Supporting First Nations languages with simple Keynote templates

I am very fortunate, in my work as an Apple Professional Learning Specialist, to work with many First Nations teachers and students, who do not speak English as their first language. I also work with schools where First Nations languages are being revitalised and preserved. Teachers are always looking for ways to engage students in their learning with iPad in literacy, both in their First Nations language and in standard English.

Sometimes, simple is best! I designed this Keynote activity in response to a lesson where assistant teachers were using flash cards in a language lesson to teach words to students, and I thought Keynote would be a great way to incorporate similar pedagogy, while utilising the iPads and their ability to have recorded audio to enhance the activity. Teachers commented on how important they think it is for students to hear themselves speaking, by listening to their own recorded voice, to help them with pronunciation.

 

Keynote template images showing text boxes, images and handwritten words and audio icons
Screenshots of examples both blank template and completed

Keynote is my favourite and most used app, for its ease of use and versatility. The ability for students to listen to the word or sentence, drag the text boxes, write with Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon (or fingers) and then record themselves saying the word or sentence creates a great multimodal learning activity that can also be used as an assessment. Note that this type of activity could also be used in Pages or Numbers, but Keynote and Pages are the only ones that will allow you to create templates with editable blank pages/slides. It could also be adapted with text boxes for students to type words, rather than write, if you prefer.

Attached, as a resource below, is a Keynote template I have created and have been using with teachers and students in classrooms. It is a combination of 3 different templates, for convenience in the one download. This Keynote is set up as a template, so you are able to add new pages and customise to your needs. This video steps you through the process of using this template. Add it to your Theme Chooser to save the stress of realising you have used your last blank copy!

 


While I designed this for use with First Nations languages, it is equally useful with English or indeed most (if not all) languages. I would love to hear if you have found this useful and how you have used it in the classroom, and with what language.

Example of handwriting 3 letter words with text boxes
Example for English 3 letter words for young students

If you would find a demonstration on how I created the template useful, please comment below and I can add one at a later date.

More information

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/keynote-ipad/tanb343cb739/ipados

 

Attachments

8 replies

November 09, 2022

This is wonderful Bev! Thanks for this helpful and detailed tutorial and template. Great for any language learners and so super for First Nation languages.

November 17, 2022

Thank you 🙏

November 09, 2022

Amazing resource Bev :) So user friendly and accessible for people in all kinds of context.

November 10, 2022

🤩 Such a fantastic resource and great inspiration for others to adapt and create their own version for their context too, Bev!

And, a great and super clear instructional video to go with it! 🙌

November 11, 2022

Thanks for sharing this great resource and video, Bev!

November 13, 2022

Love all the ways Keynote can be used to help enhance existing ideas.

November 02, 2023

Just brilliant Bev. Thanks so much for sharing and providing the exceptional Keynote template 😊🙏👏❤️

November 02, 2023

This is a phenomenal activity. I had just shared the idea of using keynote to have students record themselves with our Spanish Teacher. I like your template layout and will be sharing this with them. My daughter just did a test in her Spanish class where she had to engage in a conversation with her teacher. I could see this template being used to help students practice and prepare for speaking assessments like that. It can also be used like audio flash cards. Thanks for sharing the activity.

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