1.) There are many programs to help students succeed. A very popular and effective program is PowerPoint. PowerPoint gives a teacher the ability to upload pictures, videos, and text into a slideshow which can be presented to students. I have used PowerPoint myself and find it an extremely effective tool. I also have been taught with PowerPoint. Presentations are easy to follow when using PowerPoint, as it can be interactive and not just text on a screen. One effective way to show off PowerPoint is to use a projector which connects through a computer. I have seen this done in a school setting when I was required to observe.
2.) Video is another effective tool which I have personally observed. Video gives students the opportunity to learn in a fun way. Students are much more apt to pay attention to a video rather than read or listen to boring text. There are many ways to incorporate video into learning. A short five to ten minute video on important topics of the lesson is the best way. Having the students write down what they learned or having questions to be answered is a great way to get students to focus. I have always learned best through video. I cannot read a text and grasp the knowledge I need, but a video has a way of dragging you into it. Reading may be a thing of the past if we continue to evolve our learning experiences.
3.) Another tool that teachers have begun to adopt is podcasting and vodcasting. Podcasting let's students listen to information at home so they can do exams and experiments in the class. Vodcasting is similar, only it includes video. If there is a large amount of information to be learned this is a good tool. However, I don't think making a full school day on top of podcasting/vodcasting is fair. Students already have a busy lifestyle and giving extra requirements at home is over the top. Also some students can't afford a computer to view vodcasts which is also unfair. Perhaps this tool is better for advanced wealthier students, but the average student I don't believe will benefit.
Credit to Lino
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There are so many great multimedia tools - ultimately, the need for multimedia is growing...not only as a way to 'get' information, but as a way to provide it as well. I'm not sure that podcasting/vodcasting has to be limited to 'home' work - in fact, they would be great learning activities in the classroom for helping students with content delivery and creation. And, in so many secondary grades (and growing in elementary grades, too!), students have mobile devices in which they can access and create podcasts/vodcasts. It is time-consuming, but it is also usually deeper learning.
ReplyDeleteI still can't access your Lino - you need to make it public and then try again?