Duration: 3:52
Sally McDougall and her students explain their process for writing book reviews and creating QR codes to share them with the wider community. Using technologies as part of this learning process has resulted in improved written work, reading, oral communication, and confidence. Sally has found there’s that higher level of engagement because they’ve got an authentic audience.
Student 1
The first thing we did was write our stories
Student 2
I wrote my story about a bubble because Margaret Mahy’s one had bubbles in it as well
Sally McDougall
So when the children decided to publish their stories with a mihi introduction and using a video with their ipads they then realised very quickly that they needed to have some criteria for their videoing so that’s when there was a very strong link back to their oral language with the speaking clearly, being audible, having an expressive voice. And that really underpinned the learning for the ESOL learners and the results from that has been quite outstanding where some of my lower children who were very quiet now they’re speaking confidently in the whole class and in groups. They’re putting up their hands.
Student 1
I was learning to have a loud voice and get in the centre of the camera.
Sally McDougall
So they needed an illustration for their filming so that they weren’t just being looked at so that’s when we looked at book covers and criteria for the book covers.
Student 1
We drawed our book cover and then we put our QR codes on it
Student 3
Here is my QR code and we used the scanner to scan it and go on to Margaret Mahy on the Hillcrest Normal school website
Student 1
So just get the camera and scan the QR code just put it, just do this so you can see the QR code
Sally McDougall
Some of the skills that they’re now developing is how to quickly access video on the iPads, being able to set it up so that they can even video themselves or video a buddy, interviewing each other, so speaking clearly with the questions, looking at the camera.
Student 3
I got better at having a loud voice.
Student 1
I got better at getting in the right place of the camera
Student 3
The two best things about making videos is having fun and being with a buddy because we could ask each other questions.
Sally McDougall
So they’re more responsible, they’ve increased their confidence. Their engagement whenever they’re using the iPads to record themselves or somebody else they’re more on task and highly motivated
So at the end we had our learning celebration for the end of the term and so the parents and families came in and the children were able to share their moveable display and it meant that more people got to view their videos, comment on their videos. We setup a link page where they were able to comment so we’ve got some written comments from people who have viewed it and the QR code also went on the newsletter so people, other people, the wider community were able to see it. So that feedback from their families and the wider community has just really motivated and empowered them as learners. They are more enthusiastic to write. They actually see themselves as authors and that what their message is, is important.
So as an overall teacher judgment I can say that yes it has impacted and the children’s learning has improved. In their written work, in their oral communication, and in their confidence. Those probably three areas would be the most important. But actually also in their reading because in their reading now that’s more expressive and there’s that higher level of engagement because they’ve got an audience
Student 3
I know my story’s good because people say they like it and they think it’s awesome.