Thanks for coming back! This week I’ve checked out Anchor to learn French (my learning project) and discover how to write a classroom podcast. Honestly, I was not sure what to choose- a podcase (and which one?) a class plan website, a video editor…. too much to choose from! So I decided to start with the podcast to see how I can embed this in the classroom and engage students in new ways, and maybe check out more options later too. Anchor felt more intuitive for me so I went with it.
So starting where I always start first when I’m excited/ overwhelmed/ anything in between: the very first part of the very first step. In this case- podcast short intro. I called it hot chocolate (for the kids) and coffee (for me!) break. This can be a way for me to learn French now, and provide the verbal practice (additional time to Doulingo ) and have a fun way to experiment on myself and try this later in the classroom.
It was not easy- it took me a few days and some road blocks. First, I learned how to set it up, and then have the courage to actually talk in it – in French! haha…. then it would not submit for reviewing for some reason. So I played around with it, got frustrated, stopped, got back to it later, and eventually figured it out.
This took a week haha…. learning French AND patience! Now that I’ve explored it for a while, and still got lots to learn (like placing sound effects, etc.) I think it’s a good tool overall- just got to learn how to make it work and be more familiar with its system. I also have so much more to focus on, especially talking slower when I’m nervous.
This is how my Anchor profile looks like when I progress with the steps (which is how I realized that I was stuck at the publishing stage! smart app design)
and how the main page looks like now that my podcast is approved and ready to go (taken with zoom, the glue of my life lately!) which shows you where the podcast is available, the embedding links, etc.
And that was followed with the very happy victory email that I got declaring my podcast is available online!
So- why is this good in the classroom? check out the podcast and find out! (and hear be learning French…) grab your coffee and chill for 6 minutes 🙂
The podcast will be a fun way to engage and get the kids vocal and creative in a positive way
It will help them be aware of their words choices
Share with parents and community members our weekly learning
Collaborate with other classrooms doing the same
Hear progress when learning a new language
And much much more!
I still need to learn lots here… how to upload a full song, how to do transitions in the body of the episode, and much more…. if you got tips- please please share! This is all so new!
For my French project, this was helpful as I spoke my new words. This week I learned the colors. As an art teacher- this is extra fun! I pronounce it still a bit off, but can already hear progress and this is a big step for me. I used Quizlets for this one. And want to thank you all for the helpful tips and recommending so many good places to learn French- this is so much appreciated!
This is the super short video I found that also helps me practice along side Quizlets- unlike the other videos I posted before it’s around one minute so can be played anytime and is just there if I need to fix up my pronunciation. I like how simple it is, and how quick it is. Repetition and simplifying has turned out key to my progress in French learning project!
How is your project going? Why did you choose your platforms? Feel free to share and follow also on twitter!
Until next time!
Colorfully yours,
Maya
