| Subject: Synthetic Phonics Programs |
Author:
Avril Leech
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Date Posted: 04:37:33 02/09/08 Sat
I have taught in private international schools for many years and when the DEFS started talking about "sythetic phonics" I, like many teachers wondered what on earth they were talking about. Were they trying to invent the wheel? Was this a complete new way of learning? What I have learnt, however is that this is the way that most teachers of the "Old School" have been teaching for years. The difference is that then teachers had little support when teaching phonics and many were left to create their own material. Inevitably there were many gaps and learning was very much by rote. How things have changed. We are now bombarded with so much choice, each extolling the virtues of their schemes. It is important, therefore, that we keep the core criteria of the Rose Report in mind.
When researching for Module Five I realised just how many schemes were out there, including schools who had invented their own systems. Some obviously meet the criteria and others do not.
When purchasing a scheme it is important that this is bought in full and is consistently worked through. I have seen instances where one scheme is introduced in Reception and then changed in Year 1. This to me in inappropriate as children need, and enjoy, continuity. For example, to start with Letterland in Nursery and Reception and then to change to Jolly Phonics in Year 1 would not make much sense.
There are, however, new schemes which rely much more on the interactive whiteboard. These schemes are as yet unproven and involve children sitting in front of yet another device. Although there is obviously interaction by some children it very much depends on how the teacher uses the system. Yes, children seem to enjoy it at the beginning but the technology does not always work. When observing a class recently the program broke down twice. A little voice from somewhere in the classroom was heard to say "Please Miss. Why don't you just teach us yourself?"
Does anybody else in this Forum have any views on the use of interactive whiteboards within the Infant Classroom?
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