice.
They are mostly created by sales and
marketing teams to sell their products.
However, we could still use them with our
students.
7. Do you know of some other software which
is similar to my brainshark? Discuss..
Images used under terms of ‘fair use’ policy
8. 1. Getting started + Introduction
2. Uploading content and recording audio
3. Working with photos or video
4. Working with a PPP or PDF
5. Being creative + constructive alignment
6. Sharing and Storing +Further Ideas + Review
9.
Discuss possible uses with another person.
It helps students to practice and perfect their speaking skills
It helps students to improve pronunciation (with classroom
feedback)
It is based on a communicative and situated pedagogy
It potentially overcome issues over face-loss and weaker speakers
It encourages autonomous learning (already happening on the art
side)
It is useful to watch other Brainshark presentations for authentic
listening practice
It encourages reflective practice
It creates space for classroom feedback and other connected
activities
It allows students to create, practice and present their work
It allows students to build up a digital portfolio of their art work
10. Skills Pyramid Own
taken from Hampel and Stickler, 2005, style
Open University. Skills for Online
Language Tutors. Creativity
and choice
Facilitating
communicative competence
Online socialization
Dealing with constraints and
possibilities of the medium
Specific technical competence for the software
Basic ICT competence
11. Discuss and draw up a list of ways that the tool
could be used:
(a) in the classroom
(b) away from the classroom
How could the tool help with the objectives of:
(a) the teachers?
(b) the students?
What problems do you envisage?
12. 中央美术学院
So what do we think about using this tool?
What about the other presentation tools
mentioned today?
Screencast videos are available at:
http://www.screencast.com/users/teacherphili
The website for this tool is at:
http://www.brainshark.com/mybrainshark
Sign up with an email and a password
and try it for yourself.
Next time: Uploading content and recording audio.