EDTC 5010 - Chapter 9 Questions (Reflecting On What I Know)

CHAPTER 9 - REFLECTING ON WHAT I KNOW.....

1)  How can my students use multimedia for their projects?
It all comes down to the final part:  the presentation.  Multimedia, where appropriate, can help students with their presentations and in relaying whatever message they intend to send to their audience.  The possibilities are great.  Students can use audio and video to collect visual and/or auditory information and are also able to save or "archive" the information for later use.  Thus if they find some good music or videos but are not sure if they will fit into the presentation, they can archive it and look back over the information to see if it fits in somewhere.  These innovative approaches to presenting materials on a subject or problem, can be enhanced by using information from many outside sources.  They can collect information in spreadsheets and through use of word processing software and then integrate it into presentations such as PowerPoint slide shows.  Graphics, audio and even digital movies provide a way to add even more visual illustration for the audience.  It is a way to be creative and actively participate in their learning and interpreting.  When a teacher is guiding an NTeQ lesson plan he/she needs to make sure that the questions, subjects, and final reports can be effectively supported by the use of computer hardware and software.  Since both slideshows and movies require careful planning and storyboards, there is plenty of time and opportunities to manipulate information so that the audience can follow it and remain interested.

2)  What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation?
iMovies for Apple and Windows Movie Maker for Microsoft are two of teh digital video programs available.  The two programs help create video presentations based on existing movies found on sites such as YouTube.com.  They both can also guide a student in creating their own videos and "movies" for a presentation.  The most frequently used presentation application is PowerPoint.  PowerPoint allows students to create slide show presentations that get across their point of view or what they've learned about a particular subject or event.  These slides are backed by a formulated storyboard and general outline made by a student before using this application.  Students learn to manipulate data (pictures, graphics, movies, audio) to enhance and explain their point of view or presentation of the subject.  These are generally the applications available to most students at this time.  The video/audio options allow for archiving for future use and the PowerPoint application gives students a method for delivering an accurate and interesting presentation through a slide show.

3)  Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?
Limits should be imposed based on the need for computer/internet usage for the intention and content of the information being communicated.  It should be used at relevant points that best use it to convey ideas and messages to the audience.  Students need to focus on what the presentation is about.  Teachers should be responsible for monitoring interjection of computer/internet applications so that it occurs at appropriate levels and times.  Teachers should also decide and be aware of how many computers are available for use before asking for too much included from computer usage.  As the book points out, there can be overusage of applications, graphics, etc. that turn a good presentation into a "not so good" presentation.  It becomes saturated and not interesting.  As always, in moderation is always the best way to go.  Students should be enhancing their presentations, not weighing them down with too many extras.