ROBIN: Although tapes look ideal for individualchildren,I feel they're best suited to small groupwork.This way,children don't feel isolated,becausethey can get help from their friends.Computers arethe same...I think they're better with small numbersof children and they're hardly ever useful with awhole class.Videos,however,are ideal for use witheveryone present in the class,especially whenchildren have individual activity sheets to help themfocus their minds on what's in the video.
LYNNE: And what about books,what would yourecommend for them?Books are ideal for children to use by themselves.I know they're usedwith groups in schools,but I wouldn't recommend it.Other pictorial media likemaps,though,are different...I'd always plan group work around those...give the children achance to interact and to share ideas.
ROBIN: I agree...teachers often just leave maps on the wall for children to look at when theyhave some free time,but kids really enjoy using them for problem solving.
LYNNE: Yes ,different people have different ideas I suppose...
ROBIN: Yes,and different teachers recommend different tools for different age groups...