A Vision Expressed is a Sight to Behold
If you’re a teacher who’s looking into TEL.A.VISION on behalf of your students, we commend you. Why? Because our program is not your everyday curriculum, and making Vision Videos is certainly not your ordinary classroom activity.
Jim Amaral is a teacher at Oakland Junior High and an advocate for TEL.A.VISION. In a recent article in THE Journal entitled “Web-Based Hope,” he shared why he has used the program for the last three years with all his students.
He uses the three R’s to explain why the program works. “If students perceive that they have a relationship to their learning, and they see its relevance to their life situation, then they can motivate themselves to achieve higher degrees of rigor in their studies.
“Ten percent of my kids don’t do anything in the classroom,” he says. “But I have about 99 percent of them working with Tel.A.Vision. I’m picking up kids that may have never been able to use their intelligence. I’ve got something that is capturing them and engaging them. They have a willingness to jump in and do some work—do things themselves.”
TEL.A.VISION Benefits for Students:
It’s Fun Using technology familiar to kids, TEL.A.VISION gives them the creative space to imagine, dream and tell their story.
It’s Positive Helping kids identify dreams is a positive exercise. Potential side effects: improved self-esteem, motivation to achieve and healthy choices.
It’s a Powerful Life Skill Learning how to articulate and envision personally meaningful short- and long-term goals empowers students to lead successful lives.
TEL.A.VISION Benefits for Teachers/Parents:
Offers Profound Insight Taking time to help students articulate their dreams is a powerful act in and of itself. TEL.A.VISION offers teachers new insights into students’ goals, gifts, values and dreams. Potential side effects: enhanced communication, deeper bonds with kids and a better understanding of their needs and how to help them succeed.
Easily Integrates into Curriculum Due to the interdisciplinary nature of creating Vision Videos, TEL.A.VISION can be applied to a variety of subjects, including social studies, health, media, English, history, etc.
Builds Community in the Classroom Sharing Vision Videos in class is a celebration. Students, teachers and parents have a unique opportunity to learn about and support each other in new and meaningful ways.