Winkball for Schools: An Advanced Video Modelling Technology for Learning Visual and Oral Communication Skills

Although the potential benefits of using digital video in educational settings is well researched, little work has been conducted into how video modelling and messaging technologies can be devised and implemented to support teaching in educational settings. Video is generally used as a "passive medium " whereby students watch a video presentation to ascertain information. In this paper we present Winkball for Schools, a new internet-based video messaging and broadcasting technology designed to support the teaching of oral and visual communication skills in schools. Through the use of video modelling instructional techniques and video messaging communications technologies we show how video can be deployed as an "active medium" to engage students when learning communication skills. Using Winkball for Schools students can record, send and share video messages with other students in classroom settings, at home and with students at different schools. Students can also create and post content to video notice boards for group viewing. It is hoped that through the wide scale adoption of Winkball technology the teaching of oral and visual communication skills within schools can benefit, and relationships between students in different countries can be further established.