Scenario 4 - Using ICT for recording

Introduction

Pupils and staff can use tools such as digital cameras and scanners to capture images, in order to record significant events and achievements. They can then use multimedia software or word / symbol-processing software to create the records. Similarly, pupils can use overlay keyboards and on-screen grids to record their work and achievements.

ICT can be used to help pupils record their work and experiences in a variety of ways including:

• recording achievement
• recording outings and significant events

4a – Recording achievement

Pupils can utilize various elements of ICT to record their achievements. They can use overlay keyboards and on-screen grids with symbol software to create a written record of their achievement. They can also use photographs taken with a digital camera or scanned into the computer and put into multimedia, symbols or desktop publishing software to show their achievements.

Example 1 – Symbol records

Pupils can use overlay keyboards and on-screen grids to write statements for their records of achievements with symbols. The complexity of these tools can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals. Some pupils can cope with multi-layered on-screen grids providing a large bank of symbols to chose from; for others a simple overlay with a few options is best.

This simple overlay was used to help a group of pupils to think about, then write about, their strengths and weaknesses. Each pupil was given an A4 copy of the overlay to use in discussions, prior to working at the computer. When the pupils had decided what they wanted to write, they used the overlay to enter the first part of the statement into the computer and the teacher typed in their choice to complete it.

Some pupils found the word ‘I’ difficult to understand when their writing was printed. To overcome this problem their photographs, which were already on the computer, were put into symbol-processing software to correspond with ‘I’ as a temporary measure. This worked very well.

Pupils can also use overlays and on-screen grids to write about their achievements within a specific subject, providing ongoing evidence of achievement that is accessible to both teacher and pupil.

Example 2 – Using photos to show achievement

The ICT co-ordinator at one school has been developing the use of multimedia software to create records of achievement for his pupils. He has created a template in a multimedia program, so that other teachers in the school just need to add the photos. Teachers are using the template to create slide shows that the pupils can control using a switch. The pupils are using these slide shows to participate in case conferences.

Technical tip: You can use a Mouser to make any simple slide show switch accessible. Put a link button in the same place on each slide then position the mouse pointer over it and plug your switch into a Mouser. When the switch is pressed the computer ‘thinks’ you have clicked the mouse on the link button and presents the next slide.

Key skills and equipment

The key skills for the above examples are the ability to:

• use symbol-processing software
• make overlays for the overlay keyboard
• create on-screen grids
• use a digital camera or scanner and save the photos on your computer
• use a multimedia program to create a simple slide show
• incorporate photographs into documents

The key equipment is:

• an overlay keyboard plus software
• on-screen grid-making software
• multimedia software
• symbol-processing software
• a digital camera
• a scanner

4b – Recording outings and significant events

Digital cameras can be used to provide immediate feedback after an outing or event in school. Some cameras can be plugged into a television and the photographs played back for everyone to look at and discuss immediately. For a more permanent record the photographs can be downloaded onto the computer, to be placed into desktop publishing, word-processing and multimedia programs, etc. Pupils can also record their comments using a microphone and sound recording software to add to any multimedia presentations.

Example 1 – Going out with the digital camera

A Key Stage 1 class went out for a walk around the neighbourhood as part of their project on ‘My Community’. The digital camera was taken along and photographs of the pupils at different locations were taken. Shop staff and other workers were also photographed. When the class returned to school the photographs were downloaded and placed in a simple multimedia application for the pupils to view as a slide show. Later that day, the photographs were printed out and used in a wall display.

Example 2 – Choosing and scanning photos from the school journey

A Key Stage 2 group went on holiday. They came back with several films; when these were developed the pupils were asked to choose a selection to put on the computer. The photos they chose were scanned and put into a simple multimedia program to make a slide show. Each pupil then recorded a caption using a microphone and these were added to the pictures to make a talking slide show. In addition, the slides were printed out to make a book.

Example 3 – The Christmas Story

A teacher used a digital camera to take photographs during the school’s performance of the Christmas Story. The photographs were then put into a simple multimedia program to make a talking book. She used the microphone to record a narrative to go with each photograph. She also recorded some samples of the songs from a cassette tape the pupils had been using. Each page contained a photograph with a short narrative, a choir picture that played the song and arrows to turn the pages.

Key skills and equipment

The key skills for the above examples are the ability to:

• use a digital camera and save the photos on your computer
• use a scanner and save the pictures on your computer
• use multimedia software to plan and make a slide show
• incorporate photographs into a slide show
• use sound recording software to record a sound and save it

The key equipment is:

• multimedia software
• a digital camera
• a scanner
• a microphone

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