http://lisadawley.googlepages.com/SL.edmedia07.pdf

http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet19/felix.html

http://kamimo-islands.blogspot.com/

http://www.slideshare.net/sreljic/aect2007sreljic

http://e-language.wikispaces.com/virtual-worlds

http://lisadawley.googlepages.com/challengesolutionBSU.htm

http://www.bio101.net/vcast/SL_Presentation_Nov07.html

http://www.bio101.net/vcast/Handout.pdf

http://tesl-ej.org/ej39/int.html

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/11/13/second.life.university/

http://www.bus.iastate.edu/mennecke/503/SecondLifeOverview.ppt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7qDcpjns8g

http://esl-secondlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/esl-campus-promotes-team-language.html

http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/57065_1/

King Harold School, Waltham Abbey. Mr Terry Curtis and Ms Judith Harrington

Expectation, Motivation, Perception: assessing the value and effectiveness of using a Virtual

Teaching and Learning Environment (VTLE)

In this project with parallel groups in Year 8, the Languages department assessed ways to incorporate

existing ICT-based resources into teaching and learning activities both for motivation and as a tool for

pupil manipulation of language. The school had recently purchased a Kaleidos Virtual Teaching and

Learning Environment, and wished to make effective use of the investment. The project aimed to assess

the impact of ICT within the framework of the VTLE on behaviour and attitude, and to determine the effect

of the ICT resources and activities on what students actually produced. The expectations were that:

- Pupils’ attention to, and focus on, their work would be improved

- Pupils would work more independently than usual

- Pupils would create a personal resource on a theme

- Pupils might identify new resources they recommend seeking out

-Teachers would improve their understanding of facilitation in the ICT context and reflect on how lessons

learnt from the action research could be applied to future activities

The project found that:

- Pupils did work more independently and produced a resource

- Some pupils found it easier to discuss what they had done

- The working atmosphere was a lot better

- Some learners were more willing to ask for help than they might otherwise

Peer review of work produced using a projector was very effective for motivating, clarifying common

ideas, illustrating a range of content and for redrafting. Some questions remain: How to get pupils to stay

on task, and prioritise the quality of the language as the main point of the exercise?, and Does the ICT

activity set learners up to remember the language? The teachers intend to integrate independent VTLE

activities into future plans, with account taken of the lessons learnt. Within the department the project will

be discussed; it will provide a step into the VTLE for current or future NQTs. The teachers are considering

setting up a VTLE project for Year 9 pupils who will not be continuing into Year 10.

Assorted Classroom Activities: slactivities.pdf