Teachers who have been using captions, which in their simplest form are words on a screen, as an access tool in their classroom for a while may want to explore using captions to teach language skills, concepts, new vocabulary, comprehension and so much more.
As a range of students struggle with literacy, they need direct and explicit instruction to assist them and resources that can support their learning. Using captions to teach skills and concepts can greatly assist these students and supplement the learning of others.
The equipment needed to do this includes either an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) or a data projector to project captioned video content onto a screen.
How to use captions to teach
- Relevant words, displayed as captions on the screen can be captured by taking a screenshot of the video that has been paused.
- The use of the snipping tool (on a PC) and coloured pens, in the tool, can be used to highlight the relevant words.
- Highlighted text can prompt class discussion and the development of further teaching points.
- The text can be used creatively, as stimulus material for lessons, and to highlight key points.
Using captions to teach will be discussed by Media Access Australia's Education Manager Anne McGrath at the Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Annual Conference in Melbourne on 13 August, with direct reference to the Australian Curriculum and discussion of research into the benefits of captions.
Teachers appreciate supportive resources when using captions in the classroom and when spreading the message to their teaching peers. Media Access Australia’s annual CAP THAT! campaign provides this practical support and so much more.
The CAP THAT! website also has a list of places teachers can find captioned videos.
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