Using ICT as a Means of Supporting the Gifted in Language

Can old and new techniques in ICT and teaching stretch stronger pupils’ abilities in language? For many years ICT use has been concentrated on providing resources for weaker learners. Differentiation has tended to be differentiation ‘downwards’. This action research project experimented with old and new techniques in ICT and teaching to provide more extension for stronger pupils, to stretch their abilities in language. The aim was to find out if a balance of hardware, software, traditional teaching and ‘imported’ teaching ideas can lead to better written work, particularly in modern foreign languages.
The thrust of the project for Ewan as a foreign language teacher was to encourage more complex use of French in groups of beginners (P7/S1/S2). In some initial practice in the classroom he found that a judicious marriage between traditional resources and cutting-edge ICT provided the best results. This research project is therefore not solely about the technology – it is, above all, about the pedagogy behind the technology.

Having gained an Honours degree in Languages and European Union Studies at Edinburgh, Ewan’s first teaching experience was in the Universities of Rouen and Paris-IX, heading a course in English for economists. After completing training at Jordanhill he came back to the east of Scotland and has taught at Musselburgh Grammar School for the past three years. He has built two award-winning educational websites, including mgsOnline, with materials for every sector of education. His interests are international and cross-curricular cooperation, non-topic-based Intensive French pedagogy, educational weblogging and Podcasting.