The last reading assignment was about the use of multimedia in the classroom.  The website outlined what multimedia involves and how it can be used with children in the classroom.  Multimedia can mean different things to different people.  There are many components to multimedia.  The website defines multimedia for their purposes as “the integration of text, graphics, animation, sound, and/or video. 

            The teacher can use multimedia as a way of teaching the class.  For example, the use of a PowerPoint is multimedia within the classroom.  Most of the focus of the article is on how to engage students in using multimedia so that they can build on ideas and concepts.  I think that this is really the best way to use multimedia because then the students can explore and build on their knowledge.  They will have more fun doing this because they are discovering not being lectured to.  One example of engaging students with multimedia was to have them scan their hands and import the images into PowerPoint for a fingerprint presentation.  This allows kids to really connect to the project and learn better from it. 

            There are many advantages to using multimedia in the classroom.  Students get a good handle on technology skills and are able to see how valuable different kinds of multimedia can be.  They are able to be more creative and enjoy their learning experience.  Students will also have a lot of opportunities to work together and solve problems with their multimedia. 

            Teachers do need to have the technology available to the class to use and be able to use the technology themselves so that they can help teach the class.  Using multimedia projects in the class can take more time because the students need the time to prepare their projects and discover on their own.  However, the students’ interest and learning will outweigh the disadvantages. 

            The website also outlines four steps that can be used when planning a multimedia activity.  First, the teacher should DECIDE by looking at the relevant standards, appropriate multimedia, learning outcomes, and assessments.  Then, the teacher can DESIGN by creating a lesson plan based on available hardware, groups, and time.  Third, the teacher will DELIVER by actually putting the multimedia activity in place.  Finally, the teacher can EVALUATE the students, reflect, and revise the activity. 

            As a teacher, I would like to be able to use different kinds of multimedia in the classroom.  I would hope that I would be able to not only teach with multimedia but also engage the children in exploring and discovering with multimedia.  I think that students of all ages could benefit from using multimedia to learn.  When students use different forms of multimedia, they are more engaged and interested.  They are able to get more from the activity and retain their knowledge.  Hopefully, the projects that I have completed over the semester will help me to be able to use multimedia with my students in the future.