Tell A Tale 2

classroom use

Context

This evaluation was conducted with a Year 2 class with a range of abilities. It was used as a whole class activity, a group activity and the children also worked individually on the program, using earphones to listen to the text. They worked alone during literacy hour and were asked to print off their final story; all were successful in this endeavour.

Learning outcomes

This program is appropriate for repetition of reading skills and gives the children confidence. As it has different levels these skills can be built up gradually. I found that even reluctant readers were keen to have a go on this program.

Student Response

The response to the software was very positive. The children particularly mentioned the animations as they were keen to see what happened in different scenarios. They also liked having the phrases read out to them and did not mind if it was the male or female voice. Those children who did not initially have access to the program particularly asked to have time on the software.

Special Needs

It is easy to select the text and build up a short story. This is particularly a good resource for physically challenged children. The mouse is used to select phrases then the forward button for a new page. The whole story the child has written can be replayed by pressing one icon.

For the less able, each phrase is read to the children and its pace can be changed to a slow rate of read back. This can be helpful for those children who have difficulty with the written word as they can wear earphones and take the activity at their own pace. All the phrases are repeated until the child makes a selection reinforcing the words. Once the children have selected their options they can have their story replayed as many times as they want. They have the satisfaction of producing a good piece of work which can be printed off. The value of raising their self esteem when their work is printed is vast.

IWB Suitability

This program lends itself well to using an interactive whiteboard. Set the level of the software to that suitable for your class and allow the children to make choices of the direction the story will take. It can be used with the speech on, but for a more effective aid to reading, turn off that facility and the childen can then read at their own pace. As Tell A Tale 2 is very easy to use, it is an effective aid for whole class lessons or smaller group lessons. The visual display keeps the children interested and they are excited by the movements the characters make.

Assessment and pupil tracking opportunities

Assessments can be carried out by an adult listening to each child reading out their story.

Any child who uses the program can be tracked by reading back a story they have written or they can print it out.