Ralph Annina from Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Fiorenza Congedo from G. Marconi Technical High School in Verona, Italy presented on their project using MagazineFactory to facilitate student writing and cultural exchange. The project aims to promote language learning through technology by having students from each school publish articles on various topics in their virtual magazine. Benefits include increased student motivation to learn a foreign language and improved language skills. The project is transferable as new classes can join at any time during the school year.

1. November 20, 2010
Boston Hynes Convention Center
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2. Ralph Annina, Bradford HS, Kenosha, Wisconsin
rannina@wi.rr.com
Fiorenza Congedo, G. Marconi Technical HS,
Verona, Italy
fiorenza.congedo@istruzione.it
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4. l Motivate and engage students to
learn
l Facilitate student writing in Italian
and English
l Cultural awareness
l Promote High-level computer literacy
skills
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5. l Students use an interactive web-site,
to share ideas, links, multi-media
materials
l Students use MagazineFactory to
write and publish articles in Italian
and English
l Individual E-mail not needed
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6. http://magazinefactory.edu.fi/magazines/shapecultures/
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9. Summary of benefits and transferability:
La partecipazione a questo progetto si pone
l’obiettivo di promuovere la conoscenza delle
lingue attraverso l’innovazione tecnologica.
Gli studenti studiano una lingua straniera
utilizzando le nuove tecnologie per imparare
a pubblicare nel loro giornale virtuale articoli
di argomenti diversi.
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10. I vantaggi sono evidentemente legati alla
maggiore motivazione all'apprendimento di
una lingua straniera da parte delle classi
coinvolte e il miglioramento delle abilità
linguistiche. La trasferibilità è legata alla
possibilità di inserire nuove classi in
qualsiasi momento dell’anno scolastico.
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11. MagazineFactory
l MagazineFactory collaborative
features suitable for international
cooperation.
l MagazineFactory is an easy and
enjoyable publishing tool which
provides the teachers and the pupils
an opportunity to work as editorial
staff in the class and to publish a
web magazine of their own.
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12. l Theteacher is the editor-in-chief, while
the pupils are journalists.
l Theweb magazine may be a single
project, or a magazine which is edited
continuously throughout the school year.
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13. l Strengths
– Students interact with peers in Italy
– Learn technology tools
– Become independent learners
– E-mail accounts are not needed
– Video and voice function (Skype)
l Weaknesses
– Takes time to set-up
– Availability of technology
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14. l Computer Lab
l Server accounts
l Internet access
l On-going, weekly computer access
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15. l Review in classroom before going to
lab “What we will be doing in lab?”
l Activities for students
– Include review exercises of class topics
– E-learning activity for Webzine
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16. l Need at least 1 ½ hours – 2 ½ hours
per week
l Blocks of time better
l Allow home access if computers are
available
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