Utilizing Multimedia: Help or Hinderance?

Chapter 9 Reflections

1. How can my students use multimedia for their projects?

Ideally students should use multimedia for presentations that need to be explained in detail and when combined with graphics or animation will aid in the communication of large amounts of information. Multimedia when used properly can really augment a lesson plan; by allowing the students to conduct a more thorough study of course content their learning is greatly improved. However, it is necessary to take precautions when using multimedia to keep the students on task because multimedia can be distracting and interfere with learning as well. It is best to have a clear idea of the lesson and to plan every aspect of the multimedia project in order to keep the students from wandering off task. Otherwise, multimedia is a wonderful tool to use in the classroom (Morrison-Lowther, pg. 234-235).


2. What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation?

A multimedia presentation uses more than one format to communicate the information. There are numerous applications that can be used to communicate, here are a few: videos, graphics, pictures, animation, and text. Students can use any combination of these to create a multimedia presentation. This technology can be used to enhance learning, but if there is too much of any of the applications it can be very distracting which would take away from the lesson content (Morrison-Lowther, pg. 235-236).


3. Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?

It can be distracting when student overuse graphics or animation in their multimedia presentations, however it is very natural for students to want to explore the different options that multimedia has to offer. One idea is to have students complete their presentation first without graphics and animation, then allow them a predetermined amount of time to add enhancements, this will ensure that they cannot go overboard. There is also the option of requiring students to explain their use of each enhancement and how it aids in communicating their ideas, by having to explain each one it will deter the students from using too many (Morrison-Lowther, pg. 252).



Resources:

Morrison, G. R., ), G. R. M., & Lowther, D. L. (2010). Integrating computer technology into the classroom, skills for the 21st century. (Fourth ed.). Allyn & Bacon.