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Training - Face-to-Face Sessions and Workshops
[ overview | f2f workshops| f2f trainers | publications]
Overview
Formed in 2003, The Consultants-E is an innovative web-based company of consultants dealing with online learning and teaching in higher and adult education. Each member of the team has extensive experience of f2f language teaching and teacher training, and we have been involved in online training since the mid-1990s we have also recently published ‘How to Teach English with Technology’ (Dudeney & Hockly, Longman 2007). We help companies and higher education institutions implement instructional technology, design online courses and seminars, and train educators in online teaching and learning. We also offer quality f2f training, especially in the application of ICT, to classroom teachers.
ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of language teachers, teacher trainers and educators, and management, not just in terms of dealing with administrative duties, but in terms of its use in the classroom. How to use ICT (and especially Internet-based tools) effectively in the classroom is an area that is given short shrift even on formal teacher training courses. The result is teachers who are untrained to use ICT successfully and effectively in the classroom, and schools investing in technology that their teachers are either unwilling or unable to use.
We offer a series of workshops on how to implement ICT tools in the language classroom. These are aimed at teachers, teacher trainers, directors, and educators in general. All of our workshops are communicative, hands-on, and based in real classroom practice. Practising teachers leave our workshops with clear ideas on how to implement these tools in their own teaching. With a minimum group size of 6, and a maximum of 25, participants are guaranteed a personal service geared towards addressing common problematic areas associated with the implementation of technology in language teaching, as well as practical, hands-on work which - when applied - can have an immediate and positive impact on their professional lives.
Face to face Workshops
Below are a range of workshops which we currently offer. Each workshop can last between 1 and 3 hours, depending on whether the workshop includes hands-on training with computers for the participants, and a combination of workshops can be put together depending on the client’s needs and the total duration of the training.
Please contact us directly to discuss your training needs, and our training terms and fees. We also offer these workshops in Spanish or Catalan, and can provide resources for teachers of modern European languages (Spanish, French, German, Italian).
 Pod-what? Podcasting for and with language learners
A podcast is an audio and/or video file that is ‘broadcast’ via the Internet, and can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device such as an mp3 player for listening/viewing. This practical workshop addresses 3 main questions:
1 What is a podcast?
2 How can I make audio podcasts with my learners?
3 What kinds of podcast projects can I set up with my learners?
Participants will leave the workshop with a clear idea of what a podcast is, how to use simple audio podcasting software, and ideas for implementing podcast projects with their own classes
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The what, why, where and how of Wikis
A Wiki is a series of interlinking web pages that can be used collaboratively by groups of learners in order to develop content of almost any type – text, photos, audio files, and video can all be added to a wiki. A wiki lends itself particularly well to collaborative group work, but can also be used by teachers in a variety of more innovative ways, which we will explore in this workshop. Participants will leave the workshop with a clear idea of what a wiki is, how to use simple wiki software, and ideas for implementing wiki projects with their own classes. |
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Moodle (not muddle)
Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are increasingly used in both online and blended teaching and training, and one of the most ubiquitous of these is Moodle. However, how does one make the most of using Moodle to create coherent and varied online and blended courses? Without a principled use of Moodle’s various functions, solid task design, and effective e-tutoring, online learning can too easily turn into muddle. This workshop looks at using Moodle in online learning. Participants will have hands-on experience of using Moodle, and will consider principles and current best practice in how to set up and run effective online or blended learning courses. |
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Web 2.0: ICT and teachers
Blogs, wikis, podcasts & vodcasts, social bookmarking …these are all examples of so-called Web 2.0 technology. This workshop looks at specific examples of teachers using Web 2.0 ICT – Internet and Communication Technology - in new and interesting ways. We look at some of the success stories, and also at the challenges faced by teachers in implementing ICT in their teaching. What tools are freely available, where are they being used, by whom, and how? |
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From Web 2.0 to Web 3D
Networked technology is still advancing at an incredible pace. In the ten years since the Internet became available to the general public (from a technical and economic standpoint) we have moved from static webpages through to interactive websites and on to what is now generally known as Web 2.0, where the emphasis is on user-created content and interaction. And just when we thought the development had slowed, we see the introduction of virtual worlds such as Second Life, and the concept of Web 3D. What implications does this speed and direction of development hold for language teachers? |
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Second Life for Beginners
Second Life is the virtual 3D environment that has taken the world by storm and is now making significant inroads into education. With over 4,000 educators currently working in Second Life, and increasing presence from universities, colleges and private education, it provides novel and engaging possibilities for synchronous and asynchronous distance and blended learning courses. Participants in this workshop will get hands-on experience with Second Life, as well as a solid overview of tools and approaches to education in virtual worlds, and ideas for integrating it into their current teaching or training practice. |
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Net Advantage: Marketing 2.0 – The Internet & Your Organisation
With an increasing quantity of language and training courses being sold via the Net, traditional notions of how organisations are perceived and chosen have largely gone out of the window. Print advertisements, flyers and banners on webpages are no longer the most effective means of reaching – and convincing – your target audience.
