The Curriculum Through ICT Program

Ideas Bank

Oral Recounts using Webcams

THE TASK

Early childhood students completed an oral recount of a real life experience. The oral recount was recorded using a webcam and microphone.

The activity took place in the context of a class focus on speaking and listening. Oral recounts were modelled and students developed understandings about how to sequence events and use the "5W+H" framework: "Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?"

After recording the recount, the video footage was viewed and feedback was provided by teacher and peers. Recording the recount a second time was encouraged. The following year, the activity was conducted again. Students compared the videos and identified how they had progressed.

This activity can also be useful to develop the LOTE outcome Listening and Responding, and Speaking. It could be adapted for use with older students using an appropriate context for the oral retell, for example an oral presentation, a narrative or an oral exposition such as a debate.

ICT ENRICHMENT

• Video enables students to see themselves and self-assess their skills and understandings. Developing these skills further and recording a second time became an integral part of the learning process.
• The digital format enables the videos to be recorded, filed and viewed easily on a computer.
• Webcams are less expensive than video cameras and work adequately to record an individual's learning.

ASSESSMENT

• The teacher and students reviewed the videos and feedback was given about progress in the Speaking outcome.
• The Speaking outcome was monitored in anecdotal notes. This helped with formal planning for student activities in this outcome.
• This cumulative record will form part of an ongoing record of students' Speaking skills throughout their primary years.

LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES

English
Speaking

Languages Other Than English
Listening and Responding, and Speaking

Learning activity developed by Janine Bersan.