Students at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children will soon make their television debut as stars of the Australian show Scope.
The students last week took part in filming for a Scope episode at the Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Scope, a children’s science program produced in association with CSIRO, airs nationally on Network Ten’s Channel 11.
The segment featuring the students will screen later this year.
It will help demonstrate the zoo’s smartphone application, which provides those who are deaf or hard of hearing with a location-based tour of the zoo.
The free app includes sign language and English captions to create accessible learning experiences for students and visitors.
Students can use the app to scan QR (quick response) codes at animal exhibits, bringing up videos with captions and sign language to ensure they don’t miss out on keeper talks.
Furlong Park principal Anne-Maree Crivelli said the students loved the experience.
“It’s without doubt a wonderful advancement,” she said.
Ms Crivelli said the app allowed students to explore their environment independently and at their own pace, which also helped build their confidence and improve their learning experiences.
The app was developed by the zoo in 2012 with support from Conexu Foundation and the Victorian Deaf Education Institute.
Yasemin Talat
