Introduction to a proposal to use the cloud-based software, MyBrainshark, in an English Language Teaching setting - The China Central Academy Of Fine Arts, Beijing. Note: This was created for an ICT module on an MA course at the University of Warwick. Part 1 of 6.

1. 1. Introduction
With Phil Longwell
phil.longwell@btinternet.com

2. 中央美术学院
 Each lesson is one hour long.
 We shall be in this room all day this week
 Monday – Saturday (inclusive) time: tbc
 Aim: to introduce a digital cloud-based software
tool to use with students on the International
Foundation Course @ CAFA
 Requirement: BYOD (Bring your own device)

3. An asynchronous, cloud-based software tool.
What does that mean?
What do you think it can do?
Here’s an example: My Timeline

4. An asynchronous, cloud-based software tool which
allows you to:
 Upload different kinds of content to share online.
 e.g. a document, PPP,
 photo album or video.
 You can add a voice-over or
 narration.
 It also allows podcast to be
 produced.
 It allows sharing and
 embedding (+ tracking).

5.  Multimedia digital presentations
 It’s free for individual users.

6.  Quick four minute tour of ‘my Brainshark’:
 Quick Tour
 There are thousands of presentations already
uploaded. Authentic listening practice.
 They are mostly created by sales and
marketing teams to sell their products.
 However, we could still use them with our
students.

7.  Do you know of some other software which
is similar to my brainshark? Discuss..
Images used under terms of ‘fair use’ policy

8.  1. Getting started + Introduction
 2. Uploading content and recording audio
 3. Working with photos or video
 4. Working with a PPP or PDF
 5. Being creative + constructive alignment
 6. Sharing and Storing +Further Ideas + Review

9. 
 Discuss possible uses with another person.
It helps students to practice and perfect their speaking skills
 It helps students to improve pronunciation (with classroom
feedback)
 It is based on a communicative and situated pedagogy
 It potentially overcome issues over face-loss and weaker speakers
 It encourages autonomous learning (already happening on the art
side)
 It is useful to watch other Brainshark presentations for authentic
listening practice
 It encourages reflective practice
 It creates space for classroom feedback and other connected
activities
 It allows students to create, practice and present their work
 It allows students to build up a digital portfolio of their art work

10.  Skills Pyramid Own
 taken from Hampel and Stickler, 2005, style
 Open University. Skills for Online
 Language Tutors. Creativity
and choice
Facilitating
communicative competence
Online socialization
Dealing with constraints and
possibilities of the medium
Specific technical competence for the software
Basic ICT competence

11.  Discuss and draw up a list of ways that the tool
could be used:
 (a) in the classroom
 (b) away from the classroom
 How could the tool help with the objectives of:
 (a) the teachers?
 (b) the students?
 What problems do you envisage?

12. 中央美术学院
So what do we think about using this tool?
What about the other presentation tools
mentioned today?
Screencast videos are available at:
http://www.screencast.com/users/teacherphili
The website for this tool is at:
http://www.brainshark.com/mybrainshark
Sign up with an email and a password
and try it for yourself.
Next time: Uploading content and recording audio.