Multimedia in the Classroom

After reading a number of articles about using multimedia in the classroom I believe that students would benefit from such integration. For students who need or enjoy different visual stimulants the use of multimedia during a lesson can encourage increased interest and participation due to the variety of stimulants available. Teachers can engage students by using video, PowerPoint or have students go on virtual field trips. Different types of media can also introduce students to a variety of activities, which can help them understand class material better. For example by having a videoconference with someone from another country during a social studies class would help create a personal relationship and understanding for the student as to how someone else lives. Multimedia does have a lot of positive aspects, although, teachers need to understand that there are also negative points to be aware of. For example cyber bullying can take place or students are at risk of predators on the web. Teachers need to be aware and make efforts to protect their students. Also lessons using multimedia take the risk of being distracting to the students and they may not learn effectively. As future teachers using multimedia, we need to make sure that it is being used effectively and does not become a distraction

Example:

Subject Area: Social Studies

Grade: 5-9, I’ll be focusing on grade 5

Source: http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/teacher_broom.html

Description of Multimedia Learning Object: I have found an activity that allows students to examine the changes that occur to different species of trees due to environmental factors. Using a model, students will construct support structures (similar to those used by the tall Amazon trees). Students will work on understanding how these support structures work and how the environment can affect these structures.

Description of Integration Idea: I would integrate this activity into my teaching by having my students access the activity during units that had a focus on the environment. I could use the activity as a fun interactive lesson or as an activity that students could access and use during times where all their class work was complete. The activity could also be geared toward extra credit in higher grades (ex. 8-9). I would also take the opportunity to suggest the possibilities for students to compare environments in different countries.

Planning and Preparation: The first thing I would do is research the site to be sure that the activity is appropriate for my students and that students would understand and enjoy what they’re being asked to do. Prior to introducing my students to this activity I would be sure to check that every computer that my students will be using runs effectively and can access the activity. While accessing the activity I would need to be aware of the student’s behavior and react accordingly and if necessary react with assigning worksheets instead. I would be sure to emphasis that the activity is a lot more fun than worksheets. With any luck my classroom management would benefit by my students behaving properly because they wish to continue using the computers, rather than a pencil-to-paper assignment.

GLO: Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the physical geography and natural resources of Canada affect the quality of life of all Canadians.

SLO: examine, critically, the physical geography of Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
• What are the major geographical regions, landforms and bodies of water in Canada? (LPP)
• How do landforms, bodies of water and natural resources affect the quality of life in
Canada? (LPP)
• How have natural disasters and severe weather been part of Canada’s physical geography?
(LPP, TCC)
• What are the differences and similarities among the geographical regions of Canada? (LPP)
• How is the geographical region they live in different from other regions of Canada? (LPP)
• What are the factors that determine climate in the diverse geographical regions of Canada
(e.g., latitude, water, mountains)? (LPP)
• How are Canada’s national parks and protected areas important to the sustainability of
Canada’s natural environment? (ER, LPP)

ICT Outcomes:
C1- Students will access, use and communicate
information from a variety of technologies.
C6- Students will use technology to investigate and/or
solve problems.
F2- Students will understand the role of technology
as it applies to self, work and society.

Internet Safety

The Internet is full of information that we would like to protect our students from. Information that may be inappropriate for students and can be harmful to their personal impressions of the Internet and possibly dangerous to their person, if private information of that student is used by the wrong person. Teachers need to take specific precautions to ensure that their students are protected from the possible dangers of the Internet.
To minimize risk, teachers should ensure that while at school students are being supervised at all times while on line. It is important that students understand why this supervision is necessary and why they must be careful while connected to the Internet. Taking precautions, such as educating students to the possible dangers will help them distinguish between what is safe and what is not. Students should also be taught why they should not post personal information on the Internet (as another safety precaution).
Another way to minimize the risks that the Internet poses is to establish firm rules for the class prior to using the computers. By reviewing the rules and policies that the school may have will educate students as to what is expected of them while they are connected to the Internet in school. As teachers we should also take the time to research any site that we will be directing our students to, this should be done in advance to the students connecting to that particular site. Teachers may also create a Webquest to direct students to particular sites, rather than having them browse.

Remember, Safety First!!

Spreadsheets in the Classroom

Spreadsheets are great for teachers, but can also be useful for students in the classroom. The following is an example of how excel can be used by students in a classroom setting....

