Comments on: 21st Century Learners Choose the Write Media

By: Phillip Gibb

Phillip Gibb — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:11:40 +0000

yeah – Subtitles, but I would prefer that they not be at bottom of the screen (conventional) – rather that they, in some realistic manner, engage with the object, situation or speach they represent.

By: elmot

elmot — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:15:09 +0000

I agree with the subtitle thing…only that subtitles should not be rolling in too fast which means the dialogues are not so fast that all the subtitles could give to our dear babies are headaches and dizziness.

But all in all, indeed it is very very important to incorporate technology to the different learning strategies.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:02:05 +0000

Janice: So many people can learn from your depth of experiences rearing wee ones into young adults. It is obvious from JD’s knack to write well that all of her early language experiences had a profound effect on her as an adolescent. Thank you for sharing your rich experiences as a mum.

Robin: I love subtitles. Just like Janice said, “the subtitles work for all of us.” It is amazing to hear other people share stories about how they started this with their young children and what a testimony to share that your son is now older and still enjoys subtitles. High Five on Godzilla Japanese version. Classic.

By: Robin of My Two Blessings

Robin of My Two Blessings — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:23:19 +0000

Suggested using the subtitles is excellent. It is something we did from the very beginning when watching dvd’s or videos. It really helped with language skills. My son became so used to subtitles that when he got older, we would watch a Japanese movie together (Godzilla) in the original language with english subtitles. Fascinating way to watch a movie.

By: janice

janice — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:04:27 +0000

So good to see you getting this message out there, Cindy! We did this with our kids, and amidst barely disguised disdain at how much TV and film we let them watch (some of our friends tried very hard to pretend their kids weren’t even in the 21st century!) our kids have wonderful imaginations and the innate ability to structure powerful, compelling narratives, based on years of absorbing Disney and Pixar as well as good books.

We chose the range of films and movies they watched from, monitored and guided, discussed and expanded on what we viewed. The kids loved drawing film characters, acting out wee plays afterwards and writing their own ‘episodes’. They loved doing jigsaws of their favourite films and on holidays and long road trips, they listened to talking book versions of Pixar films borrowed from the library and took puzzle books and colouring books with their favourite characters in. My daughter used to invent the most wonderful dialogues in the back of the car between Flik and Atta from Bug’s Life using her hand held toys! Merchandising, I know, but simple pleasures nonetheless.

…And the subtitles work for all of us!

By: admin

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:22:44 +0000

Lori: Thanks for spreading the word and celebrating the quote.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:20:13 +0000

Lori and TrinaMb: Yes. Subtitles rule. It is an unobtrusive way to embed more language into everyone’s day. Trina, with your son entering a full French immersion program you all will find this is a truly fun way to gain more language. Our Mia and Max attend a Spanish Dual Immersion program and they request English or Spanish subtitles. It’s enough to make this teacher’s heart go pitter patter. Cheers and thanks for stopping by.

By: TrinaMb

TrinaMb — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:27:51 +0000

I too was struck by the suggestion about subtitles. Will be particularly helpful as my son enters jr. high school in full french immersion.
Thanks for putting your actions into thoughts for us.

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:12:15 +0000

“Pulling the best from them means we design their media with intelligence rather than let it drown them.” Wisdom so many parents could learn! Shout this out to the world!

I would have never thought of the subtitle idea. Cindy, that is brilliant!