Video Models:

Can this skill be appropriately depicted in a video model?

Video modeling is a very appropriate strategy to support students in observing and modeling appropriate conversation closure skills.

Have you task analyzed this skill to ensure that your video clearly depicts every key step that comprises the skill?

Consider again the key elements of this topic:

• Attribution skills (e.g., I am connecting body cues and words to see that my conversational partner wants to end the conversation; I am connecting body cues and words to recognize that this person is talking about something serious and now is not the right time to exit).
• Self-regulation to avoid pursuing the conversation when the conversation partner expresses intent to exit that conversation
• Recognition of the appropriate moment to wrap up the conversation and make a wrap up statement
• Generation of an appropriate response to conclude or exit the conversation.  In order to politely end the conversation, the student must know what to say and how to say it.

At first, you might only depict one or two steps within this set. Depict more steps in video as the student successfully attends to and recognizes key elements.

Who will you use as “actors” in this video – will the targeted student be included in the video?

One way to increase participation and engagement is to write the script together with the student.  Then, if the student is willing, he can “star” in the video.  

Will you shoot this video from the perspective of the student (first person) or from the third person perspective?

Will you narrate the video?

Perhaps give the student an opportunity to narrate the video, especially if he is not comfortable acting in the video, or if his interest is in film-making and script development. Developing various conversational situations, planning and writing out the specific scripts, filming the situations and then reviewing the videos would not only motivate the student by using his specific interests, but could develop a wider repertoire of potential conversation closure strategies.

How will you ensure that the student experiences opportunities to not only review the skill via the video model, but to also engage in repeated rehearsal of the skill across multiple contexts?