Digital Media across the curriculum

In today's session we looked at the use of digital media devices in schools.

The growing popularity of digital media and devices made available on the web, has lead to the negative views on the uses of these in the classroom being changed to a more positive view. 

Some still warn of potential dangers like inattention and cheating, but many now see it as an inevitable culture shift that can enrich education.

The availibility of software that integrate these media elements and the opportunities offered by the media are very hard to ignore.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/10/24/20101024cellphones-school-classroom.html

In today's session we looked at different types of media devices that can be used in schools and discussed how these can be used.

A first was the use of digital cameras

Digital cameras are a useful resource as teachers can use digital images in a range of work situations.

One use is...

...digital story telling

There are numerous ways that Digital Storytelling can be used in education. Some educators may decide to create their own stories and show them to their students as a way to present new material. An engaging, multimedia-rich Digital Story can serve as an anticipatory set or hook to capture the attention of students and increase their interest in exploring new ideas. A number of researchers support the use of anticipatory sets at the beginning of a lesson to help engage students in the learning process (Burmark, 2004; Ormrod, 2004) and as a bridge between existing knowledge and new material (Ausubel, 1978).

Burmark, L. (2004, May/June). Visual presentations that prompt, flash & transform. Media and Methods,
40(6).

Ormrod, J. E. (2004). Human learning (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Educational, Inc.

Ausubel, D. P. (1978). In defense of advance organizers: A reply to the critics. Review of Educational Research, 48, 251-257.

Digital Storytelling can also be a potent tool for students who are taught to create their own stories. After viewing example digital stories created by their teachers or other story developers, students may be given assignments in which they are first asked to research a topic and then choose a particular point of view and a dramatic question. This type of activity can generate interest, attention and motivation for the "digital generation" students in today’s classrooms. The process can capitalize on the creative talents of students as they begin to research and tell stories of their own as they learn to use the library and the Internet to research rich, deep content while analyzing and synthesizing a wide range of content.

In addition, students who participate in the creation of digital stories may develop enhanced communications skills by learning to organize their ideas, ask questions, express opinions, and construct narratives. It also can help students as they learn to create stories for an audience, and present their ideas and knowledge in an individual and meaningful way.

Furthermore, when digital stories are published on the Web, students have the opportunity to share their work with their peers and gain valuable experience in critiquing their own and other students’ work, which can promote gains in emotional intelligence and social learning.

http://digitalliteracyintheclassroom.pbworks.com/f/Educ-Uses-DS.pdf

The following web link is to page which shows 1001 uses for a digital camera, some really good ideas there.

http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ucfcasio/qvuses.htm
Digital video filming and editing is also now common in schools as it is cheaper and easier to use.

In the session today, I took pictures of Makeda at each stage of walking to the bustop to produce directions on how to get to the bustop. We didn't have enough time afterwards but the aim was to then edit the these photos and make it into a video with text and sound effects to make it entertaining.

Possible Uses of digital filming and editing
- create learning resource video clips (for use by students or the professional development of staff)
- prepare educational segments on safety issues (e.g. on roads, in playground, at home)
- assist in a variety of ways with the learning of other languages
- preparation of mini documentaries, interviews or news reports
- record students role playing difficult social situations
- record school performances, excursions, special events, field trips, visits by specialists, etc.
- collect video of authentic workplace situations that can be analyzed in maths or statistics classes
- use frame by frame analysis techniques to accurately record rapid change in experiments or sport
- compile still images over a long period to produce time lapse movies
- use frame grabbing software to record and analyze critical events
- increase student awareness of manipulative techniques used in advertising
- develop greater critical literacy skills by comparing television or movie segments with own creations
- view difficult, dangerous or expensive experiments or activities (recorded with specialists)
- assist in the introduction of disabled students into mainstream classes
- show skills that are quicker to learn by observation (e.g. sewing a French seam)
- record and analyse student or teacher presentations

http://www.zardec.net.au/keith/digvideo.htm

The use of webcams in schools can also make learning

a much better experience. 

 

They can be used for children to to observe aspects of school life as a stimulus for discussion.  For

example, webcams could be set up to observe the following scenes:  

Wormery - observe worms creating their habitat 

Snail tank – observe snail behaviour at close quarters 

Bird table/bird feeder – observe the birds that visit

what they choose to eat and how they eat.

 

                                             A further type of digital media is the use of podcasts.

       Podcasting is a wonderful way of allowing children to share their work and experiences with a potentially huge audience over the Internet. Schools are increasingly using the internet to promote what they do, and to celebrate the achievements of their children, and podcasting is an excellent way of doing this.

      What is a podcast?

      A podcast is like a radio show. However, instead of being broadcast

      live, a podcast is recorded and then distributed over the internet, so that

you can listen to it whenever you please. There are thousands of podcasts available, ranging from general

interest entertainment shows to those which focus on specific topics (e.g. computers / music / education).

In today's session, myself and Makeda recorded interviews with each other about our experiences so far on
the course. We were then able to listen to it and download it as an mp3.

How do children benefit from making a podcast? 

It gives them a potential audience of thousands for their work

It's great for developing literacy skills (writing scripts, setting up interviews, etc), allows children to

develop and practise their speaking and listening skills, and they also learn some amazing ICT skills.

Podcasts can be interactive, and the audience can be invited to send comments, giving valuable feedback

to the children about their work.

Making a podcast is also great for developing teamwork skills. The children always work together really

well, as they are always keen to make a great show.

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/ict/podcasting.htm

The following link shows a bbc report of how a radio programme carried out by children in a school in 

Norfolk, brought more creativity in the classroom.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2007/02/02/voices_makingradio_20070202_feature.shtml

Thats all from me............for now!