This workshop considers the effect Web 2.0 technologies have on your reputation and business. From blogs, podcasts and wikis, to online communities and social networking websites - find out how they are deciding who does business with you, who’s saying what about you, and learn how to harness these technologies to your advantage. Real examples, real ideas. |
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Blogs in the language classroom
This workshop looks at the use of ‘blogs’ (online journals) with language students. Blogs are an example of social software – computer tools which allow people to connect, to communicate and to collaborate online. In this practical workshop we explore: free software for blogs (what it looks like, how it works, where to get it) and real examples of projects which use blogs , set up by English language teachers from around the world. Finally we consider how participants might use blogs with their own learners. |
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The Chattering classes: Using online chat in the classroom
This workshop looks at how online voice and text chat works, how they can help students learn, and what teacher needs to know and do to run successful online voice or text chats with students. In this practical workshop we explore: free software for chat (what it looks like, how it works, where to get it) and real examples of projects which use chat tools, set up by English language teachers from around the world. Finally we consider how participants might use chat with their own learners. |
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Email and the language classroom
Easy to access and easy to use, most learners and teachers already use email extensively in their daily lives. This workshop considers how to bring email into the classroom, as well as how to use email out of class time. We also look closely at how to set up and run successful email projects with other classes around the world (keypal projects), and how to set up data collection projects.
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ePortfolios
Electronic portfolios, or ‘ePortfolios’, are increasingly being used to present learners’ work in electronic format, in many disciplines. ePortfolios are more flexible than paper-based portfolios, allowing for a range of digital media to be included (video, audio, blogs, websites etc.). In this workshop we consider how and why ePortfolios can be used to showcase language learners’ (or teacher trainees’) work.
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RSS – the what and how of RSS
With the wealth of data available on the Internet, we are increasingly in danger of suffering from information overload. RSS is a way of keeping up to date with what’s happening on blogs, podcasts, the news etc. that is easy to handle and allows us to browse large amounts of information in a short time. We look at how RSS readers can help the language teacher keep more easily abreast of developments in the profession, and also at how language learners can use RSS to sample and choose from a wide range of information in the target language that relates directly to their own personal needs and interests. |
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eNetworks: Social networking tools
Part of the Web 2.0 phenomena includes so called ‘social networking’ sites such as MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn, and social bookmarking tools such as Delicious. We also have ‘social media’ sites such as YouTube and Flickr. This workshop looks at a number of social networking sites and tools, and considers how they can be used in the language classroom. |
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eNetworks: Online events and conferences
This workshop is for educators interested in exploring how to set up online training events or conferences, from short one-hour synchronous events, to longer asynchronous events which can last days or weeks. We examine various free web-based tools that can be used to run online events, and consider the practicalities and pitfalls involved. |
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Look it up: Online reference tools
Thesauri, dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordancers, translators... These are all examples of online reference tools that can be used for language work in the classroom – exactly how to use these tools with learners, in a range of activity types, is explored in this workshop. |
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eMaterials: Authoring tools and producing electronic materials
An authoring program allows you to create materials in electronic format for your learners. In this workshop we examine several free authoring tools, which do not need any technical expertise or specialist knowledge, and enable the teacher to make attractive tailor-made electronic materials, from simple quizzes and tests to more complex activites such as reading mazes or interactive stories. |
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Word processors for the classroom
This workshop takes a look at a range of activity types which use word processing programs (eg Microsoft Word). We look at how teachers can create materials, templates, forms and attractive worksheets, as well at features which can make correcting learner work more effective, such as TrackChanges. We also look at how learners can work with word processors, for creative writing, language work and presentation of work. |
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The Wired Teacher: Skills for the Online Tutor
As the trend towards learning via the Internet increases, larger numbers of EFL teachers are becoming involved in tutoring online language courses. This workshop looks at the skills that the online teacher needs, and is aimed at participants who are either currently working in online teaching, or may be moving into this growing fi eld in the future. We look at online teaching and learning – that is, teaching via a learning platform, or VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). We examine the skills that the online teacher needs, and the differences between f2f (face-to-face) and online teaching. |
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The DoS, the Trainer, the Teacher and Technology
How have the roles of directors, trainers and teachers changed since access to technology has become more widespread? This workshop looks at how directors, trainers and teachers can integrate technology usage into their working lives - not only for personal and professional development, but as part of a CPD (Continual Professional Development) package for teaching staff, enabling everyone to make the most of ICT (Internet and Communication Technology) in the classroom. Participants will be exposed to a range of current ICT tools, helped to identify their own ICT needs, as well as to outline possible ICT training options for their own staff or trainees, where relevant. |
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Young Learners and Computers
Are you a digital native or a digital immigrant? Were you born into technology (a digital native) or have you come to technology later in life, if at all (a digital immigrant)? Many of our younger learners are far more tech-savvy than their teachers, and are blogging, chatting and downloading podcasts to their mp3 players on a regular basis in their personal lives. In this workshop we consider how to use the Internet as a resource with young learners (aged approx 11 – 16). Blogs, podcasts, text and audio chat will be examined, with participants learning about (and how to use – in longer workshops) these tools themselves. Issues of appropriate materials, security and classroom management will be addressed, and participants will leave the workshop with several practical ideas to use with their own young learner classes.
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WebQuests
WebQuests are examples of project work which use the Internet as a primary resource. This workshop looks briefl y at what WebQuests are, and then more closely at how they can be used in the classroom. We will examine both short-term (e.g one class) and extended WebQuests, their structure, how to plan and design them, and how to put them into practice. Participants will be recommended both short-term and longer-term sample WebQuests to implement with their own classes.
Please contact us directly to arrange a workshop. |
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