Multimedia: An Alternative to Curriculum Delivery and Assessment

Michelle Cheasty, Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Information SystemsFlemington- Raritan Regional School District

Pros and Cons of Traditional Lecture• Students are used to this

type of instruction• Teachers are used to

teaching using this style• Teachers have more control

over the classroom• Easiest “lesson” to create• New teachers teach the way

they are taught and observe- through lecture

• Not all students learn the same (Garner’s Multiple Intelligence)

• Traditional lecture does not leave room for “deviation”

• Students are often bored by lectures

• Difficult for teachers to assess learning

What is Multimedia

What Multimedia Is• Use of multiple media formats• May include audio, video, text,

graphics, or other– Webquests– Video projects– Podcasts– The World Wide Web– Presentations

What Multimedia Is Not

• Lecture• Worksheets• Seat Work• Textbooks

Multimedia Tools• Computer• Document Camera• Whiteboard/ Interactive Boards• Student Response Systems• iPod Touch/ Smart Phones

Webquests

Webquests• Allows students to follow a “quest”

for information• Set up in age and grade

appropriate format• Many already posted- ready to use

Webquest Examples

• A webquest about WebQuests- http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest.html

• Kathy Schrock- http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/webquest/webquest.html

• Webquest resources- http://www.webquest.org/index-resources.php

Video Projects

Video Projects• Allows students to view content• Easily accessible• Student familiarity• Multiple formats (DVD, VCR,

Stream)

Examples of Video Projects

• Annenberg Media- http://www.learner.org/resources/browse.html

• GlobalSchoolNet- http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsnabout/movies/index.cfm

• Edutopia- http://www.edutopia.org/video• Ed Tech Central-

http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/projects/edtechcentral/digitalstorytelling/default.htm

Podcasts

Podcasts

• Podcasts are digital audio files that can be streamed or downloaded for future play. Podcasts are different from other audio files because they can be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically as new media is added.

Examples of Podcasts• iTunes- www.itunes.com• Podomatic- www.podomatic.com• Podcasting tools-

http://www.podcasting-tools.com/podcast-sites.htm

• Podcast Lists- http://podcastlinks.com/

The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web• Almost anything accessible via the

web• Most up- to- date content• Age and grade level appropriate• By clicking on the RSS feed link on

websites, users can be alerted every time a website is updated

The World Wide Web• ANYTHING is available on the web• By using Google and Google Scholar, age and

grade appropriate information is available at the click of a button

• By using the linkto: feature in altavista, users can see what other sites are linked to a particular website

Presentations

Presentations• Multiple different formats (digital

and analog)• Teacher and student created• Widely available for download and

viewing• Accessible with or without internet

connection or computer

Examples of Presentations

• Video recordings• Online videos• PowerPoint• Flip Charts• Slide Shows

Digital Portfolios• Cover page with linked documents• Network folders/ unique logins for

student

QSAC• Access supporting documents for

QSAC review• Edit and revise documents that do

not meet QSAC standards

The Paperless Classroom

• Reduce cost of consumables• Reduce number of printers• Reduce repair costs• Scan to e-mail/ mailbox• Mailbox printing• Electronic documents

Pitfalls• High enthusiasm without support• Implement without conversation or

training• Copiers with low copy blocks• Overnight implementation• No buy- in from key players

Getting Tech Help Without a Tech• Basic troubleshooting tips• Google search• Online documentation/ manuals

Thank You to AverMedia for providing the document camera and CDWG for providing the projector

Questions

Michelle CheastySupervisor of Instructional

Technology and Information Systems

Flemington Raritan Regional School District

mcheasty@frsd.k12.nj.us