Encouraging Listening and Speaking

As mentioned in previous blogs, the interactive whiteboard alone offers great opportunities to sustain children’s listening and speaking. However, there are a range of exciting tools that can also be used to assist children with the LISTENING AND SPEAKING skills. ICT therefore offers children exciting opportunities . Some of these engaging tools are listed below:

1.Talking Photo Albums – is an engaging activity for anyone that wishes to record audio in a photo album. The album has a variety of uses and can be applied to activities for children with special needs, for example, saying key phrases for EAL children. The album can be used for photo sequences, sight seeing guides, presentations, annotating a school trip or for literally anyone who just wishes to have audible information readily available as a quick reference. 

2. Talk Time Cards – The cards feature a built-in digital sound recording chip that enables the pupil or teacher to record a brief voice file to describe the drawing on the card. This is a valuable tool for reinforcing letter, word and shape to sound recognition and number bonding activities. The larger A4 cards are a great source for planning and story telling.

3. Talking Tins – are proving to help children of all ages to develop their speaking and listening skills. Talking Tins allow you to record and playback your own voice messages, music or sound effects.Taking Tins can be used in all areas of the school and are a great cross curricular activity.

4. Podcast – A podcast is a type of digital media consisting of an episodic series of audio, video, PDF…files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device. The word is a neologism derived from "broadcast" and "pod" from the success of the iPod, as podcasts are often listened to on portable media players. Definition

In simpler terms, a podcast is recorded and distributed over the internet so an individual is able to listen to it wherever they may be in the world. 

''Away, with the heavy text books...''

Reflecting back to my school days...education did not really extend beyond the classroom four walls and technology was rather limited! As a future educator, I want to be the best teacher I can be and I believe that podcasts are a fantastic tool to use with children. Something that made a particular impact on me is that children can now learn anywhere and anytime they want. The fact that podcasts are portable makes them very convenient! For example, I could review feedback from my class whilst I am out and about! 

The question therefore is; Why are more teachers not incorporating podcasts into their lessons?

Engaging and interactive podcast link:
 School Radio

 

 

There has been a consumer explosion of digital cameras and digital videos.

5. Digital Camera - Education offers numerous digital camera activities guaranteed to make life easier for teachers and more interesting for your students.

One school is quoted as saying:

"We use digital cameras to take pictures of students for use in the classroom, and to take pictures of projects and activities to show at open houses and (with parental permission) to publish on the Web.'' Digital Cameras

6. Digital Video – Within UK primary schools (children aged 4 to 11 years) there is currently an increasing focus on creativity within teaching and learning and a desire to use ICT to enhance learning. Digital Video

Small video clips can be very powerful...

Please see example of the video we took during our ICT lesson...Albert the dog :)
 

Key facts  about interactive resources...

1. Supports the development of spoken fluency and listening skill
2. Supports the development of writing and builds confidence with words
3. Record in any language - perfect for Modern Language
4. Encourages team work
5. Tasks are motivational
6. Gives children a voice
7. Encourages self-confidence for children
8. Enhances the learning environment
9. Ensures an equal opportunity learning environment