Paper delivered at ALT-C 2013 (Wed 11th September): http://altc2013.alt.ac.uk/sessions/using-technology-to-support-new-ideas-in-language-learning-a-tess-experience-exemplar-covering-written-and-audio-assessment-in-spanish-364/

1. Using Technology to Support New
Ideas in Language Learning:
a ‘TESS Experience’ exemplar covering
written and audio assessment in Spanish
Jonny Crook | @jonnycrook
Learning Technologist, University of Manchester

2. What is TESS?
• TESS: Teaching Enhancement and Student Success
• University-wide initiative, funded by the Faculty of Humanities
• Created to support teaching innovation and enhancement of the student
experience
• Projects set up by academics to develop course content
• Academics partnered with Faculty eLearning Team members
• Funding of £1500 available
Key areas:
• Student engagement
• Assessment and feedback
• Managing large groups
• Foster student identity

3. Academic & Learning Technologist
Partnership
Working with the Academic
• Initial workshop to discuss and develop project
• Technologist as advisor:
o learning tools
o software
o equipment spec
o assessment tools
o Blackboard course space
• Order and co-ordinate equipment
• On-hand to advise and give training support (to academics and students)
• Dissemination of project
• Follow-on support

4. Project:
Spanish Language Learning
through audiobooks
• Aimed at engaging students with reading advanced texts and enjoying literature
through weekly reading groups and audiobooks
• Project compliments final year core language classes (4th year UG)
• Weekly get-together sessions for reading and listening (audiobooks)
• 35 final participants (initially 50 sign-up)
• Student creation of their own audiobook (written and audio submissions)
• Feedback of written stories via annotation with tablet
• Assessment of audiobook
• Publication of stories through digital downloads and compiled story booklet

5. Equipment
Dell Latitude Tablet Sony digital voice recorders
To bear in mind with academics:
• ‘Comfortable’ with technology
• Familiar environment (Windows)
• Ease of use
Student own devices
?

6. Tablet Annotation

7. eLearning Support
•Advising on use of Turnitin and the Bb
Assignment tool for submitting written stories
and audio files
•Advising on and use of tablet and stylus for
eMarking/annotations
•Advising on audio recording: recording devices,
software (eg. Audacity)
•Workshop on audio recording for students (and
drop-in support)
•Editing/enhancing submitted audiobooks
•Producing and compiling audiobook digital
downloads and CD version
•Advising on printing of final written story booklet
Providing a variety of elearning advice and support throughout the project:

8. Reporting and
Dissemination
•Student feedback survey
•Poster presentation report
(summary for displays and
presentations)
•Group presentation workshop
•Multimedia exemplar on Faculty
website
•Participation in School or Faculty
events

9. Student comments
“I loved the audiobooks project. It was touted as a fun extra module that would be
beneficial and, although the fun element did disappear quite quickly as the
workload came, I really enjoyed the classes and the opportunity to do something
creative. Although it was extra work, I’m sure my Spanish has benefitted even a
little and I would recommend it to other final year students.”
“I really enjoyed the audiobooks project. It was a great idea and it really helped me
with my creative writing and pronunciation.”
“I gained confidence in speaking and writing. It’s a good way to get feedback.”