A ‘Seed’ Project developed by the Regional NET Coordinating Team,
NET Section, CDI, Education Bureau

The project aims to engage English language teachers in designing culminating multimedia tasks for modules in the school-based English language curriculum at Key Stage 3 (S1-S3).

The multimedia tasks will be directly linked to curriculum aims, objectives and modules/units, and will involve students in writing digitally and creating multimedia projects using computer software and web applications.

Various strategies for teaching writing , such as shared writing , process writing and multimodal writing/creating will be considered in the co-planning sessions with the support of the Regional NET
Coordinators (RNCs).

For English teachers:
• plan curriculum and design learning tasks involving digital writing;
• implement strategies for teaching writing; and
• use multimedia tools, e.g. computer software and web applications in their teaching.

For students:
• practise writing skills in a digital environment;
• collaborate on creating multimedia products in English; and
• conduct self and peer assessment.

1.
How can the teaching of writing be enhanced by the use of technology?
2.
How can students’ writing skills be enhanced by the use of technology?

Task: Photo Story Presentation
Level: S1
Course book: Oxford New Treasure Plus 1A
Theme: Unit 2 Dream School
Technology Tool: Photo Story 3

Language items:
• vocabulary related to school facilities
• simple present tense / ‘there is/there are’
• prepositions of place
Writing skills:
• mind-mapping / story-boarding
• elaborating a description
• revising, editing

Task requirements:
• Take photos of a facility/room in the school.
• Create a digital story describing the photos.
• Give one suggestion on improving the facility/room.
• Upload the digital story to Google+ and give feedback to 3 classmates on their work.

• Exploring online safety issues
• Creating a personal profile for Google+
• Creating films with Movie Maker
• Presenting tourist interviews with Prezi
• Analysing camera shots and angles with Prezi
• Writing a film review with Google Docs
• Surveying gaming habits with Google Form

Reading
• Pre-reading activities
• While-reading activities
Vocabulary and Grammar
• Vocabulary building exercises
• Practice with target sentence structures
Integrated tasks
• Reading and listening
• Note-taking and speaking

Culminating Task
• The multimedia tasks we design for MmT 2.0 will be culminating tasks that focus on writing and give Ss authentic practice with the vocabulary, language and skills they are learning.
• All other activities in the unit should support Ss in completing the culminating multimedia task.

MmT 2.0 is a refurbished two-year seed project.
Emphasis will be placed on:
• Teaching and learning of writing in a digital environment using various strategies; and
• Authentic practice and application of newly learned language items.

2014-15 2015-16
Aug – Dec 2014
Initial period of baseline lesson observations, professional development, routine setting up and collaborative planning
Aug – Dec 2015
One unit of work with a culminating multimedia task will be planned and implemented
Jan – May 2015
One unit of work with a culminating multimedia task will be planned and trialled
Jan – May 2015
One unit of work with a culminating multimedia task will be planned and implemented
Jun – Jul 2015
Year-end reflection and data collection for evaluation
Collaborative planning for 2015-16
Jun – Jul 2015
Reflection and data collection for project evaluation

Schools participating for two years can choose from two implementation models in 2015-16.
Consolidation Model
Implement the project at the same year level with a new cohort of Ss with refined materials and teaching strategies
Example
2014-15: All S1 classes
2015-16: All S1 classes
Progression Model
Implement the project with the same cohort of Ss as they progress to the next year level to extend student learning with multimedia tasks
Example:
2014-15: All S1 classes
2015-16: All S2 classes

• All English classes in one year level participate in the project.
• Regularly scheduled meetings are arranged for all teachers to co-plan lessons and instructional materials. The first co-planning meeting will be scheduled in June 2014.
• Effective supervision and monitoring are provided by the school senior management to ensure the success of the project.

• An MmT Coordinator (preferably a middle manager, e.g. Assistant Panel Chairperson) is appointed to assist with the implementation of the project.
• Access to IT facilities, e.g. MMLC, and support from the school IT technician(s) are provided.
• Project reflection and evaluation are conducted at the end of each school year.

• School-based professional development
• Regularly scheduled co-planning meetings
• Collaborative development of teaching materials
• Opportunities for co-teaching
• Lesson observations/demonstrations and debriefings

• Online platform for teacher collaboration and sharing, e.g. Edmodo, Google
Communities
• Reflection and evaluation meetings

Application due date: 28 February 2014 (Fri)
Please submit a detailed proposal about how the project will enhance learning and teaching at your school.
Vetting meetings will be scheduled in March at prospective MmT 2.0 ‘Seed’ Project schools to discuss application proposals.

Mr William CHENG, SCDO (NET)
Phone: 3549 8339
Email: williamchcheng@edb.gov.hk
Mr Stephen COOLEY, RNC
Phone: 3549 8361
Email: cooley@edb.gov.hk