Bradfield College - Schoolshape Language Laboratory Case Study

As a recent adopter of the Schoolshape Language Laboratory, Bradfield College Modern Languages Department opened a Case Study for the academic year 2012-2013.

Case Study Objectives

1. show usage of new language learning opportunities offered by an online system
2. record student progress during the Case Study period
3. find the best procedures for teachers and students
4. dispel any fears or uncertainties surrounding ‘online learning’
5. monitor progress in active skills, such as speaking, for which the time in class is normally limited.
6. to see if a Digital Language Laboratory can be quickly set up in a classroom

Stage 1

Bradfield began using the Online Language Lab at the end of the summer term 2012. This enabled staff to make some of their own resources and set holiday tasks, such as speaking practice, for students to complete at regular intervals over the summer holidays.

On Monday 23rd September, Schoolshape observed a day of lessons delivered by Bradfield staff using the lab. Bradfield staff were able to give helpful feedback to Schoolshape with regard to their experiences.

A teacher  checks work completed in the summer holidays and gives feedback

Students complete and hand in speaking exercises

The teacher monitors class progress

Student performs listening and speaking exercise

Above is an example online resource made by a member of staff at Bradfield

Classroom tips which might be useful for Bradfield College:

1. Appoint one or two ‘Lab Gurus’ for each class.
   This would be a ‘tech-minded’ student who is responsible for helping others with plugging in microphones / headsets, and adjusting recording/playback settings.

2. Set some tasks in advance, so that pupils have a good range of work on their ‘to do’ lists.
   In case of unexpected issues with microphones and/or headphones, it is a good idea to have some straightforward reading/writing tasks which are not dependent on multimedia functionality.

3. Allow students to begin work as soon as they enter the classroom. This will give the following advantages:
   1. makes good use of ‘slack’ time between lessons (punctual pupils thus do not hold up latecomers)
   2. good opportunity for extra practice - they begin language tasks as soon as they are in the room
   3. the first individuals will provide early warning of any technical problems likely to arise during the lesson.
   4. a more gradual demand on broadband usage (a sudden demand for bandwidth from multiple workstations may slow down the school network, for example)
4. Individuals requiring special attention:
   Exceptionally bright pupils or individuals with learning difficulties may perform better if they realise they are getting special, individualised tasks on their ‘To do’ lists.
   This can be set this up quickly by creating a ‘new group’ and selecting ‘from existing students’ in the class.

Schoolshape Online Language Lab: Technical installation at Bradfield

The 'Open' IT setup at Bradfield College is geared to allow students to use as wide a range of equipment as possible. When Schoolshape visited, desktop computers and personal laptops were both in use.