This weeks the ICT tool that were explored were Multimedia materials included digital images, audio and video. These tools are important to explore as thy are all considered to be primary sources of information in the digital age (Fasso, 2012). Multimedia is an ever increasing phenomena in today's society and it is also a great learning tool to be incorporated within classroom activities. This blog will explore Digital imaging, Audio and Video while exploreing the advantages and disatvantages of using them in a classroom setting while discussing possible ways to include these web spaces into the classroom.
Digital Tool One - Digital Images:
It is a common saying that "a picture is worth one thousand words" however, pictures, or digital images are now being used to engage learners and promote further understanding for students. Images are often used for a decorative effect however, if used appropriately images can be used to support critical thinking (Fasso, 2012). The use of digital imaging also allows Teachers to present learning materials with the intention of engaging the students thinking and influencing their emotional feelings towards a topic. For example, in a Modern history class the Learning Manager could discuss the effects of the Second World War, while using an image of the devastation to support the content discussed. This would engage the students by providing a visual aid and it would influence their feelings towards the topic.
Ways in which to incorporate these in my teaching areas could include:
- To illustrate concepts and to show examples of what you are talking about, this allows further clarification for students, especially visual learners. In a history setting you could present an image of the event.
- To stimulate students writing a story/poem about that image - enhancing creative and language skills. this cold be used in an English classroom, for example write a creative piece on the digital image provided.
Reference:
Engagement activity - Mobaphoto
This weeks engagement activity focused on the re sizing and uploading of digital photos to the web. The program used was called Mobaphoto. This program was simple to used and highly effective. One of the notable benefits is that it allows you to re-size multiple images at one time, which is time efficient and user friendly. You could use this tool to support learning as it allows Learning Managers to embed relevant images, that is not time consuming and easy to use. The image below is a photo from Hawaii that was re sized and uploaded.
Digital Tool Two - Podcasting and Digital Audio:
Engagement Activity - Create a Digital Audio Recording:
My Voki can be accessed via My wiki space. Feel free to have a look.
Engagement Activity - Using web-based Podcasting
Podcasts are a a growing phenomena within the 21st century, they are easily accessible audio documents. These files can be created, uploaded and retrieved with ease. Educause Learning Initiative, 2005, explain that:
'Unlike traditional radio or other Web-based streaming media, podcasts give
listeners the control over when they hear the recording. It differs from broadcasting and Webcasting in the way that content is published and transmitted via the Web.'
There are many uses and benefits from the educational use of podcasts these include:
- Accessibility, it is accessible to any student at all times (Pitman, 2008)
- If students have missed school they are able to access the podcast in their own time if they need to catch up.
- Allows the ability to pause and take notes or rewind and listen with intent to parts that may have been missed
- They appeal to students as it is integrated technology and they can access them on their "smart devices" ie. iphones/ipods/ipads. (Fasso, 2012)
- Universities and colleges worldwide publish their content material for viewers world wide.
The following is a list of Podcasts that I believe are relevant to my teaching context, and how I could use them within my classroom.
- 'International System in the 20th Century' is a undergraduate history course offered at Stanford University. James Sheehan explores aspects of Modern History including the first world war, Communism, Fascism and the end of the Cold War. These podcasts cold be used within a Modern History classroom to explain in further detail the importance of these aspects and the effect they had in the 20th century.
- Oxford university have made their course "Approaching Shakespeare" accessible via potcasts. This course focuses on each Shakespeare play individually and explores various ways in which we understand Shakespeare. This could be used within an English class, so that students are not reading the script but are listening to the various critical aspects of Shakespeare plays.
- La Trobe University have posted podcasts on the discussion of history, these podcasts include in depth detail about the Renaissance and Terra Nullius. This could be useful for both modern and ancient history teachers as they could explore these aspects of history in a alternative form, other then text books.
Reference:
Pitman, A (2008). 4 Benefits of podcasting in Elearning, retrieved from
Digital Tool Three -Digital Video
Digital videos are a creative and exciting way to present information and images to a class. I had difficulties installing this program, however once installed I found it easy to create and manipulate this tool. Upon finishing my movie I had troubles uploading it to my Blog, after a few failed attempts I was able to post it; Bellow is my movie which includes images from my holiday in Hawaii and music from a native musician.
I believe that there are many beneficial uses for this technological tool within the education sector. I have come up with some ideas that are suited to my teaching areas and have listed them below:
- History: Teachers could present the class with images/videos of historical events with voice overs and sound effects. For example, if studying Pearl Harbor the teacher could show images of the Harbor and the ships and briefly state what the ships name is and what happened to that specific ship.
- English: Teachers could incorporated the use of this within assessment tasks. Meaning that students could also utilize this tool within their presentations as a visual aid.
