LYNNE: Yes, what they are … then we could describe how we can use each medium so that children can learn something from each one.

ROBIN: Exactly. Maybe we could draw up a table and look at examples of each medium in turn. Let’s see, the different forms of media would be … the print media …

LYNNE: Here you’d have things like books and Q₂₁ newspapers, that sort of thing …

ROBIN: Urn, and included in these are the pictorial forms of print media, like Q₂₂ maps …

LYNNE: Yes, maps are really just formal pictures, aren’t they? And then there are what we call the audio forms of media … where children can listen. CDs and Q₂₃ radios are probably the best examples because a lot of children have access to these especially radios.

ROBIN: And this would lead into the audio-visual media, which can be seen as well as heard . . . film, Q₂₄ television . . . and we mustn’t forget videos.

LYNNE: Yes, but there’s a final category as well … computers, that make up the so-called electronic media. In the United Kingdom and Australia, they say that one in three families has a Q₂₅ computer now.

ROBIN: Yes, I believe it. Well, that’s a good list to start with … we’re really getting somewhere with this essay now … so let’s move on to when each type of medium could be used. I guess we could start by trying to identify the best situation for each type of media.

LYNNE: What do you mean?

ROBIN: I’m talking about whether each medium should be used with different-sized groups. For example, we could look at pictures, and ask whether they’re more useful for an individual child, a few children together, or a full class – in this case, I’d say pictures are best with individual children because they give them an Example opportunity to let their imaginations run wild.

LYNNE: Yes, I see …

ROBIN: Q₂₆ Let’s take tapes next. Although tapes look ideal for individual children, I feel they’re best suited to small group work. This way, children don’t feel isolated, because they can get help from their friends. Q₂₇ Computers are the same … I think they’re better with small numbers of children and they’re hardly ever useful with a whole class. Q₂₈ Videos, however, are ideal for use with everyone present in the class, especially when children have individual activity sheets to help them focus their minds on what’s in the video.

LYNNE: And what about books, what would you recommend for them? Q₂₉ Books are ideal for children to use by themselves. I know they’re used with groups in schools, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Other pictorial Q₃₀ media like maps, though, are different … I’d always plan group work around those … give the children a chance to interact and to share ideas.

ROBIN: I agree… teachers often just leave maps on the wall for children to look at when they have some free time, but kids really enjoy using them for problem-solving.

LYNNE: Yes, different people have different ideas I suppose…

ROBIN: Yes, and different teachers recommend different tools for different age groups…

Attempt full listening test…