Caption for classes, Duncan
Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 30-August-2011
With National Literacy and Numeracy Week now upon us, Member for Mining and Pastoral, Hon Wendy Duncan MLC, reminds West Australian educators to consider the value of captions in classrooms.
“Using captions on educational video material is a simple way to better include students who may have any of a number of learning difficulties,” said Ms Duncan.
Captions help students link together spoken and written language, which can greatly improve comprehension and vocabulary.
Whilst being particularly important to deaf and hearing impaired students, ESL students, struggling readers and students with learning disabilities, captions can be of benefit to the whole class.
Students who may not be identified as needing special assistance can be supported in their learning by this simple practice.
“Classroom practices which encourage young people to behave with tolerance and understanding impart many valuable skills to school communities,” said Ms Duncan.
“Strategies like this which passively support students, can actively provide support to busy teachers too,” said Ms Duncan.
Teaching resources can be found at the cap that! website, an initiative of Media Access Australia, where sharing ideas could give contributors the chance to win material for themselves and their schools. For more ideas and information about captions in classrooms, visit www.capthat.com.au
