Using technology for assessment can often seem like it is more practical for intermediate teachers, not primary. Instant Video Revisiting: The Video Camera as a “Tool of the Mind” for Young Children by George Forman gives some examples of how technology can be used for assessment with young children. This article addresses instant video revisiting used to record and reflect on young children’s learning. Several children were recorded engaging in various activities and the teacher noted how each child reacted to themselves on the playback. The video playback seemed to allow children to engage in higher level thinking about their actions. Forman states, “The video camera, as a “tool of the mind” allows Rubin to “download” the details of actions to the videotape. The video replays the physical detail. His mind is now free to think about what the actions mean (1999).” Forman reflects on the how the teacher subtly changed their strategy for video recording, choosing to look for, record, and focus on actions that the teacher could ask questions about or have the child engage in high-level thinking (1999). Forman also notes that the presence of the video camera seemed to affect the behavior of the children that they often wanted to show their best work to the teacher (1999). Overall this article seemed to conclude that there were drawbacks to using the instant video revisiting for young children because they are not as cognitively ready to reflect on their own learning and behavior. A kindergarten teacher might want to start to introduce video recording to help children become comfortable with the presence of a camera, however, it does not seem to be a reliable reflection tool at a young age.
Forman, G. (1999, February 27). Instant Video Revisiting: The Video Camera as a “Tool of the Mind” for Young Children. Early Childhood Research & Practice, 1 (2). Retrieved from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v1n2/forman.html