Thursday, 3 April 2014

Week 3: Multimedia in the classroom 2 (Presentation software)

Welcome to week 3 of my blog! 

In our ICT workshop this week we have been looking at the use of multimedia software for professional and classroom purposes. The term multimedia is used to describe the range of ICT that brings together more than one medium of expression or communication.


We explored, experimented and learnt about the potential use of the PowerPoint tools. PowerPoint is a presentation graphics package that has word processing, outlining, drawing, graphing, and presentation management tools. We explored the main features, the different views available, how to apply a design and to change the design, how to add shapes and add text to shapes, how to add buttons, how to use action settings and how to add animation and transitions. I found this activity very useful because I had little experience with using PowerPoint and I now feel more confident in this area. Please click on the following link to read the step-by-step guide on how to use PowerPoint:
http://www.msoffice-tutorial-training.com/powerpoint-2007-tutorials.html

We created a small PowerPoint presentation (shown below) about our family using some of the tools that we were introduced to.







We discussed some other multimedia programs that are used in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 such as the ‘Active Studio’ (which gives children the opportunity to create an interactive multimedia presentation), ‘SMART notebook’, ‘Photostory’ (which gives children the opportunity to create a story or movie in 5 steps using video, images, title, music and narration), ‘Clicker 6’ (which gives children the opportunity to become better readers and writers by using its speech in word processor, sentence building grids and other tools), ‘Storymaker’ and ‘2Create A Story’ (which gives children the opportunity to create and publish a story using words, pictures, sounds and animation to support Literacy and ICT). Please click on the following link for videos that can help children to use ‘2Create A Story’: 
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2create+a+story&oq=2create+a+story&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=495l6518l0l7067l15l14l0l10l10l0l177l429l2.2l4l0

We discussed multimedia’s impact on teaching and learning in the Early Years and the Primaryclassroom. Multimedia is a great resource for teaching because it combines a number of things together therefore allowing teachers to plan individualised learning to meet the needs of the different learners ( e.g. visual learners can watch an online video, auditory learner can listen to streaming and kinaesthetic learners can play interactive games). It has been argued by many scholars that Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (a theory that suggests students possess different minds and therefore learn, remember, perform and understand in different ways) establishes a theoretical framework for using multimedia in teaching as it empowers learners and does not restrict them to one modality of learning. Multimedia gives easy access to education and allows teachers to demonstrate concepts and lessons in ways that textbook and classroom lectures alone cannot. Teachers can use different multimedia resources to help their students to experience today’s global community, cultures and countries in immediate and authentic ways. 

We considered how we would present researched information in a manner appropriate to the intended audience. We said:
  • it would be key to know how much the audience already knows about the topic being taught (using previous assessments, observations and our own insight of the children). 
  • we would think about how we can link new material to the things the audience already understand.   
  • we would have enough information on the class to ensure that we have targeted our presentation at the right level for the children’s needs ( this might involve avoiding technical jargon or explaining abstract concepts with clear practical examples). 
It was essential for us to develop our understanding of how we would present researched information in a manner appropriate to the intended audience because if we fail to develop an awareness of our audience’s needs and understanding then we will fail to appeal to their interest and imagination resulting in ineffective teaching and learning.

I will now and continuously familiarise myself with old and new multimedia resources so that I can have an ongoing understanding of the potential they afford for teaching and learning. I will then have the ability to plan and create relevant effective lessons to include a variety of relevant media that considers all children’s learning styles and needs.

I will also encourage children to use multimedia (such as ‘PowerPoint’, ‘SMART notebook’, ‘Photostory’, ‘Clicker 6’, ‘Storymaker’ and ‘2Create A Story’) to create curriculum subject related presentations and resources during lessons. These tasks will be independent or group initiated and will include discussing or presenting tasks. I will ensure that these tasks:
  • teach children how to work collaboratively in groups.
  • develop children’s independents and confident when using ICT.
  • encourage children to express their knowledge in multiple ways.
  • encourage children to investigate and solve problems.
  • allow children to revise class work.
  • give children opportunities to examining the needs of their target audience.
  • teach children the impact and importance of different media.
  • allow and encourage children to present ideas and information in creative and compelling ways.
  • allow and encourage children to develop confidence when presenting and speaking.
  • teach children how to accept and provide constructive feedback. 

It is extremely important for all teachers to remember that multimedia teaching method do not totally replace other kinds of teaching methods.

I hope that you have found my blog helpful and below are some useful links regarding multimedia.

Enjoy the rest of your week!



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