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Types of Signals and when they are Used
ddewell@goodtogreatschools.org.au August 7, 2023
Types of Signals and when they are Used
Several signals are used in effective teaching to initial a choral response. The signal used depends on the task.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of signals and when they are used:
Hand-drop signal
The hand-drop is used when eyes are on the teacher.
Auditory signal
An auditory signal is used when students are looking down at a book or worksheet.
Point-touch signal
The point-touch signal is used when students are looking at an item (a sentence, object or number) written or projected on the whiteboard or in the teacher presentation book.
Fingers signal
The fingers signal is used in many programs and can be used in any teaching scenario.
One program that uses it is Reading Mastery Signature Edition K (RMSE K) where students practise orally saying the sounds in words without a visual representation of the word.
Digits signal
In the RMSE-K program, students have oral pronunciation tasks with no visual representation of the sound. The teacher uses a digit signal combined with a verbal direction. For example, ‘You’re going to say some sounds’.
Looping signal
The looping signal is used when students sound out a word.