Lights,cameras, pencils! using descriptive video to enhance writing.

Hoffner, H, (April 2008). Lights, cameras, pencils! using descriptive video to enhance writing. the reading teacher, 61 no7 576, Retrieved Ap 2008, from http://www.reading.org/


These writers explained the importance and effectiveness of movies in developing the learning process. They considered movies as not only entertainment but also educational, and teachers can use movies to supplement the curriculum, especially in the field of special education like students with visual impairment. The idea is to use the descriptive program which has additional audio track that is activated by using the secondary audio program (SAP) feature on a television program. They think that descriptive programming can enhance reading and writing language and motivate the students who are used to the entertainment culture. The authors also described the way of using described video in the classroom with visual description for the film to develop creative writing ability; they found that students can create a description for the scene or the environment of the film. They also provided information about how to obtain described programming through links, DVDs and broadcasting.
As a teacher of foreign language I thing it’s beneficial to use the descriptive video in my class not only for students with visual impairment but also for normal students to reinforce the ability of describing scenes and develop their imaginations. Describing the environment is a basic skill in learning language; describing buildings, scenes, and restaurants is a part of skills exam.