Earlier this yr, we trialed video reviews for our EAL mother and father and learners. Right here’s a abstract of what/why/how, execs, cons, and so forth.
What had been the video reviews?
We supplied mother and father with a 5-minute video abstract of their baby’s progress throughout all topic areas. We displayed suggestions from academics in an accessible approach on the display screen and talked this by means of, describing progress, targets, and subsequent steps.
Why video reviews?
We had been searching for new methods to attach with the mother and father of our EAL learners. These mother and father had been turning up much less to parent-teacher conferences, so we needed to make sure that they had been receiving personalised suggestions (however not written reviews). We opted for video summaries as a result of:
- they put a trainer face and voice to the suggestions
- visuals would hopefully make them accessible
- they had been everlasting – watch once more moderately than take in all the things in real-time
- they had been straightforward to translate with closed captions
- they had been a watch-together alternative for mother or father and learner
- they had been one thing they may ship to relations (typically their different mother or father) abroad which could make them really feel extra related.
How did we create these?
First, we checked there can be curiosity in a video abstract! Thirty out of 100 or so mother and father of EAL learners had been eager to obtain a video abstract.
We devised some standards for academics to judge. Like these things:
We despatched a spherical robin by way of Google Types to assemble suggestions. This included each rankings for the factors and open responses.
We collated the suggestions right into a desk which was clear sufficient visually (I imply, we hoped!).
We scripted chunks of the video summaries that had been extra common. The circulate was usually:
– Basic intro
– Total snapshot of progress
– Particular topic areas (strengths, areas for growth, and so forth)
– Particular quotes and recommendation from academics
– Subsequent steps
– Abstract of upcoming studying in English and methods to put together
Large chunks of that might be scripted with the identical lead-in, transitions, and so forth.
We made the movies, then despatched them out together with an e mail explaining the factors for analysis.
A short while later, we requested suggestions from mother and father (Google Type once more)
How did they go down?
Total, round 90% stated they discovered the summaries helpful, and stated they might request one once more.
Which is a disgrace, as a result of they had been labour-intensive to create and I used to be banking on damaging suggestions so we might keep away from the method once more!
Nah, I imply, I’m happy that folks noticed some worth in what we produced. It was sensible sufficient to supply given the variety of EAL learners we had on the time. Nevertheless, as our numbers continue to grow, I’m unsure video reviews will stay a viable possibility.
Picture by Nyoman Suartawan from Pixabay
Classes: Basic, reflections