Grade five students can use excel to keep a count of their reading minutes. By adding up and entering the minutes a student has read each day they are then able to average the amount of minutes they read every week. After a designated number of weeks (ex. one month), students can see how their reading has changed and/or increased. This assignment is meant to be fun, create a little competition and also works to increase the students reading.

Using excel in the classroom can be both fun and educational, I am looking forward to implementing it in my own classroom.

Discussion Boards...good or bad?

Enhancing the Classroom with Discussion Boards
-Promotes interactive participation from entire class
-Encourages students to work together while sharing ideas through interactive discussion
-Potential for creating online study groups and peer tutoring
-Gives students time to critically consider their thoughts, before posting
-Teachers can monitor where students are finding online information and help but adding threads to encourage alternate sites to check out. Thereby exposing students to sites that they may not have considered otherwise.

Pros
-Creates a sense of community
-Allows for a number of opinions to viewed at one time
-Supports the use of problem solving skills, personal inquiry and teamwork
-Can work well with face-to-face discussions
-Way of sharing information
-Highly interactive
-Geared towards continuous learning for students as well as teachers
-Support service

Cons
-Trouble with accessibility (computer access)
-Lacks face-to-face interaction
-Only able to share interactive resources
-A constant need for teachers to monitor student’s actions (ex. Research)
-Potential trouble giving feedback due to the limit of only being in written form

Concept Map

The concept map I have created is apart of a potential social studies assignment. In the classroom I could use this type of map to allow students to chose a person from history (either alive or deceased /or famous or not) and research very specific attributes. If I had been a student and chosen my Grandpa to present in a concept map, I would have been able to involve my family in getting information. This assignment would allow my students to see individuals from history from different angles as well as experiencing alternative ways of acquiring information through technology and/or word of mouth.

Gregory the Goat....

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Gregory

Fontenot, Sharon.1999. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with Gregory. [online]. eduref.org. Available from; http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Nutrition/NUT0017.html [Accesses 27 September, 2007]

Grade: K-2 Health/Nutrition

Procedure: Students will read “Gregory the Terrible Eater.” Using the food pyramid, children will be told the number of servings allotted for each group per day. Students in groups will locate foods from a magazine newspaper, or the Internet. Items located will be placed together on a paper plate with the headings breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Children will mark off servings used from food groups as they use them. Children will take turns feeding a crafted Gregory the goat while stating the food and where it belongs on the food pyramid.

General Learner Outcomes (GLOs): (x3)
-Students will learn: wellness choices, relationship choices, life learning choices

Specific Learner Outcomes (SLOs): (x3)
-Students will make responsible and informed choices to maintain health and to promote safety for self and others
-Students will develop effective interpersonal skills that demonstrate responsibility, respect and caring in order to establish and maintain healthy interactions
-Students will learn to use resources effectively to manage and explore life roles and career opportunities and challenges

Most Relevant ICT Outcomes Include:
-Process information from more than one source to retell what has been discovered
-Access and retrieve information through the electronic network
-Share information collected from electronic sources to add to a group task

Brief Rational for Computer Integration:
Computer integration in the classroom is such an important aspect in today’s schools. At the rate that technology is growing and expanding into nearly every aspect of today’s society schools need to not only teach about computers but also have a level of integration in the classroom. Computer integration is important because it aids in communicating information to students as well as exposing them to technology in direct and indirect ways. Technology allows students and teachers to explore a different avenue of creativity and learning. In the classroom, technology integration is an endless road of possibilities and is open to so much potential.

Technology Integration...

Technology integration defined is the introduction and use of technology within the classroom setting.

Computer use in the classroom is seen as a new way to expand the students learning and understanding of the changing world around them. The integration of technology is meant to not only help the students learn but also help the teachers teach. Being able to present information using technology allows for a modern teaching strategy to reach todays students. Computers and technology are a large part of todays society and it is important that we as educators recognise that and compensate for it.

Nowadays the technology available is so vast it is important for educators to be aware of whats out there. By being aware and attempting to integrate such technology into the classroom teaches the student not only the required curriculum but also exposes them to various forms of technology and how they can make use of that technology through out their education. This would be considered examples a good use of technology integration.

There are however barriers that need to be considered when using technology in the classroom. Since technology is ever changing and growing the money required to fund technology programs, including equipment and qualified instructors is not always available in all school districts. From what I have read and understand I believe the integration of technology is very important and should be included in all school curriculum's. I do believe in the next few years technology integration will be firmly set in all school districts. It'll be interesting to see how it develops and what is apart of curriculum's when I finish my Ed. degree.