Multi Media and Internet

I was very interested in this article, because as an educator I am trying to make the work we do in class as relevant as possible to my students. My students (and the students of this generation) have a great deal of access to multi media and the internet. Their knowledge and understanding of this tools amazes me. Using multi media tools allows all students to be engaged in an everyday project. I saw a lot of links between this article and the first presentation on digital storytelling. The article explained that having group projects allows students to work together and collaborate, bringing in a variety of skills, knowledge, and background. Using a multimedia with a group project is a great way to teach students team building skills, roles, and responsibilities. I thought this idea of roles and responsibilities was especially interesting, because I never thought about teaching this skill through an academic project using multi media. Linking it back to the storytelling project, students would need to learn to work together, create a project, as well as meet grade level standards.

My students are extremely interested in technology and are always interested when I use a clip from the internet, allow them to use the computers, or listen to something. Technology creates rich visuals and audios that enhance what is being taught. In addition I find that these enhancements help struggling students create a picture in their own minds and really begin to understand. Technology allows teachers to differentiate easily and quickly. Using technology in class allows students to feel more connected to what they are learning and more engaged. When students are engaged and invested in what they are learning, they are more likely to take risks, and challenge themselves.

Currently, my students are writing All-About books. My grade team leader has a very specific plan of what the process for writing these books looks like, however, I am taking a little twist on this project and allowing my students to do research on the computer in addition to using books. The internet can be an incredibly amazing resource, and I think that even second graders should learn how to search for information and decide whether or not something is a reliable source. My students have begun their research and are finding out so much information. My students picked an animal to research, and I was having trouble finding enough books for each of them to use. The internet, however, has proved to be an amazing asset to the project. My students have found facts, pictures, short clips, and articles about issues involving their animals. Many students because of this have changed their topic to focus more on how their animal is endangered and what is being done, not being done, and what should be done. I am excited to see how the internet and multi media is going to shape this project!

Alicia Citor