Digital Blog Post #H

Chapter 9 

Our education world is much different than it used to be. In the past decade, technology has transformed our classrooms. We are using computers for everyday activities like testing and practice assignments, PowerPoints, and apps on a classroom mobile device such as an iPad or tablet. Lectures don’t always keep a student’s attention. Using these technologies in the classroom will assure less snores and more student engagement. Teachers need to integrate multimedia technologies as well as equipping our students with the skills to do the same.

 PowerPoint is a program designed by Word that lets you create presentations. PowerPoint is very commonly used in schools for both teachers and students. You can add text, date and tables, and pictures to as many slides as you want. There are many slide enhancers, like 3D text, or the option to add audio. A popular group assignment is to have students make a presentation on an educational topic. In my hypothetical sixth grade social studies classroom, I would have my students get into groups of four. The topic would be a different country and all about its culture. The project would be completed in class and I would have my students fill out a log and turn it in as a portion of their grade. Not only are my students working together, but they are gaining tech skills that they can build from.

 Although we have to face the sad fact that art has been cut back so much in education, in the “NGA Kids: Digital Art in Classrooms” portion of the text, we can see how digital art has helped bring art back into the system. On a computer or mobile device, students can access a website like The Art Zone where they can create art using colors, images, and textures. I would let students use this website during downtime if we have any, or on a Friday afternoon. I support art classes and courses in education because it lets students express themselves and I think it’s therapeutic. Art has only proven to support brain development as well as helping students think more creatively.

 In the “Tech Tool 9.3” section of the chapter, we can see how the easy use of a podcast can change our classroom. Podcasts are audio recordings that are saved to a recording software, usually Garageband, and accessed via the internet. Most new computers have built-in microphones, but if not, you can always record from a video camera or a clip-on microphone. When you’ve finished your recording, you can save it to sites like iTunes, PodOmatic, or on your own classroom website or blog. I would have students complete a project where they’ll have to interview a family member older than them for a cultural project. I would allow my students to post it to our classroom website and encourage parents to view them as well.

 Technology plays a big role in how our students learn. As a future teacher, I know it’s important that I integrate the use of multimedia technologies because there are many great outcomes. Our students are more engaged, creative, equipped with tech skills, and are working with others. We want our students to feel confident when working with these multimedia technologies and to be able to build from them.

 Resources:

Alaimo, Avery (24 October, 2015). Digital Blog Post H. Made with 

   https://magic.piktochart.com/editor/765#

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New 

   Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

PodOmatic. (2015). Media for you, created by you. PodOmatic. 24 October, 2015. Retrieved from 

   https://www.podomatic.com/login