Week 1 Blog
Right now I use a lot of
multimedia in the classroom. I use PowerPoint and Prezi Daily for typical
notes. We also watch a lot of YouTube and school tube videos. That are
integrated into all of my presentations. I draw models and diagrams on the
board and explain them as we go. Students will take pictures of what I have
written on the board, which I think is helpful. I also use music in my
classroom that connects to the content for example. When we are learning about
weather, specifically air pressure and density, I play the song "under pressure"
while the students are coming in, they will not get the connection until we
start talking about our content that day.
I also share raps and other songs that teachers have made about things
like the water cycle to help them remember. I have built several web quests
that include models for the kids to look at as they go through their work. I try
to do 1 demonstration related to our content each day and if I cannot find one
I will try to find one just for fun.
I feel like I aligned well with
the theories for teaching while using multimedia because of all of the
multimedia that I discussed in the previous paragraph, I did learn some helpful
tips about how to get more out of your presentations though.
I feel like I depart from the
theories and principals in the reading when it comes to using multimedia
projects. I have little to know projects that involve the students using
multimedia to exemplify mastery learning. I feel like building these projects
is something that I am not very good at and could improve upon. I would love to
have more classroom participation when it comes to completing group projects and
incorporating more multimedia may be a good way to do that.
As soon as I read the first
article about the air pump and diagrams it reminded me that I want to try and
find an interactive module that could demonstrate gas properties and let the
students manipulate it. I was able to find one right away to use in class the
following day. We were in the computer lab and I actually had to tell some students
to stop messing with the interactive model and get back to work, they were very
engaged. I also liked the fact that Multimedia projects give students a reason
to do their work. Often I feel like the kids are not motivated to do the work
and having some more multimedia projects may help.
Hello Ken,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are describing the coherence principle when you discuss the removing of the extraneous material that may confuse your students. As a fellow science teacher the audio, visual diagrams, and videos that I use are very similar to your classroom. If you feel that you need to gain some knowledge ion multimedia projects, I feel that you are seeking the right master degree. When it comes time to tackle any project remember to take one step at a time and gradually your students will run with the technology, they do grow up in a world that is very much technologically driven. I also find the use of simulations important, especially using the segmenting principle, be allowing students smaller parts of the lesson before I would describe something like how an air pump works. Do you feel sometimes with your students that they struggle with foundational knowledge ,which makes the labs that much harder to understand?
Andrew
Hi Ken. I totally agree with you about the multimedia projects. I have first graders too so I find it difficult for their ability level, however hopefully we will both come out of this class more confident about incorporating these types of projects in the classroom. It is good to see all the ways you incorporate multimedia! My students love Teachertube/youtube!
ReplyDeleteHello Ken,
ReplyDeleteI love all the multimedia resources that are out there to help a guide a lesson along, but you are right that actually building some of the projects could possibly reach other types of learning styles. I feel like multimedia can cover a lot of the Gardner's multiple intelligences, however it misses some crucial ones. Like the interactive air pump, yes it was engaging, but having one in the classroom for the students to examine or take apart to see how it was working would have been neat too. I learn much better when I do things hands on, I have to try it out a few times before I get it sometimes. I know some projects are complete unattainable because of cost, safety, and other reasons. So interactive models are definitely great resource as well.