In our fourth class of technology, we focused on integrating multimedia into classrooms and the impact it can have on student engagement. We talked about their diverse learning styles, so using both visual and auditory elements could be very beneficial when teaching lessons. However, as educators, we need to ensure the resources we are using are purposeful and related to the content being taught, so they’re as effective as possible.
We also talked a lot about all the different tools you could use for creating graphics and videos. There are platforms such as Canva, PowerPoint and SmartArt, which allows you to design engaging slides and collages easily. For video content, Pexels and Unsplash are great resources to produce good quality videos that provide free images and are simple to use. I personally have an app on my iPad called notability, where you are able to incorporate images, draw something yourself and download documents to take notes on. It’s a really helpful resource for finding an already made document you like but just want to add on to or make personal. I love using it for staying organized and writing out my schedule everyday, as well as using it for my notes in class, but there are so many ways you could experiment and use these types of apps for teaching purposes.
Incorporating this multimedia into classrooms will not only make lessons more dynamic but will also hopefully increase students motivation and participation. As educators, it’s important we embrace these tools to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.