I believe that this week’s topic of multimedia has really shifted my perspective on using technology in the classroom! I have previously had a bit of an anti-technology mindset when it comes to teaching, but I’m working to keep an open mind and focus on the benefits of EdTech. This shift in perspective has led me to see that multimedia is a really powerful tool in education! After learning about multimedia this week, I can see how combining mediums such as text, audio, images, and videos can help make instruction more engaging. Although I’m not yet sure which grade level I would like to teach, I am confident that there will be opportunities to incorporate multimedia into my lesson plans. For example, I could use an interactive H5P video in a math lesson with fourth & fifth grade students. Presenting information in a different way may help to promote students’ comprehension and retention. Additionally, I could create an instructional video or tutorial with voiceover which may give me more time to support students one-on-one. A voiceover lesson could also facilitate a flipped classroom approach — one where students can pause, rewind, and rewatch the recording as they see needed. Allowing students to control the pacing of the lesson may work better with intermediate students, but I have a lot of time to practice and to feel it out!
I believe the Multimedia Learning Theory offers exciting opportunities for personalized learning that I’m super eager to explore. In the meantime, the approach will help me develop more effective lessons and help me to create a dynamic teaching toolbox!To give you a little peek at my own learning process, I have included my first screencast tutorial video which guides you through an incredible website called First Voices. It’s an amazing tool that I’m using as part of my free inquiry this term. I hope you enjoy it!
First Voices screencast tutorial link: