Journal 2: Finding Students who Learn Through Media-NETS 3,4,5

Bull, G, Alexander, C, and Fester, B. (2010, February). Finding students who learn with media. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(5). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201002#pg38

This article discusses the use of online authoring tools and the impact they have in the classroom. The use of web-based tools, such as PrimarAccess Movie Maker, students are able to create projects and retain information better with the help of primary source artifacts. Making movies or storyboards allows students to have fun while learning, as well as offer an additional way to present retained knowledge other than writing a traditional paper. Online projects, however, could require added class days to cover specific content, but wiht the improvements of PrimaryAccess and the use of a Classroom Assessment Scoring System, teachers can judge the effectiveness the projects have on the the students learning and adjust lesson plans accordingly. The use of a classroom assessment scoring system can tell a teaching how many students are engaged in both content and technology. It is also a good tool to determine which students prefer technology based projects over traditional pen and paper assignments, which makes for a quicker response to students grades as well.

Q: As a teacher, why would it be useful to have students make a movie or storyboard online?
A: It is important for students these days to be introduced to not only technology, but to different means of expression. Making movies and storyboards allows students to express the knowledge they have gained on a topic in a creative way. The use of pictures and primary source artifacts help students who may be more visual learners, and the rentention of information is then increased.

Q: How would I ensure not spending too much time on one topic when using the media based tools?
A: It is important to know how to use the media programs before showing them to your students. It is also important to use media that is specific to the curriculum you are teaching, which will reduce the amount of content available to the students. By doing this, it should be easy to incorporate media programs without spending too much time on one topic.