Learning activities/Interviews

Notes from Nigeria 5/07

Children brought different kinds of interviews. One child asked his brother to interview him. So, he is the one answering the questions (Idea that I found very creative.) He was very proud that the setting was his dad's pickup. One girl interviewed her cousin. She asked one question, and he talked and talked for like 15 minutes, really enjoying being recorded. A drawback is the poor quality of the recordings because the interviewee is farther away from the XO than the interviewer... --Carla Gomez Monroy, Learning Consultant, OLPC

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Activity: Interviews

Overview

This is a step-by-step model for having children interview each other about their lives.

Skills

• Organize thoughts and ideas
• Work independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals
• Select and retain important information
• Use computer skills

Goals and Objectives

• To organize thoughts
• To use research skills
• To understand influences that shape our lives today

Resources

Pencil and paper, or XO with Write and Capture.

Activity

Imagine that you are a reporter for the Voice of Nigeria. Your assignment is to interview a student from School Galadima. What kind of questions would you like to ask your interview subject? What kind of questions do you think other people might have about being a student at School Galadima?

Step 1: Prepare your interview questions

Divide into groups of two. Turn on each of your XOs. One XO will be the "prompter" and the other will be the "recorder." You will take turns interviewing each other, but first you will work together to write your team's interview questions.

On the "prompter" XO, launch Write so that you can write down your interview questions.

Then, work with your partner to come up with 10 good interview questions. Use Write to make a list of the questions.

If you want, you can use some of these questions:

• How would you describe yourself?
• Do you have any brothers or sisters? What are they like?
• Who are your best friends? What are they like?
• Do you have a nickname? How'd you get it?
• What do you want to do when you grow up?
• What is your earliest memory?
• What is your favorite memory?
• What are you proudest of in your life?
• Who is the most important person in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?
• Who has been the kindest to you in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?
• Do you like school?
• What is your favorite subject?
• What do you do after school?
• What is your favorite game to play?
• What is your favorite food to eat?

Step 2: Record your interview

Once your team has its list of questions, turn on the "recorder" XO.

Decide who will be the first "reporter" and who will be the first "interview subject."

Have the reporter use the "recorder" XO to take a picture of the interview subject.

What is the current preferred way to record sound on the XO? Instructions for that should go here...

Every radio interview starts with an "ID" question. The reporter should start by asking:

• Can you tell me your name, age, the date, and where we are?

Then, the reporter should continue his or her interview, reading the questions one by one from the "prompter" XO.

When the interview is over, change who is the reporter and who is the interview subject.

Extended Activity: Write a newspaper article

Listen to your interview and take notes: what are the most interesting parts of the interview?

Extended Activity 2

1. Another variation
2. of
3. activity...

Extended Activity 3

1. Etc...

Related Activities

• Interview with a Sports Legend

Commentary

Comments, feedback, links to other classes using this activity.