Using Vosaic

Our Principal, Russell Burt, introduced to us a AI powered tool called Vosaic.   The plan is to use Vosaic to video ourselves taking a lesson, and then use it to analyse our interactions and give feedback based on specific questions we might ask.  In this way we can get detailed feedback on our teacher practise.  I wasn't too sure about it all, but of course needed to get on board and give it a go.

At the end of term 1 had an initial practise run with the tool.  I set it on my table, and because there wasn't a lot of space on my table, I put my laptop on the floor, and proceeded with a typical reading lesson.  Once the students were ok with the equipment (they had a few questions about it), I guess I videoed about 6 or 7 minutes before stopping the recording.  When I got time, I uploaded the video to Vosaic and the first thing I noticed was that when looking at the transcript, it showed that I had spoken for around 43% of the time, and that the other 57% was silent.  What??  It took a bit of working out to realise that because my laptop was on the floor, it hadn't picked up the kids talking.  Hence the silence.  

So then I needed to work out the best way to ensure the students' voices would be heard.  After sitting with a colleague who was also having some initial challenges, we worked out that there was a button on the Vosaic that needed to be pushed in order for the speaker to work.  Problem solved!  So now on to another try at videoing.

This time when I uploaded the video to Vosaic, I had a good opportunity to see the benefits of the technology.  Apart from a detailed transcript of the lesson, it provided an AI summary of the lesson.

Then I was able to ask specific questions about the lesson.  So I asked -  What could the teacher do to encourage greater discussion within the group? 

After a few seconds AI came up with some suggestions, and ideas around what research says.

I think I did a good job of asking open-ended questions, but do need to work on some Think-Pair-Share activities.

Obviously, this was my first real try at using Vosaic.  And probably my question could have been better, and perhaps more linked to my Inquiry question around comprehension.  But I'm happy with how it all worked out.  I can see the benefit of Vosaic, and will utilize it more in Term 2.

Teaching as Inquiry 2025: Developing Comprehension Skills with Year One Students.

Our team of teachers decided that a focus on developing comprehension skills  in literacy, would be really beneficial for our little learners.  Our students spend so much effort on trying to decode their Readers, that they're not actually taking in what they're reading.  They often struggle to participate in discussion about the story, retell the main events of the story, or answer questions about what they have just read.

Why might our students struggle in comprehension?

* For many of our learners, English is their second language, and therefore they may have a limited vocabulary, and neither hear, nor understand, the nuances of English.

*They lack the confidence to answer questions, fearing they might be wrong, and waiting for someone else to answer.  Or, in fact, the confidence to ask a question to clarify thoughts they may have about what they're reading.

* Some have underdeveloped listening skills or hearing issues, and this makes it difficult to keep up with the conversation.

* They might just be shy, and we are not fully aware of their strengths and/or weaknesses.

Whatever the reason, comprehension (or lack of) is an issue that we need to address with our learners.

The question for me then is:  

How can I support my students to develop their comprehension when reading their BSLA Readers?

I will be focussing on a group of four students - all girls.  They all began the year with similar skills in reading - some letter sound knowledge, and a few basic high frequecy words up their sleeves.  In Term One they are each making steady progress in BSLA.  Their letter sound knowledge is growing each week.

I will be using Vosaic to record some Reading Lessons so that I can observe their interactions, and the role I play in supporting (or perhaps even heeding) their comprehension.  Time will tell how that goes.  I will also need to do some research around ways to increase comprehension, and will no doubt talk with my colleagues to see what they're doing in their classes.