Debating in Primary 7
Overview
Jennifer Neill is a teacher at Alexander Peden Primary School in North Lanarkshire. This year Jennifer’s remit has been to share a Primary Two class with a probationer teacher and support the other teachers in the school with the roll out of Glow. To do this she regularly meets with class teachers to discuss what interdisciplinary work they are completing in class and they look at ways in which Glow can compliment and support this. At present all pupils in the school have Glow log ons and are actively using Glow. 
Context
In Primary 7 the pupils were studying a topic on Vivisection for Literacy. Within this topic the pupils had a debate as to whether they agreed or disagreed with animal testing. The pupils first of all, after some research, had to consider all the reasons for and all the reasons against in relation to animal testing. The pupils then created short videos, using a video camera, giving an argument for or against animal testing, whichever they agreed with. In this cookbook we will look at how Jennifer and Scott Clark (North Lanarkshire Glow Development Officer) used Glow to support this Literacy activity.
Click on the video to listen to Jennifer explain the Literacy task. (0.25)
Click on the video to listen to Jennifer explain how the pupils used a video camera to record the debate. (0.26)
How was the Debate Page used by Primary Seven?
There are a number of areas within this page:
Custom List
Jennifer used a Custom List web part so that the pupils could enter their reasons for and against animal testing. This allowed all the pupils in the class to look at each other’s opinions and how they compared and contrasted with each other.
Document Library
A document library was used to upload the pupils’ debating videos. They used a video camera to make their recording. They uploaded their recording onto their laptop and then into the Document Library. The method I am going to show you is slightly different from how the videos are viewed on the Primary 7 page. To find out how to use the same method Jennifer used look at John Johnston’s blog (North Lanarkshire ICT Development Officer) for instructions. Click here to visit the cookbook that shows this method.
This topic has covered many Second Level Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes:
ENG 2-03a I can recognise how the features of spoken language can help in communication, and I can use what I learn
LIT 2-06a I can select ideas and relevant information, organise these in an appropriate way for my purpose and use suitable vocabulary for my audience.
LIT 2-08a To help me develop an informed view, I can distinguish fact from opinion, and I am learning to recognise when my sources try to influence me and how useful these are.
LIT 2-10a I am developing confidence when engaging with others within and beyond my place of learning. I can communicate in a clear, expressive way and I am learning to select and organise resources independently.
TCH 2-03a As I extend and enhance my knowledge of features of various types of software, including those which help find, organise, manage and access information, I can apply what I learn in different situations.
TCH 2-04b I can create, capture and manipulate sounds, text and images to communicate experiences, ideas and information in creative and engaging ways.
Ingredients
What did Jennifer need to set up the Debate Page?
1. Class Glow Group
2. New page
3. Custom List
4. Document Library
Recipe
In the following videos, we will take a look at the P7 Debate Page and find out how to replicate some of its structure and content.
What does the Debate Page look like? (1.02)
How to create a new page in your Glow Group. (0.47)
How to create a Custom List. (3.00)
How create a Document Store and upload a video. (1.49)
Impact
Jennifer feels that using Glow to support this project enabled the pupils to develop their technology skills, as the pupils had to record using a video camera, edit their videos and finally upload them onto Glow. She also feels, this project helped to develop the language that the pupils used. As they were being filmed and the videos were uploaded onto Glow the pupils had to think about language that was appropriate which would get their point of view across.
Listen to Jennifer explain the impact of using Glow to support this Literacy topic. (0.33)
Other related cookbooks:
Primary Two Topic Farmer Brown’s Farm