DVDs in class

[anotherglass]

My son (Y4) tells me today that his teacher is putting on Maths and Grammar DVDs during class time. They watch the DVDs then might do a worksheet or might not. Is this normal in other schools? Why are teachers who and trained and paid to teach sticking on DVDs? He is at the local comp.

I've not heard of that but ds is only in yr 3 at primary. Do you mean yr 4 or do you mean 4th year of secondary (as you've put he is at the local 'comp')?

Hi, he's in year 4 at the local comprehensive. The DVDs are times tables and grammar.

How old?

8 years.

Y 4 Local comp

Sorry, is he 8 years old or in Year 4 of comprehensive which would be year 10?

I don't think the odd tables or grammar dvd at primary is too bad, a bit of variety might help consolidate what they know, or even clarify some things for those who don't get on with traditional pen and paper methods.
If it's year 4 at comprehensive I'd be quite worried if they were still learning tables.

A teacher might well 'stick on a video' to give an engaging start to the lesson or to allow them to support children while the person on the screen does the explaining bit.

Educational DVDs often contain music, images, real examples (of science experiments say that couldnt be done in the classroom) and terribly excited presenters that are more interesting than the teacher. They are a small part of classroom teaching but a perfectly valid ones.

At primary in particular they may be working through a pack of literacy or maths films that they show once a week maybe so dont be too horrified if your child says they watch them a lot. They may be only 2 mins long.

If youre concerned its more than that, talk to the teacher.

I think some teachers will show a short and snappy maths/grammar/whatever clip (much more engaging for kids than boring Mr/Mrs X harping on some more) to reinforce what Mr X has just said. Then the DC will apply what they have learned in some written work.

Maybe Mr/Mrs X is just a lazy fecker, though and can't be arsed to present anything to the class.

I'm loving the fact than a Y4 child can be at a comp. Around here we only have Primary Schools for Y4 DC.

The DVDs are being stuck on weekly. The teacher is trained, and paid, to teach. Is it just less effective teachers than need to resort to these aides?

They probably use an interactive whiteboard as well. Why the hell teachers who are trained and paid to teach use such a resource is beyond me.

Hee Hee about the comp mix-up. Obv he ready for secondary!

So they watch a DVD weekly. How long is the DVD? I think you'll find some of the best teachers in some of the best schools will use quality DVD's to reinforce points at times.

Are they songs? My DC learned all sorts of songs in Maths and loved them.

I play songs to my A level classes too. Good way of learning by rote (which is sometimes necessary).

Why not just teach maths and spelling the old fashioned way. Jeez, how did we get through school without the teacher sticking on a DVD to engage us in a different way?

Not sure if they are songs. The grammar one was about how to use apostrophes. During these 'lessons' the children must remain quiet and are not allowed to ask questions. They get handed a worksheet at the end to check how much has been absorbed. Where is the teacher adding value?

Oh, yes. And rap their knuckles when they get their times tables wrong!

We certainly watched videos at school. Before videos we had to watch TV at a certain time each week, so we didn't miss the program lol!

Still interested to hear whether this is common practice.

I can't speak for primary, but showing video clips is absolutely standard practice in secondary.

Doing worksheets though, is rather frowned upon...

anotherglass,

Could you possibly explain why you are asking this? If you really did have a child in year 4, then you would not refer to the school as a 'comp', as you would know that it is called a primary school (or first school if you are in certain parts of the country) - so what exactly is your agenda here?

Really there is no other agenda. My son is in year 4 and is 8 years old. I was not educated in England smooth really an honest mix up with terms. I am genuinely seeking views as I plan to speak to the teacher.

Of course it is standard practice. It isn't lazy either. Children can learn a lot from different media types. Can you not see that?

Really Loopy? Anyone else?

Every one. Every single teacher I know (I am a teacher) uses DVDs in class fairly regularly. It is seen as a good thing. I'm a MFL teacher and sometimes show entire movies to classes. Problemo?

Are your class progressing at a good rate? My son's are not and that is part of my problemo.