My past experiences include time spent as a journalism student at Cal State Northridge and three years working part-time as a contributor to a regional high school sports website. As a result, I am very familiar with editing video in a non-linear digital format and would feel comfortable helping students develop that skill themselves. I also worked extensively with PowerPoint as I pursued my interests in history and urban studies by taking courses in those departments which included large presentations.
Visual media is usually more stimulating than text media. Compare the thrill of watching a high-speed chase or a sporting event live on television to reading about it the next day in a newspaper. The same ideal can be applied to the learning and creative process.
Image from KTLA
Many kids are visual learners. They and their classmates may benefit more from creating presentations on a subject and presenting it before the class than they might from writing a bland research paper which is turned in to the teacher. It also puts the student in the position of teaching, which may inspire some to pursue the teaching profession later in their life.
Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation tool that students can begin to use as early as first grade and master by the time they finish middle school. In high school, PowerPoint can be used to create fully fleshed-out slideshows that can be used for class projects and presentations. PowerPoint is capable of far more than the simple text slideshows that most people associate it with. The program allows for the integration of images, audio and video to keep the audience engaged. It allows for collaborative creativity for students working in a group and allows every student to contribute according to their own personal talents. Students who are better at writing can write informative text slides, students who are better with images or video can contribute those. (Lewis 2008)
For more information on how PowerPoint can be used in a classroom, check out PowerPoint Magic, by Pamela Lewis. A free excerpt is available on the ISTE website.
Another good source on the topic is Teaching with Digital Video by Glen L. Bull and Lynn Bell. This gives teachers the basic steps on using digital video to develop a technology-enriched learning environment. A free excerpt is available on ISTE.
Source:
Lewis, P. (2008). Powerpoint magic. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/images/excerpts/POWMAG-excerpt.pdf
I feel as if your post contributed to the message you were trying to get across. As soon as I clicked on your blog and saw the picture in the middle, I scrolled down to take a look at what you were going to be talking about. You said that many students are visual learners and I agree with that. I know that I was interested right away with what you had to say based on the visual aid you had. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHello Dylan!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the standard you chose and how you explained it. Many students are visual learners and we need to make sure as future teachers that we embrace all learning types. I like how you include pictures in your blog posts. This goes hand in hand with visual learning because it gives us visual learners and readers something to look at and enjoy. I think it's great that you have so much experience with technology already. All of your experiences with technology will work out great for you when you become a teacher.
Hi Dylan
ReplyDeleteYour post was very well constructed. I love using powerpoint too as well. It allows a great degree of creativity. A person can modify the fonts, insert mosic, movie clips and funny letter animations. I think the study of powerpoint and wordperfect should be introduced in the school curriculum. Some schools, like San Marcos Elementary School do teach their fourth grade students the use wordperfect. I found that very inspiring that slowly, but surely more and more school and educators are starting to embrace technology.
Hello Dylan,
ReplyDeleteI also am a fan of your blog already. You definitely have technological skills that add to the appearance and content of your blog. This keeps it interesting and makes me want to know more. I also appreciate that fact that you don't make the assumption that your students all have been exposed to technology at your level and you bring about their introduction to in with basic, but effective methods. I think that incorporating technology that fosters creativity also fosters a deeper sense of learning and content comprehension. It draws the student in and allows them to put their personality into the project...creating ownership and value...don't you think?