Contextualisation
Including real characters in real settings presenting pupils with real problems that need solving. This gives pupils a powerful incentive to find solutions and to see their answers applied.
- Creating a ‘real life’ context and incentive for learning
- Adding an ‘extra’ dimension to learning
- Bringing the task to life
- Putting the excitement back into learning
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a moving, speaking, acting picture is worth many thousand words. Adding a ‘real life’ context for pupils to work within provides an additional incentive, motivation and purpose to an activity. It is also fun!
Use of Actors
To see an animation illustrating the use of actors click here.
These may be a historic or mythical character that either arrives at a location to take part in the videoconference, or joins the videoconference from another location. The character can be used to introduce a specific topic, set a challenge, answer questions, or interact with the pupils to guide or extract information.
Use of Puppets
To see an animation illustrating the use of puppets click here.
Puppets can be effectively used with pupils of all ages and may be hand puppets, glove puppets, finger puppets, shadow puppets, stick puppets, marionettes and even life size puppets
The puppets can be used to perform group sequences, or as characters to interact with the pupils and their work. The introduction of puppets enables pupils to suspend their disbelief and to enter into creative, make-believe scenarios.
Use of Real Life Scenarios
To see an animation illustrating the use of real life scenarios click here.
Examples can be taken from newspapers, television programs, soap operas or events happening in the school and local community.
Use of Experts
To see an animation illustrating the use of experts click here.
There are experts everywhere, within school, the local community, or nationally who, with some sensitive encouragement can be encouraged to share their expertise with young learners.
Some videoconference content providers already supply lists of existing experts with experience of using videoconference to promote learning.
To see a video illustrating contextualisation, click here. (mpg, 55mb)