Your essential introduction to Wikis and more

There's still time to apply for the Blended Cert ICT course at IH London starting on 15 October. Leading up to the course, we're sharing tips and advice to help you use ICT more effectively in the classroom.

One of the many great things about this course is that each week’s tasks, and the tools you are introduced to, are built on the skills you’ve learned in previous sessions.

In our last post about the Blended Cert ICT course we talked about what’s covered in Module One, which takes up the first five sessions of the face-to-face portion of the course.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll learn how to do during the first half of Module Two, which is also delivered in the F2F classroom:

• How to supercharge your Internet searching skills, allowing you and your students to find the right resources for what you need more quickly
  
• How to make quick and easy podcasts that add value and fun to your teaching
  
• How to make the most of Web 2.0 tools such as social bookmarking, social networking (even if you’re not already using it, your students probably are!)
  
• How to create WebQuests that will have your students practicing their language skills as well as getting valuable “real world” online experience
  
• How to use various types Blogs and Wikis with your learners
  

All about Wikis

Wikis are a great tool for collaborative and process writing, and are easily one of the most popular “I’m so glad I now know how to use them” tools of the course. Not sure what a wiki is?

Here’s an essential overview …



Wikis are easy to set up, a doddle to administer, and are arguably one of the most versatile tools that you’ll end up with in your ICT toolbox. They end up being a one-stop shopping place where teachers can collaborate with students: delivering information and having learners produce (and hone) their own language, keeping a record of first drafts, edits and corrections (from the teacher and/or peer correction).

How to join the course

Learn more about Blended Cert ICT or contact Colin Paton our head of eLearning, with any questions.

Spaces are filling up for the course starting on 15 October. Book now to get your spot!

Missed our Blended Cert ICT taster session? Here's a quick catch up!

In case you didn't make it along to our session taster this week, here are some of the essential facts we learned about the upcoming Blended Cert ICT course at IH London:

• It's currently the only teaching with technology course certified by Trinity College.
• Teachers who take the course range from recent CELTA grads looking to continue their education to Directors of Studies who want to implement more technology in their schools. There is truly something for everyone on this course.
• You don't need any previous technical knowledge, and even IT wizards who take it have always ended up with some new tricks up their sleeves.
• There are three modules to the course, the first of which is taught completely face-to-face. Module One includes:
• Keeping your computers safe (nobody likes a virus)
• Understanding different kinds of file formats (do you know your MP4s from your WMVs? your JPGs from your GIFs?)
• Working with images (how do you get that high-res picture off your digital camera to fit on a web page?)
• Using audio (hey, that might come in handy for pron practice ... hmmmm)
• Video (can I really use free, low-tech tools to teach in my classroom? -- Yes! See below)

Get your teaching toolbox ready!

The above animation is just one of the many free, easily accessible tools you'll have in your "teaching toolbox" at the end of the course, and that toolbox gets a little more full after every session. One of the best things about the Blended Cert ICT is that it's very practical and very hands on. Every week you'll have new ways to quickly and easily add a little technology to your teaching, whether it be to spice up an existing lesson or keep a running online record with your students of what they've covered over the duration of the course.

More tips and examples from the course coming over the next few weeks.

How to join the next course

Learn more about the Blended Cert ICT course and apply online or contact Colin Paton, our Head of eLearning, with your questions.

The next course starts on 15 October and spaces are filling up. Book now to make sure you don't miss out.

Learn new skills for the classroom with Blended Cert ICT

Our Blended Cert ICT course begins on 15 October and applications are open now. Over the next few weeks we'll be posting tips and advice about using ICT in the classroom to give you an idea of what the course involves.

If you're thinking of applying, don't miss the free taster session tomorrow, Tuesday 6 September at IH London, when you'll have an opportunity to find out more about the Blended Cert ICT course and qualification and ask your questions.

Your introduction to the course

Check out the Voki below to find out some more about the course and what's happening over the next few weeks:



The course will introduce you to blogs, wikis and podcasting while you also learn how to use other simple, easily accessible, and FREE technology tools (eg, WebQuests, electronic assessments, videos, social media) that you will be able to immediately incorporate into your lessons.

The course is designed for both the novices and those with a more technical know-how who want to add to their toolboxes of classroom tips and tricks.

What to do next

Find out more about the taster session on 6 September.

Get full details about the Blended Cert ICT course and how to apply.