I pondered this question for a while. I work at a mixed age group preschool and we are constantly seeing the older students teaching the younger students. They act as role models. So, I thought to myself, is there a way for technology to be brought into this atmosphere?
We use a classroom iPad for just about everything. We research questions, use YouTube to show the students different things we are learning about, but we mostly use it for documentation of the students. We take pictures ALL DAY LONG. We take pictures of everything...a confident creation, activity time, outside play, etc. But, the teachers are the only ones to actually use the iPad, since are students are so young. How could we use this device for technology and so students could teach their peers?
VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!
For my weekly app practical, I would like to use the video app on our iPad. This is an easy app because everyone usually has access to one. They are built into every iPad and smart phone (which means free yay!). What if the teachers took videos of the students modeling things in our classroom that the students are responsible for?
My preschool is loves to focus on self-help skills. It is a big part in any preschoolers development. The act of being independent, being able to care for his/her own needs, etc. What if we could take these skills and have the older students make a video showing the students how to properly do them?
Skills:
1. Hand-washing
2. Snack time
3. Hanging up coat and backpack
4. Recycling paper
My thought is that at the beginning of every year, these student-made, self-help videos could be shown to the rest of the class. I feel that it would make a huge impact on the newer, younger students. It would help them learn the rules and expectation much faster then the boring way of the teachers just going over everything.
Here is an example of what a video could look like:
(Due to privacy I could not share a video from any of my students)
I would change one thing. I would have the student dictate what the proper rules are for hand-washing. I think the other students would listen better if this happened.
Students learning from students is a great way for everyone to learn!
I love the concept of having students video tape. I did something similar this week as well. I love your idea to use this at the beginning of the year so that way the students are more engaged because they are learning from their peers and not their teachers. As much as I love to think I am not boring, kids find it way cooler to learn from their friends!
ReplyDeleteI did my tutorial on hand washing too. I think these simple tutorials on important self-help skills could be so helpful to our students. Watching other kids, even kids they know, on these videos will definitely keep them interested to watch. Your blog looks so nice.
ReplyDeleteKids learn from each other and what better way if they are helping eachother in their everyday tasks such as hand washing. I love ow organized, font the way you explain everything.
ReplyDeleteThis is great and such an age appropriate video for a mixed age group. I would like to try it in my preschool!
ReplyDeleteMy class is also a mixed age group. One of the major goals in my class is self-help skills. This is a great idea for teaching any of the self-help skills we are working on with the children. The ipad is a readily available tool and most of the children already know how to use it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea on how to use visuals to teach children about handwashing. I would love to try this in my classroom. I wonder if there are any good you tube video out there about how to show handwashing to toddlers.
ReplyDeleteI think the clever part of using the students to teach self-help skills is that we have many students come to school for the first time with the "I can't do it" attitude. I think it is helpful for them to see their peers are able to complete these tasks. I think peer motivation can often be more powerful than from the teacher. Many parents are often unaware of their own children's abilities until they see them complete a task independently at school, when asked by the teacher. Children will continue to have adults cater to them until they no longer have the option. Independence is one of the most important skills we can give to children of this age. You could even share the videos with the parents, so they are aware of what their children should be capable of doing on their own.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great way to have students show each other how to perform daily self help skills! The students are more likely to follow simple directions from watching peers and listening to them explain how to do it.
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