Reading
Reflection # 4
1. What is multimedia?
Multimedia is commonly
used in the classroom as tools to help students visualize, synthesize,
convey and construct knowledge. Multimedia is often defined as the
integration of text, graphics, animation, sound, and/or video. In the
classroom this could be a power point presentation by the teacher,
using multimedia encyclopedias, or actually engaging the students in
using multimedia to construct and convey knowledge. For example
students could use content mapping software to brainstorm ideas,
students could us a spreadsheet and graphing calculator to record data
and produce charts, students could create a digital movie to
demonstrate a procedure, and/or even a class website that displays
student work.
2. Why use multimedia in the
classroom?
Some reasons are that
multimedia activities encourage students to work in groups, express
their knowledge in multiple ways, solve problems, revise their own
work, and construct knowledge. Further more there are many advantages
to integrating multimedia in the classroom. For example, by
participating in multimedia activities, students can learn: real world
skills related to technology, the value of teamwork, effective
collaboration techniques, the impact and importance of different media,
the challenges of communicating to different audiences, how to present
information in compelling ways, the importance of research, planning,
and organization, the significance of presentation and speaking skills,
and most importantly how to express their ideas creatively. However,
there are some constraints to using multimedia in the classroom and
they are: technological resources, technological skills, and time
required to plan, design, develop and evaluate multimedia activities.
3. What steps are involved in
implementing multimedia activities?
There are four specific phases of
implementing multimedia activities and they are:
1.) Decide
* decide on
relevant standards and benchmarks
* decide if
mulitmedia is appropriate
* decide which
learning outcomes are desired
* decide on
appropriate assessment measures
2.) Design
* find inventory
available
* determine
grouping strategy and roles
* specify
length/duration of activity
* design a
lesson/unit plan with a multimedia activity
3.) Deliver
* media development
skills
* classroom
management and configuration
* facilitating
multimedia activities
4.) Evaluate
* student checklists
* evaluation options
* reflection and
revision