This extract follows almost immediately after what is shown in extract three.
Transcript of Video Extract Four
A: When suddenly
B: (Types “when”) When suddenly I heard a voice shout. (types “sud”) Mr Rabbit, Mr Rabbit.
A: What’s another word for suddenly? (Scratches head)
B: When…
(A pause. There is a clear hiatus in the writing flow – inaudible exchanges)
A: I think so anyway. I can find this. (Now has control of the keyboard )
B: Ask him
A: Not yet. (A appears to be trying to locate a thesaurus. It is not clear but she may have called up Help. Screen is obscured by two heads at this point. There is a lot of ordering – Just click here, No, now just click here. They have called up what seems to be a Help box for questions)
A: (Types) What is another word for suddenly. (B remarks on the paper clip’s activities)
A&B (Pointing to screen and reading) Find and replace text – try that. Now we can replace it. Not sure which we want.
B: Replace text
A: No way. (pushes keyboard away) Lets just get off and…(inaudible)
A&B (Wait for teacher. 20 secs)
A: Mr Wilson, Mr Wilson. What’s another word for suddenly?
T: Another word for suddenly?
A: (Presses a couple of keys)
B: (inaudible) No it goes (gestures to screen. Reads very fast) I picked it up and headed for the nearest door…
T: What do you think is actually going to fit best in the context?
B: (reading) I picked it up
T: In other words if I keep coming along and just say right Ok and just fling new words at you – use that one, use that one – it’s a bit of a cheat really.
A: Um
T: Think of it. Suddenly means bang, all of a sudden, something’s happening quickly.
A: Yes
T: Let’s look (reads screen) I picked it up and headed for the nearest door I could find when…
A: (reads along with him – finger pointing to screen) ‘Cos we’ve already used suddenly there.
T: Do you really need suddenly? What about…
B: (leans forward. Points to screen. Animated) When (She is ahead of him I think)
T: for the nearest door I could find when…I heard da da da da da - Do you need suddenly or any other…?
B: (leans forward and presses a key) Mr Rabbit, Mr Rabbit
A: (typing)
B: Mr Rabbit, Mr Rabbit
A: Is there a capital M? (types. Then reads) Mr Rabbit, Mr Rabbit, where are you going?
Commentary
A decides that they need a synonym for 'suddenly'. This brings composition to a halt. A assumes the computer will be able to assist them, thinks she knows how and takes control of the keyboard. She resists B's suggestion that they ask Mr Wilson (another year 5 teacher and the ICT co-ordinator who was in the suite at the time). It is not entirely clear in the video but questioned afterwards the girls explained that they decided to use the Help button. They type 'What is another word for suddenly?' into the Help Search Box. From the menu that appears they select 'Find and Replace Text' as this seems closest to what they need. They try it but when it does not offer them a 'replacement' word A gives up and pushes the key board away. A had some understanding that the computer would contain a thesaurus or a dictionary but did not know how to access it.
There is something about the computer/teacher/pupils interaction over the stylistic problem of “suddenly” that is different here from what would occur with paper and pen. The teacher after offering fairly standard comments reads the screen; at this moment ('Let's look') he seems to become a co-writer with the pupils (the screen text is more easily shared). His co-writer question “Do you really need suddenly?” is enough to scaffold B into a realisation of how shock and suspense might be achieved by leaving words out rather than seeking a synonym. In fact she ignores his suggestion for including “I heard” and achieves a more sophisticated literary outcome. Note how quickly the two girls ignore the teacher when their problem is solved and become engaged again in the writing.
Interactive Education Project, Graduate School of Education,
University of Bristol
Tel: 01179 287105 Email: mary.oconnell@bris.ac.uk
