A couple of weeks ago I created a video of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons to try out using my document camera. I hastily shared my late night trial and asked for feedback from colleagues and friends who gave some great suggestions. I've also been thinking about and learning more about distance learning over the last couple of weeks. I decided to try again, implementing my own new learning and gave it another try.
Here is the original version:
Suggestions that were given included:
Break it up into smaller parts
Make extension activities
When modeling, keep thumb in so point is clear
Take explanations out and provide them in a different format
Utilize a split screen so that students can see a person in the video
With some of those suggestions in mind, I worked on a second version this weekend. It looks a lot different! There are still things I would do differently, but I'm pretty excited to share this new version with all of you. This time around I decided to use Google Slides as my medium. I did this as Google Slides are accessible to anyone and can be viewed easily on many devices. I broke up the content into various sections, which allowed me to provide tips and directions for instructional partners to follow without the videos getting "too long." The "How to" videos from Project Core and Tar Heel Shared Reader are included to better provide direction and learning for the instructional partner centered around evidenced-based practices. My plan is to continue to follow this format for feature lessons so that it is predictable and structured. The initial learning by instructional partners may be greater as they begin this format as they will initially learn about providing aided language input, prompting, shared reading, emergent and independent writing, and other skills highlighted in the slides. I also made sure that all activities could be completed with common household items so that people can "shelter at home" during this crazy time. Needless to say, my creative juices were flowing all weekend!
(Click on image to go to Google Slides and view Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons Take 2)
As with the first version, I welcome any and all constructive criticism. I am not perfect, and my learning continues to evolve and grow. Please reach out to me via the contact button on my website or through social media with any constructive comments. I welcome all to share this free material as long as it is not altered without permission and credit is given to me, Jennifer Schubring, M.S., CCC-SLP or to my business, Building AAC, LCC. If you are sharing on social media, please tag me on Twitter @jjschubring or on Facebook @buildingaac.
If you are a parent/caregiver who is implementing this at home, I hope you and your child enjoy learning with Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, and check back for more lessons in the future!
Happy Learning! Jennifer