WEGO-RIITE: Writing Efficiently with Graphic Organizers – Responsive Instruction while Implementing Technology Effectively
(2018 – current)
Content Videos and Video Guides
One of the features of the WEGO-RIITE technology-based graphic organizer (TBGO) is embedded content video models. They are designed and validated* to help students throughout the writing process. Nine short video clips reinforce key elements of persuasive essay writing and provide students with engaging, high-quality content. Content video models are available below as well as embedded throughout the TBGO. Within the TBGO, they can be accessed by selecting the green lightbulb icons with the designated video number.
I introduced persuasive writing genre with WEGO-RIITE. I showed the Introduction video [Video #1.] and that got students hooked… And then my kids wanted to start writing time with watching a video. So, I use them as an introduction to whatever we were going do that day… liked the videos, they kept kids’ attention and helped clarify things. – 3rd-grade special education teacher
Sometimes, I would just find students watching the video on their own. I was really pleasantly surprised to see students do that. – high-school special education teacher
In addition to the content video models, video guides offer teachers instructional suggestions for mini lessons and remediation activities based on students’ needs. Each video guide (a) introduces the topic of the content video model, (b) suggestions how to use the video in the context of a lesson plan, (c) highlights the relevant vocabulary, (d) suggests how to check students’ understanding, (e) shares ideas for extension activities, and (f) makes explicit connections to TBGO features. Video guides are available below.
Video guides, I thought were phenomenal, and I really used those heavily to get myself started. I created word banks and those types of activities. – 6th grade special education teacher
As a teacher, I really liked the video guides. I loved all the suggestions of things and activities that you could do with students. It was as if they were lesson plans. It’s nice when you teach something unfamiliar to have step-by-step directions. – high school special education teacher
| Content Videos | Video Guides | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| Video 1. Introduction | Video Guide #1 | Provides a brief introduction to the persuasive writing genre and what it means to persuade. |
| Video 2. Select a Prompt | Video Guide #2 | Teaches how to select a prompt (from two choices) that is best aligned with the students’ prior knowledge and interests. |
| Video 3. Brainstorm | Video Guide #3 | Introduces six strategies to brainstorm ideas for the essay. |
| Video 4. Identify Your Opinion | Video Guide #4 | Models how to create a topic sentence for a persuasive essay. |
| Video 5. Determine Reasons | Video Guide #5 | Teaches about composing high-quality, relevant reasons as well as sequencing reasons within the TBGO. |
| Video 6. Explain Why or Say More | Video Guide #6 | Models the difference between reasons and explanations, highlighting the importance of matching explanations to reasons. |
| Video 7. Summarize | Video Guide #7 | Models how to create a summary sentence and end an essay by re-stating the opinion. |
| Video 8. Revise | Video Guide #8 | Introduces strategies such as reviewing the draft and revising the topic sentence to be interesting and clearly stating the opinion; selecting words that are vivid and not repeated too often; making sure that all details fit the topic. |
| Video 9. Edit | Video Guide #9 | Introduces editing checklist, which highlights the importance of capital letters, punctuation marks, and correct spelling. |
| Content Videos/Video Guides/Brief Description |
|---|
| Video 1. Introduction Video Guide #1 Provides a brief introduction to the persuasive writing genre and what it means to persuade. |
| Video 2. Select a Prompt Video Guide #2 Teaches how to select a prompt (from two choices) that is best aligned with the students’ prior knowledge and interests. |
| Video 3. Brainstorm Video Guide #3 Introduces six strategies to brainstorm ideas for the essay. |
| Video 4. Identify Your Opinion Video Guide #4 Models how to create a topic sentence for a persuasive essay. |
| Video 5. Determine Reasons Video Guide #5 Teaches about composing high-quality, relevant reasons as well as sequencing reasons within the TBGO. |
| Video 6. Explain Why or Say More Video Guide #6 Models the difference between reasons and explanations, highlighting the importance of matching explanations to reasons. |
| Video 7. Summarize Video Guide #7 Models how to create a summary sentence and end an essay by re-stating the opinion. |
| Video 8. Revise Video Guide #8 Introduces strategies such as reviewing the draft and revising the topic sentence to be interesting and clearly stating the opinion; selecting words that are vivid and not repeated too often; making sure that all details fit the topic. |
| Video 9. Edit Video Guide #9 Introduces editing checklist, which highlights the importance of capital letters, punctuation marks, and correct spelling. |
* Video models were designed through an iterative design process. First, we gathered data from focus group interviews with 14 teachers and 3 experts in the area of writing instruction for students with disabilities. Data informed the development of storyboards for video models. Those storyboards were later validated by 14 students with high-incidence disabilities. As a result, short video models including scripts were developed with both visuals and text on the screen. A boy and a girl silhouette were used to portray “super writers” who discuss, develop, and refine different aspects of the essay writing process. Additional changes were made to the videos after the initial TBGO was piloted with 17 students with high-incidence disabilities in 3rd - 12th grades.
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