Ch 9 Integrating Multimedia as a Tool

Q1: How can students use multimedia for their projects?

Students have been using multimedia for years, it's just that now, the choices of media have expanded. In the past information was archived in books and non-random access video recordings, tapes, and microfiche. Students today don't have to sift through pages of magazine and newspaper articles on microfiche at the library since many archived materials have been digitalized. Students can use technology for research and review recordings of historical events such as the video of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge swaying in the breeze. This type of media would have been difficult to get a hold of a few years ago, and now it only took a quick google search and there it is on YouTube, and here it is added to my Blog. 

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse "Gallopin' Gertie"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

Students may also show their creative abilities when they use multimedia for presentations. Book reports or summaries or other types of writing assignments can be transformed into a Power Point incorporating excerpts from the book, pictures to illustrate ideas, and music or narration. In the science classroom students frequently have to report on topics found in the Common Core. By integrating multimedia, students can do research of historical scientific events and report on them using student generated multimedia presentations.

Q2:  What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation?

Powerpoint comes to mind immediately for its ease of use and availability on most school computers that use Microsoft Office. Macs and PC's both can have movie maker software available for the students, and there are loads of free music that is available for students to add to their movies. On my laptop I have a camera, mic, and editing software so I could create a multimedia show using just my laptop. Prezi and Popplets are new presentation apps that are available on the web. They use bubbles and trees that resemble Thinking Maps to present ideas connected to other ideas expressed in words and visuals.

Q3: Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia? 

Yes, there should be guidelines for students to follow such as minimum length of presentation, and appropriateness of visuals and music elements. Multimedia is a creative outlet, but students need a framework to shape their work. The teacher can use a rubric that explains to the students what is expected. The length of the presentation should be addressed in the rubric and elements that are required should be made clear.

Prezi logo retrieved from: http://designmind.frogdesign.com/blog/power-to-prezi.html
© 2012 frog design.

References
Lowther, D., and Morrison, G., (2010). Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. Boston, MA. Pearson Education, Inc. USA